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The first thing Sunoo noticed when the car door opened was how early the streetlights had turned on. Thin snow was falling, and the sidewalks looked glossy from the rain that had started to freeze.
ENHYPEN had just arrived in Poland to shoot the concept for their new album. Eighteen hours of travel from South Korea was exhausting, especially because Jungwon had been unusually energetic this time. He barely slept on the plane, and Sunoo ended up keeping him company, playing word games, guessing celebrities, and random little challenges. It wasn’t physically tiring, but it made Sunoo sleepy.
Inside the warm hotel lobby, their manager stood with a room list in his hand.
“Okay, let’s do the roommate assignments.”
Suitcases rolled across the floor. Boots tapped against the marble. One by one, the members gathered around Manager Yuki.
“Jake and Jungwon.”
“Yes!” Jake immediately patted Jungwon’s shoulder.
“Jay and Ni-ki.”
“Hyung, don’t steal the blanket.” Ni-ki laughed.
“Sunghoon with me.”
That left two names.
Sunoo stood slightly behind the others, fingers playing with the zipper of his thick coat, trying to stay awake.
“Heeseung and Sunoo.”
Oh. Okay? Heeseung and Sunoo.
“Yeah?” Sunoo responded automatically because he hadn’t really been listening.
“You’re rooming with Heeseung.”
Sunoo frowned slightly. Heeseung was standing not far from him, calm as usual. No protest. No comment. Nothing. That was what confused Sunoo the most. Usually, Heeseung would at least say something.
“Any questions? If not, you can go straight to your rooms.”
“The key?” Heeseung asked.
“Pick up the keycard at the reception. Call time is eight tomorrow. Don’t sleep too late.” the manager reminded them.
That was it?
Heeseung took the keycard and headed to the elevator first.
Inside, they stood close together. The large mirror reflected tired faces, long black coats, slightly messy hair from the cold wind outside. Sunoo stood in the corner, staring at the digital numbers going up. Ni-ki leaned over to show him a “panda fail compilation” on his phone. Heeseung stood two steps behind him.
Close.
The elevator doors opened.
The twelfth-floor corridor was quiet, covered with thick carpet.
Room 1207.
Heeseung opened the door. The lights turned on automatically.
Two separate beds. A small table in between. A big window with the curtains half open.
“Which one do you want?” Heeseung asked.
Which what??? Wtf are you even asking me right now?! Is it so hard to give it a damn title?!
“Either is fine.”
“Okay. You take the one near the window. I’ll stay here, closer to the bathroom.”
Sunoo nodded. “Okay.”
The room was warm, but his fingertips still felt cold. He walked to the window and looked outside. Poland at night was slowly covered in snow. Streetlights stretched into long lines of light over the frozen sidewalks.
It wasn’t that different from winter in Korea, but seeing it here felt like watching a holiday movie. For a second, he felt the kind of cozy vibe he used to imagine while watching Home Alone as a kid.
Behind him, he could hear Heeseung opening his suitcase, organizing clothes for tomorrow.
Call time at eight.
That meant they had to wake up at six at the latest.
That meant they would get ready in the same room. Take turns showering. Stand in front of the same mirror.
Sunoo swallowed.
Why did they have to share a room?
It shouldn’t be a big deal. They’d done this before—back when it was normal to stay up late, steal blankets, and fall asleep mid-conversation like nothing mattered.
But that was a long time ago.
Now, just being this close made Sunoo painfully aware of everything. How fast his heart was beating. How he couldn’t relax. How he had to keep reminding himself to act normal.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want this.
He wanted it too much.
And wanting something like that was dangerous, because it showed. Always did.
So he faced the window instead, giving himself something else to focus on.
Calm down, Sunoo.
Just get through tonight.
“Who’s showering first?” Heeseung’s voice came from behind him.
Sunoo flinched. He didn’t expect Heeseung to ask. As the older one, he could’ve just gone in first without saying anything. Hyung privilege.
Sunoo turned quickly. “You go first, hyung.”
Too fast.
Heeseung raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“No reason.” Sunoo forced a smile and slipped his hand into his coat pocket. “I want to scroll on my phone for a bit.”
Lie.
He just needed time to calm down. Time to make sure his expression didn’t show too much.
Heeseung nodded and took clothes from his suitcase. “Okay. I won’t take long.”
The bathroom door closed. A few seconds later, the sound of running water filled the room.
Sunoo let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
He quickly unpacked his suitcase. If he finished before Heeseung came out, he could go straight into the bathroom and avoid too much awkward interaction. Yes, that was a good plan.
He hung his shirts and pants, lined up his skincare and perfume on the nightstand, even covered the pillow with the fabric he had brought from home.
Done.
Now what?
He grabbed his phone. Maybe Jay had already sent something ridiculous to their group chat.
The bathroom door opened.
Warm steam came out, along with a scent of soap that felt too familiar.
“The water’s really hot.” Heeseung said casually.
Seriously, Lee Heeseung.
It had been a long time since they shared a room. Maybe the last time was during I-LAND. Sunoo realized he had never really seen Idol Lee Heeseung fresh out of the shower like this.
Heeseung stood there with wet hair, a black fitted T-shirt, gray sweatpants. He was drying his hair with a towel.
Sunoo had once heard that guys look better after a shower. Maybe that was true. Or maybe it only applied to Heeseung. He had never reacted like this to any other member.
Kim Sunoo, don’t stare too long. Idiot.
