The dance studio at KQ had that familiar after-practice warmth to it. The mirrors along the wall were slightly fogged near the edges, the wooden floor warm from hours of movement. Hoodies and caps had been tossed aside earlier, water bottles lined along the wall where everyone had dropped their things without much thought.

Today’s practice wasn’t strict.

No formations, no repeated run-throughs of choreography—just music playing through the speakers while whoever felt like it stepped into the center of the room to freestyle for a bit.

Near the speaker, Hongjoong crouched with his phone in hand, lazily scrolling through the playlist before tapping the next song.

A low bassline rolled through the room.

The opening of Creep filled the studio.

Almost immediately, a few reactions rippled through the group.

Across the room, San let out a quiet laugh, dragging a hand through his hair as he recognized his own solo stage track starting up.

Leaning against the mirror nearby, Wooyoung slowly lifted his head, eyebrows raising in amused recognition as the beat settled into its slow rhythm.

“Ah…”

His eyes scanned the room.

Then landed on you.

The grin that followed was immediate.

“Maknae,” he said, straightening from the wall and pointing toward the open space in the middle of the studio. “Do it.”

A couple of the others looked over at that.

On the floor against the mirror, Mingi tilted his head back with a quiet laugh, clearly entertained already.

“You’re evil,” he muttered toward Wooyoung.

Next to him, Yunho was still catching his breath from the last freestyle, but he pushed himself upright a little, looking between you and the center of the room with bright curiosity.

“Actually… I want to see that,” he admitted.

Seonghwa sat a little apart from them, stretching one leg out while resting his arm loosely across his knee. His gaze moved from the speaker to you, expression thoughtful, though the faint hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re all setting her up,” he said lightly.

Across the room, Yeosang leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, quietly watching the situation unfold.

Meanwhile Jongho sat on the floor with his back against the mirror, one knee bent, looking toward the center of the room with calm interest.

The music continued to play, the slow rhythm of Creep filling the studio.

San glanced toward you then, amused, one eyebrow lifting slightly.

“Don’t hold back,” he added casually.

The center of the practice room remained open.

Eight pairs of eyes had settled in your direction now—some teasing, some curious, some clearly expecting something entertaining.

Wooyoung clapped once toward the middle of the room.

“Come on, maknae.”