Clandestine

Random Conversation

Jaemin POV

It was late at night in the middle of NCT Dream practice. Our coach let us have a break before starting for another practice session. Jisung and Jeno played mobile games, Renjun listened to the music in the corner of the room. Mark hyung and Haechan were bickering about nothing. Well, I decided to go to the toilet. My stomach wasn't really nice to me tonight.

After I finish my business in the toilet. I decided to walk around the SM building to kill my boredom. Well, usually there was a few trainees or other idols who practiced at this hour so it wasn't strange if some of the practice room were occupied. I just peeked at the little window while I passed by and there was a familiar figure dancing in front of the big mirror. I stopped by and observed the girl with blonde-blue hair.

That girl danced gracefully. It amazed me how her tiny figure possessed a powerful and sharp dance move. I was enchanted and unknowingly watched her in silence. She danced, spun around, and stopped her move while facing the window where I watched her from afar. I was taken aback and felt shy that I caught red-handed watching her.

She smiled and bowed at me. I was about to leave my spot yet she ran in my direction and called me.

"Jaemin sunbaenim!"

I stopped.

Minjeong opened the door and greet me with her bright smile.

"Anyeong haseyo." She greeted.

"Anyeong." I greeted her back.

"Do you have your practice too?" She asked.

I nodded, "And you? Why are you alone?"

She brushed her messy hair, "Well, I asked my manager to allow me to practice alone. I feel like lack in my dance move. You know..."

"Aniya. Your dance move is really good." I said honestly.

"Ne? Really?"

I nodded, "Well, I watched you for some time. I'm sorry for that."

She shook her head, "Aniyo. You shouldn't be sorry. It's my honor that sunbaenim observe my dance move."

I smiled, "No. I'm not a good dancer either. I think Jisung is the best from our group."

"Ah, ne! Jisung sunbaenim really a good dancer!" She smiled, "Ah, I'm sorry for talking with you while standing. Maybe you can come in and have a seat if you don't mind? Maybe you can evaluate my dance skill."

I thought it wasn't necessary to come in and evaluate her dance skill as she said, yet talking to her sounded a good idea. It was a break time after all.

"Okay." I agreed.

We sat on the sofa in the corner of the practice room. I slumped myself comfortably on the sofa as she sat beside me. Her round eyes looked at me fondly.

"Wae?" I asked.

"Sunbaenim, do you have some tips to improve my dancing skill?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I have no tips."

"Hmm?" She tilted her head cutely.

"I'm a slow learner and often forget my dance part. Lucky my member bear with me." I laughed a bit remembering Renjun or Haechan scolded me because of my wrong dance move.

"But you are really cool on stage." She said.

"Really?"

"Yes! I often watch your fancam and performance." She said enthusiastically.

"Well, thanks?"

"I'm sorry if it sounds weird."

"No, It's not," I said. Monitoring performance wasn't a strange thing after all.

"Ah, and I watch your concert too." Suddenly her eyes looked sad, "Sunbaenim, how does it feel performing in front of so many people? In front of your fans while holding a light stick?"

I felt sorry for her and her group. They debuted in the middle of a pandemic. They still had no chance to perform in front of many people.

"Actually it's very good. The thing I miss the most." I said.

She nodded, "This current situation doesn't allow us to interact with a lot of people freely. Sad." She said, "It's not that I'm not grateful for my debut but it felt I debuted at the wrong time."

"Well, there will be the time you can hold your own concert, like a real concert, not an online concert." I tried to cheer her up.

"Thank you, Sunbaenim." She smiled at me, "You are so kind. I really like you, Sunbaenim."

I tilted my head. Was that a confession?

"Ah, I mean... I like you because you are kind and supportive..." She frantically explained, "I mean I respect you as a humble sunbae. Don't misunderstand me. I'm really sorry." She said. Her face was all red because of embarrassment.

She was looking down and avoiding my eyes. I think that was cute.

"Hey, don't be sorry." I kneeled down to see her face. But I thought that was a mistake. Because from that angle I could see her face closer and she was prettier up close. There was an alien feeling struck straight to my heart and I didn't know what it was.

She also looked at me and was petrified. Our face was too close and it was way too dangerous.

For a good five seconds, we just looked at each other eyes and drown in indescribable feelings.

As if we were conscious from a trance, we broke our gaze and looked away.

"Ah, I think I have to go. My members might be waiting for me." I said.

"Ne, Sunbaenim. I'm sorry for taking your time." She said. There was a hint of red in her cheeks.

"It's okay. It's really nice to talk to you." I said.

"Thank you, Sunbaenim. Fighting for your practice." She bowed low.

I smiled and leavethe practice room. I closed the door and leaned on that cold surface. I touchedmy chest where my heart beating so fast. Weird. Why did I feel this way?