Haejin's jaw tightened.
He didn't move closer. Didn't even look at the phone again.
Instead, he dragged a towel over his face. Muttered low.
"Someone's playing games."
Before she could respond, the room plunged into darkness.
The overhead lights blinked out with a snap.
Pitch black.
Soorin flinched.
"What the—?"
The hum of the air conditioner died.
The faint glow from the electronic panel by the door flickered once… and went dark.
She tapped her phone awake. The small rectangle of light illuminating her startled face.
"A power outage? Seriously? At this hour?" She laughed—sharp, nervous. "What's next, a ghost pops out and asks us to play truth or dare?"
Haejin cursed under his breath.
The first honest crack in his perfect facade.
He pulled his own phone from his pocket. The screen's glow highlighting his sharp jaw.
Soorin lifted her phone higher. The light wobbling as her hand shook.
"No signal," she muttered. Her stomach dropping.
"Oh, come on. This is too cliché. Like some low-budget K-drama setup."
She walked quickly to the door. Tugged the handle.
Nothing.
The lock stayed stubborn.
She pushed harder. Then slammed her palm against the frame.
"It's electronic. We're stuck."
Haejin's shadow moved behind her.
"Back away."
She stepped aside. Watched as he tried brute force.
His muscles flexed as he yanked the handle.
It didn't budge.
He exhaled sharply.
"Locked."
"Wow! News!" She exclaimed in mock shock.
"You're trapped here with me," he said dryly.
Her throat tightened.
"Trust me. That wasn't on my bucket list."
Haejin remained standing. Pacing with controlled steps.
His presence felt like a prowling panther in the dark.
She flicked her phone flashlight on. The glow bouncing off his damp skin.
Sweat trickled down his jawline. Glistening faintly.
She tried not to stare.
Tried.
Failed.
"Stop staring," he muttered.
"You wish," she shot back instantly.
But her voice lacked bite.
The heat pressed heavier. Her top clinging uncomfortably.
She tugged it away from her skin. Fanned herself with her hand.
Haejin's gaze flicked toward her again.
Quickly away.
His ears were still red.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Seriously, Dragon. For someone so cold, you're bad at hiding when you're flustered."
He ignored her. Walked to the door. Tested the handle again.
Locked tight.
His fists curled.
"Someone did this on purpose."
Soorin's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"No building this expensive just loses power. Not like this. Not with electronic locks engaging."
A chill slid down her spine.
This was more than she'd bargained for when she signed those papers.
★☆★☆★☆
The silence stretched.
Heavy. Hot.
Then the heat actually hit her.
Without the AC, the room warmed quickly. Their own breaths thick in the air.
Sweat prickled at her temples.
She tugged at her jacket. Peeling it off her shoulders.
"Too hot for this crap," she muttered. Tossing it aside.
Haejin coughed.
"Did you—uh—did you get… plastic surgery or something?"
Her eyes snapped wide.
"Excuse me?!"
His ears turned red.
"I mean—it looks… different. Bigger. Than earlier. I thought…"
He trailed off.
Then blurted in a rush:
"Impressive breasts for a—"
He cut himself off. Dragged a hand down his face.
His eyes widened.
"I—That wasn't—Forget I said that."
He turned his back. Shoulders stiff.
Soorin narrowed her eyes.
"Wait. You've been staring at my chest long enough to notice size differences? Is that what you do in your free time? Critique women's breasts?"
He stiffened.
"That's not—"
"Wow," she cut in. Voice sharp. "Plastic surgery heals 'fast' here, doesn't it? One performance, a rehearsal, and poof—brand new chest."
He flinched. Gaze darting away. Fixing stubbornly on the far wall.
His ears burned red.
"Stop twisting my words."
She folded her arms. Voice dripping with sarcasm.
"So this is what Korea's beauty standards have done to people? You all think any difference in cup size must be surgery." She jabbed a finger toward him. "Hate to break it to you—it's all natural. And it's people like you who made me bind these damn things just to fit in."
He stiffened.
"I wasn't—"
"You were." She cut him off. "And for someone who thinks I don't belong in his world, you sure have no problem staring like a creep."
His jaw tightened. Then loosened.
He exhaled through his nose.
"…Fine. I'm sorry."
Soorin froze.
The apology was quiet. Rough.
Like it scraped his throat on the way out.
He glanced at her briefly. Then looked away again.
"I thought you were like the others. Trying to seduce me." His voice faltered. "They always try to—" He stopped. "They always resort to sneaky…" He sighed.
Soorin's sarcasm caught in her throat.
His head turned slightly. Eyes still on the floor.
His lips parted. But no words came.
Finally, he muttered, "I didn't mean it."
She squinted.
"Mean what?"
"The surgery comment. The seduction assumption." His jaw clenched. "I've dealt with too many people who only see me as an idol. Especially in my trainee days. They push. They touch. They think I owe them something." He paused. "I mistook you for one of them."
Soorin's chest tightened.
She hated herself for the flicker of sympathy.
She folded her arms.
"Well. You still called my boobs impressive. So there's that."
His eyes snapped open. Glare sharp.
A faint blush colored his ears again.
"Forget it."
She smirked despite herself.
"Too late."
But inside, she couldn't stop circling back to his words.
'They always try.'
The bitterness in his tone. The quiet guilt laced through his apology.
For once, he sounded almost… human.
But then he added quickly, "It doesn't change anything. I still don't want you around me."
There it was.
The dragon's fire again.
Soorin forced a scoff.
"Good. I don't want to be around you either."
★☆★☆★☆
Time dragged.
Their only light flickered as Haejin's battery drained.
The room grew hotter. The air heavy.
Soorin fanned herself with a hand.
"Fantastic. Just what I needed. Sweating to death next to you."
"Don't flatter yourself," Haejin muttered. Leaning against the mirrored wall.
She dropped onto the floor. Stretched her legs.
Her camisole clung to her curves. Damp with sweat.
She refused to cover up again. Even when she caught him sneaking glances.
'So much for the perfect untouchable idol. He's just a man who can't stop staring.'
He cleared his throat.
"You should… be careful. With what you wear."
She barked a laugh.
"Wow. Thank you for the unsolicited advice, Appa. Should I cover my ankles too? Maybe wear a hanbok to rehearsal?"
He shot her a glare.
But didn't reply.
★☆★☆★☆
The room stayed hot. Dark.
Silent except for their breaths.
Soorin hugged her knees tighter. Forcing herself to focus on anything but his words.
But they echoed anyway.
'They push. They touch.'
Her throat tightened.
She didn't want to ask. Didn't want to know.
But she couldn't un-hear it either.
Haejin sat across from her. Unreadable in the dim glow.
What exactly had people done to him?
And why did her chest ache with something dangerously close to pity?
She forced her voice steady.
"What did you mean, Haejin? About the others?" She paused. "Were you harassed as a trainee?"
His head snapped up.
Eyes narrowing. Caught off guard.
The dark room pulsed with silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
He didn't answer.
Soorin's heart hammered.
The weight of his silence was louder than any denial.