Between two hearts 🙏🤘✌️
661 Words
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Chapter 5 – A Change Everyone Noticed
The concert was getting closer.
Every day, the practice room echoed with music from morning until night.
"One more time from the chorus."
Leo clapped once.
"Positions."
The members quickly lined up.
As the music started, Sangwon's focus never left Xinlong.
Not because he couldn't dance.
Because he couldn't help noticing him.
Every smile.
Every laugh.
Every small habit.
By the time practice ended, Sangwon had already made up his mind.
I'm not going to hide behind my feelings anymore.
I want to become someone special to Xinlong.
---
"Break!"
The members immediately scattered around the room.
Xinlong sat on the floor, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Before he could reach for his bag...
A bottle of cold water appeared in front of him.
Xinlong looked up.
"Sangwon hyung?"
"I bought an extra one."
"For me?"
"You always forget to bring enough water."
Xinlong smiled.
"...Thank you."
"You should drink first."
"Yes, hyung."
From the other side of the room, Anxin quietly watched.
Normally...
He was the one reminding Xinlong to drink water.
Today...
Someone had done it before him.
He smiled faintly, but his heart felt unexpectedly heavy.
---
A few minutes later, Xinlong stretched his shoulders.
Sangwon walked over again.
"Your shoulders look stiff."
"They are a little."
"Sit still."
Without waiting for an answer, Sangwon gently pressed on Xinlong's shoulders for a few seconds.
"Too much practice."
Xinlong laughed.
"You sound like Anxin now."
Sangwon grinned.
"Maybe he's rubbing off on me."
The room filled with soft laughter.
---
Arno looked up from his phone.
His smile faded just a little.
Sangwon wasn't like this before...
He watched as Sangwon stayed beside Xinlong, talking comfortably.
For the first time...
Arno felt someone quietly stepping into the space that had always felt natural between him and Xinlong.
---
Practice started again.
During partner changes, Sangwon naturally chose the spot beside Xinlong whenever the choreography allowed it.
As everyone prepared for another run, Xinlong accidentally dropped his towel.
Before he could bend down...
Sangwon picked it up.
"You'd lose your head if it wasn't attached."
Xinlong laughed.
"Probably."
"Good thing I'm here."
The playful comment made Junseo chuckle.
"Oh?"
"Someone's becoming very attentive."
Sangwon didn't deny it.
He simply smiled.
"I like taking care of him."
Xinlong blinked in surprise before smiling shyly.
---
Anxin heard those words clearly.
His fingers tightened around the water bottle in his hand.
Not out of anger.
But because...
Those were the kinds of things he always wanted to do for Xinlong himself.
He quietly walked over.
"Xinlong."
"Hm?"
"I packed fruit for you."
Xinlong's face brightened.
"You remembered again?"
"Of course."
Sangwon looked at the fruit container.
Then at Xinlong.
Before Anxin could say anything else...
Sangwon spoke first with an easy smile.
"Eat the fruit after you finish your water."
"You've barely had anything today."
Xinlong laughed.
"Yes, hyung."
For a brief moment...
Anxin and Sangwon met each other's eyes.
Neither smiled.
Neither spoke.
But both understood.
Without saying a word...
They had started competing in their own quiet ways.
---
As practice ended, the members packed their bags.
Arno walked toward Xinlong.
"Want to grab dinner together?"
Before Xinlong could answer—
Sangwon smiled.
"Perfect. We should all go."
He naturally stepped beside Xinlong.
As they walked out together, Sangwon lightly bumped Xinlong's shoulder.
"So..."
"Hm?"
"When the concert is over, let's go eat somewhere nice."
"Just the two of us?"
Xinlong looked surprised.
"If you're free."
Xinlong smiled.
"I'd like that."
Sangwon's heart skipped a beat.
"Then it's a promise."
Behind them...
Arno quietly watched the conversation.
For the first time...
He felt the distance between himself and Xinlong beginning to change.
Beside him, Anxin noticed it too.
Neither of them said anything.
But both realized the same thing.
Sangwon was no longer hiding his feelings behind small glances.
Little by little...
He was making sure Xinlong noticed him.
- Writer
