After the secret private lesson with Sunny on Friday night, the twenty-four hours leading up to Saturday's class felt unbearably long and dull.
I stayed cooped up in my officetel all day, reviewing what she'd taught me over and over again.
Like a student cramming before a crucial exam, I stepped through the moves as if even eating was a waste of time.
It was a level of passion I never could've imagined back when I lived in that semi-basement studio.
Back then, merely surviving each day had been enough.
Now, I was running toward a clear goal.
The TV occupying one side of the living room played swing dance videos nonstop, and the polished wooden floor glistened with drops of my sweat.
And finally, Saturday evening—the day of reckoning—arrived.
I left my place with steps far lighter and more confident than the week before.
From my new officetel to Boogie Woogie was about a fifteen-minute walk.
A week ago, that road had felt like a march to the execution grounds.
Today, it felt more like an awkward elementary schooler heading out on a picnic.
Everything was still unfamiliar and frightening—but mixed in was a faint sense of excitement and anticipation.
Standing at the stairs leading down to Boogie Woogie, I didn't hesitate like I had last week.
When I opened the door and stepped inside, a familiar scene greeted me.
Under the still-bright lights, the 26th class classmates were already gathered, stretching or chatting away.
"Oh, Sseok-hopil-hyung! You look like a total pro today!"
Ryan teased as soon as he saw me.
Instead of laughing awkwardly like last week, I replied calmly.
"A pro? Nah. I just… came to enjoy myself."
My changed attitude made Ryan and the others' eyes widen.
They probably sensed, vaguely, that something about me was different.
A moment later, Instructor Charlie clapped his hands to get our attention.
"Alright, 26th class! Enough chatting! Let's start week three of Swing Baby!"
We lined up in unison.
I naturally took a spot near the center of the floor—no longer hiding in a corner.
"Good! Now, I'm not sure how much you practiced last week's send-out. Normally, week three is when we learn the basic Charleston step, but since our 26th class needs to solidify the fundamentals, we'll focus on partner work first. Today, we'll learn the Follower's Turn!"
Follower's Turn.
A move where the follower gracefully spins once in response to the leader's lead.
Charlie and Ginger demonstrated.
At a single light gesture from Charlie, Ginger spun smoothly, like a top—beautiful and effortless.
It looked far flashier and more difficult than the send-out we'd learned last week.
But strangely, I wasn't scared at all.
My heart was racing—in a good way.
I can do this.
For the past two days, I'd replayed that exact move hundreds of times, burning it into my mind through image training.
With confident eyes, I looked at my first partner standing in front of me—Haetsal.
"Alright, partners together! Leaders, it's important to gently guide the follower's back to create space for the turn!"
Following Charlie's instructions, I took Haetsal's hand.
"Shall we give it a try, Haetsal-ssi?"
"Y-yes! But I'm not very good at this…"
Her voice was still uncertain. She probably hadn't forgotten how I'd accidentally flung her around last week.
I smiled gently to reassure her.
"It's okay. I'll lead you properly."
My confidence seemed to surprise her; she looked at me with widened eyes.
As the music started, I loosened up with the basic steps.
And then—at the exact timing—
I lightly guided her back and raised my hand, forming an arch for her to pass through.
Just as Sunny had taught me.
Not forcing her to turn—just telling her, 'There's a path. Go ahead.'
Haetsal followed my lead, a little clumsy but beautifully spinning once.
"Wow! It worked!"
She shouted like an excited kid.
Watching her, I smiled with quiet pride.
This was the joy of being a leader.
Helping your partner shine in the most beautiful way within your lead.
"Partner change!"
Next came Suji—my unfortunate partner from last week.
"Sseok-hopil-nim, I'm really looking forward to this. My feet will survive this time, right?"
Living up to her expectations, I guided her turn far more smoothly and precisely than before.
Suji stared at me in disbelief.
"Oh my. Who are you, really? Are you sure you're Sseok-hopil-nim?"
Then the next partner.
And the next.
Without a single mistake, I led every partner flawlessly.
Before I knew it, classmates had gathered around us, watching my dancing.
"Damn, Sseok-hopil is insane."
"No way. Did he secretly get private lessons or something?"
It was Jinwoo's voice. I glanced his way and gave him a sly wink.
The male classmates looked at me with mixed envy and jealousy, while the women followed my steps with curious eyes.
Their murmurs felt like pleasant background music.
I was no longer the "tone-deaf dancer" of the 26th class.
This was the moment I was reborn as the class ace.
And I knew it.
All this praise and amazement didn't really belong to me.
It belonged to the one person who had guided me here.
Sunny.
I spotted her across the floor, watching us with a satisfied smile.
