As the first confession contestant was called, everyone in the practice room suddenly held their breath.
“Lee Haneul, are you ready? Please step onto the stage.”
At the manager’s words, Haneul stiffened like a statue. Behind her, Taeo curled his fist and bit his lip nervously.
“Go get ’em, Haneul!” Sujin shouted, waving both hands far too energetically.
Taking a deep breath, Haneul walked to the stage. The spotlight came on— and right there was Taeo, waiting. They couldn’t even meet each other’s eyes, the awkward tension sparkling like static electricity.
“Do I seriously have to confess something?” Haneul whispered.
Taeo gave a crooked little smile. “We could fake it, but honestly? Acting like I don’t care is harder than just saying the truth.”
Haneul shot him a surprised look. Just then, the spotlights got brighter and in the audience Sujin and Jimin were making dramatic faces and covering their mouths, trying not to laugh.
“Time for the confession mission! Let’s go!”
Haneul took a few deep breaths, then launched into her prepared lines.
“Um… When you’re around, my heart beats faster for no reason. Your smile makes me want to smile too. And, uh, I get kind of jealous sometimes…”
Taeo’s lips curled up in shock— but suddenly Sujin waved from the side of the stage, loudly interrupting.
“Wait, Haneul! Are you for real right now? Is this a real confession?”
Blushing, Haneul nodded, just as Wooseok popped up shouting, “Hey Taeo, aren’t you going to answer her?”
Taeo stared at Haneul for a moment, then stepped closer.
“Then, want to hear my answer?”
Just as the tension peaked and they hovered awkwardly in the light, the manager shouted again.
“Both of you, backstage— time for the next act!”
The magic popped like a bubble, and Haneul and Taeo scrambled down, cheeks pink. Behind them, Sujin and Wooseok giggled and teased.
“Who’s going to make the real confession first next time, I wonder~?”
Haneul and Taeo kept sneaking glances at each other backstage, their hearts pounding louder than the music.