The Lucky Fans (LEE JUN HO'S FANFICTION // ENG VER)

08. That Feeling was Back Again

Early in the morning, the five lucky fans gathered in ODE Ent's practice room. Dong Hae and Eun Hyuk kindly lent their agency's space for today's shoot. As Sang Hee had mentioned, the lucky fans would be performing a remix of songs by Super Junior and 2PM.

Sang Hee gave Rhea a thumbs-up, but she didn't seem particularly excited as the filming began. It wasn't the concept itself; Rhea simply wasn't fond of the agreed-upon dance style. However, Sang Hee believed it suited her.

Dong Hae, Eun Hyuk, and Shin Dong demonstrated the Super Junior dance to Rhea and her friends, followed by 2PM showing their moves. From the mirror, Jun Ho noticed Rhea's expression—her lips pursed and her cheeks puffed out slightly, a habit she didn't seem aware of.

"5, 6, 7, 8." The five lucky fans began practicing the first moves taught by Eun Hyuk and Woo Young. They watched attentively, but since they weren't aspiring idols, the choreography felt quite challenging to them.

"I want to join them in practice too," Hana sighed, watching the five lucky fans rehearse. Unfortunately, Hana couldn't participate because she was under 17, so she had to restrain herself.

Her gaze then shifted to Hee Chul, who was busy recording the session. The lucky ELF and Super Junior members had started following each other on Instagram, and both Super Junior and their staff had come to see the lucky ELF as family.

"Oppa, you look like a mother to Rhea Eonni," Hana remarked, observing how Hee Chul kept filming Rhea.

"A mother? I'm actually Rhea's number one fan," Hee Chul replied with a grin.

"You really like Rhea Eonni, don't you?" Hana asked with a playful smile.

Hee Chul stopped filming, tucked his phone into his jacket pocket, and leaned against the wall next to Hana. "Rather than just liking, I'm more worried. You know, Rhea has been through a lot."

The fact that Rhea was receiving negative comments had become common knowledge among them. What puzzled Hana was Rhea's persistent smile despite being the subject of criticism. "She hasn't done anything wrong," Hana said, watching Rhea being taught by Jun Ho.

"All I can do is make Rhea feel comfortable and help her forget the bad comments," Hee Chul said, glancing at Hana, who was now focused on memorizing the dance steps. "Don't you dare try to dance. You're still a baby."

Hana pouted, annoyed at being called a baby by Hee Chul. He smiled and gently patted her head.

-ooo-

"Baby, I'm your maaan," Rhea sang the lyrics, bending her stomach to check her moves in the mirror. They only had three days to memorize the dance, making this the most challenging episode since filming began.

"Is it like this?" she twirled. "Or like this? Ah, I don't know."

Lying on the floor after hours of dancing felt like the right choice. Her stomach was heaving as she caught her breath. Even without working out, Rhea felt she had lost quite a bit of weight. It was already eight in the evening, and she was the only one left. Before everyone else left, Sang Hee had stressed the need for her to work hard and turn things around, making those who had been negative change their minds.

Rhea knew she should let the negative comments go. She never liked being the center of attention; her Instagram was still private. Hee Chul had protested when Rhea didn't approve his follow request, and after that, all the Super Junior members and their staff started following her.

Initially, Rhea had only allowed friend requests from the five lucky fans, Tia, and Sang Hee. Now, her followers and those she followed were steadily increasing. Reflecting on Sang Hee's advice, Rhea realized she couldn't just sit back while her name became fodder for vague rumors. But was dancing the only way to address it?