He pulled back.
Still grinning.
Patted Haejin's shoulder.
Then turned to Soorin.
Released her completely from Haejin's metaphorical grip.
Patted her shoulder too.
"Our prank worked, right? We really got everyone!"
Nervous laughter rippled through the crowd.
"You guys are terrible," someone said.
"I actually thought—"
"That was so realistic!"
Soorin forced another laugh.
"Yeah. We... we got you all."
She glanced at Haejin.
Silently begging him to play along.
'Please. Please don't make this worse.'
His eyes met hers.
So much emotion there.
Pain. Frustration. Resignation.
But he nodded.
Barely.
"Yeah. A prank. Got a bit carried away."
His voice was flat.
Unconvincing.
But people wanted to believe it.
Wanted the easy explanation.
So they took it.
More laughter.
"You really had me for a second."
"Haejin's acting has improved!"
"That was intense though."
Only a few people looked skeptical.
Taekyung. Doyun. Daehyun.
They knew.
But they didn't say anything.
