As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, I stretched and yawned, feeling a gentle nudge from Taehee. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, her voice as warm and inviting as a summer breeze. "I've called everyone for breakfast. They're all waiting."

I blinked awake, still tangled in my blankets, and nodded groggily. "Thanks, Taehee. I'll be down soon."

She flashed me a knowing smile before heading out, leaving me to drag myself out of bed. The morning was crisp and full of promise, and I could already sense the excitement of a new day. I shuffled to the bathroom and quickly showered, the warm water invigorating me, washing away any remnants of sleep.

Wrapped in my fluffy towel, I ventured out of my room, my hair still damp and clinging to my shoulders. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast wafted through the house, making my stomach rumble in anticipation. As I entered the dining area, I was greeted by the cheerful chatter of friends and the sight of a table laden with delicious food.

"Oh, you all are here," I said, trying to sound casual despite my excitement.

Hyunjae looked up from his plate with a grin that was both mischievous and welcoming. "The food is here too. We were just waiting for you to join us."

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest at the sight of everyone gathered, their faces bright with morning energy. "Well, you all start. I'll quickly dry my hair and join."

I turned back toward the mirror in the hallway, my reflection a bit disheveled but hopeful. As I began drying my hair, I could hear snippets of conversation from the dining room—laughter, playful teasing, and the clinking of cutlery. The warmth of their camaraderie wrapped around me like a comforting hug, making me eager to join in.

NI-KI P.O.V

For some reason, I can't get Aecha out of my mind. Ever since she bumped into me yesterday, it's as if my thoughts have become a playlist stuck on repeat, with her face as the constant refrain. I mean, I was always a little interested in her back in high school, but seeing her again, especially now—The Feelings Are Back. It's like my heart is a jukebox and she's the only song playing.

During breakfast today, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Aecha. She was drying her hair, and I found myself mesmerized by how effortlessly beautiful she looked. I had noticed her before, but now—wow. She had changed so much, blossoming into this confident woman who radiated charm. It was a stark contrast to the shy, self-doubting girl from high school. Watching her now, I couldn't help but feel this flutter in my chest. It was like seeing a sunrise after a long, dark night.

Aecha finally took a seat next to me, which, let me tell you, was a delightful surprise. I was so caught off guard I nearly dropped my fork. As we ate and talked, I was captivated by her laughter—it was like music, light and infectious. The way she smiled, it made me grin like an idiot, and I was sure my cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling.

I was lost in this bubble of happiness when Taehee, sitting beside me, leaned in and whispered, "She is pretty, isn't she?"

Caught completely off guard, I was still staring at Aecha, my mind a jumble of emotions. "Hmm... Very pretty..." I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away from her. But then, as if reality decided to give me a jolt, I realized the gravity of what I'd just said. "Wait—what—No. No." I stammered, looking back at Taehee, my face probably as red as a tomato.

Aecha, blissfully unaware of my inner turmoil, just laughed. The sound of her laughter seemed to echo in my ears, making my heart race even faster.

"Look, I didn't mean that, okay?" I rushed to explain, my voice coming out in a desperate squeak. Taehee's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, really? It didn't look like it."

My eyes darted around the table, pleading with Taehee. "Please don't tell anyone."

Everyone else at the table looked confused, and I was left scrambling for words. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the heat rising to my face.

AECHA P.O.V

As the bus rolled up to our school, a familiar excitement bubbled up within me. It was strange, but the routine of returning to the old school grounds felt comforting, almost like slipping into a favorite, worn-in sweater. The day promised a blend of nostalgia and new beginnings.

The sight of our teachers at the entrance brought a wave of warmth. Ms. Mirae and Ms. Sora greeted us with their usual beaming smiles. We exchanged pleasantries, catching up on the little things that had happened during the break.

Ms. Mirae's voice held a note of mischief. "Well, we have some news for you. Remember when you guys had clubs?"

We nodded eagerly. The memories of our previous club experiences were still fresh, each one a mix of laughter and minor misadventures.

