The bus ride felt longer than usual.
The engine rumbled beneath her, a steady vibration humming through the soles of her sneakers. Siwon leaned against the window, her forehead resting against the cool glass as the early morning streets of Seoul rolled by in slow motion.
Fog clung to the edges of storefronts. Commuters crossed roads with tired eyes and paper cups in hand. A sleepy playlist played faintly in her earphones — though she wasn't really listening. Not to the music. Not to the world outside. Her mind was somewhere else entirely.
On him.
On that message.
"You're rare. I like talking to you."
It had been twenty minutes since Ryan sent it.
Twenty.
She'd read it the second it arrived — the tiny notification lighting up her phone screen just as she stepped into the bus — and now, twenty minutes later, it still sat there, unread but definitely not ignored.
Rare?
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Was it a compliment? A trap? Some smooth, well-rehearsed line he sent to girls who didn't fall for his usual antics?
Or worse — did he actually mean it?
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, curling in slightly against the window, as if she could shrink herself smaller than his words. The message looped in her brain again, looping like a stupid pop song.
"You're rare."
"I like talking to you."
No. No, no, no. She couldn't afford to read into it. She couldn't afford to believe it. That kind of talk wasn't for people like her — people still hanging by threads at this company, people who had to earn their place, who weren't born into confidence and perfect cheekbones and effortless cool.
People who weren't stars.
What was she supposed to say back?
"Thank you"?
"You're nice too"?
"Don't say things like that unless you mean them"?
She huffed out a breath and turned her phone screen face-down on her lap, as if that would silence it. But her heart kept pacing. Fast. Then faster.
He was probably already busy anyway — doing photoshoots, drinking overpriced coffee, charming half the city.
So why was he texting her?
Why had he looked so serious yesterday when he helped her up?
Why did he get that close?
Why did he say things like that?
She dug her nails into her palm and sat up straighter.
"Stop it," she muttered under her breath.
People came and went at each stop, shuffling past her in long coats and backpacks. She barely noticed them.
Because she was still thinking about him.
Because twenty minutes later, she still hadn't replied.
And now — she didn't want to.
No. She was done getting flustered over some guy who didn't even belong in her world. Whether Ryan meant his words or not… didn't matter. She didn't want to find out. She didn't want to risk being toyed with — or worse, being noticed, then forgotten.
She'd made it this far by keeping her head down. She wasn't about to mess that up because of one text and a pair of stupidly intense eyes.
So she made a decision — right there, somewhere between Mapo-gu and MIL Entertainment.
When she got to rehearsal, she would ignore him.
No eye contact. No reaction. No acknowledgment.
Nothing.
Let him think she didn't care.
Let him wonder why.
Let him realize that not everyone melted at his feet.
Her fingers brushed her phone, still flipped down.
She didn't delete the message.
But she didn't reply either.
…
The practice floor was unusually quiet when Siwon stepped inside.
The hallway lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting long reflections on the polished tile. She glanced around, half-expecting someone to pop out from one of the rooms — a staff member, another trainee, anyone — but the space was still.
It was rare for her to be the first one there. Normally, at least two or three people beat her to it, already stretching, tying up shoelaces, sipping from thermoses. But today, the building felt paused. Like the city hadn't quite woken up yet.
She took a breath and let the quiet settle over her shoulders.
Okay.
Maybe this was good.
A minute to herself. To shake off the bus ride. To remember what she was here for.
She crossed the hall toward the tiny kitchenette tucked in the corner — not much, just a water station, a few shelves, some instant coffee packets someone had half-heartedly labeled with "STAFF ONLY." She grabbed one of the plastic bottles from the fridge, twisting off the cap with a soft click.
Stay calm, she told herself. Focus. Breathe. Hydrate.
She tipped the bottle back, swallowing quickly — too quickly — and accidentally splashing a little down her chin.
"Ugh—" she wiped at it with her sleeve, rolling her eyes at her own lack of grace.
And then she heard it.
Steps.
Someone climbing the stairs behind her.
Her entire body stiffened.
She slowly turned.
And there he was.
Ryan.
Hair still slightly damp from a morning shower. Hoodie half-zipped. A black duffel slung casually over one shoulder. He looked like he hadn't rushed at all — like arriving with five minutes to spare was enough to still command the entire room.
Their eyes met.
The second stretched.
"Hey," he said, his voice just a notch above a whisper — like the hallway had no room for full volume yet.
Siwon's grip tightened around her water bottle.
"Hey," she answered quickly. Too quickly.
She turned back toward the sink, pretending to adjust the bottle cap again. As if she hadn't seen him. As if her heart hadn't just done a triple somersault in her chest.
Out of sight, her brows knit together.
Ignore him. You said you'd ignore him.
But he was already walking toward her. Footsteps light, but certain.
"You're early," he said, his voice closer now.
"So are you," she replied, keeping her tone even.
"I thought I was the first one here."
"You're not."
