-FLASHBACK-

One sunny afternoon, after what felt like an endless study session, Jungwon and I lingered in the empty classroom, a quiet stillness settling around us. The normally chaotic air of our study sessions had given way to a rare calm, and I was busy packing up my books, my thoughts still tangled in equations and notes.

I was lost in the rhythm of zipping up my bag when I felt a light touch on my lower back, a fleeting caress that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. My heartbeat quickened as I turned to find Jungwon standing behind me, his hand lingering just above the curve of my waist.

"You know, you don't have to work so hard to beat me. You've already won. " he began, his voice a soft whisper tinged with playful teasing.

I glanced up at him, curious and slightly confused. "Won what?"

Jungwon's smile was slow, almost lazy, and his eyes sparkled with mischief as he took a step closer, closing the distance between us. His hand slid from my back to my waist, pulling me gently toward him.

"This," he said simply, his gaze locking with mine. "Us."

My heart raced as I looked up at him, the intensity of his gaze making it hard to breathe. "Is that so?" I asked, my voice a bit breathless.

The space between us felt electric, charged with a mix of vulnerability and unspoken emotions. The playful banter and rivalry that had been our shield seemed to melt away, revealing something deeper beneath. Jungwon nodded, his eyes flickering down to my lips for a fleeting moment before meeting my eyes again.

"Yeah," he said, his voice growing a touch rougher, more serious. "I like you, Bella. A lot."

The confession hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the realization settling in that what we had been feeling all along was finally coming to the surface. The teasing, the rivalry, the playful touches—everything had been leading to this moment, and it felt both inevitable and incredibly right.

Instead of replying with words, I decided to let my actions speak for me. I reached up, my fingers curling around his tie as I closed the remaining gap between us. "You know," I whispered, my lips just a breath away from his.

"I like you too."

And just like that, the last barrier between us crumbled. Jungwon leaned in, his hand sliding up to cup my cheek as he finally, finally kissed me. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if we were both savoring this long-awaited moment. But it quickly deepened, the playful tension between us transforming into something warmer and more intense.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting against each other's. We laughed softly, the sound a sweet melody that echoed through the empty classroom. The rivalry that had once defined us was now a distant memory, replaced by the undeniable truth that we had fallen for each other.

-THE PRESENT-

The invitation to KCON was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it meant we were gearing up for an exciting performance, but on the other, it kicked off a whirlwind of intense practice sessions. Yui and I had our hands full with our group's choreography and our individual collaborations.

It was the day of the meeting where we would finally get to connect with the idols we were collaborating with, and let me tell you, I was in the worst mood ever. I was so out of sorts that I barely looked in the mirror before heading out. My hair was in a messy bun, and I had hastily thrown on a hat and a mask. I didn't even bother with makeup. A far cry from my usual polished self.

Yui and I strolled to the meeting room, with me clutching a steaming cup of my favorite coffee like it was my lifeline. I took a long, grateful sip as we walked. The comforting warmth of the coffee was one of the few things keeping me sane that day.

When we arrived, Rima unnie, our manager, greeted us with her usual cheerful smile. "The idols you're collaborating with are already here," she announced, pushing open the door.

As soon as I stepped inside, coffee in hand, my gaze locked onto Jungwon. My heart stopped, and I choked on my drink. Coffee splashed onto my outfit, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me, bewildered.

"Unnie, are you okay?" Yui's voice pierced through my haze.

"Ye-yeah... I'll be back in a second," I managed to stammer before bolting out of the room.

In the hallway, I paced frantically, my mind racing. "WHAT THE HELL?!?! WHY WHY WHY?!?!?" I exclaimed to no one in particular. "Why does he need to be everywhere?!?! It's been freaking two years since I've been trying to get over him, and now he's just... everywhere. Award shows, variety shows, charity events... and now here. In this meeting room!"

I felt a twinge of desperation, my mind darting from thought to thought. "Oh my god, what if—No. No. Please no. Please, God no." I whispered fervent prayers into the empty space, hoping for some sort of divine intervention.

With a deep breath, I composed myself and returned to the meeting room, my heart pounding. "Hello, I'm sorry about that," I said, trying to regain my composure.

"It's alright," Mr. Kim said, flashing a reassuring smile. "Shall we start?"

We all nodded, and the meeting proceeded. As we discussed the details of the collaborations, my worst fear was confirmed.

"Bella and Jungwon will be paired for a dance choreo, alright?" Mr. Kim announced.

"Fuck," I murmured under my breath, a barely audible curse that I hoped no one would hear.

Mr. Kim's sharp ears picked it up. "You said something?"

"Oh. No. Nothing," I quickly replied, trying to brush it off.

The practice was scheduled to begin the next day, and the meeting wrapped up. As I walked towards the door, holding the handle, I suddenly felt a warm hand envelop mine. My heart skipped a beat at the familiar touch.