Ms. Mirae continued, "Back then, you didn't have a choice, right?"

Hyunjae grinned and chimed in, "Yes. How can I forget the time I literally had to go to the yard and clean weeds?"

We all laughed, the sound echoing through the hallway.

Ms. Sora stepped in, her eyes twinkling. "Well, this time you will pick your own clubs. AND, you'll need to assist the respective teachers with their students. Understood?"

Haeun raised an eyebrow. "Do we only have to assist them?"

Ms. Sora shook her head. "No, along with assisting them, you'll be given an assignment. You have one week to complete it."

We nodded in unison, excitement mingling with curiosity.

"Alright," Ms. Sora said with a smile, "you can go and choose your clubs."

As the group began to disperse, Taehee asked, "What clubs are you going to choose?"

Hyunjae answered first, "Instrumental."

Minho nodded. "Same."

Minseo chimed in, "Singing."

Taehee grinned. "I'm going to the theater."

Haeun turned to me. "I'm going to dance. Ni-Ki, you're going to dance as well, right?"

Ni-Ki nodded, his gaze steady.

Minseo turned to me. "What about you, Aecha?"

I hesitated, my mind whirling with options. "I... don't really know. I'm confused between dance and art."

I shrugged, hoping that some time would help me decide. "I'll probably decide sometime. You all go to your clubs."

They nodded and started to head off.

As they walked away, I noticed Ni-Ki lingering behind. My heart skipped a beat when he approached me, his expression thoughtful.

"What's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual despite the fluttering in my chest.

Ni-Ki rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture I'd come to associate with his nervousness. "Um... so... can you join the dance club?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Why?"

His cheeks turned a faint pink as he stammered, "Because... I... wanted to be in the same club as you."

He blurted it out quickly, and the sincerity in his voice left me momentarily speechless.

"O-Oh. Really?" I managed to stutter out, feeling a warmth spread through me at his unexpected confession.

Ni-Ki scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "It's okay if you don't want. I'm not going to pressure you. It's all your choice."

His small panic was endearing, and I couldn't help but smile at his genuine nervousness. "I'll think about it," I said, my heart pounding.

Ni-Ki gave me a quick, relieved smile before turning to leave. "I should go," he said, his voice trailing off as he walked away.

As I watched him go, I marveled at the turn of events. The Ni-Ki who had barely spoken to me in high school was now asking me to join him in a club. It was a surprising twist, and it left me with a delightful fluttering in my stomach.

"How times change..." I whispered to myself, a smile lingering on my lips.

With my thoughts still buzzing, I headed to the dance room, my decision feeling a little clearer with each step.

As I walked into the bustling classroom, my gaze immediately zeroed in on him amidst the sea of students. The chatter and clamor seemed to blur into the background as I focused solely on finding his familiar face.

And there he was, a beacon of calm in the chaos, engrossed in conversation with one of the students. Our eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world around us seemed to pause. A smile broke out on my face, and I lifted my hand in a friendly wave.

His initial look of surprise melted into a soft smile as he waved back. My heart fluttered like a thousand tiny butterflies, and just as I was about to make my way over to him, Haeun appeared, sliding into the conversation with that all-too-familiar ease.

I sighed and leaned against the wall, feeling the old pang of frustration. Even in high school, Haeun had a knack for swooping in between us. Some things never change, I mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Guess time doesn't change much," I murmured to myself, surveying the room.

"Don't think so," came a voice that jolted me from my thoughts. I turned and saw Ni-Ki standing there, his presence a pleasant surprise.

"Oh, Ni-Ki! When did you get here?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat at the sight of him.

"Just now. It's hard to get rid of Haeun," he replied with a chuckle, making me laugh a little. The sound felt like a balm to my earlier irritation.

As I continued to smile, I noticed him edging closer to me, our eyes meeting again in a silent exchange. The moment was electric, our unspoken connection making the air between us crackle. But before anything more could happen, Ms. Seohyun's voice cut through the space.

