Benedict, a.k.a Ben, had heard the name Park Daniel long before he ever saw him.
A senior, a prodigy, a dancer, everyone in the KPT University seemed to know. He was popular, not just for his talent but for his effortless charisma, the kind that made people gravitate toward him. It was hard to walk through campus without hearing his name in some conversation.
"Daniel-sunbae's leading the showcase this year."
"I saw him practicing the other day. How can someone move like that?"
"He's already got offers from agencies, you know? It's just a matter of time before he goes pro."
Ben never joined those conversations.
Dancing had always been a part of him, but only in the quietest way. He never trained, never performed, never even dared to call himself a dancer. Not when his parents dismissed it as a childish hobby. Not when the world around him convinced him there was no future in it.
And yet, when he first stepped onto this campus, the thing that caught his attention wasn't the academics or the clubs. It was the dance program.
A well-known extracurricular with a dedicated studio. A place where dancers, real ones, trained and competed. A place where he didn't belong.
But he still found himself there.
***
The studio was bigger than he expected. When Ben pushed open the doors, music flooded his ears, filling every inch of the space. Several dancers moved in sync, their bodies fluid and effortless. The energy in the room was electric.
He froze.
His fingers twitched by his side. He wanted so badly to step in, to move, to join them, but his feet wouldn't budge.
Instead, he turned and left, feeling the weight of his own hesitation settle in his chest.
But the pull was too strong.
That night, when the campus had emptied and the studio lights had dimmed, he found himself back at that same door. Only this time, it was empty and quiet.
His heart pounded as he stepped inside.
He pulled out his phone, played a dance video he had seen earlier that day, and let his body follow the rhythm. The first few beats were stiff, but then the music took over, the way it always did. His body moved without thinking, each step, each motion a silent conversation between him and the song.
For a few minutes, nothing else existed.
And then—
"You're pretty good."
Ben stumbled mid-step, nearly tripping over his own feet. He spun around, pulse racing, only to see a figure leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.
The dim lighting cast soft shadows across his face, but Ben recognized him instantly.
Park Daniel.
Ben swallowed, feeling caught. "A-Annyeonghaseyo…"
Daniel smirked, stepping inside. "Annyeonghaseyo. Didn't think anyone would be here this late. It's usually just me."
Ben stared at him. "Oh."
Brilliant response.
Daniel chuckled at his awkwardness. "What year are you?"
Ben shifted, still recovering from the shock of being seen. "First year. Economics Department."
"Figures. Haven't seen you around." Daniel nodded toward the mirror. "You don't train with the others?"
Ben hesitated. "I… I don't really train at all."
Daniel raised a brow. "Self-taught?"
Ben nodded.
"Interesting."
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After a moment, Daniel leaned against the ballet barre, his voice casual.
"You've got potential, you know. Ever think of joining the team?"
Ben let out a short, breathy laugh. "Not really."
Daniel tilted his head. "Why not?"
Ben looked away. "Because it's not for me."
Because he wasn't a real dancer and had spent years convincing himself that this dream wasn't worth chasing.
Daniel didn't push.
Instead, he stretched his arms and yawned. "Well, if you're planning to sneak in here at night, you should at least let me know. I usually have this place to myself."
Ben blinked at him. "You… don't mind?"
Daniel shrugged. "Nah. Just don't mess up the speakers." He grinned. "I was late today, had to help a dongsaeng get to the airport, but usually, this is my spot."
Ben didn't know what he had expected from this conversation, but it wasn't this.
Daniel, campus legend, college star, prodigy, was standing here, talking to him like it was nothing. As if Ben belonged here just as much as he did.
It was strange, but it didn't feel so impossible.
As Daniel turned to leave, he threw one last glance over his shoulder.
"If you ever change your mind…" His voice was easy, but there was something serious in his gaze. "You know where to find me."
And then he was gone, leaving Ben alone with nothing but the steady pounding of his heart.