Back to reality.

The echoes of music and synchronized footsteps filled the practice room as Jaeyel moved in sync with his members. Their trip to Busan had ended so fast. It was expected—it was only a one-day getaway, and they didn’t have the luxury to stay longer.

But somehow, it felt… strange.

Like the whole trip had served a different purpose. Like it had only been an excuse for him and Yang to end up in the same space.

Jaeyel exhaled sharply and shook his head, trying to snap out of it. His thoughts were slipping into weird places again. It was just a coincidence. Nothing more.

“Jaeyel, focus!”

He barely had time to react before a towel smacked him in the face. The laughter that erupted around him snapped him back into the moment.

“What the hell?” He yanked the towel away, blinking as he met Steve’s amused expression.

“You’ve been zoning out since morning,” Steve teased. “What, did you leave your brain back in Busan?”

“Maybe he’s just tired,” Minseo added, stretching his arms behind his head. “We’ve been practicing since dawn.”

“Or,” Jaehwan smirked, “maybe someone had a little vacation romance.”

Jaeyel’s face immediately heated. “What?! No!”

The group erupted into laughter, their voices echoing against the walls of the studio. Jaeyel scowled, shoving Steve’s shoulder, which only made them laugh harder.

“Alright, alright, let’s break for lunch,” their leader finally announced, saving Jaeyel from further embarrassment.

Jaeyel sighed in relief as they scattered, grabbing water bottles and snacks. The teasing faded into the background as everyone got lost in their own conversations, but Jaeyel remained where he stood, rolling his shoulders.

They had been practicing nonstop. The day had been a blur of choreography, exhaustion, and laughter, but even in the middle of it all, Jaeyel couldn’t quite shake the strange feeling in his chest.

Something he wasn’t ready to understand yet.

---

That night.

Jaeyel pulled his hoodie up as he stepped onto the rooftop of the dorm building.

It was the only place he could breathe. No cameras, no people, no noise. Just him and the city lights stretching out in every direction.

His mind drifted back to his conversation with Yang.

There was something about the way he spoke.

Jaeyel didn’t know what it was, but it made his chest feel strangely tight.

“You don’t listen very well, do you?”

Jaeyel exhaled, pressing a hand to his chest. “I swear, you have a talent for sneaking up on people, sir.”

Yang didn’t react. “You should be resting.”

Jaeyel huffed a small laugh. “So should you, shouldn’t you? CEO work never ends, right?”

Yang finally glanced at him. “That doesn’t concern you.”

Jaeyel smiled slightly. “Then my rest shouldn’t concern you either, sir.”

Yang held his gaze for a moment before looking back at the city.

They stood in silence, the cool night air brushing against them.

It was strange.

Just a few days ago, Jaeyel had thought Yang was nothing more than a cold, untouchable CEO. But right now, standing next to him under the night sky, he felt… human.

Not warm. Not kind. But human.

Jaeyel exhaled, breaking the silence. “You don’t have to worry about me, CEO Yang. I’ll be more careful.”

Yang was quiet for a moment before replying.

“Good.”

Jaeyel hesitated, shifting on his feet.

He glanced at Yang, who stood with his usual composed stance, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. His face was unreadable, but something about the way he lingered made Jaeyel speak up.

“Do you always do this?”

Yang finally looked at him. “Do what?”

Jaeyel exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. Just… show up out of nowhere. Make sure people get home safe. Drive them. That kind of thing.”

Yang tilted his head slightly, his expression giving nothing away. “Only when necessary.”

Jaeyel scoffed, shaking his head. “Right. ‘Necessary.’ You say that like this is just part of the job.”

“It is.”

That answer should’ve made sense. But for some reason, it didn’t sit right with Jaeyel.

He studied Yang, trying to figure him out. “I don’t get you,” he admitted.

“You don’t have to,” Yang replied smoothly.

Jaeyel let out a small, amused breath. “You really don’t like explaining yourself, huh?”

Yang didn’t answer. But for the first time, there was something in his gaze—just for a second—that looked almost… amused. Like he found Jaeyel’s persistence mildly entertaining.

The thought was weird.

Jaeyel sighed, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets. “Well, thanks anyway. For driving me back.”

Yang nodded slightly, but there was something almost imperceptible in the way his gaze lingered. A hesitation Jaeyel wouldn’t have expected from someone as composed as him.

Jaeyel was about to say something else when Yang suddenly turned to leave.

“Go inside, Jaeyel,” he said without looking back.

Jaeyel blinked, caught off guard by the way his name sounded coming from Yang’s lips. He wasn’t even sure why it stood out to him. Maybe because it was the first time Yang had said it like that. Like it meant something.

And then he was gone.

Jaeyel stayed there for a long time, staring after him.

Maybe he was imagining it. Maybe he was just tired.

But for the first time since debuting, he felt something shift.

Something risky.