"Oh, Aecha and Ni-Ki, right?" she called out, bringing us both back to reality. We nodded, our faces tinged with the lingering warmth of our shared moment.

"I am so glad to see you both again!" Ms. Seohyun continued, her enthusiasm brightening the room. "Alright, everyone gather around!"

We all moved to form a circle, my heart still dancing from the brief encounter. Ms. Seohyun cleared her throat and began, "As you know, you will be given an assignment. Your first assignment is partner work. It can be either a girl or boy, or both girls and boys."

The room buzzed with excitement and whispers until Haeun's voice piped up, "Can we pick our partners?"

"The twist is that I will be picking the partners," Ms. Seohyun declared, and a collective groan of disappointment swept through us.

She proceeded to hand out cards with numbers, each card corresponding to a partner. I looked at mine—21—and scanned the room for the same number. My heart skipped a beat when I saw someone holding up the card with number 21.

I walked over to the person, my curiosity piqued. "21?" I asked.

"Yes," came the reply.

"Great. I'm Aecha," I introduced myself with a warm smile.

"Hi, I'm Jaehwan," he responded, returning my smile with equal warmth.

"Nice to meet you, Jaehwan," I said. "Well, looks like we're partners."

"Yep. Shall we start by picking a song?" Jaehwan suggested, and I nodded enthusiastically.

A few days had passed, and the routine of our rehearsals had become my little escape from reality. Jaehwan, with his infectious laugh and easygoing charm, had quickly become someone I enjoyed spending time with. We joked around a lot, and our playful banter had become the highlight of my day. There was one thing I couldn't ignore, though—Ni-Ki.

Every time Jaehwan and I would burst into laughter or engage in one of our silly jokes, I'd glance over and catch Ni-Ki watching us. His gaze was intense and, though he said nothing, it spoke volumes. I confided in Taehee, who, with her mischievous grin, suggested that Ni-Ki might be jealous. I wasn't so sure—after all, Ni-Ki was known for his cool demeanor. Still, it made me wonder.

Today was the day of our performance, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in my stomach. After watching several pairs perform, it was finally our turn. Jaehwan and I took our positions, and as the music began to play, everything else faded away. We lost ourselves in the rhythm, our moves synchronized perfectly. The moment we finished, applause erupted around us. We high-fived, our smiles wide, our energy palpable.

As the next pairs took their turn, I spotted Ni-Ki standing off to the side. His usual aloof expression seemed even more pronounced today. I made my way over to him, heart fluttering a bit, hoping for a little acknowledgment of our performance.

"Did you like it?" I asked, trying to read his expression.

"It was okay," Ni-Ki replied, his eyes twinkling with the hint of a joke. I could tell he was being his usual self, trying to downplay things.

"Sure," I said, reaching out to mess up his hair in a playful gesture.

After the performances, Ms. Seohyun called us all together to announce our next assignment. "Alright," she began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement, "this assignment is a special one. Next week, we're having a party for this reunion. On that day, all of you will give a performance. Some of you will be in pairs, in groups, and some even solo. I'll assign you your genres later."

We nodded in agreement, anticipation bubbling up. When Ms. Seohyun finished assigning roles, I learned that I would be performing solo, while Ni-Ki would be grouped with Jaehwan. My heart sank a little at the news.

"You don't seem too thrilled with your group," I teased Ni-Ki, trying to lighten the mood.

"Because Jaehwan is in it," Ni-Ki muttered, his expression darkening slightly.

"Why don't you like him? He's so nice and sweet," I said, a genuine smile on my face as I glanced at Jaehwan, who was chatting animatedly with a friend.

Ni-Ki's glare softened slightly, but he still muttered, "Stop smiling."

I raised an eyebrow but did as he asked. Ni-Ki's gaze remained fixed on Jaehwan, a mixture of annoyance and something else I couldn't quite place. Then, in a surprising move, Ni-Ki wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said, "Let's go eat something."

As we walked away together, his arm around me felt both comforting and electrifying. My heart raced a little faster, and I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on inside his head.