Between Two Hearts ❤️

Between two hearts 🥰 🍀

A D O

Chapter 3 – The Feeling Neither of Them Expected

The practice room buzzed with energy as music echoed through the speakers.

"Again from the second verse."

Leo's voice was calm but firm.

"Let's make it cleaner."

"Yes, hyung."

The members took their places.

---

Today's choreography had several partner changes.

During one transition, Xinlong ended up beside Sanghyeon.

The maknae looked nervous.

"Hyung... I still can't get this part."

Xinlong smiled gently.

"Come here."

He replayed the move slowly.

"Your shoulder turns first... then your foot."

"Oh!"

"Try again."

Sanghyeon copied him.

"Like this?"

"Exactly."

The younger member grinned brightly.

"I finally got it!"

Without thinking, Sanghyeon wrapped an arm around Xinlong's shoulders.

"Thank you, hyung!"

Xinlong laughed.

"You're improving really fast."

---

Several meters away...

Sangwon watched through the mirror.

His expression remained calm.

But his eyes stayed fixed on the two.

He's smiling again...

He smiles like that with everyone.

The thought made him strangely uncomfortable.

He looked away.

A second later...

His gaze returned on its own.

Why was Sanghyeon still standing so close?

Why did Xinlong look so comfortable?

He pressed his lips together.

It's nothing.

He's just helping the maknae.

Yet...

The uneasy feeling refused to disappear.

---

Not far away...

Anxin noticed the same scene.

Unlike Sangwon...

His first reaction wasn't irritation.

It was worry.

Xinlong is kind to everyone...

But...

What if someone becomes more important to him than I am?

The thought caught him off guard.

He had never been afraid of losing someone before.

Now...

For the first time...

He was.

---

"Five-minute break!"

Leo called out.

Everyone spread around the room.

Sanghyeon immediately sat beside Xinlong.

"Hyung, can we practice together after dinner too?"

"Of course."

"Really?"

"Why not?"

The maknae's face lit up.

"You're the best."

He leaned against Xinlong's shoulder while laughing.

Xinlong simply smiled and lightly ruffled his hair.

---

Across the room...

Sangwon tightened the cap on his water bottle a little harder than necessary.

Junseo noticed.

"You okay?"

"...Yeah."

"You look distracted."

"I'm fine."

He answered quickly.

Even he knew it wasn't a convincing answer.

His attention wandered again.

Still toward Xinlong.

Always toward Xinlong.

---

Anxin walked over with a towel.

"Xinlong."

"Hm?"

"Your face is covered in sweat."

Without hesitation, Anxin gently wiped the sweat from Xinlong's forehead.

"There."

Xinlong chuckled.

"You really take care of me."

"I like taking care of you."

The words came out naturally.

Neither of them seemed to realize how personal they sounded.

Sangwon heard them.

His chest tightened.

Not because Anxin had done anything wrong.

But because...

He wished he had been the one standing there.

That realization startled him.

...What was that?

---

Arno entered the room after speaking with the manager.

"I brought iced coffee."

He handed one directly to Xinlong.

"I remembered your favorite."

Xinlong's eyes brightened.

"You actually remembered?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

Their smiles were effortless.

Comfortable.

Natural.

---

This time...

Both Sangwon and Anxin fell silent.

Sangwon looked away first.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Why does Arno always know what Xinlong likes?

He hated the thought.

Not Arno.

Just...

The feeling it created.

---

Anxin quietly watched Xinlong happily drinking the coffee.

A faint smile remained on his face.

But it didn't reach his eyes.

He looks happiest around Arno...

His heart sank.

He wanted Xinlong to smile like that because of him.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to interrupt.

He couldn't force his way into Xinlong's attention.

That wasn't who he was.

Instead...

He quietly walked over.

"Xinlong."

"Hm?"

"I packed some fruit for you."

"Oh?"

"You skipped lunch yesterday."

Xinlong accepted the container with a warm smile.

"You remembered?"

"I always remember."

Their eyes met.

For just a moment.

Anxin felt relieved.

Just seeing Xinlong smile at him was enough.

At least...

For now.

---

"Everyone!"

Leo clapped loudly.

"Back to practice."

The members lined up again.

Music filled the room.

Xinlong laughed at something Sanghyeon whispered.

Arno smiled at him from the other side of the formation.

Anxin unconsciously checked if Xinlong looked tired.

And without realizing it...

Sangwon's eyes searched for only one person the entire practice.

He still hadn't admitted his feelings.

But one truth was becoming impossible to ignore.

Whenever Xinlong's attention belonged to someone else...

Something inside him quietly ached.

And standing only a few steps away...

Anxin was beginning to feel the very same fear.

Neither of them said a word.

Neither of them planned to confess.

But without anyone noticing...

A silent love triangle had already begun.