The break ended as abruptly as it began.
"Back to positions."
Haejun's voice carried that same calm authority, but I caught the subtle edge underneath.
I took my spot at center front, hyperaware of every movement as the music resumed.
The choreography flowed around me—silk and fire, as Haejun had promised.
I focused on hitting my marks, keeping my vocals clean, and avoiding any more lapses in concentration.
Practice continued without incident until dinner was called.
My body ached in places I didn't know could ache, but I'd managed to avoid another public correction.
The cafeteria buzzed with its usual chaos when I found Jisoo, Yuhyun, and Jinwook at our table.
Jisoo regaled us with increasingly dramatic tales of aegyo torture while
Yuhyun picked at his food, still radiating frustration about Minjae's leadership.
Jinwook listened with his characteristic stoic attention, occasionally offering dry observations that made us all laugh despite our exhaustion.