“That’s good,” Sunoo said, standing up slowly. “I’ll shower now.”
As he walked past Heeseung, their shoulders almost touched.
Almost.
Sunoo quickened his steps, but then remembered he had left his bathrobe on the bed. He had no choice but to turn back. He grabbed it and turned around again.
Unfortunately, his right foot bumped into his left. He stumbled forward and almost hit the door if Heeseung hadn’t grabbed his hand.
“Be careful.” Heeseung said, his bare face showing a bit of concern.
Sunoo let out a small laugh and grabbed the doorknob. Once the bathroom door was closed and locked, he leaned against it, staring at the white ceiling.
Why am I still like this?
He turned on the shower and stepped under it immediately, letting the warm water fall over him.
Sunoo, let’s be more professional.
He told himself that as the water kept running.
The room lights were dimmed. Only one small lamp on the table between the beds was still on, casting a soft glow that split the room into two quiet halves.
Sunoo sat cross-legged in front of the vanity, slowly applying moisturizer. His movements were careful, unhurried. He tied his hair up on top of his head, the small bun looking like an apple.
On the other side of the room, Heeseung was on his phone. Sunoo could see him through the mirror.
“Tomorrow’s first scene is outdoors.” Heeseung said suddenly.
Sunoo turned slightly. “What time?”
“We have to be ready by eight. Makeup probably starts at seven.”
“Okaay.” He answered as normally as he could.
“Bring a lot of heat packs. It’s going to be really cold outside.”
“Hmm.”
Sunoo adjusted the small bottles on the table. Too neat. Too careful. The silence felt awkward. He stole a glance through the mirror.
“Hyung, are you tired?” Sunoo asked quietly.
Heeseung looked up. “A bit.”
“Then I’ll turn off the light so we can sleep earlier.”
Heeseung nodded and placed his phone near his pillow. Sunoo walked to the beds, turned off the table lamp, and lay down.
He lay on his side, facing away from the center of the room. Even without looking, he could feel Heeseung’s presence.
It felt too close.
The distance between their beds was only one small table. When he opened his eyes in the morning, Heeseung’s face would probably be the first thing he saw. It almost felt like they were sleeping next to each other.
“Sunoo.”
“Yes?”
“Are you okay sharing a room with me?”
For a second, his heart stopped.
He didn’t answer right away.
Why is he asking that now?
“If you want to switch rooms tomorrow, just tell me,” Heeseung continued softly. “It’s not a problem.”
Sunoo turned onto his back, staring up at the ceiling.
“No, I’m fine, hyung. No need to switch.”
Heeseung shifted slightly. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
Sunoo almost added, I’m more worried that you don’t want this.
But he didn’t.
“Sunoo.”
What now? Just sleep.
“Yeah, hyung?”
“Are you sleepy?”
Sunoo faked a yawn. “Kind of. Why?”
“You’ve been really close with Sunghoon lately.”
What? Why is he paying attention to that?
Sunoo pulled the blanket up to his chin.
“What about it?”
“Nothing,” Heeseung said. “I just thought maybe you’d rather room with someone you’re closer to. Since Sunghoon’s with the manager this time.”
Sunoo decided not to respond. Maybe if he stayed quiet, Heeseung would assume he had fallen asleep.
“Sunoo? Are you asleep?”
No answer.
A few seconds of silence.
“Night, Sunoo.”
The first day of filming ended earlier than expected.
One by one, the lights were turned off. The crew started rolling up cables and packing the props. Outside the building, the Polish sky was already dark even though it wasn’t that late yet.
The manager approached Heeseung and Sunoo, who had just changed back into their own clothes.
“You two can go back to the hotel first. The others still have one more set for extension shots.”
They both nodded and headed out together. The cold air hit their faces the moment the door opened. Their breaths came out in faint clouds. Sunoo tightened his scarf and walked a little faster so they wouldn’t have to stay outside too long.
They were only halfway back to the hotel when their group chat started going off.
Jake Hyung:
We’re done too!
Jungwon:
Dinner together? I’m starving.
Jay Hyung:
There’s a fancy restaurant we’ll all like. They even have kimchi. Jake found it.
A few seconds later, another notification popped up.
Jungwon:
Sunoo hyung, you’re already on the way, right? Can you book first? We’re still helping clean up the prop.
Sunoo glanced at Heeseung and held out his phone.
“Hyung?”
Heeseung nodded. “Well, I guess we should.”
The car turned around toward the restaurant Jake had sent. It looked popular, judging from the line in front of the glass door.
Heeseung and Sunoo zipped their jackets higher, covering part of their faces.
Inside, the place was crowded. Many couples were sitting across from each other with small candles on their tables. A waiter greeted them.
Heeseung spoke first, explaining they wanted to reserve a table for seven.
“Today is weekend,” the waiter said with an apologetic smile. “Very busy. One hour wait.”
Heeseung and Sunoo looked at each other.
One hour.
“It’s okay,” Heeseung finally said. “We’ll take it.”
Their name was written down. They had time to spare.
When they stepped back outside, the wind felt colder. A large shopping mall stood right across the street, its bright lights contrasting with the darkening sky.
“Still a long wait,” Sunoo muttered. “I want to look around the mall for a bit.”
“Alone?” Heeseung asked.
“Yeah. It’s close.”
Heeseung paused for a second, then followed him. “I’ll come.”
Sunoo glanced at him, eyebrows slightly raised, but he didn’t argue.
