The rehearsal hall buzzed with excitement again. Haneul and Taeo stood awkwardly center stage, holding hands.
“Okay, this time we really can’t laugh. If we mess up, we have to start over.” Taeo whispered, looking way too serious for a comedy skit.
Haneul tried not to giggle at his deadpan face. “Honestly, that face is making it worse.”
From the ‘audience,’ Sujin and Jimin waved dramatically. “First scene! Lovers fighting over a delivery box—Action!”
Haneul suddenly hooked her arm around Taeo’s. “This package is mine!”
“Not a chance, I’m the one protecting it!” Taeo clung tighter, and they both started a gentle tug-of-war, stumbling side by side.
A second of silence. They locked eyes, both desperately swallowing their laughter.
“One minute with no laughs!” Jimin called out like a strict referee.
Haneul whispered, “Only a minute? Feels like ten.”
Taeo gave a dramatic silent inhale, then handed her the prop box. “Here. It’s your heart. Protect it well.”
Instantly, Haneul’s cheeks turned pink. “You can’t just get all sappy out of nowhere!”
Sujin whistled loudly. “You two are pure comedy gold!”
Off-stage, the manager turned the main lights on. “Remember, real show means no mistakes. If you break, you repeat. Back to one!”
Taeo murmured, “Can we actually pull this off?”
Haneul grinned. “Not sure. You smiling is the hardest part.”
The air between them sparkled with laughter and a weird kind of anticipation. They started again, valiantly trying to keep straight faces.
Just then, a plush toy tumbled out of the props box. Both of them clapped hands over their mouths.
Jimin announced, “Uh-oh, I see your lips twitch, Haneul!”
Sujin jumped in, “As judge, I say try again!”
Haneul sighed and glanced at Taeo. “Seriously, can we do it?”
Taeo, barely holding it together, replied, “Let’s try. But honestly, why are you so cute when you’re about to laugh?”
The stage filled with giggles and charged glances. Just then, the manager’s voice boomed, “Next scene, get ready—!”
Locking eyes again, Haneul and Taeo prepared for round two. Could they survive this time without cracking up?