“Hyung! We’re all set for practice! Come down already,” Minjae’s voice echoed through the hallway, shattering the thick, unspoken tension that hung in the air.
Nari instinctively pulled her hand from Jihoon’s grasp.
“We… we should go back,” she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
Jihoon didn’t move for a moment, eyes locked on hers.
Then he murmured, low and resolute, “Don’t run from me again, Nari. This time, I won’t just let it go.”
Her heart was still pounding as she stepped out of the room ahead of him, trying to breathe, trying to steady herself—his eyes still seared into her memory.
---
Back in the dance studio, the rest of the members were already warming up. Energy buzzed in the air. Minjae, ever observant, shot a glance toward Nari before making his way over to Jihoon.
“Hyung, where have you been?” he asked with a teasing grin.
“Nari-ssi looked a bit… flustered.”
Jihoon didn’t respond, just met his gaze with a cold stare. Minjae chuckled softly—but in his eyes, something flickered. A mix of curiosity… and quiet unease.
Meanwhile, Nari excused herself early, heading back to the design floor. She needed space. Air.
Her thoughts were spiraling, heart still in disarray.
This is wrong… all of this is wrong.
Then why does it feel so right?
---
Later that night, Jihoon found himself alone on the agency rooftop, overlooking the glowing sprawl of Seoul. The wind brushed against his skin, cool but not enough to calm the storm inside him.
“You’ve changed, Jihoon.”
The deep voice behind him made him turn. His older brother, Lee Hyunjin, stood calmly with his hands tucked in his coat pockets.
“Hyung…” Jihoon lowered his head slightly.
Hyunjin stepped closer, his gaze intense.
“You know the risks, don’t you? The public won’t forgive another scandal. Not this time.”
Jihoon clenched his fists.
“I know. But I… I can’t stop.”
Hyunjin exhaled sharply, yet there was no anger—only concern.
“I’ve always promised to protect you, Jihoon. If this truly makes you happy… I’ll find a way to shield you both. But only if she’s willing to fight beside you.”
Jihoon looked up, his eyes glossy with unshed emotion.
“Thank you, Hyung.”
“Just don’t forget—love means nothing if only one person is willing to bleed for it.”
With those parting words, Hyunjin disappeared into the night, leaving Jihoon alone under the stars.
---
The Next Day — Design Meeting
Nari returned to the agency, keeping her composure as she entered the meeting room. Jihoon was already there. So was Minjae.
The air was heavy. Tense.
The meeting dragged on for two long hours. Nari tried her best to focus on her presentation slides, but she could feel Jihoon’s gaze on her like a weight she couldn’t shake.
Across the room, Minjae was more relaxed. He offered light comments here and there to break the ice.
“You look tired, Nari-ssi. Coffee?” he asked gently.
Nari hesitated, but before she could decline, Minjae was already out the door.
Jihoon’s posture stiffened. His jaw clenched. Beneath the table, his fingers curled into a tight fist.
When Minjae returned, he placed the warm cup on the table in front of Nari.
“Here. Hopefully this helps, even a little.”
A few female staffers whispered amongst themselves, watching the scene unfold.
Nari offered a polite smile.
“Thank you, Park Minjae-ssi.”
Jihoon’s voice cut through the room like a blade.
“Minjae. Maybe you should focus on your training instead of… everything else.”
Minjae turned toward him, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Why, Hyung? I’m just being thoughtful. Isn’t teamwork part of being an idol?”
The room fell silent. Even the staff could feel the crackle of tension.
As the meeting wrapped up, Nari gathered her things quickly, hoping to leave unnoticed—but Jihoon was already calling her name.
“Han Nari-ssi.”
She froze in the doorway.
Jihoon approached slowly, his voice low but unwavering.
“We need to talk.”
“Jihoon-ssi… I don’t think now’s the right time,” she replied softly, not daring to look back.
“Then when? When it’s too late again?” His voice cracked slightly.
She shut her eyes, her chest tightening with every breath. Before she could reply—
“Nari-ssi? Are you here?” Minjae’s voice echoed from the corridor.
Jihoon reacted in an instant. He pulled her gently behind a large pillar, his body close—too close. Their breaths mingled in the narrow space. Her back against the cool wall. His hands lightly gripping her arms.
“Stay quiet…” he whispered, eyes boring into hers. His breath ghosted over her skin, warm and real.
Just then, her phone vibrated. A message flashed on screen:
“We need to talk. Now.” – Lee Hyunjin (CEO)
Jihoon’s eyes widened. Nari felt a jolt of dread run through her chest.
Had their secret already reached the CEO?
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Updated 116 Episodes
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