The mall felt warm as soon as the automatic doors opened. Soft music played from the speakers, and almost every corner had heart-shaped decorations. Pink banners hung from the upper floors. Stores displayed couple packages, chocolates, and flowers.
Sunoo blinked.
“Oh,” he said quietly. “It’s Valentine’s Day.”
Heeseung seemed to realize it at the same time. “Oh. Right.”
That explained why the restaurant was full of couples.
They walked slowly without a clear destination. Sunoo stopped at a few shop windows, then kept walking. Eventually, he froze in front of a large booth decorated in pink and white.
At the center, inside a glass display, was a doll that immediately caught his attention.
Labubu The Monsters Exciting Macaron—soft pink, with a small ribbon around its neck.
Sunoo stepped closer without thinking.
“So cute… I finally found you here.” he murmured.
Heeseung leaned in to look. “You want it?”
Sunoo nodded slightly. “I’ve been looking for it for a long time. They said it’s limited.”
Heeseung approached the registration table. “We can buy this one?”
The staff smiled politely. “Sorry. This one is event prize only.”
Sunoo stepped back a little. “Event?”
The staff pointed to a poster behind her.
Valentine Couple Challenge. Winners get the limited edition prize.
Several couples were filling out forms nearby. A small board displayed the game rules.
Sunoo read quickly.
“Couple only.” he muttered.
Heeseung read along. “Must prove you are a real couple.”
They both went quiet.
Around them, a few couples were laughing while taking photos together as part of the challenge. One pair was holding hands, another was posing cheek to cheek for the camera.
“Too bad,” he said. “Guess I won’t get it. Bye-bye Bubu.”
Almost an hour had passed since they made the restaurant reservation.
Sunoo checked the time on his phone.
“They should be here by now.”
Heeseung also started to feel that something was off. The group chat had been quiet for almost twenty minutes. He typed first.
Heeseung: Where are you? Reservation’s almost up.
A reply came a few seconds later.
Jungwon: The road’s closed.
Jake: Snowstorm. It’s really bad.
Jay: We can’t even leave the parking area.
Sunoo looked up. “Snowstorm?”
Heeseung read the next message.
Manager: Everyone stay where you are. It’s dangerous. Don’t go outside.
Heeseung frowned. “It seemed normal earlier.”
Inside the mall, everything still felt fine. Warm. Busy. People walking around like nothing was happening. Sunoo walked toward the large glass doors at the front.
Outside, the snow was falling heavily.
Not thin flakes anymore, but thick, dense snow that blurred everything. The road was barely visible. Car lights looked faint behind the white curtain. Some stores across the street had already turned off their lights.
The restaurant they had booked looked dark.
“I think it’s closed.” Sunoo said quietly.
The group chat buzzed again.
Jake: Sunoo don’t go anywhere.
Jungwon: They said it might last until tonight.
Sunoo stared at his screen for a few seconds, then typed.
Sunoo: Okay hyung but the dinner’s canceled. The restaurant’s closed.
He glanced at the mall information board. Some shops were already closing their glass doors, maybe preparing to close early.
“Should we just go back?” Sunoo asked.
Heeseung opened the map app. Every route was marked red. Road closed. Public transport temporarily suspended.
“All roads are blocked,” he said finally. “They’re saying it’s not safe.”
Sunoo went quiet.
It was obvious.
They were stuck in the mall.
Heeseung and Sunoo. Stuck in the mall.
Not in a dramatic way. Just technically unable to go anywhere.
“Then we just wait until it slows down.” Heeseung said.
“Yeah.” Sunoo replied as normally as he could.
But inside, he was panicking.
Of all seven members, why does it have to be me and Heeseung?
How am I supposed to act normal like this?
Heart, please cooperate.
Sunoo started walking down the corridor again, trying to look casual. Heeseung followed without saying anything. A few steps later, they passed the Valentine booth again. The pink Labubu doll was still displayed in the center of the glass shelf. Sunoo stopped without realizing.
Heeseung noticed. “Still thinking about it?”
“Umm yeah, a little.” Sunoo admitted with a small smile.
The booth was still crowded. Couples were still signing up, probably hoping to win the limited prize. It was rare, after all.
Heeseung stood beside him and read the rule board again.
Couple only.
He looked around. People were busy with their own business. No one recognized them. In this country, they were just two strangers among many.
“I have an idea.” he said quietly.
Sunoo turned. “What?”
Heeseung lowered his voice. “Let’s just sign up.”
Huh?
Sunoo frowned. “They said it has to be couples.”
Heeseung looked at him for a few seconds, then said calmly, “Then we’ll be a couple.”
Sunoo froze.
The sentence sounded too light. Too easy.
Something inside his chest shifted.
Heeseung continued before Sunoo could think too much. “It’s just for the event. No one knows us here.”
Just for the event.
Just acting.
Just pretending.
Heeseung crossed his arms. “Think of it as roleplay. We act all the time anyway.”
Sunoo looked at the board again, then at the pink doll. That's actually not a bad idea. But—
Sunoo let out a small laugh, but there was a pause in his breathing. “Hyung, we can’t just pretend. They’ll ask for proof.”
A few seconds passed.
Heeseung reached into his padded jacket and took out a silver ring. “Take yours out.”
Sunoo blinked but did the same, handing his ring over. “Why?”
Heeseung compared them. “They match. It looks like couple rings. And we’re wearing similar padding jackets.”
Right. Why did he even have the ring in his pocket?
And these matching jackets.
Why does this feel like the universe is setting them up?
