Ben walked into class the next day feeling like he had just been released from academic jail. The chains of assignments and projects no longer clanged in his brain, and though Professor Lee still gave him the usual disapproving look accompanied by a lecture that could've passed as a TED Talk on "Why Dance is Not a stable Career", Ben's heart wasn't weighed down. He'd come too far to walk away now. He was in the fourth round of the NDC. He wasn't about to stop dancing.
Also, there was… Daniel.
That possibly had half of what to do with it.
When Ben arrived at the studio that afternoon, he immediately noticed something suspicious. A cluster of dancers, even the ones who usually fled during daylight hours, was swarming like bees around one man at the center of attention.
He narrowed his eyes. "What are you all looking at?"
"Ben-ah!" Daniel spotted him like a five-year-old finding candy. "Come here. Look at this!"
Ben's stomach performed a perfect somersault as he made his way over. Daniel was beaming like the proud parent of a gold medalist. He shoved his phone into Ben's face, revealing a selfie with none other than Young Jin.
Ben choked. "Hyung! How did you—?!"
"Backup dancing gig," Daniel said nonchalantly, like he hadn't just casually been inches from one of Korea's most beloved trot stars. "He was nice! I sent it to eomma. She's a huge fan. She screamed."
Ben's jaw hit the metaphorical floor as the surrounding dancers gawked and interrogated Daniel like he was a witness to a UFO sighting. Daniel lapped up the attention, replying with maximum charisma.
"Yeah, he looked so cool up close–"
"I almost forgot the choreo, he sings like a God–"
"I told him I was a fan, but I doubt he'll remember me–"
"Eomma's a performance director at a different label, but she definitely knows his company–"
It went on and on like a fan press conference until only the five core members were left: Terrence, Sean, Kai, Daniel, and Ben. Daniel was finally winding down from his impromptu performance, Kai was still vibrating from second-hand celebrity fever, and the others had started warming up like responsible adults.
Ben was doing deep stretches when Kai randomly turned and asked, "Bennie, do you know how to snap pics with a pro camera?"
Ben blinked. "Uh– I mean, I've done digicams, phones, and polaroids." He shrugged.
Terrence gave him a look like he had just announced he churns butter for fun. "Polaroids? What are you, forty?"
Ben glared. "They're the best for storing memories! You wouldn't get it."
Sean, unhelpfully logical, added, "Phones can screenshot memories too."
Ben huffed, "Polaroids are timeless. It's about having something physical to hold on to."
Daniel chuckled. "You're kinda cute with this old soul vibe."
Ben turned pink faster than raw shrimp. He scowled. "You wouldn't understand unless you used one."
Kai, unimpressed with sentimentality, cut in, "Then show us. Your Polaroids. Prove it or it's all lies."
Ben scratched his head. He didn't have many of his photos with him, but he nodded and resumed stretching.
While Sean helped him with his hamstrings, he casually said, "Your hips are quite flexible."
Ben nearly dislocated something.
Kai choked.
Terrence actually coughed. "Hyung, context, please."
Even Sean blinked, as if just realizing the vibe of his words.
Ben, redder than a stop sign, clapped a hand over Sean's mouth. "Do not finish that sentence!"
Sean blinked at his hand.
When Ben finally moved it, he said, "Dirty-minded."
Ben threw his hands up. "I am dirty-minded?! YOU started it!"
Daniel, confused from the sidelines, looked over. "What happened?"
Sean shrugged, "Nothing."
***
Still radio silence from NDC regarding Round Four rules, so the gang decided to practice their impromptu group dance again: Exo's Overdose. Daniel had missed their first attempt thanks to his celebrity gig and was not pleased.
"You guys did what without me?! That's betrayal!" Daniel puffed his cheeks. "No, I'm joining. No arguments."
So, they restarted the choreo, now with Daniel. Which meant... chaos.
Daniel scolded like an angry cat trainer. "Terrence, your turn is late; Kai, that angle; Ben, you're too sharp, it's not Mortal Kombat!"
Before Ben could even recover, Kai, cool as a cucumber, rattled off everyone's mistimed beats perfectly.
Ben turned to Terrence, stunned. "How does he–?"
Terrence rolled his eyes. "Did you forget? He plays seven instruments. Freak ears."
Sean nodded sagely, like that made complete sense, while Kai glowed with praise.
By the end of Daniel's reign of terror, they were somehow in sync. The choreography looked really good. Daniel had even made minor changes to suit all five of them. Though they had to run the routine enough times to resurrect their past lives, the results were worth it.
As they lay strewn across the floor post-recording, gasping for breath and chugging water like they'd just crossed the Sahara desert, laughter filled the room.
Kai, between gulps, looked at Ben. "You okay, Bennie? You've been weird since the third round."
Ben coughed and quickly came up with an excuse, "Eomma's mad about my grades."
Kai gave him a look. "You're in the top twenty, dude. If I scored that high, my dad would throw a party for the entire city."
Ben snorted. "She wants the Top ten."
Kai clapped him on the shoulder. "Yikes. Good luck with that." He paused. "But seriously, nothing else going on, right?"
Ben avoided his eyes. "All good, man."
Daniel barked from across the room, "Final run! With recording!"
Everyone groaned but got into position.
***
Later, as Ben and Daniel walked their usual route, Daniel chatted enthusiastically about their group routine.
"I mean, we really looked great together. Imagine if we could perform on stage like that?"
Ben smiled. "It'd be cool."
Daniel grinned, nudging him playfully. "If we ever become famous, that recording is going to be in our documentary."
Ben laughed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Daniel slung an arm around Ben's shoulder. "Oh! Don't forget your Polaroids tomorrow. I want to see those middle school gems."
Ben quickly shrugged him off. "Absolutely not."
"Aw, come on–"
"Nope. No way."
Daniel pouted in dramatic defeat but didn't press further.
The mood stayed easy and light as they walked in comfortable silence. The night sky was clearer than usual, while the familiar noise of people and the honking of cars filled the space. Ben noticed Daniel stealing a few glances his way, which made him a little self-conscious. Before he could ask what was up, Daniel spoke with a hint of curiosity.
"Bennie, since that day, after the third round, you've seemed a bit out of it. You okay now?"
Ben's steps faltered, smile fading. His gaze dropped.
"Not really."
Daniel shrugged, offering a lopsided smile. "Wanna spill? Maybe I'll even say something useful."
Ben looked at him, eyes distant, heart pounding.
"You can't help, hyung. I messed up big time."
"Is it that serious?"
Ben didn't respond right away. His throat tightened, his chest rising and falling as his hands curled at his sides. He drew in a steadying breath, as if arriving at a decision. He lifted his gaze to meet Daniel's eyes and said in a soft, shaky but clear voice,
"I… I like you, hyung."