He let out a soft chuckle. "Clearly."
She turned around slowly, bracing herself.
He was just standing there now — right in front of her. Not too close. Not far enough either.
She hated how good he smelled. Clean soap and something warmer. Something that made her forget why she was mad.
"You didn't reply," he said quietly.
Siwon blinked.
"You saw it, right?"
She opened her mouth. Then closed it.
Why was it suddenly so hard to speak?
Ryan stepped closer, just half a pace, and leaned one shoulder lightly against the wall beside the water station. His voice dropped again — playful, but a little less teasing this time.
"Did I freak you out?"
She swallowed hard. "Why would you say that?"
"Because your face says you're still freaking out."
She immediately looked away, annoyed at how easily he read her.
"I just…" she began, then sighed. "I wasn't expecting it, okay?"
"What — the text?"
"Yes. You. Saying things like that."
He tilted his head. "Like what?"
"'You're rare.'" She made air quotes, her voice rising a little. "You're not supposed to say things like that."
"Says who?"
"Says… reality!"
Ryan blinked. "Reality?"
"You're—" she gestured at him helplessly. "You're Ryan. You're… you. You have millions of fans. You perform in arenas. People scream when you take your sunglasses off. And I'm just a— I don't know, a girl who dances near you."
His brows furrowed.
"You are not justanything, Siwon."
She looked up at him, her breath caught in her throat.
For a second, the air between them stilled.
Ryan leaned in slightly, voice low.
"I said what I said because I meant it. I like talking to you. And I think you're rare." A pause. "If that freaks you out, you can block me."
She stared at him.
He smiled — a tiny, crooked grin. "But I hope you don't."
Before she could speak, voices echoed down the hall — laughter, footsteps. The rest of LOVE2 had arrived.
Ryan stepped back, adjusting the strap of his duffel.
"Guess we're not alone anymore," he murmured, eyes still on her.
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't know how.
⸻
The sound of footsteps grew louder as they climbed the stairs. Laughter echoed down the hallway as Lee Seojun, Kim Leo, and the others stepped in, chatting between themselves and carrying the buzz of morning energy.
Siwon instinctively stepped away from the water station, back stiffening as she grabbed her phone and stuffed it into her pocket like it had betrayed her.
She didn't wanted to face anyone — especially not Sim Jae — reading the anxiety off her face.
Ryan had already blended into the the members, greeting the others with a casual nod and his usual lazy grin, but Sim Jae wasn't buying it.
He clocked the way Siwon avoided Ryan's gaze. The way her steps stuttered slightly when their arms almost brushed. The way Ryan's smile didn't quite reach his eyes when she walked past him without a word.
And then—just like that—Siwon turned sharply toward the lockers instead of joining the circle forming around Coach Kim.
"Where's she going?" Shiaan asked, pulling her hair into a bun.
"Probably forgot something," Seojun shrugged.
But Sim Jae was already watching her back retreat down the corridor.
⸻
Siwon let the door click shut behind her, stepping into the dim hallway where no one would follow. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, still warm, and leaned against the wall with a quiet sigh.
She couldn't face Sim Jae. Not now.
Not when she wasn't sure what was happening herself.
Not when she was still hearing Ryan's voice saying, "You're not just anything, Siwon."
⸻
Back in the practice room, Ryan kicked his duffel bag to the side and grabbed a towel off the bench, rubbing the back of his neck as if he hadn't just rattled someone's entire emotional stability in the hallway.
Sim Jae stood nearby, arms crossed, watching.
He didn't speak until the others were distracted with stretching and rearranging water bottles on the floor.
Then he stepped closer, his voice low and quiet.
"What's going on?"
Ryan glanced up. "With?"
"Don't play dumb."
Ryan gave a short laugh. "That's not usually how people start conversations with me."
Sim Jae's gaze didn't waver. "Siwon."
Ryan didn't answer immediately. Just blinked, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was weighing whether or not this was worth being honest about.
"I don't know," he finally said. "We talk. We tease. She's interesting."
Sim Jae tilted his head. "You're interested?"
Ryan didn't reply.
"You've known her for a week."
"That's all it takes, sometimes."
Sim Jae studied him — eyes narrowing slightly, jaw flexing like he was trying very hard to keep something down.
Ryan noticed it, too.
"You worried about her?" he asked, tone more curious than confrontational.
"I'm watching out for her," Sim Jae said evenly.
Ryan's smile faded. "Good. Then I guess we're both doing the same thing."
They stood in silence for a second — not hostile, not friendly, just… loaded.
The door clicked again as Coach Kim stepped in, and Sim Jae took a step back without another word, his eyes still lingering on Ryan for half a beat longer than necessary.
Ryan grabbed his water bottle and turned toward the mirror, but his gaze flicked to the hallway where Siwon had disappeared.
Something about her absence buzzed in his head like a skipped lyric — unfinished and sharp.
