xix. the nineteenth step

 1/2

Just as she promised, Minji came in for practice. Jongin was still packing up his things when he heard the door creak and there she was, with her usual bag on one shoulder. Suppressing a smile, he accompanied her over to her own studio. Once inside, he dumped his bag on the benches while she did the same. Then, she began to her coat.

"How was practice?" Minji asked, fumbling with the buttons when one of them got stuck. He casually reached out to help her, making her stumble towards him. A blush adorned her cheeks.

"Unproductive," he answered, a quirk playing on his lips. If she was affected, he could tell she was trying not to show it.

"Oh?"

He shrugged, his fingers finally undoing the annoying thing. Instead of releasing her though, he pulled her in even more.

"I think I need your help,” he whispered against her lips.

Minji narrowed her eyes at him but did not pull away either. "The great Kim Jongin needs my help?"

Jongin decided playfulness was an adorable look on her. Definitely better than the miserable ones that frequented her face. "Yeah, so will you?"

Unimpressed, she huffed at him. "Stop playing, Jongin."

With that, she strutted away to the music system leaving him behind to chuckle at her response.

"I'm actually being serious though," He persisted after but Minji ignored him. Plugging the AUX cord to her phone, she kept it up even as Jongin called her name. Strolling over, he stopped behind her to find her scrolling down a playlist. "So much for that apology the other day." He tsked in her ear.

He was certain he saw her shiver before whirling around to face him, straight-faced and unamused. Yet still, no hostility coloured her features.

Jongin remained undeterred. "What? Isn't that happened?"

Her expression eventually dissolved, leaving a guilt-ridden pout behind that made his mouth twitch.

Cute.

"So, did you ever decide on a new choreo for the evaluations?" He finally sobered up, asking a question he had been needing to ask.

"No. I'm just sticking with the routine I already was doing before," she replied, turning back to her phone but Jongin stopped her. Hands on her shoulder, he gently pulled her back to him.

"You mean the one you supposedly did with Lay?"

At that, Minji grimaced a little. He would've as well but it didn't matter to him anymore if that had been all pretence and Lay had lied about making a partner dance with her. No, he was inspired instead. This was the idea that he has been meaning to tell her about.

"Minji," His hands slid down her arms to thread her fingers into his. "What do you say about making a real partner routine?"

His offer had her expression melt into one of surprise. "For the evaluations?"

Like her, he was just going to continue the one he had been working on but the idea wouldn't leave him alone. Admittedly, the sight of Minji and Lay from their last encounter didn't help either.

"Yeah." He began to pull her towards the centre. "So, let's give it a try?"

Without a warning, he spun her and like he knew she would, she responded with quick agility. Twirling back into his chest, she broke into a riveting smile. The sight ensnared Jongin immediately; the rare glow in her face alluring.

Using that as encouragement, he launched them into a rhapsody of mindless movements. It was almost silly with no beat accompanying them but neither of them cared. Minji laughed, dancing to an imaginary song but for Jongin he had something guiding him.

As their foreheads fell together, the tips of their noses brushed causing the erratic melody of his heart to quicken. He became hopeful.

"So, what do you think?"

Seeing her eyes glitter, he pulled her closer in anticipation as if it would improve the chances. Not that he needed to. It was just an excuse to touch her.

"Alright, Jongin." Her voice never sounded so musical in his ears. "Why not?"

To say Jongin was over the moon was an understatement, but he had no time to celebrate Minji's answer; they had to get down to business just as fast. Taking advantage of their timeslots that were right after the other, their meet-ups became frequent and soon little by little, they made progress.

As a result, in just a week and a half what they had was enough.

Though this wasn't the first time they worked together, for Jongin this was different. Creating something with her and only her, was different and it made him excited. When was the last time he felt this eager to perform?

"When's your test?" Jongin asked. Sitting on the ground with the rest of the class, they were waiting for Mr Hwan. Lay hadn't arrived yet either.

"Next week or so, I'll have to check."

"So, you're going to study after this?"

Minji drew her knees up to her chin and nodded.

Remembering what happened last time, he ended up warning her, "Just make sure you don't end up passing out like last time."

She rolled her eyes. "Please, don’t remind me."

Knowing she wasn’t taking him seriously, he was prepared to give her a piece of his mind when Mr Hwan finally arrived, silencing the chatter in the room. The class, including him, straightened immediately. It was starting.

As usual, people were sent up at random.

Soon, Jongin was picked out and he had to tell Mr Hwan and the rest of the class that he had been working on a routine with Minji. It was awkward. The man had raised a brow while murmurs swept across their peers. Minji, however, kept her chin up. What he once saw as a sign of arrogance was now a strong façade.

Unknown to Minji and Jongin, the class had certainly noticed the change in their relationship. What they saw as a cold rivalry between two turned into something shocking but also intriguing. But that also made them envious.

"Huh. So Kim Jongin is up to her too?"

"So I guess he's just the same as everyone else…"

"Wow, and I was rooting for him as well."

Hearing those words as they made their way to the front, he shouldn't have been surprised but he was. Were his peers always this vicious? Then it hit him. They always were. He just chose to ignore them because it was never towards him. It was towards…

"Ready, Jongin?"

Minji's hands took his own, pulling his eyes to the small smile on her face. Catching some whispers about her too, he realised, she was just used to all of this, wasn't she?

Squeezing her hands, he became determined. He used to hate that pedestal that lifted her above the others—above him. But now, he wanted nothing but to push her up—away from their words and their resentful eyes.

And he will.

"Ready."

With each step they made together, he felt powerful as if standing by her side had given him such strength. It was invigorating. Every spin and every brush of her skin yanked him deeper into their synergy and it pushed him. To do better. To show them.

