It was during lunch hour on a freaking weekend and the mall was literally bustling with people. The stage was at the centre of the mall, a good spot to gain the attention of passer-bys and there was already a large crowd of supporters and curious onlookers at every level of the floor. And there was also, Seulgi and her whole team backstage, some touching up and applying make-up,  some interacting with other competitors and some like her, being at a secluded corner, far from her team, practicing her steps.   “You look tense.”   Seulgi turned her body to see Miss Bae spotting on a plain white blouse tucked in high-waist dark blue jeans. She looked exactly like a model coming straight out of a magazine and Seulgi was in trance.   “Y-You came…”   Miss Bae chuckled, “I sacrificed my sleeping time last night and marked all of the assessments so that I’ll be completely free today and support you and the team.”   Seulgi was lost for words, partially because she was still in awe on her teacher’s appearance and the fact that Miss Bae stayed up late to finish her work so that she could come and cheer for the team. “Thank you. I think we – I mean, I myself do need some cheer of support…considering my dad isn’t about to show up anytime soon.”   Miss Bae’s fell slightly, “Oh…he’s busy with work?”   “Yeah, the usual,” Seulgi reassured her teacher with a smile, “It’s normal. He’s a…hardworking man.”   Miss Bae was about to say something when one of the staff called out for the teams to gather and be on stand-by. Seulgi was about to part ways from her teacher when the latter placed a hand on her shoulder, gripping it in an assuring manner. “You’ll do well, Seulgi. You might not be able to see me amongst the crowd later, but just know that I’m here cheering for you and the team of course.” Seulgi’s heart was beating so loud, it was impossible for her teacher to not hear it. was also half open, not sure what to answer back – but in the end she managed to mumbled a small ‘Thank You’ while not tearing her eyes away from Miss Bae’s soft gaze upon her. She bowed her head, before she ran off towards her team and almost tripped on her feet over nothing along the way.     Just stepping on the stage makes her breathing rapid and shallow. She could feel her pulse pounding and her legs shaking in her sneakers. But once her group was in their position and the music blast off, she somehow forgot about everything and enjoyed the stage. And once the music ended, all she could hear was loud cheers erupting and the unstable beat of her heart as she breathes hard especially when her eyes fell on a certain corner, where Miss Bae stood, beaming. In the end, they didn’t win first place but the runner-up instead. They were completely satisfied with the result because the team had been practicing in between crazy schedules and to achieve second place was already a big win to them. It was also a big accomplishment as it was the first time their school dance club had brought back something meaningful to the school since the club was established.   “…Miss Bae, you should join us for our celebration dinner.” YooA suggested.   “You are the only school staff who came to support the team today,” Hyoyeon, their dance instructor spoke, “You should go ahead with the kids and besides, I couldn’t join with the team at the moment. I got an errand to do.”   “Oh…” Miss Bae gripped her sling bag tight, as she contemplated.   “We could go to Tore Ore and binge eat chicken!” Chungha recommended excitedly, “It’s just down the street from Coex.”   “But Miss Bae doesn’t eat chicken.” Seulgi casually stated before freezing upon realisation that she had just slipped up. And she could feel her teacher’s eyes on her but she chose to ignore and acted calm.   They took some time to discuss in the middle of the mall and came to a decision where they would celebrate it in another day, considering that it won’t be a total celebration without their dance instructor. The team lingered around for a bit before they parted ways and Seulgi was left in a rather awkward position, while still avoiding her eyes from her teacher after the ‘chicken’ outburst. Jackson was also with them too and knowing him, he might have plans to go back home with her and so Seulgi had to toughen up and plot with her History teacher. “Miss Bae, is it okay if you sent me back home?” She swallowed hard after asking.   “Oh… I thought you’d might want to grab some food with Ja…” Miss Bae might saw her frantic pupils desperately conveying her message and so, her teacher quickly agreed. “Sure! It’s a bit dangerous nowadays…taking the subway… or the bus. I heard some thieves were running around too lately…”   Jackson had his hands inside his pockets, scratching his nape for a bit. “Umm… I guess I’ll be seeing you around at school, then?”   “Yup see you at school, dude. Thanks for today. You did great.. ” Seulgi half-hugged the guy (in a friendly manner) before they broke apart and he bids goodbye to the both of them.   They stood waving side by side in silence for a few seconds before Seulgi heard the woman beside her erupting in fits of giggle.   “What’s funny, Miss Bae?” Seulgi turned to look at her teacher, slightly confused yet she can’t help but to smile seeing how her teacher was red in the face from giggling.   “You,” Miss Bae panted out, caressing her own chest to calm herself down. “You’re a funny one, Seulgi – adorably funny.”                                                   ***     Instead of going back home, they ended up walking at the streets of Itaewon searching for a particular restaurant. The earlier plan was to send her back home but once Miss Bae starts the engine of her car, a loud rumbling nose came from her stomach and she just had to shut her eyes for a few seconds out of embarrassment before embarrassingly agreeing to Miss Bae offer to eat dinner with her beforehand. And so they arrived in front of a what seems like a long-standing family restaurant not far from the Itaewon station. Seulgi felt a blast of welcoming warmth once she stepped inside the restaurant, a contrast to the current cold weather outside. Because it was the weekend, the place looked packed but the worker from the eatery managed to lead them to a two-seater table at the corner of the room and they made their way through.   “I think what we ordered would be