One step to you

We met again

Meanwhile, in Seventeen's practice room.

조슈아(지수)

"Oh, Jeonghan, you're here~?"

Joshua, who arrived first, waves his hand to Jeonghan and greets him.

정한

"huh."

Jeonghan answered heavily and hung his coat on a hanger on one wall of the practice room.

At that moment, the door opened and Seungcheol came in.

에스쿱스(승철)

"Hey, Yoon Jung-han! What are you doing? Why didn't you tell me about the commercial you filmed with Seo-yeon?!"

When Joshua opened his eyes wide and said, “Huh?” Jeonghan sighed and answered.

정한

"You didn't ask."

에스쿱스(승철)

"Hey, I asked you a question, didn't I? But why did you two act like you weren't related, huh?"

정한

"It was just... I couldn't really say anything. We didn't really know each other anyway."

에스쿱스(승철)

"Did you film together today too?"

정한

"Well... that's right."

Seungcheol said with a smile.

에스쿱스(승철)

"Still, I'm glad you take good care of me as a senior. I should help you out a little too."

Jeonghan forced a smile. But the smile looked bitter.

I felt something burning deep inside my heart.

Practice began as the other members arrived one by one. His body moved to the rhythm, but Jeonghan's mind was a mess.

It feels like I'm missing something, and at the same time, like I'm holding something back.

Inside, he was shaking more and more without anyone knowing.

After practice was over,

The members were wiping off their sweat and joking with each other as they left the practice room one by one.

Seungcheol steps out into the lobby first, running his hand through his sweaty hair.

Following that, Jeonghan, Joshua, Dokyeom, and the other members walked out naturally.

The moment he was about to leave the room, Seungcheol absentmindedly turned his gaze towards the company cafe.

A familiar face sitting alone by the window, concentrating on something beyond the glass.

에스쿱스(승철)

"Huh? It's Seoyeon."

At Seungcheol's words, Jeonghan's eyes shook slightly for a moment.

He tried to turn his head away, pretending not to care, but her silhouette beyond the glass window caught his gaze.

에스쿱스(승철)

"I should go play a prank. I have some concerns to discuss."

As Seungcheol tries to take a step forward, Jeonghan silently reaches out and grabs his arm.

정한

"Let's just go. Maybe you want to be alone."

에스쿱스(승철)

"No, so what~ You know each other. Let's go together."

The cafe was quiet, and Seoyeon, sitting at a table in the corner by the window, was looking at her phone screen when she instinctively raised her head at the familiar voice coming from the door.

에스쿱스(승철)

"Seoyeon~~"

Seoyeon stood up, her eyes wide. She seemed slightly surprised, then smiled.

이서연

"Oh, you were at work!"

에스쿱스(승철)

"Yeah~ I was on my way out after practice."

Seungcheol spoke with a leisurely smile, and Seoyeon's gaze naturally moved to Jeonghan next to him.

Jeonghan nodded silently and avoided eye contact.

이서연

"...Hello, senior."

When Seoyeon gave a small greeting, Jeonghan gave a short reply and sat down at one side of the table.

이서연

"Coffee... I'll buy you some. What would you like to drink?"

When Seoyeon asked brightly, Seungcheol smiled playfully and said.

에스쿱스(승철)

"Well then~ Since our Seoyeon has debuted, should we get a drink?"

At those words, Jeonghan frowned slightly and got up from his seat.

정한

"Okay. I'll live."

After saying that, Jeonghan headed towards the cash register, and Seoyeon, looking flustered, got up from her seat and followed him.

이서연

"Oh, senior! I'll do it."

Seoyeon reached out her hand in a hurry, and just as Jeonghan was about to cover the kiosk button for the drink he had chosen, their fingertips lightly touched.

What Jeonghan saw was the back of Seoyeon's hand, still swollen and red.

정한

"...You didn't go to the hospital?"

Jeonghan frowned and gently lifted Seoyeon's hand.

이서연

"Ah... I tried steaming it like you said and it got a lot better..."

정한

"Is this better? It was already this swollen?"

The voice was firm, though not urgent, and the feel of his fingertips was surprisingly soft.

Seoyeon looked at him with a bewildered expression and quickly lowered her head.

이서연

"sorry.."

Jeonghan closed his eyes for a moment upon hearing those words, then sighed softly and finished ordering.

Seoyeon said carefully.

이서연

"Thank you for your concern."

At those words, Jeonghan raised his head and looked at her. His eyes held emotions he couldn't express in words. Neither heavy nor light.

The two returned to the table, and sat together, still holding the warmth of their fingers.