I froze, my entire body tensing. I didn't need to look back to know who it was. The warmth of Jungwon's hand brought back a flood of memories and emotions. He leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "Next time, be quieter while cursing."

With that, he opened the door and stepped aside, waiting for me to move. I finally turned to face him, my heart racing. Jungwon's expression was inscrutable, a mix of amusement and indifference that drove me crazy. I couldn't decipher his intentions, and the confusion only added to my agitation.

I stormed out of the room, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. 

The next day, I found myself once again amidst the bustling energy of the studio, anticipation mingling with my lingering nerves. I was excited but also a little anxious—our dance practice had a tendency to push my limits in the most unexpected ways. I spotted Mina, her smile bright and infectious, as she greeted me warmly.

"Ready for another round?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Absolutely," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

The choreographers assembled us for a demonstration of the new routine. As they moved with effortless grace, my heart raced, both in admiration and apprehension. The intricate steps and synchronizations seemed to flow like a seamless dance of their own. I struggled to keep my focus, my mind whirling in a storm of doubts and worries.

Mina leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper against the backdrop of the music. "Nice, right?"

I gave her a strained smile and a nod, trying to maintain my composure. Inside, I was a whirlwind of distress. The complexity of the routine seemed to mock my efforts, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety.

And just like that, the practice began. The studio filled with the sound of our feet pounding the floor, the rhythm of our breathing, and the occasional laughter or encouragement from our peers. I threw myself into the choreography, determined to overcome the challenges, yet my mind kept wandering. Despite the flurry of activity, a quiet tension lingered in the air between us.

Nothing changed between us though. We still didn't talk to each other, and our interactions remained confined to fleeting glances and the occasional brush of our hands. Each glance was charged with a mixture of curiosity and unspoken feelings, and every touch was like a spark that sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach.

After yet another intense practice session, I collapsed onto the floor, exhausted but exhilarated. I took a long swig of water, my thoughts drifting as I watched the others packing up. The studio was beginning to empty, the vibrant energy of the day giving way to a more subdued atmosphere.

As I sat there, the realization hit me with a gentle, almost bittersweet clarity. How fast the night changes.

-FLASHBACK-

The day everything changed had started like any other. I had been excited about the thought of Jungwon and me finally getting to spend more time together, feeling like our journey together was about to truly begin. But that excitement was short-lived. Reality came crashing down like an unexpected storm, casting a dark shadow over the blossoming happiness we had just begun to nurture.

It was my grandmother—the woman who had raised me alongside my mom—who fell gravely ill. It started as a routine doctor's visit, just a quick check-up, but spiraled into something much worse. Before I could even process it, she was admitted to the hospital, and suddenly, I found myself spending more time in those sterile halls than in the comfort of my own home. The beeping machines, the white walls, the smell of disinfectant... it all became my new normal.

Mom, already carrying the heavy burden of being a single parent, needed me more than ever. Worry consumed me, tightening its grip around my heart with every uncertain moment. Fear shadowed my every thought, creeping in during the brief moments of quiet, when all I could do was sit by my grandmother's bedside and hope for the best. I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, and one wrong step could send me spiraling into a void of despair.

I had no choice but to skip school for an entire week. Between endless hospital visits, running errands, and trying to keep things at home from falling apart, my world became a blur of sleepless nights and anxious waiting. The vibrant energy that had once surrounded me, the lightness I had felt when thinking about Jungwon, all seemed to fade away, leaving behind a numbness that clung to me like a heavy fog.

And then there was Jungwon. He had always been so attuned to every little mood of mine, even back when we were rivals and couldn't stand each other. Now that we had started to let each other in, he noticed everything—especially my absence.

The first day I didn't show up at school, he texted me. His words were gentle, filled with concern that made my heart ache even more.
"Hey, Bella. Everything okay? Missed you today."

I stared at the screen for a long time, my fingers hovering over the keyboard as I struggled to find the right words. What could I even say? The weight of everything was too much, and I didn't want to drag him into the mess that had become my life. I finally typed out a brief reply, something that didn't convey even half of what I was feeling.

"Busy with family stuff. Don't worry about me."

It wasn't like me to be so brief with him, especially now that we had started opening up to each other. But I just didn't have the energy to explain everything. Not then. Not when I was barely keeping myself together.

Jungwon didn't push me. He never did. He knew me well enough to understand that I needed space, even when I wasn't ready to ask for it. And that was what made it both easier and harder at the same time. He gave me the space I needed, but I couldn't help but feel the distance growing between us with each passing day that I stayed away from school, from him.

As the days went on, the numbness only deepened. The hospital became my second home, and I lost track of time. I could barely remember the last time I laughed, let alone the last time I felt truly happy. It was like the world was moving forward without me, and I was stuck in this endless cycle of worry and fear.