The air in the practice room was thick with anticipation, the music pulsing through the speakers like a heartbeat. But it wasn't the choreography that had Sherri on edge today.
It was YoungBok's eyes.
Every time their gazes met, something in him flickered — a flash of anxiety, a crack in his usually steady mask.
He had never looked at her like that before.
Sherri had always known there was more between him and Hyunjin than anyone let on. She could read the way their eyes lingered just a second too long, how their touches, brief and casual to most, seemed charged with unspoken words. She had seen it the first time she watched them interact.
But now… now, YoungBok seemed on the edge, like the weight of their secret was becoming too much for him to carry alone.
And the worst part?
She couldn't bring herself to act like she didn't know.
It was after practice when it happened. The members had scattered, leaving the room with their usual chatter and laughter. Sherri, trying to keep her distance, had taken a seat by the wall, eyes glued to her phone. But she could feel YoungBok's presence behind her — like he was watching her every move.
She hesitated before looking up, meeting his gaze.
The silence between them was thick, heavy with the unsaid.
"You know, don't you?" YoungBok's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but there was no mistaking the weight behind it.
Sherri froze.
She had always been good at reading people, but to hear him say it out loud — it hit her harder than she expected.
"Know what?" she asked, her voice steady, though her heart was anything but.
YoungBok took a step forward, closer now, his eyes scanning her face like he was searching for some sign, some confirmation.
"I... I know you know. About Hyunjin and me."
Her breath caught in her throat. There was no denying it now.
"I'm not stupid, YoungBok," she said softly. "I can read you both like a book."
His shoulders slumped, and for a moment, he looked almost relieved — like the weight of their secret had finally been acknowledged by the one person who knew the truth.
"I'm sorry," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I never meant for you to be caught in the middle of this. It's just... hard."
Sherri's heart twisted. She could see it in his eyes — the conflict, the burden he carried for loving Hyunjin in a world that demanded secrecy.
But she also saw something else.
Fear. Fear of losing everything.
"It's not just about me," she said quietly, voice thick with emotion. "It's about both of you. And... I get it, YoungBok. I do. But it's not easy. You both mean so much to me, and I—"
She broke off, unable to finish the sentence. The words felt too raw, too tangled in her chest.
YoungBok watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before he took a deep breath.
"I never wanted to hurt you. I just... I love him, Sherri. I love him more than anything."
Her heart pounded in her chest.
She knew. She had always known.
"I know," she whispered. "And I want both of you to be happy. I do."
"But not at your expense," he insisted, his voice cracking. "I won't let that happen."
Sherri looked at him, searching his face, trying to understand the depth of his feelings — the loyalty, the pain.
"I'm not asking for that," she said, finally looking him in the eyes. "But it's hard to want something that feels so impossible. I can't pretend like it's not tearing me apart to see you both struggling."
YoungBok stepped back, his face softening with guilt.
"You don't have to pretend," he said. "But you also don't have to carry this alone."
The weight of his words lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating.
She wanted to reach out, to tell him everything — about how much she loved Hyunjin, about how she felt like she was losing herself in their tangled mess of emotions.
But before she could speak, the door to the practice room swung open.
Hyunjin stood in the doorway, his gaze flickering between them, like he knew exactly what was happening.
For a moment, no one moved.
YoungBok gave him a tight smile.
"I'll catch up with you later," he said, his voice suddenly distant.
Hyunjin nodded but didn't leave.
He stood there, silent, watching the two of them like he could feel the shift in the room.
Sherri could almost feel him looking at her, as if he could see everything she was trying to hide.
And in that moment, Sherri realized just how much their lives had already become intertwined — a triangle of love and longing that no one could escape.