Heeseung glanced around and spotted an accessory shop nearby. He grabbed Sunoo’s wrist and pulled him along.
The touch was practical. But Sunoo still felt it. He found himself smiling slightly while looking at Heeseung’s hand wrapped around his wrist.
Inside the shop, Heeseung quickly picked items that looked like couple accessories—phone cases, straps, keychains, bracelets. He chose a matching Kuromi and Cinnamoroll phone strap set, and even identical berets.
Sunoo watched from the side.
He’s taking this way too seriously.
And when Heeseung was focused like this, he looked even better than usual. One hand still loosely holding Sunoo’s wrist without realizing.
Heeseung, please stop. My heart is exploding.
Finally, Heeseung let go.
Sunoo almost sighed in relief—
—but then Heeseung placed the beret on his head. Heeseung adjusted it carefully, standing very close. Close enough that Sunoo could feel his breath.
Sunoo held his breath. Heeseung fixed the angle of the beret and gently smoothed his hair. Sunoo clenched his fists without meaning to.
Heeseung finished, then put his own beret on, using the mirror beside them.
Only then did Sunoo realize there was a mirror there.
“Done. Let’s go,” Heeseung said.
He was about to turn away when Sunoo stopped him.
“Hyung. What about photos?”
Why did I say that?
He almost regretted it immediately. Not because he didn’t want photos with Heeseung—but because what if the staff asked? What couple doesn’t have photos together? What if they got caught, accused of cheating the event, and somehow it became a scandal?
Two ENHYPEN members involved in fraud over a Labubu doll.
The most ridiculous headline a human could ever imagine.
Heeseung paused, then took out his phone.
“Ah, this is the new one from the sponsor. I didn’t bring my other phone.”
Sunoo blinked. “What?”
“Do you still have some selfies of us? We’ve taken a few before.”
“Huh? I—yeah. I have some.”
Of course he did.
Pink hoodie selca.
Given-Taken era selca.
Selca with cake cream on their faces.
M-Countdown selca.
Membership photos.
Mirror selca for Heeseung’s birthday.
White outfits with Heeseung’s red hair.
Tour selcas.
He had saved every single one. All neatly organized. In a folder with a yellow heart emoji.
Please don't let Heeseung find out, he thought.
“Good. Put them in one folder and name it. With a heart emoji,” Heeseung said casually.
Sunoo choked.
Did he just read my mind?
“Sunoo?” Heeseung asked.
“Oh yeah. Wait, I’ll make the folder.”
They stood in front of the registration booth. Holding hands like it was the most natural thing in the world..
The table was filled with couples. Some looked like they had just started dating, still awkward and shy. Some looked older, maybe even married. Others were too comfortable with each other to be called “new.”
The blonde staff member smiled professionally, but her eyes clearly scanned them from head to toe.
Sunoo smiled sweetly, trying to look natural. His mind, however, was loud. She pointed at their padding jackets, then at their matching berets.
“Outfit match, good,” the staff said.
Then she check the list.
“Do you have any matching items?”
Without hesitation, Sunoo lifted Heeseung’s hand. The rings were clearly visible. Heeseung, without thinking, brushed his thumb lightly over Sunoo’s ring. A small, natural gesture.
The staff raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Very cute. Pass.”
Sunoo nodded slightly. Okay. Safe.
Then the staff smiled wider.
“May I check your couple chat?”
Sunoo almost choked on air.
Chat.
Their chat.
The staff pointed at a small poster:
For fairness, show recent couple conversation.
Sunoo felt faint.
If she checked their private messages, it was over. They were not a couple. Their chats usually looked like this;
Hyung don’t forget to turn off the lights.
Did you see my charger in the living room?
Manager hyung is looking for you.
Random meme.
Can you buy me food?
Romantic? Zero. Dead. It’s over. Goodbye Labubu. Oh hi fucking Koreaboo.
Sunoo glanced at Heeseung. Why is he so calm?
Heeseung handed over his phone first.
Sunoo caught a glimpse of the screen. The staff squinted slightly, studying the letters.
Hangul.
Heeseung gave a small smile. “We’re from South Korea.”
Sunoo almost wanted to bow on the spot. Of course she can’t read it.
The staff nodded and laughed lightly. “Ah, I see.”
But she still hadn’t said pass.
Heeseung quickly typed something on his phone and sent it.
Sunoo’s phone vibrated.
Baby
Heeseung turned the screen toward the staff to show the notification.
Pass.
Sunoo nearly let out a loud breath of relief.
Next, the staff asked to see their photos. For the goddamn sake, good thing Sunoo had insisted earlier.
The staff scrolled through the folder. There were quite a lot of photos. Different outfits, different hairstyles, different times. She stopped at one of the most recent photos.
Sunoo laughing while wearing the beret, showing his ring. Heeseung standing very close beside him, holding his fingers, also showing his ring.
The staff nodded, satisfied.
“Okay. You two are approved.”
Sunoo’s knees felt weak. They were officially a certified (fake) couple.
As they stepped toward the event entrance, a voice suddenly called out from behind them.
“Excuse me!”
Sunoo stiffened immediately. His hand tightened around Heeseung’s.
Please don’t let someone recognize us.
Please don’t let her read Hangul.
Please don’t let us look awkward.
“Jagiya, wait.” Heeseung held Sunoo's hand, this time, he laced his fingers through Sunoo’s. He turned calmly. It was the same staff member, approaching them again. Her smile was softer now.
Sunoo could hear his own heartbeat.
