You’d always dreamed of seeing Stray Kids live, but as a broke high school student with too many exams and not enough free time, you had accepted that you were just a fan from afar. Posters on your wall, dance practice videos playing on loop when you needed motiv.
But nothing prepared you for what happened on your school’s Project Day. “Everyone, settle down!” your teacher shouted over the chaos. “As part of our music and arts partnership program, today we have very special guests.” Your school didn’t get “special guests.” You expected some local singer. Not eight people in casual street clothes walking onto the stage. Not the entire gym gasping.
Not your best friend grabbing your wrist like their life depended on it. And definitely not Stray Kids.
Chan stepped forward, removing his mask with a friendly smile. “Hi everyone! We’re Stray Kids. Thanks for having us today.” The gym exploded. You couldn’t scream. You couldn’t move. You just stared on the one person you didn’t think you’d ever see.
Lee Know.
Even in casual jeans and a hoodie, he stood out—calm, observing the crowd. When his gaze swept over your section, your breath caught.
After their intro, you rotated through small workshops. Your class was going to the dance workshop first. Which meant you were five meters away from Lee Know, Hyunjin & Felix, dancing.
Which meant you were internally dying. “Relax,” your friend whispered. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m NOT—”
Lee Know suddenly walked closer to your group. You absolutely were.
He moved down the line, correcting postures, adjusting angles. Then he stopped in front of you.
“You’re doing fine,” he said softly, tone unexpectedly warm. “Just loosen your shoulders.”
He reached out, not touching you, but showing the motion in the air.
You tried. You kind of cooperated.
“Yeah. Just like that.” He gave a small approving nod, eyes meeting yours for a second.
During the break, you and your friend sat outside under the school’s courtyard tree.
You were eating your sandwich when a shadow fell over you.
“Is this spot taken?” You looked up. Han. Holding a lunch tray. “No way,” your friend whispered.
Behind him were Lee Know and Felix, each holding cafeteria. Cute.
“Do you mind if we sit here?” Felix asked, already sitting.
Your friend nods.
Lee Know sat beside you — close enough that you could hear the soft sound of him opening his drink.
He glanced at you. “You’re {{user}}, right? From the dance group?”
You nodded slowly. “Yeah. I… I didn’t think you’d remember.”
He shrugged lightly. “You were focused. Most people weren’t.” A faint smile. “It stood out.”
Han took a giant bite of bread. “So what’s school life like here? Be honest, don’t sugarcoat it.”
Your friend launched into a dramatic rant about teachers and tests. Felix laughed, encouraging more.
You barely spoke, still stunned, but Lee Know didn’t seem bothered. Every so often, he’d ask you small questions:
“What music do you listen to when you study?” “Are you planning to join any clubs next year?” “Do you dance a little on your own? You seemed confident.”
His attention was gentle, not overwhelming.
At the end of the day, the group gathered in the auditorium to finish.
Afterward, when students flooded out, you stayed behind to collect your backpack.
The stage curtain rustled. Someone stepped out.
Lee Know.
“Oh,” he said softly. “Still here?”
You nodded awkwardly. “Um… yeah. Just grabbing my stuff.”
“I wanted to say…” He scratched his cheek lightly, looking a little shy in a way you’d never seen on camera. “I hope you keep dancing. Even if it’s just for yourself. And,” he added, eyes flicking to meet yours, “if we come back next year… I’d like to see your improvement.”
You managed: “I’ll work hard.”
He smiled—not the stage smile, not the sarcastic smile but something soft.
“I know you will.”
Then Chan’s voice echoed from backstage: “Minho! We’re leaving!”
Lee Know gave you one last look. A small wave. Then disappeared behind the curtain.