As the week passed by, the auditioning for the dance club approached closer and closer. Finally, it was the day of the audition. 

Doyoung walked downstairs to see junkyu, hyunsuk and jihoon sitting in the rest area together. Mashiho had to go to the dance auditioning area earlier since he was already a member. 

Doyoung: I'll head out for the audition, hyungs.

Hyunsuk: doyoung, best of luck!

Junkyu: You sure you don't want us to come?

Doyoung: yeah, they won't allow outsiders due to covid. So it's pointless. But your wishes are enough. 

Junkyu: good luck doyoung! I'm sure you'll do amazingly. 

Doyoung: thank you!

Doyoung spared a quick and brief glance at jihoon and decided to head out. He was unlocking the door when he heard someone say something. 

Jihoon: good luck, doyoung. 

Doyoung turned to see jihoon smiling at him.

Doyoung: why is he acting normally...

But then doyoung recalled hyunsuk's advice about the timing of his confession, and how he shouldn't stretch it out and wait until it becomes too late. 

Doyoung slightly smiled at jihoon and nodded, before exiting. 

Jihoon: did you see that?! He smiled at me, didn't he?!

Junkyu and hyunsuk shared relieved glances.

Junkyu: yeah, yeah. We did. 

Hyunsuk: doesn't mean you won't apologize anymore. I don't think he'll forgive you for just wishing him.

Jihoon: don't worry. I'm well aware. 

Doyoung reached the venue. He was nervous. But then he saw mashiho, who gave him a reassuring smile. 

He smiled back. 

The audition began. For the worst. Because, despite the amount of compliments and acknowledgement he received from all the other dancers, the judges didn't accept him. He was on the borderline of getting accepted yet failed to meet some of the requirements. 

After the audition ended, he picked up his bag, ready to head out. Right when he was about to head out, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Mashiho: doyoung-ah, you did amazing.

Doyoung: clearly not amazing enough to get in.

Mashiho: doyoung...it's not your fault their requirements are so high to meet. 

Doyoung patted mashiho's hand on his shoulder. 

Doyoung: thank you, mashiho hyung. Maybe next time. 

He exited the venue and walked back to their dorm, with mashiho following close by. Once doyoung entered, he went straight to his room. Mashiho went to the living room.

Junkyu: what happened? Why did he just go back to his room instead of telling us about the audition?

Mashiho sighed.

Mashiho: he didn't get in. 

Hyunsuk was in disbelief, since he had seen doyoung dance before and his talents were exceptional.

Junkyu: oh no...what do we do...

Mashiho: nothing except giving him some time and encouraging him. He waited a year for this. 

They all stayed silent. Jihoon felt his heart sink. He didn't know why but it hurt really bad. For doyoung. He wanted to talk to doyoung but he knew he needed some time alone. 

Meanwhile doyoung was lying on his bed, the lights of his room turned off.

Doyoung: this is what hyunsuk hyung meant by timing...if only i hadn't wasted time and decided to audition last year itself, i might have gotten in. If i waste more time, i might lose jihoon hyung too...

He knew he had to confess soon. But he also realized that timing doesn't have to be early to be perfect. Because, clearly, it would be random to confess right after a fight, which wasn't even resolved. 

As doyoung kept thinking, he dozed off. 

Jihoon walked up to doyoung's room in hopes of being able to talk to him and comfort him. But when he found doyoung fast asleep, he smiled at how precious he looked. It just made jihoon feel worse for him. He slowly shut the door and left.