Why me? >Woosan<

7.

Wooyoung's POV

A few days passed, and my head was full of San.

I still couldn't believe he liked me back. That he'd carved out time from his insane schedule just to be with me.

If we were going to meet again, it couldn't be just anywhere. Crowds were impossible for him. A movie night would be nice, but it felt too small, too normal. I wanted to give him something he didn't usually get to do, a night where he wasn't "Choi San of Ateez," just San.

I couldn't ask my friends for help. I wasn't ready to tell them yet. Not until I knew what this was. Not until I'd talked to San about it.

The next day, stuck in English class, I turned to my seatmate.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," she said, leaning over like she expected a grammar question.

"No, not that."

Her brows furrowed. We weren't close, but maybe that was better. Asking someone who didn't really know me felt safer.

"Well... like... if you were going on a date..."

"You have a date?" she squealed far too loud.

"Shhh," I hissed. "I'm asking hypothetically."

She grinned, tapping her chin. "Maybe a movie?"

"No, something more active. But not crowded."

"Shopping?"

"Too crowded."

"Karaoke? Or..." She rattled off a few more ideas, but my mind had already landed on something.

Pool. The hall Minho had taken me to. Closed on Sundays.

Perfect.

Sunday

I took a breath and texted him.

Wooyoung: Hey, wanna play pool tonight?

San: Well hello to you too, Wooyoung.

Wooyoung: So... do you want to?

San: I'm not sure, Woo.

I could hear the hesitation even through the text.

Wooyoung: If you're worried about being recognized, don't be. That place I went with Minho is closed on Sundays. I pulled some strings. We'll have it all to ourselves.

San: ...Oh wow. You did that?

Wooyoung: Yeah.

San: I'm in.

I smiled at the screen.

Wooyoung: Free now? They have gaming stations too.

San: I've got a few things to finish, but later tonight.

Wooyoung: Okay. I'll send the address. I'll bring food and beers. That okay?

San: Sounds great, Woo.

I grinned like an idiot at my phone. This was going to be fun.

San's POV

Wooyoung had thought of everything. It made me smile like a fool. A whole place just for us. No fans. No cameras. Just us.

I hurried to the dance studio, drilled a routine one last time, then went back to my room to shower. I came up with a half-baked excuse for the members. They seemed to buy it.

I pulled on a black knitted shirt, black pants, black boots. Casual but not sloppy. Mask, beanie, low profile.

As I slipped out, I ran straight into Mingi. Of course.