She's expressive

The crew never said anything, but the two of them could feel the disapprovement of their stares. It has been, what? 10 minutes...15 minutes since they lapsed into silence...? The atmosphere was severely awkward too that the two of them just kept on glancing at random places and avoiding eye contact as they walked. Sungjae was sure that he was blushing from his neck up to ears and he fought so hard to keep his smile intact. He was starting to get nervous again. He was already fidgety to begin with and added with the crew's stares, he started feeling pressured and more anxious. He wanted to break the dead air but he really didn't know what to say either (well, he wanted to say that he likes her smile, but somehow his throat seems to thicken whenever he tries to, so he doesn't). To his relief, she spoke.

"I watched your drama, but other than you, there's another [cool] guy, right?"

He didn't know know what or even how to respond, and so he snorted an embarrassed yet shy kind of laugh to hide the slight irritation that he felt inside. He really didn't want to talk about his drama, especially not if she opened this topic due to her interest for his co-actor. Even if they were only pretending, isn't it taboo to open a topic about another guy in front of your husband? "There is. There is. A lot of them. But I'm sure it's not him." If it was up to him, he'd rather they talk about their own interest so that they could get to know each other deeply.

But if that interest had something to do with his co-actor, he'd rather not.

Thinking that he misunderstood her, she pressed on, "You have a rival, right?"

"Ah," He said, eyes flitting around to divert the topic somewhere else, "Chairman Lee?"

They both laughed at his conceited sense of humor before they lapsed into silence again.

Honestly, he hoped that did the trick but he also kind of noticed how stubborn she could be plus they're starting to get awkward again so, "Yeah, Joohyuk-hyung, then what?" He relented. Staring at her made him think that she probably has her own reasons, and whether it was presumptuously to make him jealous or if she really just was interested with the other guy, he decided to just give in and do it for the sake of the show. Why should he be irritated anyway? It was ridiculous.

"Our maknae also likes that person."

Ok, that kind of did it. The word 'also' did it. Being unreasonable aside, Joohyuk already got the affection of Sohyun's character in the drama, must he get the affection of his on-screen wife too? His competitive side really couldn't stand it, "If the maknae likes him too, then do you like him too?" He said without thinking, his eyes piercing through her despite his smile.

He must admit that the way she tilted her head and furrowed her brows in confusion softened his expression. She was extremely cute and he nearly forgot his ego, but he has his own thing to settle and that took precedence (he kind of worried that she liked his co-star's character more than she did with his and that she would indirectly state her disappointment by bringing this up. Even if she did say that she liked his lips, what good does a physical attraction have compared to an emotional one? Then again, it's not like he would admit this to himself, much less, say it out loud), "The maknae likes him. Who else likes him?" He looked at her and saw her coquettish smile. It really irked him because it seemed to confirm his suspicions. "The reason why you brought him up, is it because you like him too?"

This made her stare at him and chuckle, which was kind of contagious and made him laugh along too. He knew that he sounded unreasonable, almost like a jealous and possessive boyfriend, but the entire point of the show was for the two of them to act like a couple, "No, no. It's not like that." She finally said once she realized his discomfort, "The reason why I brought this up was because I told her that the other person was cooler."

Hearing that made him happy, although it also made him shy, he was amazed at how expressive she could be that he was glad he got her as his partner. He must admit that he found it hard. He was originally going for the cool and collected demeanor Taekwang possessed in the drama and act everything out for the duration of the show (he honestly didn't think that they would last, an impression he got from earlier since she didn't fit the age range of his ideal type), but he found himself unable to slip on that persona and just went on acting like himself---the Yook Sungjae that he exclusively shows towards his mom and his older sister.

"So when I know that it's you, I really got goose bumps." She continued.

"Ah, really?" He said, bowing his head to hide his smile.

"Who knows that I'd be doing this with you?"

Without him noticing, his smile grew bigger.

"I like it. I really like it."

She flustered him so much that he couldn't help but laugh out from his shyness as he turned his head to hide his reddening face. He couldn't deny how it made him feel more esteemed and proud of himself, as well as the undeniable relief that flooded through him. Although it wasn't much of an assurance that she actually liked what he's showing now, at least it made him hope that they could film the show fluidly.

"Wah," He exclaimed as soon as he turned his head to face her again, "You suddenly threw a fastball."

He expected her to be shy, but it seemed like she's the type hide it by saying rather than expressing it by squealing to herself, "It's because I like it." She said.

And it flustered him more, "Are you really younger?"

This girl really amazed him. She was a fresh character. He wondered why he never noticed it before.

Most of all:

She's sincere

"Why did you join WGM?"

It was a sudden question and it caught him off guard. They were only laughing moments ago to some ridiculous joke about how singing was a way of life that he didn't know how to answer. Actually, he knew what to say, but saying that he joined WGM because he felt important for being specifically invited for the show sounded kind of lame. He was running low on brownie points from the moment they met and his only saving grace was the fact that she seemed fine with whatever he was showing. He didn't know what it was, pride probably, that made him want her to like him more, to impress her more.