“What is your name again?”
“Evan Lee and William Kim.” Heeseung answered.
The staff handed Sunoo a small heart-shaped chocolate wrapped in pink foil.
“Your boyfriend is so pretty. You’re lucky. I hope you last long.”
For a split second, the world stopped.
Boyfriend.
Pretty.
Lucky.
His brain short-circuited.
lub-dub-lub-dub
Heeseung’s boyfriend.
Heeseung’s boyfriend.
HEESEUNG’S BOYFRIEND.
He knew this was just for the limited merchandise.
Still.
Heeseung’s boyfriend.
Heat rushed to Sunoo’s cheeks. Even his ears felt warm.
Heeseung only gave a small smile. The hand Sunoo was holding too tightly tightened slightly in return.
“Thank you.” Heeseung replied softly.
The staff waved before returning to the registration desk.
Sunoo still hadn’t let go of Heeseung’s hand. He was too busy wondering how Heeseung could answer so calmly. Why is he always this calm? It was unfair that only Sunoo was panicking inside.
“Sunoo.”
Heeseung called him gently.
“Huh?”
“You’re squeezing too hard. It hurts.”
Sunoo loosened his grip, but didn’t completely let go.
“Oh sorry hyung”
There was a short silence.
Heeseung lowered his head slightly so their eyes were level.
“You’re pretty.” he said.
The words came out just like that.
Sunoo’s thoughts went messy.
What does that mean?
Has Lee Heeseung lost his mind?
Okay, calm down.
He said that because we’re acting.
Don’t get over yourself.
“Let’s win this.” Heeseung added.
“Couple Challenge starts in five minutes!”
The MC’s voice echoed from the small stage set up in the middle of the atrium. People slowly gathered around, forming a loose circle. Some were already holding up their phones.
Sunoo turned to look at Heeseung.
He looked unfairly handsome for something that was supposed to be just for fun. And way too serious.
Why does he look like this is an actual competition?
“Ready?” Sunoo raised an eyebrow, trying to sound casual.
Heeseung looked at him a second longer than usual. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
And for some reason, Sunoo was the one getting nervous first.
“First round!” the MC announced loudly. “Carry your partner around the circle. Fastest and most stable wins!”
Sunoo let out a small laugh. Of all the games, why this one first?
He glanced at Heeseung. “Hyung, don’t drop me on purpose, okay?”
Heeseung only lifted one eyebrow. “Get on.”
Sunoo hesitated for half a second.
This should be easy. They’re ENHYPEN. Their choreography is never simple. They’re used to physical contact like leaning on each other, putting arms around shoulders, messing around during practice.
This should be nothing.
He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Heeseung’s shoulders. As soon as Heeseung lifted him, Sunoo automatically locked his legs around Heeseung’s waist to balance himself.
“Ready?” Heeseung asked.
Sunoo nodded, even though his heart was already beating faster than it should.
The whistle blew.
Heeseung started moving immediately.
His steps were firm, not shaky at all. Sunoo could feel the light impact of Heeseung’s boots against the shiny mall floor with every step. The familiar scent of his perfume was clearer at this distance.
Why am I only noticing how strong it is now?
When they turned the corner of the circle, Sunoo tightened his grip without realizing it. His hand almost brushed the back of Heeseung’s neck. Their breaths mixed every time Heeseung slightly turned his head to check their direction.
“Am I heavy?” Sunoo whispered.
“No,” Heeseung answered quickly.
Too quickly.
Other pairs were already falling behind. One almost stumbled. Another was laughing nervously. But Heeseung didn’t rush, and he didn’t slow down either. His pace stayed steady.
Then Sunoo felt it.
Heeseung adjusted his hold slightly, shifting him up for better balance. It was a simple movement, but it made Sunoo hold his breath for a second.
Heeseung’s breathing got heavier. Of course it did. Carrying someone while walking that fast isn’t easy.
Maybe Sunoo should’ve carried him instead. He thought.
“Hyung,” Sunoo said softly, “You can go slower.”
Heeseung didn’t reply right away. After a few seconds, he said, “I know. I just don’t want to lose. I’m I-LAND’s ace, remember?”
Before Sunoo could respond, Heeseung picked up the pace. Sunoo had no choice but to tighten his arms around him. When they got close to the finish line, Heeseung suddenly sped up into a short run.
“Hyung—!” Sunoo let out a small yell, surprised.
They crossed the line. The whistle blew again. The crowd clapped loudly.
Heeseung stopped.
But he didn’t put Sunoo down immediately.
It was only a second. Still long enough for Sunoo to notice.
Why hasn’t he put me down yet?
He could still feel Heeseung’s hand holding his thigh firmly.
“Hyung,” Sunoo said quietly. Only then did Heeseung lower him to the ground.
The MC announced that they had won the first round.
Sunoo smiled at the audience, acting relaxed. He glanced at Heeseung from the side. Heeseung looked normal, smiling like usual. The only difference was the slight redness on his face and the small beads of sweat near his temples.
As if carrying Sunoo just now wasn’t a big deal at all.
The MC lifted a long box of chocolate sticks with a smile that was a little too wide. Some of the couples behind them were already laughing nervously. A few gently pushed each other. Others protested right away, embarrassed.
Sunoo could already guess it.
Of course.
The Pepero Game.
That cursed game that had been so popular in Korea a few years ago. He didn’t expect that after flying all the way to Europe, the game would still be the same.
He took a slow breath and quietly told Heeseung to just give in this time. This game felt harder than the last one.
