“Haneul, Taeo! It’s time for the couple interview mission!”
The manager’s cheery announcement made both of them freeze like startled cats. Sujin poked Haneul with a mischievous grin.
“You two are finally doing the real couple act, huh?”
Haneul fumbled for words, laughing awkwardly. “No, it’s just an act… right?” Taeo’s expression looked equally trapped.
Sitting side by side at the interview table, the MC grinned like a sitcom writer about to drop a twist.
“So, what did you think of each other when you first met?”
Haneul glanced at Taeo, stalling. “Um… I thought he looked cold. Handsome but, you know, the type who’d never say hi.”
Taeo tried not to laugh. “Honestly, Haneul was much louder and brighter than I expected. It was kind of cute, though.”
Outside, Sujin, Wooseok, and Jimin were eavesdropping by the door, nodding like gossipy squirrels. Sujin whispered, “This isn’t even in the script!”
The MC looked delighted. Time for the next question.
“Was there a moment you were grateful to each other?”
Haneul hesitated. “Um… after rehearsal, I was exhausted, and Taeo brought me water quietly. It honestly touched me.”
Taeo nodded, proud. “When I messed up on stage, Haneul was the first to cheer me up. It helped a lot.”
The mood was getting suspiciously warm. Sujin made a ticking noise.
“Are they dating for real now?”
Jimin grinned. “Pretty sure that’s office romance vibes.”
The MC went for a finisher. “One last thing—anything you want to say to each other?”
A charged pause. Haneul and Taeo locked eyes and started at the same time, “From now on…”
Bang! The manager burst in. “You two! The TV station just called. There’s another urgent couple mission, come downstairs—now!”
The interview crashed to a stop. Sujin yelled after them, teasing, “At this rate, you two might actually become a real couple!”
Haneul and Taeo exchanged an embarrassed glance, both faces flushed. As they hurried down the hallway, neither could hide their racing hearts about whatever the next mission might be.