When it all came to an end, Jongin did not even realise until Minji with her rosy cheeks beamed at him. His mind returned to the present, to the applause surrounding them. To her.

"That was amazing, Jongin," she panted in awe. Encouraged by her comment, before he could return the praise, he caught Mr Hwan's peculiar expression, and it made him eager.

However, it was nothing special. Not when he compared it to what he said about Lay and Minji's routine.

A familiar hand re top of his when they sat down. It was Minji, with the same sweet smile. Though she said nothing, she looked beyond satisfied that he felt his disappointment fade. That's right. Comparisons were unnecessary. This was what he wanted.

When the class concluded, Jongin and Minji were getting their belongings when someone called out to them. Mr Hwan. Approaching him, they stopped in time for him to hold a flyer to their faces. They wrinkled their noses.

"A showcase?" Minji spoke first.

When Jongin squinted at the flyer, Mr Hwan handed it to him while he turned to Minji.

"I wasn't sure if you checked the bulletin but I'm glad I told you myself. They have a section for partnered dances. What do you think?"

Putting two and two, Jongin finally met his gaze. "Are you suggesting us to participate?"

"I was going to recommend you both individually…but your unexpected collaboration came out better than I thought. I feel as though your chemistry didn't shine as well as it could've in your previous group work, but now I can see that you can do so much more." The sincerity in his eyes deepened. "I know this is sudden, but will you two take the chance?"

So much for the comment he made earlier. It seemed their instructor was so impressed, he wanted them to a dance for the whole academy instead.

Seeing their hesitation, Mr Hwan added, "We’re also inviting choreographers and representatives from huge entertainment companies to watch. No doubt, they will be using this opportunity to scout future dancers…."

After hearing that, Jongin knew his answer.

"I want to do it." Both heads turned towards him. He flickered his eyes to Minji, who seemed unsure. Brushing his fingers against hers, he gave her a supportive glance.

"Alright." She eventually sighed.

Thrilled, Mr Hwan clapped his hands together. "Perfect! I'll speak to Director Jang and let her know. I suggest you guys continue what you did to start off with, alright?" When the two nodded, he turned to leave before saying one more thing to Minji. "And I'm proud of you Minji. I'm glad you took my advice."

Jongin raised a brow at that, wondering what Mr Hwan's mysterious smile meant but Minji, still with pink cheeks, dismissed it when he left. "I've never actually participated in these showcases before."

"Same, but there's always a new start for everything right?"

"I guess…"

Jongin couldn't help but smile endearingly at her hesitation. Knowing her by now, he expected this but he knew this was good for her as well.

"Hey," he began softly. "We'll be fine. Plus, I'm your partner so that means we've already aced it."

Minji gave light-hearted scoff as they turned towards the door. He only grinned. Suddenly, the sound of clapping jolted the two.

"Congratulations on getting recommended!" A familiar face cheered them by the door. Jongin took in his attire, completed by the shiny Italian shoes that adorned his feet, a definite no-no in the studio. Someone clearly had no intention of coming to class today.

Jongin raised a brow. "Where were you?"

Lay just rubbed the back of his head with a shrug. "I couldn't come until now. Sorry."

"I bet you had nothing to show, that's why you ditched."

The other male just folded his arms. "Nah, I think that was you. That's why you made Minji dance with you, right?"

Jongin closed his mouth at that. Wait, but then that meant he had been there for that.

"You saw it?" It was Minji who voiced his thoughts, peering up to Lay with a breathy tone.

Slowly, Lay slid his gaze over to her as if acknowledging her for the first time. His lashes fell a little.

"Yeah, I did."

Lay and Lu Han walked through the airport in casual strides. Unlike the hectic environment around them, the two weren't in a hurry. In fact, they dreaded their destination. It wasn't long now until farewells had to be made, and this made Lay devoid of his smiles.

"Seriously Xing. You really make me not want to go home," Lu Han commented after minutes of watching the other male get lost in his thoughts.

"If you don't, then I missed my dance class today for nothing," Lay mumbled, though he felt guilty knowing Lu Han only stayed back in Korea because of him. He could've gone back with Yifan.

"Mad because I stole you from our precious Xiao-Min?" The older male teased, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Lay only rolled his eyes at him. "Well, too bad! If you just brought me to one of your dates then I would've let you go! I barely saw her during my trip."

"You would've just embarrassed me more like last time."

Lu Han snorted. "Hey, I was helping. You have to help her remember, okay?"

The humour in Lu Han's response sailed over his head. He was aware Lu Han was still teasing him but his words struck something in him.

"If you think about it, maybe there's not much to remember," he said quietly.

Lu Han frowned at that. After what seemed like years of careful deliberation, he opened his mouth. "The problem isn't Minji not remembering, it's you."

The bluntness made Lay wince.

"Lu-ge," he sighed heavily. "All I'm saying is that my relationship with Minji doesn't have to be built from the past. Whatever I have with her now, it could stand alone from the day we met again."

"You're right," Lu Han shrugged, before shooting him a look. "But to me, that just means you're running from the past, and that makes me sceptical. How can you love someone when your wounds haven’t healed…?"

His mother's face flashed in his head, "Ge…"

"I'm just worried, Xing." They finally reached Lu Han's gate. "I'm worried you're doing this…for all the wrong reasons."

Wrong reasons? He was just carrying out what he was expected to. His duty. His promise, the one he made to himself.

"And what will my ‘wrong' reasons have to do with the past?" Lay imposed.

Lu Han swivelled his head to look at him. "Everything. In our head, things are simpler, but we never truly realise why we do what we do. We think it's because of this, but really, deep inside, we're doing it for something else. Something we refuse to even acknowledge."

What he said caused Lay's throat to close up. He looked away.

A hand landed on his shoulder.

"Didn’t Minji and Minyoung help