Heeseung only said it was pretty easy. Not something he hadn’t seen before. Sunoo wanted to argue. Watching it and actually doing it were two very different things.
The MC handed one stick to Heeseung.
Heeseung examined it for a moment, as if deciding whether to take the plain end or the chocolate-covered side. Sunoo noticed that.
“Ready?” the MC asked.
Heeseung quickly placed the plain end between his lips and stepped closer.
“Open,” he said shortly.
Sunoo blinked. “What?”
“Your mouth.”
Damn. This was really nerve-wracking.
Sunoo bit the other end of the stick. The chocolate tip touched his lips. He tried not to look tense. Heeseung held the opposite side.
At first, the distance between them was still safe. About an arm’s length.
“START!”
The first bite, just a small piece gone. Sunoo could still focus on the cheering around them. He could still pretend to be relaxed.
Second bite, Heeseung bit off more than before, and of course the distance shrank. This time Sunoo could clearly see the details of Heeseung’s face. Even the faint stubble along his jaw.
Third bite, the gap between them felt less than five centimeters now. Sunoo didn’t know where to look. If he looked straight ahead, he would meet Heeseung’s eyes. If he closed his eyes, it would look like he was enjoying it.
In the end, he looked at Heeseung’s lips.
Big mistake.
Because now he realized just how close they were. He could see the small movement of Heeseung’s jaw as he bit down.
Fourth bite, there was barely any space left. Sunoo could feel Heeseung’s warm breath against his upper lip.
The next bite happened almost at the same time.
The stick snapped too quickly.
For a split second, their lips touched.
It wasn’t intentional.
Just a light brush because there was no more distance left to avoid it.
But it was enough.
Enough to make Sunoo’s thoughts completely disappear.
He felt the soft texture.
Heeseung’s lips.
Oh God, what just happened? Did we just kiss?
No. It was an accident.
But our lips touched.
My lips touched his.
The whistle blew. The crowd cheered loudly. Sunoo couldn’t hear anything. All he heard was his own heartbeat and the heat spreading from his neck to his cheeks. He probably looked completely red.
He glanced at Heeseung.
Heeseung didn’t look panicked. But his jaw tightened. There was a small change. The way he took a slightly deeper breath before turning toward the MC.
As if he had felt something too.
Without realizing it, Sunoo touched his own lips. He quickly lowered his hand when he noticed Heeseung looking at him. One question kept repeating in his mind.
Why did Heeseung let it happen?
Heeseung swallowed once before looking away. Then the third game, It Takes Two, was called.
“Final round! Tie your wrists together. Complete the heart puzzle using both hands. Fastest couple wins.” The MC lifted a long red cloth.
Some couples laughed nervously right away. A few already looked unsure.
Sunoo held out his hand first. Heeseung followed without saying much. Their wrists were placed side by side, pressed together. The red cloth was tied tight enough to connect their movements, but still loose enough to allow them to move.
Their skin touched along the inside of their wrists.
“Ready?”
Sunoo nodded.
The timer started.
Wooden heart-shaped puzzle pieces were scattered across the table. Around twenty pieces, all uneven shapes. They had to assemble them on a small board in the center. Sunoo instinctively grabbed a piece too fast. Their hands pulled in opposite directions.
“Slow,” Heeseung said calmly. “Follow me.”
Sunoo nodded and adjusted.
They started again.
Heeseung picked up a corner piece for the left side. Sunoo automatically held the board steady so it wouldn’t slide. Without needing much talk, their movements began to match.
The first piece fit.
The second one was almost placed upside down.
Sunoo corrected the angle. Heeseung followed immediately, no long explanation needed.
At the table next to them, another couple was lightly arguing about where a piece should go. The crowd laughed.
Sunoo tried to focus on the puzzle, but he was too aware that every small movement had to be agreed on together.
“This one’s right.” Heeseung said shortly.
Sunoo followed.
There was no awkward pause. No pulling against each other. Just rhythm. They moved like they had done this many times before.
Because they had.
Maybe not a wooden heart puzzle in a mall in Poland on Valentine’s Day.
But rehearsing until dawn.
Stage blocking.
Repeating choreography until perfectly in sync.
Learning how to read each other’s movements.
“Don’t rush.” Heeseung added when Sunoo almost grabbed the wrong piece again. “We’re used to working together. We know the timing.”
Sunoo glanced at him. Heeseung continued, this time a bit clearer because the MC had come closer, curious.
“We’ve worked at the same place for years,” he explained. “Same team. Same training. If you move together long enough, you just… know.”
The MC smiled. “That explains the chemistry.”
Chemistry.
Sunoo kept his expression neutral. Work couldn’t explain the mess inside his head right now.
There was only one piece left. The timer showed they were ahead by a few seconds. Heeseung picked up the final piece—but didn’t place it immediately.
He turned to Sunoo.
“Together.”
Sunoo nodded.
They pressed the last piece down at the same time.
Click.
The heart shape was complete.
“We have our winners!” the MC announced.
Applause filled the atrium. Some people even whistled. The red cloth was still tied around their wrists.
The MC laughed. “So, you practice like this often?”
Heeseung smiled lightly. “Not exactly like this. But we’re used to coordinating. If one of us hesitates, the other adjusts.”
Sunoo stared at the finished puzzle.
If one of us hesitates, the other adjusts.
It sounded simple.
The MC finally untied them.