When our eyes met, I smiled shyly.
Without a word, she raised her thumb in approval. Her lips seemed to say, "The best."
That small gesture alone made me feel like I owned the world. My heart burned hot.
That single gesture filled me with a sense of joy like nothing I'd felt in eighteen years.
A pure sense of accomplishment—something even my forty-nine-year-old self had never experienced.
"Alright! That's it for today's class! Great work, everyone!"
Charlie's booming voice signaled the end of week three.
The moment class ended, my classmates swarmed me.
"Whoa, Sseok-hopil-hyung! You're seriously an ace now! How does someone change this much in just a week?"
Ryan asked excitedly.
I shrugged, trying to look casual.
"I just watched some videos at home."
Jinwoo clicked his tongue.
"This guy again. Be honest—there's something going on, right? Stocks, dancing… Why did you suddenly level up like this? You're secretly a master, aren't you?"
I laughed it off, avoiding his suspicious gaze.
That was when Charlie grabbed the mic.
"Alright, everyone! Before we start social time, I've got a very important announcement!"
All eyes in Boogie Woogie turned toward him.
"Our biggest Enjoy Swing event—the 26th class MT—will be held on the weekend of week five!"
At the word MT, cheers erupted among our class.
"One night, two days! Dancing, drinking, and meat—the ultimate party! Sign-ups start next week, so load your ammo! And yes, all admins will be attending!"
The room exploded with cheers.
MT.
The moment I heard it, my heart dropped again.
One night, two days.
A chance to dance and talk with her all night long.
Without realizing it, I looked at Sunny standing beside me.
She was looking back at me with a meaningful smile.
I couldn't yet tell what that smile meant.
But one thing was certain.
No matter what, I had to go on that MT.
After the MT announcement, social time finally began.
The lights dimmed, and upbeat jazz music burst through Boogie Woogie.
The atmosphere heated up instantly.
But I wasn't the same as last week.
The floor was no longer a place of fear.
It was a stage where I could prove my growth.
"Um… Sseok-hopil-oppa."
Before I could move, someone poked my side.
I turned to see Haetsal smiling shyly.
"If it's okay… would you dance with me?"
"Oh—yeah. Sure."
Almost without thinking, I took her hand and stepped onto the floor.
This was completely different from last week, when I'd been the one nervously asking.
I felt a strange sense of satisfaction as I realized my changed position.
The music was fast, but I didn't panic.
I tried the follower's turn we'd learned today.
She followed my lead, still a bit clumsy—but spinning beautifully.
"Wow, oppa! Your lead is so comfortable! Totally different from before!"
She said excitedly.
I smiled with quiet pride.
As soon as our dance ended, Suji approached.
"Oppa, dance with me next!"
I danced nonstop with several classmates after that.
But all the while, my attention remained fixed on one person.
Even as I danced, I stole glances across the floor at Sunny.
She was dancing with Jerry—the club's top dancer—performing dazzling moves I didn't even know the names of.
Jealousy—and burning determination—boiled inside me.
Wait. I'm coming for that spot.
At last, Jerry's dance ended, and Sunny sat down at a table to catch her breath.
Now.
I politely excused myself from my partner and walked straight toward her without hesitation.
As I approached, I felt the eyes of my 26th class classmates on me—filled with expectation and curiosity.
Ignoring them, I finally stood in front of her.
She looked up at me, eyes widening slightly in surprise.
Suppressing my trembling voice, I extended my hand, trying my best to look cool.
"Sunny-ssi, would you dance with me?"
At my sudden request, she fell silent.
Her wide eyes flicked between my face and my outstretched hand.
That brief moment felt like eternity.
All surrounding noise faded away. Only the sound of my heart pounding filled my ears.
What if she says no?
Public humiliation, right in front of everyone.
Feeling awkward, I was just about to pull my hand back—
When she burst into laughter.
And then she took my hand.
"Sure, Sseok-hopil-oppa."
Relief washed over me as I let out a quiet breath.
We walked to the center of the floor.
The music was fast—but I wasn't afraid at all.
For the past week, I'd practiced thinking only of her.
When the music started, I stepped forward without hesitation.
Rock step.
Triple step.
Send out.
Follower's turn.
I connected every move I knew, smooth like flowing water.
She responded perfectly to my lead.
We moved like partners who'd danced together for years—our chemistry flawless.
The stares around us no longer mattered.
In my world, there was only her, the music, and our dance.
When the song ended, we stood there, drenched in sweat, smiling brightly at each other.
"Wow… oppa, seriously…"
She couldn't even finish her sentence—only sigh in amazement.
Watching her like that, I felt happier than I ever had in my life.