"Will you be my dance partner?"
The question hung in the air, sweet yet unexpected. Seongji stared at the hand extended toward him. "Did you... hear everything?" he asked, feeling a flush of embarrassment.
Rika chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling under the hallway lights. "I did. Sorry about that. But I couldn't help it."
Seongji sighed, standing up. "It's fine. But Rika... I don't even know you. How can I partner with a stranger?"
"A stranger? I'm hurt!" Rika placed a hand over her heart dramatically. "I'm Rika Han. I'm in your class, Seongji. I guess you've been too busy looking elsewhere to notice me."
Seongji's eyes widened. "You're in my class? How did I miss that?"
"I've wanted to talk to you for a long time," she admitted, her voice dropping a register. "But the timing was never right. Until now."
As they walked out of the school together, the cool night air calmed Seongji's nerves. Rika explained how she had been looking for a partner who could match her energy, and seeing him dance in the hall was like finding a diamond in the rough.
"The deadline for registration is tomorrow, right after school," Rika pleaded, her eyes reflecting the streetlights. "Please, Seongji. Don't let this talent go to waste."
Seongji looked at the pavement. His heart was still heavy from Zoe's rejection. "Give me until tomorrow morning. My head is a mess right now."
"I understand," Rika said, handing him her phone. "Save my number. And Seongji... regardless of the dance, are we friends now?"
Seongji looked at her, a small, genuine smile breaking through his gloom. "No, not friends. I think we're best friends now—if you don't mind."
Rika let out a breath she had been holding. "Gosh, you scared me! Go home safe, Bestie."
[At the Seongji Residence]
"You look suspiciously happy," Araya teased as soon as Seongji stepped inside. "Did Zoe fall for your charms?"
Seongji's smile faltered. He told Araya everything—the rejection, Jake's return, and how Zoe treated him like a backup plan.
"That's cold, Mortal," Araya remarked, her ethereal form glowing. "So, are you going to accept this new girl's offer? It's the perfect chance to make Zoe jealous."
"It's not about revenge, Araya," Seongji said firmly. "Revenge is a weak motivation. I just... I need to find my own stage."
"You're too soft for your own good," Araya huffed, rolling her eyes.
At 11:30 PM, a notification pinged on Seongji's phone.
Zoe: "Sorry about today, Seongji. I hope you can understand my situation."
Seongji stared at the screen. The message didn't make him feel better; it made him feel invisible. He didn't reply. Instead, he dialed a number he had saved just hours ago.
Rika was half-asleep when her phone blared. "Hello? Who is this?" she mumbled.
"Rika? It's me, Seongji."
Rika sat bolt upright, all sleep gone. "Seongji! Did you decide?"
"I'm in," Seongji said, his voice filled with a new kind of confidence. "Let's win this thing, Partner."
"Oh my god! Thank you, Seongji! Thank you—"
"No thanks, no sorry. That's the rule between partners," Seongji cut her in with a grin.
Inside the lamp, Araya watched him, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Rika Han, huh? I'll have to keep a close eye on this one..."
To be continued.....