My Hot Dance Instructor | Minsung

6. A New Proposal

The next week dragged on as I waited for Friday to get here. I could have texted or even called Minho to talk things over, but that didn't feel right. I needed to see him in person for this.

I walked into class feeling both nervous and excited about suggesting the idea of dating to Minho. But when I saw the way he looked, my heart dropped.

He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. The dark circles under his eyes and the paleness of his skin make him look ill. He hardly even looked like himself.

"M-Minho?" I squeaked, suddenly unsure of how to approach him.

"Do your stretches, Jisung," he said in a flat, tired voice.

I swallowed hard and went to the center of the room. It was unbearable seeing him like this and I wasn't sure if I could do anything.

We stretched as usual, but he didn't even look at me once the whole time. This was ten times worse than the way the last practice had started.

When he turned on the music for the choreography, he just watched me with exhausted eyes. He didn't even bother dancing along.

"Minho, I—"

"Let's just get through this, please..." he interrupted.

I had enough of this already and it was clear I needed to be forceful or he'd continue acting this way. And if I didn't, then the night would end and I wasn't sure I'd ever see him again.

"Just listen to me," I started, trying to sound as stern as I could.

"No, you listen," he shot back. "I can't do this. It's hard enough that I have to stop teaching you, and then on top of that, you demanded one more lesson. So that's what I'm giving you."

"But, that's not what I want. And I don't think that's what you want either. Look at you. Have you been eating? Sleeping?"

"Don't assume you know what I want, Jisung. And my health is none of your concern, so don't pretend to worry about me." He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out an exasperated breath.

"Pretend?" I sneered. "How could you say that?"

I fought the tears in my eyes as he let out a heavy sigh. My heart was barely holding together.

"I'm sorry," he muttered as he ran his hands through his hair. "I'm sure you probably care. I'm just...having a hard time with all of this."

"I know. So was I. But then I thought of something."

"And what is that, exactly."

"You don't have to stop teaching me," I said as I stepped up closer to him. "Do it anyway. I won't pay you, if that's what you want."

"Jisung, that makes no sense. I—"

"Give me private lessons...at your house."

"I...what?" He looked genuinely confused and then all at once he seemed to get it. "Since when are you so bold, Mr. Han Jisung?"

"I don't want to stop seeing you, but I also don't want to stop learning from you. So, teach me as a friend instead of as a student. Or..."

"Or...as something more, perhaps?" His face was still weary, but that signature smirk appeared as he thought it over.

"Perhaps..." I shrugged teasingly, knowing I had finally gotten through to him. "If that's what you want."

"Don't be coy with me," he murmured as he stepped even closer to me.

He put his hands on my waist and pulled me into him, then looked down at me, gazing into my eyes.

"Maybe these extra private lessons should start tonight..." I said as suggestively as possible.