As soon as the partner shuffle was announced, the practice room erupted with noise.
“Who am I supposed to do this with now?” Sujin whined like a drama queen.
The manager walked in, holding a bowl. “Selfie mission, partner drawing! Totally random!”
Haneul’s brain was still scrambled from her almost-conversation with Woo-seok. She glanced at Tae-oh, who looked like he’d bitten into a lemon.
“First up, Haneul,” the manager said, pushing the bowl toward her.
She reached in and pulled out a small slip of paper. Everyone held their breath.
“…Kang Tae-oh.”
The room went dead silent. Sujin gave Haneul the classic ‘are you kidding me, is this a K-drama’ stare. Woo-seok looked away.
Tae-oh stepped up. “Us again, huh? Maybe the universe ships us.”
Haneul rolled her eyes. “If the universe wants us together, it seriously needs a new hobby.”
Tae-oh grinned. “Well, anyone who tries to crash our duo is getting banned from the selfie club.”
Sujin drew Woo-seok, leaving Ji-min with Sujin. Like fate wanted maximum chaos.
“Mission briefing!” the manager said. “You and your partner need to take 10 funny-face selfies in one minute. Then, record a video message to each other. Make it good.”
Haneul groaned inside. Ten goofy selfies with Tae-oh? Her dignity was about to be sacrificed.
Tae-oh leaned in and whispered, just for her.
“Haneul, let’s try actually having fun this time, yeah?”
She stared at him. Could she ever laugh with him like people in their past life did? Her heart suddenly felt light—and nervous.
“You’d better actually be funny, got it?”
Tae-oh winked and struck a pose. “Prepare to be amazed. This one’s for the history books.”
The mission bell rang. They picked up her phone, giggles already bubbling. Tae-oh made a ridiculously silly face. Haneul burst out laughing before she could stop herself.
“Hey! That was ridiculous!”
Tae-oh laughed too. “I have so much more where that came from!”
With every snap, their awkwardness melted away. Before long, they were hogging the corner of the room, laughing like old friends.
After the tenth selfie, it was time for the video message. Haneul suddenly got all shy, ducking her head.
“Um… Can you go first?”
Tae-oh nodded, recording mode on. He hesitated, then finally spoke.
“Haneul, I’ll just say it. Past life or not… I can’t stop thinking about you. Is it okay if, this time, I really confess?”
Her heart jumped. She opened her mouth to answer—just as Woo-seok stepped in, offering to check the camera angle.
Haneul and Tae-oh locked eyes, caught mid-confession, silence hanging in the air.
“Relax! I’m just helping out!” Woo-seok said, a little too loud.
Haneul faked a laugh. Tae-oh let out a tiny sigh.
The mission timer went off. The moment was gone, and Haneul’s answer—once again—had to wait.
Their unfinished video hung in the air, the next move left in suspense.