My Idol| Yang Jungwon ff

8|

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My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs as I inched the hotel window open, the cool night air flooding the stuffy room. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the backpack I'd packed with essentials – phone charger, a wallet, and a well-worn copy of "Singin' in the Rain" (because, well, karaoke).

Sneaking out for a midnight rendezvous with Jungwon felt like a scene straight out of a cheesy rom-com, a thrilling mix of excitement and terror. Down the hall, my roommates' soft snores provided the soundtrack to my audacious mission. I slipped into the clothes I'd stashed earlier – dark jeans, a comfortable t-shirt that wouldn't restrict my belting, and my favorite sneakers for silent navigation.

Glancing back at the slumbering figures, I willed myself to be quiet, a silent prayer escaping my lips. Reaching the fire escape, I clambered down with practiced ease, the rusty metal surprisingly cool beneath my fingertips. Childhood fire drills fueled my descent, each creak of the metal a potential alarm in my heightened state.

Finally, I touched solid ground, relief washing over me like a cool wave.

With a quick text to Jungwon – "Outside. Ready for our duet?" – I set off, the deserted streets bathed in an eerie silver glow. The city, usually a cacophony of honking cars and chattering crowds, was eerily silent. It was as if the whole world was holding its breath, waiting for our secret date to unfold.

A few tense minutes later, a familiar black van pulled up beside me. The tinted windows rolled down, revealing Jungwon's smiling face. My breath caught in my throat. He looked even more handsome under the moonlight, his eyes sparkling with a playful glint.

"Hop in, Songbird," he said, his voice a husky whisper. With a nervous giggle, I scrambled into the passenger seat. The van sped off, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as we left the urban center behind.

Jungwon, bless his heart, had planned a surprise – a private karaoke room hidden away in a nondescript building. The night unfolded like a dream.

Stepping into the soundproof haven, the first thing that hit me was the assault of colorful lights and the rhythmic thrum of bass. We settled into plush armchairs, the microphone cool and inviting in my hand. Jungwon, ever the charmer, insisted on starting with a classic Korean ballad. His voice, smooth and effortless, sent shivers down my spine.

Of course, I couldn't resist a playful challenge. I countered with a Whitney Houston classic, belting out the lyrics with gusto. We sang song after song, a mix of Korean and English hits, our voices blending surprisingly well. Jungwon's competitive streak surfaced during a rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody," each of us vying for the high notes with playful determination.

The hours flew by in a whirlwind of laughter, off-key singing, and heartfelt ballads. We discovered shared loves for cheesy 80s pop and a surprising mutual appreciation for power ballads. By the time the first rays of dawn painted the sky, our voices were hoarse and our faces ached from smiling, but our hearts overflowed with a joy that transcended exhaustion.

As we reluctantly left the karaoke room, a comfortable silence settled between us. Jungwon walked me back to the hotel, the weight of the night's memories settling comfortably in our hearts. At the fire escape, he took my hand, his touch sending a familiar rush of warmth through me.

"That was the most fun I've had in ages," he murmured, his eyes searching mine. "Me too," I whispered back, the memory of our off-key duets and shared laughter replaying in my mind.

-Jungwon Pov-

The exhaustion hit me like a freight train the moment I stepped through the dorm door. Sneaking out for a date with Jina had been exhilarating, but the lack of sleep and the adrenaline rush were finally catching up. Still, a goofy grin plastered itself across my face as I replayed the night's events – the shared laughter, the off-key singing.

As I tiptoed into the living room, I was met with the sight of the other members sprawled on the couch. Heeseung, ever the diligent one, was hunched over a laptop, while Sunghoon and Jay were engrossed in a video game, their competitive groans filling the air.

"Jungwon!" Jay exclaimed, the first to notice me. "Where have you been? We were starting to think you got kidnapped by a K-drama ghost."

I winced at the last part, hoping my secret rendezvous hadn't left any suspicious clues. "Uh, just... wandered around a bit," I mumbled, tossing my keys onto the coffee table with a forced nonchalance. "Couldn't sleep."

Heeseung finally looked up from his laptop, his gaze lingering on me for a beat too long. "Really?" he asked, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Thought you were a model sleeper."

My cheeks flushed. Heeseung, with his uncanny ability to see right through me, was making this way too difficult. "I just... felt restless," I stammered, trying to sound convincing.

Just then, Jake, who had been unusually quiet until now, piped up. "Restless, huh? Or maybe..." he trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Maybe what?" I snapped defensively, the exhaustion and my fear of being exposed getting the better of me.

Jake grinned. "Maybe you were out chasing after a pretty Korean tourist."

My heart skipped a beat. How much did they already know? Just then, Sunghoon, finally unglued from his game, spoke up. "Actually, Jungwon," he said, his voice surprisingly serious, "is there something you want to tell us?"

I froze, caught between denial and confession. The truth, tempting as it was, felt like a fragile butterfly I was afraid to release. But the way they were looking at me, with a mixture of amusement and genuine concern, made me realize I couldn't keep them in the dark forever.

With a deep breath, I blurted out, "Okay, fine. There is something I want to tell you guys." Relief washed over me as the words left my lips. "I, uh, met this girl on the trip. Jina. And..."

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I think I might... like her."

The confession hung in the air, a weight lifting from my chest. Silence descended on the room, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. Then, a slow smile spread across Heeseung's face.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "Took you long enough, Jungwon."

I stared at him, bewildered. "Finally? What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "Jungwon, we've all known you liked her since you wouldn't shut up about her after the cafe incident."

My jaw dropped. "You guys knew?"

Sunghoon and Jay burst out laughing, while Jake simply shrugged. "We're not idiots," he said.

I felt a heat crawl up my neck, a mixture of embarrassment and relief. To think I'd been trying to hide my feelings from them all along, when they'd seen it clear as day.

"So," Heeseung continued, his voice returning to a teasing lilt, "tell us everything about your night out with your secret crush."

And so, I did. I spilled the details of our stolen date, the karaoke room. As I spoke, the exhaustion faded away, replaced by a warmth that spread through me.

By the time I finished, the living room was filled with laughter and good-natured ribbing. My confession hadn't just gotten rid of a burden, it had brought us closer as a team. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new, not just for Jina and me, but for our bond as ENHYPEN.