Mingyu carried his backpack full of spare clothes on his back and the coffees in his hands. He had promised Wonwoo they could use the next few spare days to run the choreography before they shot the videos next week. Wonwoo knew it, Mingyu knew he knew it, but he wanted him to be confident. After yesterday's recording session he didn't know how helpful he'd be. He had tossed and turned in bed until well after midnight.

The song haunted him. It filled his mind with confusion and unanswered questions. Wonwoo had sung it four times before saving the files and emailing them to Jihoon. He then walked out and left Mingyu in the studio without a conversation or explanation. For hours Mingyu laid awake staring at the roof in darkness.

Where the sky met the sea You brought my heart to its knees

Will you be there?

As waves crashed on the sand I dreamed of taking your hand

Will you be there?

No, it can't be true, Mingyu thought as he strode on long legs through the Pledis building.

Sure, they had been getting along better, finding some middle ground. They had developed a kind of understanding. Even a tentative and nervous friendship of some sorts. But if Mingyu took the song literally then it meant that Wonwoo, captivated by the spray of the sea and salt, had feelings for him. That Wonwoo wanted to hold his hand, to kiss him and touch him, to be with him.

No. It's not true. It can't be true.

He had asked Wonwoo what made him happy. Clearly he had someone on his mind. That must have been why he was so stressed, so vacant, so troubled. Suddenly it all fell into place.

It must be Jihoon.

That's why he was having trouble with the songs. That's why he wanted Mingyu to help him record the song and not Jihoon.