The day of the competition came faster than you expected.
You stood backstage, fixing your outfit for the third time.
Your hands weren't shaking… but they weren't steady either.
"Relax," Junho said, adjusting his sleeve."You'll mess it up if you overthink."
"I'm not overthinking," you muttered.
He smiled."You always say that when you are."
You didn't reply.
Because your mind wasn't on the dance.
Not completely.
It kept going back.
To that night.
To that moment.
To him.
You hadn't talked to Taehyung properly since then.
Not alone.
Not about it.
And Jimin…
He was still the same.
Texting. Talking. Staying close.
And that somehow made everything worse.
"Participants, get ready!"
A voice called.
Your heart started beating faster.
You stepped toward the stage entrance.
That's when you saw them.
Jimin.
Standing with Ara.
He looked good.
Focused.
But when his eyes found you—
he smiled.
Soft.
Warm.
Like always.
Your chest tightened.
Then—
Taehyung.
With Nari.
Calm.
Composed.
Perfect as ever.
His gaze met yours.
And for a second—
everything else faded.
No smile.
No reaction.
But that moment—
was enough.
You looked away first.
"Let's go," Junho said.
You nodded.
The music started.
Lights hit the stage.
Couple after couple performed.
The crowd cheered loudly.
Your turn came.
"Ready?" Junho asked.
You took a breath.
"…Yeah."
You stepped onto the stage.
The lights were bright.
The audience blurred.
Music began.
You moved.
Step by step.
Turn by turn.
At first—
you were careful.
Controlled.
But then—
you let go.
You stopped thinking.
Junho guided smoothly.
You followed.
The lift came.
This time—
perfect.
No hesitation.
No rush.
The crowd reacted.
You didn't hear them.
Because your focus broke for just a second.
Your eyes moved—
To the side of the stage.
Jimin.
Watching.
Then—
Taehyung.
Also watching.
And suddenly—
your chest tightened.
But your body kept moving.
Because now—
this wasn't just a performance.
It felt like something else.
Something you couldn't name.
The music slowed.
Final step.
You ended perfectly.
Silence for a second.
Then—
applause.
Loud.
Strong.
You stepped back.
Breathing uneven.
"You were amazing," Junho said.
You nodded.
"…Thanks."
But your eyes were already searching.
You stepped off the stage.
Jimin was the first to reach you.
"That was insane," he said, smiling."Like actually insane."
You laughed lightly.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
His eyes stayed on you a second longer than needed.
Then—
Taehyung walked up.
"You fixed the timing," he said.
Of course he'd say that.
You looked at him.
"…Yeah."
That was all.
But the silence between those words—
said more.
"Next performance," someone called.
Jimin stepped back.
"I'll go."
You nodded.
He walked onto the stage.
And you watched.
Of course you did.
He danced differently.
More expressive.
More open.
Ara matched his energy.
They looked…
good together.
Your stomach tightened.
You didn't look away.
When it ended—
the crowd cheered again.
Jimin smiled.
But his eyes—
searched for you.
And found you.
Just like before.
Then—
Taehyung's turn.
He walked on stage.
No rush.
No nerves.
The music started.
And everything changed.
His movements were sharp.
Controlled.
Perfect.
Nari moved with him like they'd practiced for years.
No mistakes.
No hesitation.
It was flawless.
But not warm.
Not like Jimin's.
And not like yours.
It was…
something else.
You couldn't look away.
And when it ended—
the applause was even louder.
You felt it.
In your chest.
Not pride.
Not just admiration.
Something deeper.
All performances ended.
Everyone stood on stage.
Results were about to be announced.
Your heart was racing again.
You stood beside Junho.
Jimin was a few steps away.
Taehyung—
on the other side.
All three of you in one line.
But still—
not together.
"And the winner is…"
Silence.
Your breath slowed.
Everything felt still.
"And the winner is—"
A pause.
Your heart pounded.
"Kim Taehyung and Choi Nari!"
The crowd erupted.
You froze.
For a second—
you didn't react.
Then—
you clapped.
Of course you did.
Taehyung stepped forward.
Nari smiling beside him.
He bowed slightly.
Calm.
Composed.
Like always.
But when his eyes lifted—
they found you.
Not the crowd.
Not the judges.
You.
And something in that look—
wasn't victory.
Later—
people were congratulating each other.
Talking.
Laughing.
You stood aside for a moment.
Processing everything.
"You okay?"
You turned.
Jimin.
"Yeah."
"You did really well," he said.
"You too."
A pause.
Then—
"Let's go?" he asked.
Before you could answer—
"Wait."
You turned again.
Taehyung.
Standing there.
Between both of you.
Not close.
Not far.
Just…
there.
"Congratulations," you said.
He nodded.
"Thanks."
You hugged him and said "Pls make me your student for dance"
Both of them laughed
Jimin looked between you both.
Something felt…
off.
But no one said anything.
And that—
was worse.
Because now—
👉 one of them had crossed a line with you👉 one of them still stood beside you👉 and you…
👉 were still in between.