The Coffee Compass became the unofficial headquarters for C7's dating project. In this neutral space, members could meet without attracting the suspicion that comes with gathering at more trendy spots. The café's owners, the Won Sisters, quickly figured out the schedule of idol visits but kept their discretion, which the members appreciated. This morning, three C7 members gathered at a corner table as the café settled into its mid-morning lull. Jon sipped on an Ethiopian pour-over while Silas scowled at his laptop, headphones firmly isolating him from the world. Roman completed the group, wearing reading glasses perched on his nose as he annotated an academic article.
Behind the counter, Ye-Jon Won wiped equipment while her twin sister Soo-Jon arranged pastries in the display case. Both kept a casual eye on the idol table, their matching bobs swinging as they moved synchronically through their duties.
"That is the third time this week," Soo-Jon murmured to her sister. "Always different combinations of members, never the whole group together."
"They are being strategic," Ye-Jon replied quietly. "Less noticeable that way."
"Still not fooling anyone," Soo-Jon noted. "Customers have noticed C7's sudden interest in our humble establishment."
"As long as they don't post about it online, I am not complaining about the business." Ye-Jon glanced at the members again. "Though I am curious about what they are doing."
"Ten thousand won says they are planning a surprise comeback," Soo-Jon wagered. "Secret meetings away from their company building."
Ye-Jon studied the three idols thoughtfully. "I don't think so. They interact differently, less formal. And have you noticed they're always talking about women?"
Soo-Jon's eyes widened. "No way."
"Way," Ye-Jon confirmed. "Yesterday I heard the tall one - Roman?...asking the oldest one for advice about 'Museum etiquette for non-Museum dates.'"
The sisters exchanged significant looks.
"C7 dating," Soo-Jon whispered, awe and amusement mingling in her voice. "Their fans would spontaneously combust if they knew."
"Which is exactly why we are going to maintain absolute discretion," Ye-Jon reminded her firmly.
"Of course," Soo-Jon agreed quickly. "But between us..." A mischievous smile spread across her face. "Want to bet on which one succeeds first?"
Ye-Jon pretended to consider the ethical implications for approximately three seconds before leaning closer. "Twenty thousand on the worldwide handsome Jon. He's been meeting that food critic woman here twice already."
"Too obvious," Soo-Jon countered. "I am putting thirty thousand on the quiet fashion icon, Vic. He barely talks, but when he does, he's got that intense poet vibe that certain women love."
The youngest one is a dark horse candidate," Ye-Jon hoped. "He's got that innocent appeal."
"What about the dancing sunshine one? Julian?" Soo-Jon suggested. "Always smiling, boundless energy..."
"Good chance," both sisters concluded simultaneously.
Their betting discussion was interrupted when the café door opened, admitting a harried-looking young man who resembled C7's James.
"Evan," Ye-Jon greeted him. "Your usual?"
Evan nodded, suppressing a cough. "Extra honey, please. And some of that ginger tea you make."
"Coming right up," Soo-Jon said, already preparing his order. "You don't look well."
"Just a cold," Evan rasped, his voice noticeably hoarse. "Bad timing, though. I have parent-teacher observations tomorrow."
Jon noticed Evan's arrival at the corner table and waved him over. The teacher approached, keeping a cautious distance.
"Don't get too close," Evan warned, coughing into his elbow. "I am probably contagious."
Jon studied him with brotherly concern. "You look terrible."
"Thanks," Evan deadpanned, accepting his tea from Ye-jin. "Just what every man wants to hear."
"Seriously, you should be in bed," Roman observed, removing his reading glasses. "That cough sounds nasty."
"Can't," Evan sighed. "Tomorrow is parent observation day at school. Been planned for months. Parents take time off work to attend."
"Can't someone cover for you?" Silas asked, finally removing his headphones.
A strange expression crossed Evan's face, deliberation mingled with resignation. "That is why I stopped by. Is James around?"
Jon's eyebrows shot up. "You are not thinking..."
"Desperate times," Evan croaked before dissolving into another coughing fit.
"James? Teaching kindergarten?" Silas looked alarmed by the prospect. "Those poor children."
"It is just for the morning," Evan explained between coughs. "The lesson plans are all written out. He needs to follow them exactly."
The three idols exchanged skeptical glances, imagining the chaos that would ensue if their bandmate attempted to control a classroom of five-year-olds.
"There is a slight problem with your plan," Roman pointed out. "James knows absolutely nothing about teaching children."
"He teaches dance to trainees," Evan argued weakly.
"Trainees who are terrified of disappointing him," Jon countered. "Slightly different dynamic from kindergarteners."