The red cloth fell away. Their wrists were free. But Heeseung didn’t step back right away. His hand stayed in place for a moment, as if he hadn’t realized they were no longer tied together.
A few seconds passed.
Then slowly, he let go.
We’re just used to working together.
Maybe that’s why Heeseung looks so calm. So unaffected.
Maybe he’s not bothered at all.
Maybe this was only special to him.
Maybe Heeseung really was fine. Like this was just another schedule, another game, another thing to get through.
Sunoo had always been good at pretending too. Keeping things light so no one would look too closely.
He could do that now.
It was easier to believe this meant nothing—easier than believing it might mean something and being wrong.
So he told himself to stop.
Don’t think.
Don’t hope.
The MC stood in front of them with a huge smile.
“Alright! Our Valentine champions!”
The crowd clapped and cheered again. “You two were seriously convincing.”
Sunoo laughed shyly, still a little embarrassed. Heeseung, standing next to him, wasn’t much better. His cheeks were red all the way to his ears, as usual when he got flustered..
The MC tilted his head playfully. “So tell us… how long have you been together?”
Sunoo immediately glanced at Heeseung, silently asking what they should say. They could easily make something up.. A month. A year. Anything that sounded make sense.
“Umm… not that long ago?” Sunoo said carefully.
Heeseung raised an eyebrow as if to say, go on.
The crowd cheered, which only made Sunoo blush harder.
“Okay, then who fell first?” the MC asked.
The audience erupted with dramatic “OHHHHHH.”
Sunoo felt his face heat up again. He could lie. It was just part of the show anyway. But after everything they’d just done, he didn’t want to lie.
He leaned closer to the mic.
“I did.”
The crowd reacted instantly.
“Ohhhh, our pretty one fell first!”
Heeseung turned to look at him, but this time there was no teasing in his expression.
Sunoo let out a small nervous laugh. “I liked him first.”
The MC smiled, clearly satisfied. “How long ago?”
Sunoo hesitated for half a second. “This might be too much information, but since we’re already here” Sunoo laughed nervously, “I fell for him since we were still training together,” Sunoo said.
“Before everything got official. When we were just trying to survive.”
He smiled a little at the memory.
“I don’t remember the exact date,” he added, “but back then he helped me a lot. If I couldn’t do something, he’d stay and teach me until I got it. He was like an older brother… and a mentor.”
His voice softened.
“And then at some point, it just felt weird if he wasn’t around.”
The crowd slowly fell silent. All eyes were on him now.
“My admiration slowly turned into something more. I started caring about him differently. Maybe he thought it was just me being thankful… but it wasn’t only that.”
Heeseung stayed silent, just watching him.
Why is he looking at me like that? Stop looking at me like that.
“Ah, I’m talking too much, right?” Sunoo scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. “Anyway, I liked him first.”
The MC jumped in. “Then who confessed first?”
Sunoo looked at Heeseung again.
“Um… I think I did too.”
The MC blinked. “You think?”
Sunoo laughed awkwardly. “Because after I confessed, hyung kind of… kept his distance. Maybe I overwhelmed him. We weren’t as close for a while. So I acted like I moved on. I hung out with the others more. I decided it was better to just stay his friend.”
Halfway through, he realized this wasn’t the direction the show was supposed to go. This was meant to be about their relationship. The fun version of it.
“But we’re okay now!” he added quickly. “We talked it out. Our feelings are equal. We care about each other. Right, hyung?”
There was urgency in his eyes now, a quiet plea for Heeseung to follow his lead.
“Oh? Is that so?” the MC said, amused. “And you? When did you fall?” he asked Heeseung.
Heeseung took a slow breath before answering.
“I thought… if I let myself like him, it would ruin everything.”
The crowd went completely still.
“We work together. We live together. Everyone sees us together all the time.” He gave a small smile. “If I got greedy and wanted more, I was scared it would change things.”
Sunoo froze. He had never heard this before.
“One thing he never knew for sure,” Heeseung continued, his voice lower now, “Is that I really like him.”
What?
Say one more time. You what?
“I like you, Sunoo.” He glanced down briefly before looking back at Sunoo. “But then he started spending more time with other people. I thought maybe it wasn’t me. So I stepped back. I figured he’d be more comfortable if I wasn’t too close.”
Sunoo shook his head immediately. “Hyung, it wasn’t like that.”
Heeseung looked at him. “Yesterday, when they paired us as roommates, you looked like you didn’t want it.”
Sunoo almost laughed out of frustration. “I didn’t not want it. Oh my god.”
“Then why?”
The MC and the audience were still watching, so the question sounded like part of the show. But it wasn’t acting anymore.
“Because I was nervous,” Sunoo admitted. “I was scared you’d realize I still liked you. I was scared you’d distance yourself again. I was really scared.”
His voice trembled slightly, his eyes glistening under the stage lights.
“Because I still really like you, hyung. I’m sorry.”
The MC leaned in, clearly surprised by how serious the atmosphere had gotten.
“Okay wow, this got real fast.” he laughed, easing the tension. The crowd broke into mixed reactions—applause, soft squeals, stunned laughter.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Heeseung asked quietly.
Because you’re my everything and I can’t afford to lose you, Sunoo thought.
But he didn’t say that out loud.
The MC finally stepped in again, his tone gentler. “So, are you still pretending?”
Heeseung didn’t look at the MC.
He only looked at Sunoo.
“Not anymore.”
The MC laughed. “Okay then. Classic question. Are you two a couple or not?”
Sunoo was about to answer, but Heeseung spoke first.
