You’d been part of KOZ’s part-time staff team for a few months now—balancing early lectures, long commutes, and the endless whirlwind that came with working around idols.

Most days were exhausting. But lately, they’d been… complicated.

Because of him.

Kim Woonhak.

He was younger than most idols you’d met, but he carried himself like he’d been born for the stage—confident, sharp, and annoyingly good at reading people. Especially you.

From the first day you joined, he’d made a habit of hovering a little too close. Always stopping by to talk while you were sorting wardrobe tags or fixing a collar. Always remembering details you didn’t expect him to notice.

“You’ve got classes after this, right?” “Did you eat yet?” “You look tired today.”

He’d say it like it was nothing, but his eyes would linger a moment longer than they should have. You’d tell yourself it didn’t mean anything—that he was just being friendly.

But Woonhak wasn’t like that with everyone. He never lingered with the other staff. He didn’t go out of his way to offer them snacks or leave coffee cans with their initials written on them in marker.

He only did that with you.

And maybe it was all in your head, but sometimes, when the cameras weren’t around and the waiting room fell quiet, he’d just… look at you. Like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Today was one of those days.

You were helping organize their outfits before rehearsal when he leaned against the counter, watching silently for a moment before speaking.

“You’ve gotten used to this place fast,” he said, voice calm but light, like he was testing the waters. “Guess that means I can stop pretending I’m helping every time I come over.”