Rehearsals had begun to fall into a rhythm, but tension still simmered just beneath the surface. The team was pushing harder now—final stage formations, camera blockings, and endless run-throughs to sync the two groups seamlessly. Every step was under a microscope, every glance analyzed by choreographers and PR managers alike.
The joint stage was only a week away.
Kai sat in the hallway just outside the rehearsal room, his back against the wall and a towel draped over his neck. His head leaned back, eyes closed, listening to the muffled rhythm of the song playing beyond the doors.
Yuna stepped out to catch her breath. She hadn't expected to see him there.
He opened one eye and tilted his head slightly. "Are you escaping too?"
She leaned against the wall beside him. "Ten minutes. That's all I need to survive."
He smirked. "I've been surviving in ten-minute intervals since Monday."
They were quiet after that, but it wasn't the awkward silence from before. It was calmer now. Like two people sharing the same tired song.
"I listened," she finally said.
His brows lifted. "To the file?"
She nodded.
He waited. She didn't say anything more, just smiled faintly. That was enough.
A moment later, the door creaked open. Jisoo peeked out.
"Yuna, you're up. Solo cut," she said.
Yuna pushed off the wall but hesitated. "Thanks," she said quietly.
Kai nodded.
She walked back in, heart a little lighter.
---
The next day, ST4R and ECL!PSE were scheduled for a media photo shoot. Everyone groaned when they found out it would be outside—in full wardrobe—in Seoul's biting wind.
The stylists did their best, but there was no hiding the pink noses and goosebumps. The shoot was to promote the upcoming collaboration, so the concept was "Intertwined Destinies."
That meant close poses. Real close.
Yuna was paired with Kai for one of the duo shots.
"Okay," the director called, "Yuna, rest your head on Kai's shoulder. Kai, lean slightly, like you're hearing her thoughts."
It was a strange instruction, but they both obeyed.
Yuna's cheek brushed the soft fabric of Kai's coat. She felt the heat rise to her ears. He smelled faintly like cedarwood and rain.
Kai didn't move. Didn't breathe.
"Hold... hold... Beautiful. Cut!"
They stepped apart as the camera flash faded.
"Sorry if I leaned too hard," she muttered.
Kai shook his head. "Not at all."
They looked at each other. For a heartbeat too long.
Jay whistled from behind them. "Yuna and Kai looking like drama leads out here."
Kai rolled his eyes. Yuna covered her face, pretending to groan.
"Next pair!" the director shouted.
As they walked off set, their shoulders brushed.
Neither moved away.
---
That evening, as she walked into the ST4R dorm, Yuna's phone buzzed. A message.
Unknown Number: "Somewhere between the silence… Thank you for the music."
She stared at it for a long time, a slow smile forming.
Yuna: "You're welcome. For the music, and the pause between the noise."
No reply came after that.
But it didn't need to.