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The day had been long. After a strenuous rehearsal, only two remained in the room: Hana and Ni-ki.
The other members had already left to eat or sleep. But Ni-ki stayed – under the pretext of practicing a few more dance moves. In truth, it was something else that kept him there.
Hana sat on the floor, pulled her knees up, and sipped from her water bottle. Her smile was gentle, exhausted – and at that very moment, Ni-ki knew he couldn't keep it to himself any longer.
"Why are you looking like that?" Hana asked, laughing, noticing that he'd been staring at her for a while.
Ni-ki looked away, embarrassed, rubbing the back of her neck.
> "Nothing... I just thought... you're always so positive, no matter how tired you are."
She laughed softly and playfully nudged him with the bottle.
> "You talk like you're seeing me for the first time."
His heart beat faster. It's now or never.
Ni-ki took a deep breath, then sat down right next to her. His voice was quieter than usual:
> "Hana... I want to tell you something. Something I've been carrying around with me for a while."
She looked at him questioningly, her gaze soft, attentive.
He felt his hands shaking, so he clenched them into fists.
> "I... I like you. Not just as a friend or teammate. I mean... I really do."
For a moment, there was absolute silence. Only her rapid breathing and the distant sound of the air conditioning could be heard.
Hana blinked in surprise. Her heart pounded just as hard as his – she'd suspected something was there, but she'd never expected it so directly.
Ni-ki continued nervously, his voice vibrating between fear and hope:
"I know this isn't the easiest time. We're trainees, we work hard... but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. I don't want to look back and think I missed my chance."
Hana looked at him for a long time – and then she smiled. Not a typical stage smile, but a genuine, warm one.
She placed her hand on his.
"Riki... you're braver than you think. And... I like you, too. I have for a while."
His eyes widened, as if he hadn't expected it. A laugh erupted from his chest – relieved, happy, almost incredulous.
He carefully reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Then... let me take this chance, okay?"
Hana nodded.
> "Yes. But promise me one thing—that we'll still stay ourselves. We're a team, and that must never be ruined."
Ni-ki grinned broadly, the tension leaving him.
> "Promise."
And in that quiet night in the rehearsal room, between the smell of sweat and the neon lights, something new began—something both of them had felt for a long time, but never expressed.
