The past 2 weeks that passed have been like a game of cat and mouse or hide-and-seek. You got over the audition unexpectedly fast; but there’s one thing you can’t get over with—being enveloped in his arms.

It didn’t hit you at first but the moment you laid yourself on your bed that night, you felt your blood rush up to your cheeks. It still feels the same until today. You’ve had multiple skinships with Sungjin before but you don’t know what’s so different with what happened weeks ago that you can’t seem to make yourself face him.

Was it his words? ‘You’ve always been good enough for me’ Was it the touch of his lips on the top of your head? You don’t know. And just by thinking about it made you turn into a tomato. You were engulfed by heat and it’s as if you can see smoke coming out from your face.

You went back to your senses when you heard someone call his name. With a speed of light, you closed the book you were reading and stood up to leave the library; but the moment you turned your back, he was the first one you saw. Fortunately, he wasn't looking. You hastily paced towards one of the shelves to return the book you were reading and definitely not to hide.

You cautiously trod to the other end of the aisle only to be greeted by a broad chest.

“Sorry”, you mumbled as you looked up and a serious face mirrored yours. You swallowed a lump and took a step back “Sorry”, you stated again, not meeting his eyes, and tried to take another step but he draped his arm on your waist and pulled you closer.

As if it’s a sin to breathe, you didn’t let the air out of your system.

His eyes were fierce; his gaze was piercing that you couldn’t help but look down.

“I’m getting sick of it”, he uttered.

Playing innocent, you raised your brows and asked what he was talking about as you finally exhaled.

“Stop avoiding me.”

“I’m not”, you deadpanned; his gaze went from your face to your hand, looking at your index finger that you’re unconsciously tapping on the side of the book you’re holding.

He fixed his eyes on your face once more. "Stop lying", he remarked, motioning his head to your hand. Only then you realized you were doing your mannerism when you're lying.

So he knew about my finger tapping.

He released you from his hold; unaware, you pouted from the slight disappointment.

"Stop it, okay?" he asserted as he ruffled your hair which made you pout even more; he smirked at the sight of you sulking.

"Whatever", you rolled your eyes and turned your back; this time, he let you go.

After that audition and little incident in the library, you’re back to your normal life—school, studying, watching dance covers, idol groups’ performances, and dancing in secret.

naega deo dagagaji mothage
deo saranghaji mothage hae

You panted and strode to get your towel. You were sweating a lot after you dance what you’ve learned from watching your brother’s practices for the past few days.

“You know, you’re actually really good at dancing”, the familiar voice startled you as you turned to face him. “There’s only one thing lacking: confidence. You dance perfectly when you’re alone and you dance almost-perfectly when not; because you lose your confidence.”

“It’s not like I’m gonna dance in the crowd so I’m fine with dancing alone”

“Really?” he raised a brow “Then why did you cry hard when you failed the audition?”

Not knowing what to respond, you dropped your gaze and bit your lower lip. He stepped closer and grabbed your wrist.

“What are you doing? Where are you taking me?”

 You didn’t get a response even until you got in his car and drove you to who-knows-where. You finally got an answer when he stopped the car to a familiar street.

“Han River. Seriously?”

He responded with a shrug and motioned you to get off the car. You rolled your eyes in disbelief and started marching with annoyance to follow him. Wow, he didn’t even bother to wait for you to get off first before starting to walk.

You exhaled a sharp breath.

“You know, if you were dumped by your date and you have no one to be with right now, please don’t drag me and find someone else”

“I wasn’t dumped. And I don’t have a date.” He halted and turned to face you “Unless you want to have one with me right now”

You rolled your eyes, looking away, in irritation—irritation from making your heart dance to the beat you didn’t expect it to. It’s supposed to dance to the beat of a slow music but suddenly, it started dancing to an upbeat one.

He smirked in amusement, which, fortunately, you didn’t see because you’d end up having a heart attack if ever; yet, unfortunately, because you’ve always loved his smirks.

You, then, almost dropped your heart when a firm hand grasped your wrist. Not that you’re complaining, though.

You both walked for a couple of minutes until you stopped at a sea point promenade. There were a fair number of people in the area, minding their own businesses.

“What are we doing here?”

His lopsided smile made your heartbeat rise again. You felt a tickle on your stomach, which you don’t know if caused by nervousness (from something he seems to be planning) or by that smile that makes your heart go wild.

