chapter 5 A Feeling Without a Name
990 Words
chapter 5 A Feeling Without a Name
Shinyu stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his microphone before practice.
"Everyone ready?" he asked.
"Ready!" Youngjae replied.
Hanjin walked in a few seconds later, smiling brightly.
"Sorry, hyung. I was helping the staff."
Shinyu looked at him for a brief moment.
"It's okay. Let's start."
For some reason, his eyes stayed on Hanjin a second longer than usual.
The music began.
Halfway through the choreography, Hanjin lost his balance during a turn.
Before he could fall, Dohoon instinctively grabbed his wrist.
"Careful."
Hanjin laughed sheepishly.
"Thank you, hyung."
Dohoon smiled.
"No problem."
He let go immediately, thinking nothing of it.
Across the room, Shinyu noticed the interaction.
Dohoon hyung is always taking care of everyone, he thought.
He didn't think much of it.
After practice, everyone sat on the floor drinking water.
Youngjae complained dramatically.
"I'm dying."
Jihoon laughed.
"We've only practiced for three hours."
Hanjin took out a small packet of snacks.
"I brought extras. Anyone want some?"
"I do!" Youngjae answered first.
The members gathered around him.
Dohoon accepted one.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, hyung."
Again, Hanjin smiled so naturally that Dohoon found himself smiling back without realizing it.
He's really easy to be around, Dohoon thought.
Nothing more.
Or at least... that's what he believed.
A few minutes later, Hanjin walked over to Shinyu.
"Leader hyung, can you check my ending position? I think I keep making the same mistake."
"Of course."
Shinyu carefully adjusted Hanjin's shoulders.
"Stand here... and turn a little more."
"Like this?"
"Yeah. Perfect."
"Thank you!"
Hanjin ran back to the others.
Shinyu watched him leave before quietly looking away.
Why am I paying so much attention to him lately?
He frowned at himself.
Maybe I'm just worried because I'm the leader.
Across the room, Dohoon was having almost the same thought.
Strange... Why do I keep looking for Hanjin without even realizing it?
Neither of them knew the other was feeling exactly the same.
To everyone else, it looked completely normal.
But without realizing it, two hearts had already begun walking toward the same person.
The rivalry hadn't started yet.
Neither Shinyu nor Dohoon knew they would one day become each other's biggest obstacle.
A week had passed since their concert preparations became more intense.
The members were spending almost every hour together.
Something was changing.
No one noticed it.
Not even Shinyu or Dohoon themselves.
---
"Baby, you forgot your water bottle."
The practice room fell silent for a second.
Hanjin blinked.
"...Baby?"
Dohoon froze.
Youngjae burst into laughter.
"Hyung, did you seriously just call him 'baby'?"
Dohoon scratched the back of his neck.
"I... I meant..."
He couldn't even explain himself.
Hanjin smiled innocently.
"It's okay, hyung."
He picked up his bottle.
"Thank you."
Dohoon looked away, slightly embarrassed.
Why did I call him that...?
It had slipped out naturally.
As if...
That was what he had always called him.
---
From that day onward...
The nickname stayed.
Sometimes unconsciously.
Sometimes on purpose.
"Baby, your hoodie is inside out."
"Baby, don't skip breakfast."
"Baby, you'll catch a cold. Zip up your jacket."
"Baby, your shoelaces are untied."
Every single time...
Hanjin would simply smile.
"Okay, hyung."
No one thought much about it.
Everyone assumed it was just Dohoon being caring.
Except...
Dohoon himself had begun to notice something strange.
Without trying...
His eyes always searched for Hanjin first.
Was he eating enough?
Did he sleep well?
Was he tired after practice?
Was he smiling because he was happy...
Or because he was hiding exhaustion?
Even the smallest things caught Dohoon's attention.
The tiny pout Hanjin made while concentrating.
The way he unknowingly played with his sleeves whenever he felt nervous.
The way his soft lips curved into a smile before he laughed.
The little crease near his eyes whenever he smiled too hard.
Sometimes...
Dohoon found himself staring.
His lips...
He immediately looked away.
What am I thinking?
He rubbed his face.
Get yourself together.
But it kept happening.
Again.
And again.
Without realizing it...
Hanjin had become the first person Dohoon looked for every morning.
---
Meanwhile...
Shinyu was fighting a completely different battle.
One night...
After another exhausting day of practice...
He finally fell asleep.
His dream felt unbelievably real.
He found himself standing beneath thousands of glowing city lights.
A cool breeze passed by.
Someone gently called his name.
"Shinyu hyung."
He turned around.
Hanjin stood there.
Smiling.
Just like always.
"You look tired."
Shinyu laughed softly.
"I am."
Hanjin stepped closer.
"You're always taking care of everyone."
"But..."
"Who takes care of you?"
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Hanjin slowly reached out...
And held Shinyu's hand.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Shinyu looked down.
His heart beat wildly.
Hanjin smiled.
"I'm here."
Before Shinyu could answer...
Hanjin leaned closer until their foreheads almost touched.
The distance between them disappeared.
Shinyu felt warm...
Comfortable...
Happy.
For the first time in weeks...
His heart felt completely at peace.
Then—
His alarm rang.
Shinyu's eyes shot open.
He sat up immediately.
His breathing was uneven.
His heart refused to calm down.
He stared at his own hands.
"...It was just a dream."
But the feeling remained.
He covered his face.
"What... was that?"
He had never dreamed about anyone like that before.
Not once.
His thoughts became louder.
Why Hanjin?
Why did it feel so real?
Why did I want that dream to continue?
He quickly stood up.
"No."
He shook his head.
"I'm the leader."
"I shouldn't be thinking like this."
He splashed cold water on his face.
"This is just because we've been practicing together every day."
He forced himself to believe it.
But deep inside...
He knew he was lying to himself.
Without realizing it...
Shinyu and Dohoon had both taken another step toward the same person.
Neither knew about the other's feelings.
And Hanjin...
Remained completely unaware that two hearts were slowly falling for him.
- Writer
