~Han Jae-min POV~
The cafeteria buzzed with noise the next day, trays clattered, laughter rose and fell, and the scent of alphas crowded the air until it was hard to breathe.
I kept my head down, focusing on the plain rice and soup in front of me, eating fast, quiet, invisible was the plan.
"Sit here."
Do-hyun dropped his tray across from mine before I could protest his presence was impossible to ignore, calm but heavy like gravity.
"Why?" I asked cautiously.
He speared a piece of meat with his chopsticks. "Because you eat like a ghost someone should check you actually put food in your mouth."
"I'm eating just fine."
"Barely, listen, you'll collapse at this rate." His eyes lingered too long, scanning me like he could see past the loose hoodie, past the disguise.
I shifted uncomfortably. "I can handle myself."
"Mm." He chewed slowly. "Prove it in group training tomorrow."
Before I could reply, a tray clattered beside me.
Seok-jin slid into the seat with a grin too sharp to be friendly. "What's this? Kang Do-hyun babysitting the weakling?"
Do-hyun didn't even look at him. "Jealous?"
Seok-jin's jaw twitched. "Please... I just don't see the point of wasting energy on dead weight." His eyes cut to me, gleaming. "Watch yourself, 087, this place chews up people like you."
My chopsticks trembled but I tightened my grip, forcing calm. "…Thanks for the advice."
The smirk faltered for a fraction before he scoffed and stood, stalking off with his tray.
Do-hyun's gaze returned to me. "You stayed calm again, impressive."
I forced a laugh. "You sound disappointed."
"Not disappointed." His chopsticks tapped against the tray, steady. "Just… curious how long you can keep it up."
Something in his tone prickled. "Keep what up?"
He didn't answer just leaned back, eyes narrowing so slightly and then, suddenly my chest bindings pinched too tight which makes my breath hitched, shallow.
Do-hyun's gaze sharpened instantly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, shoving rice into my mouth as if that could cover the falter in my breathing.
He leaned forward. "You sure?"
"I said I'm fine." My voice cracked sharper than I meant, heads turned and my stomach dropped too loud and noticeable.
Do-hyun's eyes lingered, studying me finally, he leaned back again. "…Fine."
But his silence after said more than words.
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The practice hall felt colder under the stage lights, five trainees to a group, each expected to perform a full routine in front of trainers, staff, and cameras.
Our group drew stares instantly, Do-hyun, me, Seok-jin, and two others, I feel so choked. During rehearsal, Seok-jin's jabs never stopped.
"Jae-min, you're half a beat slow."
"Don't drag us down!" Someone else said.
"Do-hyun, why don't you just lead without him?"
I clenched my teeth, pushing through the pain in my chest, refusing to slip again, when our turn came, the trainers' sharp eyes followed every movement then the music hit.
Do-hyun's presence burned beside me every move sharp, confident, I matched him, step for step, even as sweat soaked my bindings and stole my breath.
Halfway through, Seok-jin shoved past during a formation shift, his shoulder slamming into me, I staggered and the world turned, my knees nearly buckled... but Do-hyun hand caught my arm.
Firm, steady, grounding his grip pulled me back into place without missing the beat.
For one suspended second, our eyes locked under the blinding lights and his hand was warm, strong, almost protective. My heart slammed against the bindings, harder than the music.
Then he let go, seamlessly folding back into the routine, no one watching would've noticed but I couldn't forget. When the song ended, applause was scattered, cautious.
The trainer's gaze flicked between us. "Good synchronization between Kang Do-hyun and Han Jae-min, but the rest of the group needs work."
Seok-jin's face darkened, he hate hearing that.
Backstage, he hissed, "Don't get cocky just because Kang covered for you."
Before I could answer, Do-hyun stepped between us, his voice low, steady. "Funny! I don't remember you carrying the stage."
Seok-jin bristled, fists tightening and Do-hyun turned his head slightly, eyes meeting mine for just a second.
"You did fine," he said simply.
The words shouldn't have meant much but I appreciate it. Meanwhile the other trainees had already dragged themselves back to the dorms, but the practice room still hummed with the faint echo of music. I stayed behind, drenched in sweat, chest tight, but unwilling to stop.
If I slowed down, if I slipped, people like Seok-jin would eat me alive.
"Still here?" The voice startled me.
Do-hyun leaned against the doorway, duffel slung over his shoulder his hair was damp again, as if he'd showered already. "You'll burn out."
"I need the practice," I muttered, gulping water.
He walked in, setting his bag down. "You'll collapse if you push like this because that's not practice, that's suicide."
"Why do you care?" The words came out sharper than intended.
He look straight into my eyes. "…I don't." Then, after a beat: "But if you're my partner, I don't want to drag a corpse on stage."
I scoffed, forcing myself to stretch. "You think you're carrying me?"
"No." He stepped closer enough to feel his breathe, "I think you're hiding something and I want to see what happens when you crack."
My heart skipped and I scoff. "Come on…you're imagining things too much."
"Am I?"
The silence stretched, too close his eyes lingered on my face, as if searching for something under the disguise and for one reckless second, I thought he might reach out, tear away the mask.
Instead, he sighed, pulling back. "Fine, keep your secrets, just don't collapse on stage."
He grabbed his bag, turning to leave... then paused at the door.
"Oh, and Han Jae-min?"
"…What?"
His mouth curved, faint but real. "You dance better when you stop being afraid."
The door clicked shut, leaving me staring at the empty room, pulse hammering in my ears because it wasn't just suspicion anymore, it looks like he knows something.