“We are.”
He reached for Sunoo’s hand and held it.
“I fell later,” he said softly. “But I fell harder.”
Sunoo froze for a second.
Then Heeseung looked at him properly. He tightened his hold.
“Sunoo… will you be my boyfriend?”
Sunoo’s thoughts scrambled again. So, he didn’t answer.
Instead, he suddenly grabbed Heeseung’s hand and pulled him sharply to the side, away from the crowd—just far enough to escape the spectators’ reach. His face was already flushed. He was angry.
“Hyung, what is wrong with you?” he said without pause. “This is an event. We’re in another country. We’re pretending to be a couple. We already lied, and then you suddenly say that? This is acting. It’s a fake couple game. Was this whole thing a mistake? Now we all have to deal with the consequences?” He ran a hand through his hair, clearly spiraling. “People definitely recorded that. It’s going to go viral. What about the other members?”
Heeseung only blinked once. His expression stayed calm, almost neutral—as if what he’d done was no more serious than taking candy from a kid, not something that could risk their reputation and the company’s.
“Hyung, did you even think this through?”
“I did,” Heeseung replied quietly. “That’s why I said it.”
Sunoo shot him a sharp look. “Thought about what—”
“I thought that if I didn’t say it now, I’d regret it,” Heeseung said, leaning in slightly. “I just didn’t expect you to get this mad.”
Sunoo almost snapped back, but Heeseung spoke again before he could.
“Sunoo, I like you. A lot. Why didn’t you answer when I asked you out? Do you not like me anymore?”
Sunoo froze. “Don’t joke around.”
Heeseung scoffed softly and reached for Sunoo’s hand again. “Who’s the one lying here?”
Sunoo opened his mouth—to argue, to deny it, maybe to run—but before a single word came out, a voice cut in from behind them.
“Oh my god, finally. Where’s the kissing part?”
Sunoo nearly jumped out of his skin.
He turned around fast, eyes wide. Standing there—way too close to be a coincidence—were the other members, lined up casually. Jay was even smiling, phone raised, clearly recording.
“You guys—?” Sunoo choked. “How long have you been there?”
“From the start,” Sunghoon answered with a shrug. “You seriously didn’t notice?”
What?
WHAT???
This wasn’t a coincidence.
And if anyone still dared to call it one, they were deliberately ignoring how everything fit together far too neatly to be accidental.
It all started with a small, almost harmless decision. Manager Yuki was the first to move a piece. For years, he had watched the two of them exist in the same orbit—always close, always aligned, yet never truly moving toward each other. Too caring to be normal. Too distant to be close. He noticed the held-back looks, the pauses that lasted too long, the way both of them stepped back at the exact moment they should’ve stepped forward.
That’s when he realized—it wasn’t one-sided. It was two people fully aware of their feelings and equally determined to avoid them. So the shared room wasn’t meant to trap them. It was meant to stop a running away that had gone on long enough.
Then timing played its part.
The shoot ending early wasn’t some random stroke of luck. Jake adjusted the flow quietly, giving a reasonable excuse for the two of them to leave first. The restaurant was chosen on purpose—far enough to separate them from the others, far enough to create a space with only two names in it. That distance wasn’t a miscalculation. It was planned.
Even the little things Sunoo never noticed were never really accidents. The padding he wore all day—too similar to be unintentional. Jungwon and Jay knew how often Sunoo missed details about himself, let alone other people. And the ring, it couldn’t have just appeared. It didn’t get there by chance. It moved with carefully chosen clothes, waiting for the right moment to be found, as if even fate needed a bit of help to work properly. The rare Labubu item Sunoo had been mentioning all week was the perfect bait. Sunoo was easily baited.
And when every door had been gently pushed toward the same point—when the snowstorm and the closed mall created the safest kind of trap—the plan was finally set in motion.
This wasn’t a sudden idea. It had been growing for a long time, fueled by jealousy left unspoken. Heeseung liked Sunoo quietly, for too long. And one night, exhausted and a little drunk on the way back from a schedule, he couldn’t keep it in anymore. He admitted everything—to Sunghoon, and to himself.
That’s when the stupid event was designed. A lighthearted schedule. A silly game. But in truth, it was the final stage. The last chance to stop walking in circles.
Because if no one moved forward, they would stay exactly where they were forever.
And in the end, Heeseung chose to take that step.
So no.
It wasn’t a coincidence.
It was a series of small pushes, hidden intentions, and courage that was finally forced into the open—so two people who loved each other would stop pretending they didn’t know where their hearts always went back to.
“And the snowstorm?” Sunoo asked.
“Oh, that was definitely not part of the plan,” Jungwon said. “Who knew Park Sunghoon’s dumb idea would be backed by the universe? On the way here he was bragging about it, saying he shouldn’t have debuted in ENHYPEN and should’ve been a screenwriter instead.”
“Hey, it worked, didn’t it?” Sunghoon shot back.
“If it hadn’t,” Ni-Ki said calmly, “Heeseung hyung would’ve killed you by now.”
“And if this failed,” Jay added, “three hundred million won would’ve gone to waste, and those two would’ve stayed idiots forever. The blind leading the blind.”
“…What did you say?” Sunoo asked slowly. “How much did this stupid event cost?”
“Three hundred million won…”
Sunoo dragged a hand through his hair.
Meanwhile, Heeseung had already disappeared.
“Lee Heeseung,” Sunoo called, exasperated. “I’m not done with you yet. Hyung! Come back here!”