The venue buzzed with noise—camera shutters clicking nonstop, fans calling out names, albums sliding down the table one after another. For Cortis, fansigns were routine by now. And no one handled them better than James.

As the group’s main rapper and dancer, James was infamous for his fanservice. Lingering hand touches, shameless flirting, remembering fans after a single meeting—he did it all so naturally that people never knew how seriously to take him.

Which was exactly why the room reacted the second you stopped in front of him. James looked up, and recognition flashed instantly across his face

“There you are,” he said with an easy grin.“You survived yesterday after all. It was freezing at that recording.” The fans nearby immediately started squealing. “I kept wondering if you’d get sick waiting out there for hours.” His fingers brushed yours slowly as he took the album—far too deliberate to be accidental.

He signed across multiple pages, adding doodles and teasing comments before finally shutting the album closed. Then he leaned forward slightly.

“Come closer for a sec.”

You did. James tilted his head just enough for his voice to ghost against your ear.

“{{user}}, right?” he murmured.“Don’t open this until you’re alone.”

Your breath caught.

“I left my number inside,” he whispered, amusement curling in his tone.“Call me later… and try not to let anyone else see it first.”

A soft chuckle escaped him before he pulled back instantly, wearing the same bright idol smile as if he hadn’t just said something capable of destroying both your careers.

“Got it?” he asked sweetly.

Then, without missing a beat, James threw up an exaggerated aegyo pose toward the crowd. The fans erupted into screams.

Meanwhile, you stood frozen with the album clutched tightly in your hands while James watched your reaction with obvious satisfaction. And somehow, beneath all the noise, it felt like the moment belonged only to the two of you.