Between the Lines

The hallway was unbearably silent as Nari followed Jihoon. Each step echoed against the white walls, which suddenly felt too narrow to contain the thoughts spinning in her head.

Why did he suddenly ask to talk? Does he know?

With every step, her chest tightened. She could faintly smell his cologne—one that was so familiar it hurt.

A door creaked open.

“Come in,” Jihoon said without looking back.

The room was a small practice studio with a large mirror on one wall and a long bench in the corner. Dim lighting stretched Jihoon's shadow across the wooden floor.

Nari stood stiffly near the entrance, hugging her folder tightly. Her hands trembled.

“Jihoon-ssi… what is it? If it’s about the design—”

“Han Nari.”

His voice cut her off. Nari looked up and found Jihoon staring at her—his gaze unreadable. Sharp, yet somehow gentle underneath.

“How long do you plan to pretend you don’t know me?” he asked softly.

Nari felt her heart stop.

“W-What do you mean…?”

Jihoon stepped closer. Every movement made her pulse race.

“You used to call me Jihoon-ah. Now you can’t even look me in the eyes.”

Nari instinctively took a step back, her spine nearly touching the mirror behind her.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He closed the distance again—now only half a meter separated them. She could hear his breath.

“Did you really think I’d forget the little Han Nari who used to draw in my backyard?” he whispered. “I remember everything.”

Nari clenched the folder tighter, her nails digging into her palms.

“That was a long time ago. You’re… a famous idol now. I’m just—”

“And you think fame makes me any less human?” Jihoon's gaze softened.

“I need to know… why did you disappear back then?”

Nari bit her lip, eyes glossing over. Feelings she had buried deep began to rise, uninvited and overwhelming.

“I… I was scared,” she whispered. “Scared that you’d change once you reached your dream.”

Jihoon exhaled deeply. His hand lifted slightly—almost touching her cheek—but he pulled it back.

“You were wrong. Not a day passed that I didn’t think of you.”

The room was so quiet, it felt like their heartbeats echoed in the air.

“Jihoon-ssi… we shouldn’t be doing this. I’m staff. You’re an idol. What if someone finds out?”

He let out a small, bitter smile. But his eyes held something she couldn’t name.

“And what if I don’t care?”

Before Nari could respond, a knock came at the door.

“Hyung! We’re starting choreography again!” Minjae’s voice called from the hallway.

Startled, Nari took a step back and accidentally dropped her folder. Papers scattered loudly across the floor. Jihoon immediately knelt to gather them, handing the folder back to her. Their fingers brushed—just a second—but the warmth burned into her skin.

“Don’t run from me again, Nari.” His voice was low but intense. His gaze pierced into hers. “I’ve already lost you once. I won’t let it happen again.”

Nari looked down, holding back the tears threatening to fall. Her whole body tensed, but her heart thudded violently inside her chest. She wanted to say something—anything—but her throat tightened.