✓ 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞 𝐈𝐧 || ꜱᴜɴꜱᴜɴ

Chapter Five: An Act

A/N: There are a few *possibly* upsetting "foul" words included in this chapter...just a warning before you start 🫶

Sunghoon watched Sunoo through the mirror reflection. The stylist was too busy working on his hair to notice. Sunoo sat several feet behind him, focused on his phone screen. He kept thinking of Eunmi's words. His heart knew before his head? What was that supposed to mean? Was it something about instinct? Reflex? The way the body reacts before processing sometimes? Like they say when you touch a hot pan, your hand will jerk away before you realize you've touched it.

I'm thinking too much.

"I'm finished." The stylist, Miyoung, announces, meeting Sunghoon's eyes in the mirror. He thanks her then stands and makes his way over to Sunoo. He stands awkwardly in front of him for a moment before plopping down beside him.

"Hyerim! Come here for a second." Miyoung calls. The younger stylist comes over and they examine something with their backs turned towards the boys.

"Hey..." Sunghoon says awkwardly. Sunoo looks up from his phone and meets his eye.

"Um...hi?" He responds. There's an awkward silence. Sunoo laughs suddenly and leans forward.

"Why are you being so strange today? You were strange during lessons yesterday too." Sunoo says. Sunghoon blinks several times and then looks away, his cheeks burning.

"I-i'm not being strange..." Sunghoon mumbles.

"You are being kind of strange today." Miyoung says, turning around to face them. She says something quietly to Hyerim and then sends her away.

"Am I?" Sunghoon questions. Miyoung nods, taking a sip of her water.

"Maybe it's just nerves. I've noticed it's usually Heeseung, Jake, and Ni-ki that get really nervous before a stage. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, it just means that you really want to do a good job." She says, "especially while doing a cover from a well known artist."

Sunoo nods slowly, like it made sense to him. Sunghoon didn't feel the same. He wasn't that nervous...about the stage. Instead he was worried about what came after. The "behind the scenes" footage that Manager Dohyun told them the company wanted. He looked over at Sunoo and then back down at his restless fingers. Miyoung noticed.

"Sunghoon! You're ruining your nails doing that." She scolds, pointing at his hands. He had a habit of tracing his fingernails with his opposite hands' nails, which sometimes caused chipping. It was actually painful at times but that was part of the point, it kept him alert. It kept him calm. However that worked was beyond him. He simply apologizes and rests his hands stiffly against his thighs.

"Don't worry about it." Sunoo comforts, reaching over to touch Sunghoon's wrist momentarily. It's like Sunoo had somehow read Sunghoon's mind. Truthfully, he was thinking about it too. Just how much did they need to do in front of the camera? How far did they need to go?