The Duet Stage

The week leading up to the music festival passed in a blur of rehearsals, vocal training, and stolen glances.

Jae-min tried to convince himself it was all just acting—a performance, nothing more. But every time Hyun-woo’s voice blended with his during the ballad, every time their hands brushed in the choreography, the line between reality and stage blurred a little more.

By the day of the festival, the rumor about “HyunMin” had only grown. Fans were already making edits, compiling every close interaction between them into videos with titles like “Top 10 Moments That Prove HyunMin Is Real.”

Backstage, Jae-min adjusted the in-ear monitor clipped behind his ear, his palms slick with nervous sweat. Through the black curtain, the crowd’s screams echoed like a storm.

“You’re shaking,” Hyun-woo’s voice came from beside him.

“I’m fine,” Jae-min said quickly.

Hyun-woo leaned closer, just enough for his words to be swallowed by the noise. “It’s just us out there. Forget the rest.”

The stage manager gave them the cue. Lights dimmed. The opening notes of the ballad filled the air.

They stepped into the spotlight.

Hyun-woo started the first verse, his deep, steady voice washing over the audience. The cheers quieted into a hush, as if the whole arena was holding its breath.

When Jae-min sang his part, he locked eyes with Hyun-woo—just like they’d practiced. But this time, it felt different. Real.

The bridge approached, the most intimate part of the song. Their choreography brought them closer until they were almost chest to chest, sharing a single mic.

> “Even if the night hides us…” Jae-min’s voice trembled—not from fear, but from the weight of Hyun-woo’s gaze.

“…I’ll find you.”

The crowd erupted into screams, but the world around them blurred. Jae-min could see nothing but Hyun-woo, could hear nothing but the sound of their breaths mixing between notes.

And then it happened—unscripted. As the final note faded, Hyun-woo reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Jae-min’s face. Just a small, tender gesture… but the camera caught it.

Flashbulbs popped. Fans screamed louder. The moment was immortalized in hundreds of photos within seconds.

They walked off stage, the roar of the crowd still chasing them. Jae-min’s heart pounded. “Why did you—”

“It looked natural,” Hyun-woo interrupted casually, sipping from his water bottle. “You did well.”

Before Jae-min could reply, their manager appeared, phone in hand, face pale. “We need to talk. Now.”

He turned the screen toward them.

The photo of Hyun-woo touching Jae-min’s hair was already trending at number one. The caption:

> “HyunMin confirmed? Music Festival Meltdown!”

Jae-min felt his stomach twist. This wasn’t just fanfiction anymore.

Hyun-woo’s expression didn’t change—but there was a glint in his eyes. “Looks like the secret’s getting harder to keep.”

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