Between two hearts 🤍🫶 special date
612 Words
A D O
Chapter 7 – The Question He Couldn't Ask
The concert was getting closer, and the practice room was busier than ever.
After three hours of nonstop rehearsals, Leo finally clapped his hands.
"Take a fifteen-minute break."
The members immediately relaxed.
Junseo went to talk with the staff.
Sanghyeon disappeared in search of snacks.
Arno sat on the floor, reviewing the choreography on his phone.
Anxin quietly refilled everyone's water bottles.
Only Sangwon stood still.
His eyes found Xinlong almost instantly.
Today's the day.
I'll ask him.
A movie... just the two of us.
He had practiced the question in his head dozens of times.
Yet now...
His heart was beating much faster than he expected.
---
Xinlong stretched his arms with a tired smile.
"My legs are going to fall off."
Sangwon laughed.
"They're still attached."
"Thankfully."
Xinlong chuckled.
Now...
Ask him.
Sangwon took a small step closer.
"Xinlong..."
"Hm?"
"I was wondering if—"
"Sangwon hyung!"
Sanghyeon suddenly ran into the room carrying several snack bags.
"Can you help me open this?"
Sangwon blinked.
"...Now?"
"I can't do it!"
Xinlong laughed.
"Go help him, hyung."
Sangwon sighed with a smile.
"...Fine."
First attempt... failed.
---
Ten minutes later...
Sangwon finally found another chance.
Xinlong was standing alone by the window, looking outside.
Perfect.
He walked over.
"Xinlong."
"Yes?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure."
Sangwon took a quiet breath.
Just say it.
"Would you like to watch a movie with me?"
Simple.
Easy.
Before he could speak—
"Xinlong."
Anxin approached with a lunch box.
"You skipped lunch again."
Xinlong smiled awkwardly.
"...You noticed."
"Eat first."
Anxin placed the lunch box into his hands.
"No excuses."
Sangwon quietly watched.
Again...
Perfect timing...
Xinlong smiled gratefully at Anxin.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The conversation naturally continued.
Sangwon stood there for another few seconds before giving up.
Second attempt... failed.
---
Practice resumed.
Throughout the next hour...
Sangwon barely missed a beat.
But his thoughts kept returning to the same question.
Movie.
Just ask him.
---
After rehearsal ended, the members slowly packed their bags.
Xinlong stayed behind to organize his backpack.
Sangwon noticed immediately.
Finally...
We're alone.
He walked over.
"Need help?"
"I've almost finished."
Sangwon smiled.
"There was something I wanted to—"
"Xinlong."
Arno entered the room carrying two hoodies.
"You forgot yours."
"Oh!"
Xinlong accepted it.
"Thanks."
"I almost left without it."
"No problem."
Arno smiled warmly.
The two started talking about tomorrow's schedule.
Sangwon looked toward the ceiling for a brief moment.
Seriously...?
Third attempt...
Failed.
---
Outside the practice room...
Junseo called everyone's names.
"The van is here."
"Let's go."
The members gathered their things.
Sangwon walked beside Xinlong once again.
This time...
He refused to lose the opportunity.
"Xinlong."
"Hm?"
"I was wondering if—"
Leo suddenly turned around.
"Sangwon."
"Can you sit with me in the front? I need to discuss tomorrow's stage changes."
"...Of course, hyung."
Sangwon forced a smile.
Xinlong waved.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah..."
---
That night...
Back in the dorm, Sangwon lay on his bed staring at the ceiling.
He covered his face with one arm.
"I couldn't even ask one question..."
He laughed at himself.
"When did I become this nervous?"
Every time he stood in front of Xinlong...
The words disappeared.
It wasn't because he lacked confidence.
It was because...
He genuinely wanted Xinlong to say yes.
And somehow...
That made asking feel much scarier.
Sangwon smiled to himself.
"I'll ask him tomorrow."
"No interruptions."
"No excuses."
"This time..."
"I'm definitely asking Xinlong to go to the movies with me."
Little did he know...
Tomorrow would bring even more unexpected interruptions.
- Writer