"I wouldn't ask if I had any other option," Evan said, desperation in his reddened eyes. "My principal already thinks I am not serious about teaching because of my 'celebrity connection.' If I miss observation day..."
Jon's expression softened at the terrifying concern in Evan's voice. "Have you asked James yet?"
"I am heading to your dorm next," Evan admitted. "Thought I'd get moral support from you three first."
"Oh, we are coming along for this conversation," Silas said, closing his laptop with sudden interest. "This I have to see."
* * *
"Totally not," James declared, backing away from his twin as if Evan's cold were the plague. "Have you lost your mind? I can't teach children!"
James adamantly refused his brother's desperate request while the other present members, Jon, Silas, Roman, and a newly arrived Julian, watched with varying degrees of glee.
"It is just for the morning," Evan pleaded, his voice growing raspier by the minute. "Three hours, max."
"Three hours with twenty-five children?" James looked terrified by the prospect. "I don't know the first thing about kindergarten!"
"The lesson plans are completely detailed," Evan assured him, handing over a blue folder. They have step-by-step instructions. Even you can follow them."
"What is that supposed to mean?" James bristled.
"It means you are not exactly known for your attention to detail outside of choreography," Evan said bluntly, then softened his approach. "Please, James. I have never missed a day of work. My students are counting on me."
James flipped through the folder with apprehension. "What is the 'Morning Circle'? What's the 'Hello Song'? What is 'rainbow writing'?"
"All explained in the notes," Evan promised, suppressing another cough.
"What if the kids realize I am not you?" James worried, panic registering in his voice.
"They are five," Evan reminded him. "As long as you are approximately my height and have my face, they will accept pretty much any explanation for any differences they notice."
Julian bounced excitedly on the couch cushions. "You should do it! It's perfect for our project - experiencing regular life!"
"Masquerading as my brother to teach kindergarten is utterly ridiculous," James protested.
"On the other hand," Roman contemplated, "it is remarkably aligned with Director Blake's directive to expand our perspectives beyond the idol industry."
"See?" Evan seized on this support. "It is professional development."
James looked at Jon, hoping the eldest would be the voice of reason. "Bro, tell them this is insane."
Jon studied both twins for a moment, his expression unreadable. "When exactly is this parent observation day?"
"Tomorrow morning," Evan answered, hope creeping into his voice at Jon's neutral response.
"And James's schedule tomorrow?" Jon asked.
Silas checked his phone. "Studio time is from 2 PM to 5 PM, and vocal coaching is at 5 PM. The morning is free."
"Traitors," James muttered. "You are all traitors."
"I think you should do it," Jon finally declared, surprising everyone with his decisive support for the plan.
"What? Why?" James demanded.
"Because your brother needs help," Jon said. "And because experiencing life completely outside your comfort zone is exactly what this break is supposed to be about."
"Also, because it will be hilarious," Julian added, earning a sharp elbow from Roman.
"What about Manager Kando?" James tried, grasping for any excuse at all. "He would never approve of this."
"We don't need to involve him," Silas pointed out reasonably. "Your morning is free. What you do with your free time is your business."
James looked at his brother's miserable, pleading expression and felt his resolve weaken. Despite their different paths in life, they had always supported each other in times of need, and Evan considered this an emergency.
"If this is a massive if, I agree to this insanity," James began cautiously, "what exactly would I need to do?"
Relief flooded Evan's face. "Just follow the lesson plans exactly. Everything is written out in fifteen-minute increments. The teaching assistants will handle any real problems. You have to be... me... for one morning."
"That is the part that concerns me," James admitted. "I don't know how to be you. I don't know your teaching style or how you talk to children."
"Just be calmer, speak convincingly, and do not dance," Evan advised through another coughing fit. "Oh, and my class has a pet fish named Mr. Bubbles. If he is floating upside down, please handle that crisis before the children notice."
"This is a terrible idea," James muttered, but his tone had improved from outright refusal to reluctant consideration.
"Is that a yes?" Evan pressed.
James sighed deeply, already regretting his following words. "I must be out of my mind, but... fine. Yes. For you, not for these traitors." He gestured at his bandmates, who made no effort to hide their delighted anticipation of the inevitable disaster.
"Thank you," Evan said with genuine gratitude. "I owe you tremendously."
"Yes, you do," James surrendered. "And I will collect on that debt when you least expect it."
"Fair enough," Evan conceded. "Now, let's review the important details about my class..."
As Evan began briefing his brother on classroom procedures, student names, and potential challenges, the other members exchanged inquisitive glances, silently acknowledging that tomorrow would either be James's finest performance or a spectacular failure that none would ever let him forget.
Either way, C7's dating project had unexpectedly turned into an elementary education project.