He fished his phone out of his pocket and played a song you’re quite familiar with. Hearing the intro of the song puzzled you. He started nodding to the beat, raising his hands as if trying to get the crowd join him. When you heard that iconic “JYP” whisper, followed by “Two P.M.”, you’re 200% sure it’s the song you’re thinking.

again and again and again and again

When he started dancing, you couldn’t help but chuckle. Seeing his facial expression made you laugh. Then, you realized you’re in a public place. You wanted to pretend you don’t know him but there were already few people looking.

“What are you doing? Stop it” You demanded in between your chortle.

“C’mon. Dance with me” He encouraged as he started singing, too “Again and again and again and again”

You shook your head, still laughing. He continued to persuade you and you reject him every time. He didn’t stop dancing and when it’s time for chorus, you wanted to stop him again.

“Are you swimming in the air or what?” Your eyes were already teary from laughing.

“It’s the dance step” Looking serious, he continued “again and again and again and again”

“Seriously, though.” You took a breath “Stop that. C’mon.”

Laughing slightly, he finally took a break from his little performance. “How was it? Not bad, huh?”

Smiling, you shook your head and scoffed teasingly “Whatever.”

He ruffled your hair and the curve on your face started to fade. Am I being treated as a kid, again? You unconsciously sighed. He raised a brow in curiosity.

“What is it? What’s the problem?” You raised your head to look at him, widened your eyes in surprise and shook your head “You still think you can’t do it?” You raised your left eyebrow in confusion “C’mon. You just need to work it out. Let’s build up your confidence.”

“Ugh” Your shoulder dropped

“Dance with me”

It was just a simple sentence. It’s just a casual invitation—an invitation for a cause (to build your self-esteem)—but it still made your heart do multiple flips.

“It’s embarrassing, though”

“At least you’re not alone. Let’s be embarrassing together.” He stretched his arm and offered his hand

Biting your lower lip to curb your smile from showing, you were cursing in your head thinking there he goes again, doing something simple but the effect on you isn’t simple at all. Giving up, you took his hand and accepted the invitation.

He played If You Do, the song you were dancing to earlier. You were a bit surprised that he knows the dance. He didn’t miss a step. You were both dancing and laughing together. You forgot about the people. You were so happy to mind the stares and the laughs. You’re too overwhelmed because for the first time in a long time, you’re having fun while dancing.

You remembered the feeling when you fell in love with dancing and when you first tried it. For the past years, you were just focused on how to be a ‘good’ dancer. You were frustrated and pressured. You didn’t say a thing but this means a lot to you and you’re so grateful he did this—and you’re extra grateful because he’s the one who made you do this and made you feel this feeling again.

“How d’you do that?”, you queried in between pants after the dance; leaning your back on the railing.

“Do what?”, he questioned back as he rested his forearms on the railing, facing the sea.

“Be confident?”

“Well, if I have to do something well that I’m not good at, that would be a burden”, he looked at the sea and smiled contently “But as for dancing, I can just show how bad I am as it is. I don’t have to be good. There are no worries, so I can be confident. I think ‘am I not the most confident person when I dance?’”

You scoffed and he smiled widely. He landed a glance on you before turning his gaze back to the sea. You turned and positioned yourself like him.

“I believe I pour all my confidence into dancing. In fact, you don’t have to be afraid that you won’t be good. It’s okay to be bad at it. It doesn’t matter if you’re off beat. Just show that ‘I’m expressing this’, and then people will laugh along. Everyone will enjoy it as it is.”

That really touched your heart. You started to think that, in time, you’d be able to express yourself confidently, too. You started to feel like you really could.

“If I couldn’t believe in myself, then I’d believe in you” You tried to tell yourself but unfortunately, you said it audibly.

“That’s right. Believe in me.” He started dancing ‘Again & Again’ once more “See this? Not bad, right? You just have to be confident” He stopped dancing with a smug on his face

“Yeah, right. Not bad”, you agreed with unrestrained beam.

AFTER EXACTLY 10 MONTHS!!! HAHAHA
I wanted to end this on Chapter 2, but I think it'll end in Chapter 3. Ok, dont trust my words. This is what happened with Once/Twice Series. It started w/ a one-shot then a sequel then a special chapter until the special chapters became 5. 

* Did not proofread so excuse the mistakes (spelling/grammar/tenses)
* I don't know when's the next/last chapter. After 10 months again maybe? JK
* The 'be confident' advice that Sungjin said in this ff, was his actual words irl