Thankfully, she continued, oblivious to his thoughts, "Because for me, it was supposed to be Irene-unnie, but she felt awkward in joining the show." She looked fondly out the window, seemingly counting the lights inside the tunnel but her gaze was far, a sure sign of reminiscing, "Our manager then tried to persuade Seulgi-unnie and Wendy-unnie, but Seulgi-unnie was hesitant and Wendy-unnie was totally against it. Somebody was needed to join the show to promote the group." Then she looked at him and smiled, "So I volunteered. And I'm kind of glad that I did." Her gaze turned meaningful that he felt his heart skip a beat. He was blushing, he knew, he could feel his blood crowd in his cheeks. but he could care less, because she looked absolutely beautiful right then, especially with that grateful gaze and her shy yet sincere eyes. The slight blush that adorned her cheeks made her look even more adorable.

He cleared his throat to distract his thoughts, "Is that so?" Was all he could say, and he could see the light in her eyes dim. She might've been disappointed with his nonchalant response so his mind reeled to make it up, "Me too." He said, earning him a confused look, "I mean, it was my choice." He awkwardly averted his gaze, "Uhm, to join the show."

He heard her relieved sigh, attracting his attention, "I'm glad." She said, "I thought you were forced to join."

This intrigued him because she looked genuinely concerned, "And if I was?"

"Then it'd be awkward." She replied, gaze turning shy and her lips pressing down together. For a moment there, he wondered if she was doing that on purpose, if she was trying to flirt with him (he is good looking after all) or if she was just really shy. Her lips were so pink and pretty that he found himself unconsciously fixating on them. She was sly, he noted, and it was almost unfair how she had no idea that she was because when he glanced up to look at her eyes, he realized that it was just one of her nervous habits, "I volunteered because I wanted to know what it's like [to date]." She continued, then squealed, shrinking in her seat as she let out an embarrassed whine. It was so cute that even the cameraman, who was sitting on the passenger seat, and manager Hong laughed. Sungjae predicted that this scene would be an NG and would not appear on live broadcast because of that, which was slightly unfortunate. On another note, that would be a good thing since the things that she shared earlier had been intimate.

"Aish," She groaned, hiding her face behind her fists, "I'm embarrassed." Then she let out one big sigh as she gathered herself, "I'm calm now." She declared before staring pleadingly at him, "Sunbaenim~" She whined, "You should really open a new topic. Hurry!" She crossed her right arm over stomach and leaned herself towards the window, looking expectantly at him, "But I'm really glad I got paired up with you." She blurted, shocking herself before returning her expression back to normal as if nothing had happened.

It got him flustered, of course, which prompted him to snort a laugh, this girl had been throwing one fastball after the other that he barely even had the time to cool down and prepare himself for the next. But he was also glad, because he knew that she was trying hard to show and expose herself to him.

It was really pushing him to try harder.

"My members really liked Red Velvet." He suddenly shared, remembering the event that happened that morning. Honestly, he wondered if it was a bright idea to share it, so he ended up carressing Yookjoy's head to calm his nerves, "And from them, a hyung liked you specifically."

"Ah, really?"

His sight flickered towards her briefly and was glad that she seemed interested in what he had to say.

"So I said," He continued, eyes wandering around her face but not really meeting her gaze, "Who are you looking down on?" The moment those words left his lips, his embarrassment rushed at him like a huge tidal wave. She seemed to mirror his feelings because she cringed while he ended up laughing at himself to cover his emotions.

Once they quited down, he could feel her gaze on him, "I like that." She said.

And hearing her say that made him extremely proud of himself.

The staff warned them that they're supposed to wrap up in an hour's time, therefore, they must hurriedly find a good way to end their first meeting on a good note. It wasn't that hard really, since they both think alike. The two had unanimously decided to write a letter to each other using the application for them to read later, since they are still a bit awkward (though not as awkward as before) and were not yet that comfortable with each other. On another note, they both knew that as the show would progress, they could at least work better together and perhaps even become close friends. 

"Ok, that's a wrap." The director said and the crew swiftly moved about to close and keep their equipments.

Sooyoung, as per her request to address her by her real name, timidly tapped his shoulder to get his attention, "Oppa," She said, peeking curtly at him.

He responded with a hum and stared at her.

"Can I call you that even when we're not filming?" She asked, which amused him, Because honestly, he thought that was a given.

"Of course. Why not?" He replied.

She sighed in relief before giving him one of her eye-smiles, the kind that makes him want to lovingly pat her head (like a pet), "Thank you. I had fun today." She said.

Which, for the nth time that day, caught him off guard. She had been sincere then but it was the softness of her tone that made him happy yet confused at the same time. She sounded so grateful when he felt like he hadn't done anything worthwhile at all. "Why? I should be the one thanking you. You did better today than I did."

She shook her head, "Ani. It's because my partner is you that I did well today. If it was somebody else...I wouldn't be this way." 

 "Why?" He can't help but ask.

"Just because." She replied with a curt smile.

"Ah, you're really a unique character."

"Thank you. I try my best." She declared before giggling, obviously embarrassed with what she just said and he couldn't help but smile. "But seriously, I hope next filming too. We could have fun like this. Even though we were awkward, I had fun. Thank you."

Hearing that made him feel lighthearted, filling his chest with elation and pride, that he swore to himself right then that he was going to give her that. Because he found out, he loved seeing her happy... because seeing her happy makes him happy as well.

"Of course we will." He replied simply, a smile breaking out on his face, and his tone holding a lilt of a promise. He will make sure to make her happy.

Writer's Nook:

I want to apologize to the people who thought I updated yesterday. I was supposed to save it as a draft but I was hurrying because my driving instructor had arrived and me, being the lazy procrastinating bum that I am, haven't really prepared yet. So I was rushing things and forgot to check the "hide chapter" part. I am truly sorry for that one.

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