…
Coach Kim clapped his hands once, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, listen up! There's been a change in the pairings for the stage performances. Management reviewed the chemistry during the last round of rehearsals and made some adjustments. Siwon, step forward."
She froze for a second, then moved slowly, nerves prickling down her spine. Everyone's eyes were on her now — including Ryan's and Sim Jae's.
Coach Kim looked down at his clipboard. "Starting today, you'll be running the partner choreography with Sim Jae. You'll be his fixed partner for the upcoming shows."
Siwon's stomach flipped.
She glanced at Sim Jae instinctively, and their eyes met — just for a moment. His expression was unreadable, but his posture had gone rigid. No teasing from Ryan this time. No smirking.
Just silence.
"Understood?" Coach Kim asked.
"Yes, sir," she said quickly, masking the tremble in her voice with a small, polite nod.
"Good. Everyone else, take your places."
The track began to play, low and pulsing beneath Coach Kim's voice as he barked instructions. Siwon moved into position, acutely aware of Sim Jae stepping beside her.
"You okay?" he asked under his breath, his voice so low it was barely audible beneath the beat.
"Yeah," she lied.
"Don't overthink it. Just follow my lead."
She nodded, unable to say anything else.
And then the music swelled, and they moved.
At first, their bodies were slightly out of sync — not enough to break the routine, but enough to feel wrong. Siwon was used to dancing with Ryan, who always pushed too close, always added flair, always flirted through footwork.
But Sim Jae… he was grounded. Fluid. Exact. He didn't crowd her space; he filled it — precise, calm, powerful. As they ran the duet section again, their timing locked into place, and something shifted.
He lifted her easily in the transition lift, hands firm at her waist. Their eyes met again, briefly, in the mirror as he guided her through a complicated spin.
"You're not breathing," he said quietly.
She exhaled, startled. "You're watching that too?"
"I told you. Details."
When the music ended, her heart was racing — not from the exertion, but from the way his voice lingered in her head.
Coach Kim gave them a few notes but mostly nodded in approval. "Better. Run it again."
They did — three more times, each run more natural than the last.
When the rehearsal ended, everyone broke off into their usual clusters, grabbing towels and water bottles, collapsing against the wall. Ryan had disappeared toward the hallway, joking with Kai. Siwon used the moment to slip to the side bench, catching her breath.
She didn't notice Sim Jae was approaching until his shadow stretched over the floor beside her.
"You okay?" he asked again.
She looked up, surprised. "You already asked me that."
"Yeah. And you didn't answer properly either time."
"I'm fine," she said, softer this time.
He sat beside her, maintaining a polite distance, the same way he always did. But something in his voice was different now. Curious. Maybe even… cautious.
"You didn't expect them to pair us."
"No."
"Is that a bad thing?"
She hesitated. "I just… thought I'd be partnered with Ryan again."
Sim Jae nodded slowly. "Because of the chemistry?"
She blinked. "What?"
"You two have a lot of… visible energy."
"That's just his personality."
"And yours?" he asked, genuinely.
Siwon hesitated. "Mine is more… filtered."
Sim Jae tilted his head. "I don't think so. I think you're just careful about where you show it."
She looked away, unsure how to answer.
A moment of quiet settled between them, not heavy — just reflective.
"I'm glad it's you," he said suddenly.
She turned sharply. "What?"
He didn't flinch. "As a partner. You're focused. You care about the work. And you don't fake things."
"You were doing well with Shiaan too." She said looking down at the floor.
"I'll do much better with you." he said more confident.
Siwon didn't know what to say. She searched his face for any trace of sarcasm, but found none.
And that made her chest tighten in the strangest, most terrifying way.
Just then, a familiar voice called out across the room. "Siwon! Water's in the hallway fridge, yeah?"
It was Shiaan, half-confused, half-collapsing against the mirror.
Siwon stood quickly. "I'll go grab one."
She needed air — or space — or something that wasn't Sim Jae's steady gaze.
As she turned and made her way toward the hallway, she caught the subtle shift in his expression in the mirror — just a flicker of something unreadable again.
Sim Jae watched her leave.
And behind him, Coach Kim announced a break, dispersing the team.
But instead of relaxing, Sim Jae walked straight toward Ryan, who was next door in a private practice room.
Ryan looked up with a knowing smirk. "Something you wanna ask?"
Sim Jae didn't waste time. "What's happening between you and Siwon?"
Ryan didn't answer immediately. He stood, casually wiping his neck with a towel. "That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether you're asking as a teammate… or something else."
Sim Jae's eyes narrowed. "I'm asking because she's not just another girl to play games with."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Who says I'm playing?"
Sim Jae didn't blink. "Because if you are… I'll know."
Ryan let out a quiet chuckle. "Didn't know you were keeping score."
"I wasn't," Sim Jae said, his voice steady. "But now I am."
They held each other's gaze for a beat too long..
Ryan gave a short, sharp smile. "Then let the best partner win."