Haneul was practicing the new partner dance with Jimin in the corner of the studio.
“Haneul, your right hand like this! No, softer! As if you’re petting a puppy!”
Jimin’s playful tone made Haneul laugh as their hands met. Across the studio, Taeo was supposed to be focusing, but his eyes kept drifting to Haneul.
“Taeo, are you with me or your daydreams?” his partner grumbled.
“Sorry, lost in thought,” he mumbled, glancing back at Haneul and Jimin dancing together, giggling for some inside joke.
Taeo felt a weird twinge in his chest. When Jimin started teaching Haneul the cute dance steps, Taeo couldn’t help but pout a bit.
Soojin, ever the mischief-maker, sidled up and grinned.
“Taeo, don’t tell me you’re jealous. What if Haneul dumps you for Jimin’s cool moves?”
“What? No way! I’m just…checking their form, that’s all.”
Haneul caught Taeo’s awkward gaze and smiled. Jimin leaned closer and whispered,
“He’s totally watching you. Are you two, like, a thing?”
“N-no, of course not! We’re just…partners. For now.”
Their eyes locked across the room, both pretending not to notice.
As rehearsal was winding down, the manager burst in.
“Tomorrow, we’re shuffling partners again! If you want someone in particular, write their name. No second chances!”
Haneul and Taeo both looked startled, staring at each other with ‘what now?’ faces.
Jimin poked Haneul’s arm.
“Do you wanna team up with me again tomorrow?”
Haneul hesitated, eyes darting to Taeo, whose face morphed into something straight out of a melodrama.
Then Soojin shouted,
“You have to write your REAL choice! If you lie, instant mission fail!”
The room buzzed with nervous giggles and glances.
Once more, Haneul looked over at Taeo. Tomorrow, would their real feelings finally come out?