Chapter 30: The Fall Plan
As Soyeon walked briskly down the hallway and into her room, the moment the door clicked shut behind her, her composed mask shattered.
She slapped a hand to her forehead, pacing in small circles. "What the hell did I just say?" she muttered.
Her mind replayed her own words to Taehyun: "If you're not going to fight for her, don't keep staring at her like you already lost."
Soyeon groaned. "Ugh. Why would I say that? That's practically encouragement! What if he really starts to—no. No, no, no."
She stopped pacing, a spark of panic lighting in her chest.
"If Taehyun starts falling for Hana even more, I'm done. That girl's already in everyone's good books. If he—if he—" She didn't even finish the sentence, slumping into her vanity chair.
Her eyes darted to the mirror. She leaned in.
"I need to do something."
She thought for a moment, then her lips curled up into a plan—a little dangerous, a little desperate.
"I'll make him choose. Or at least… see if he feels anything."
Soyeon stood and walked to her closet. She pulled out a cozy but cute pajama top and some soft shorts—not too obvious, but definitely not her usual no-nonsense self.
"If I fall into his arms accidentally," she said out loud, grabbing her phone as she opened the door slightly, "and he catches me… we'll see."
And if he didn't?
She didn't want to think that far yet.
The Next Morning
Soft sunlight filtered into the living room through half-closed blinds. Hana stirred on the couch, confused at first by the unfamiliar light and soft pillow beneath her head.
Wait… hadn't she been sitting upright?
She sat up slowly, glancing around. A blanket had been tucked around her, the tea mug on the table now empty. Her cheeks flushed as she realized someone had moved her.
The question was—who?
She got up and headed quietly into the kitchen, still in her oversized T-shirt and pajama pants. As she placed the mug in the sink, she found a sticky note taped to the counter.
"Dinner was great. You should sleep earlier though. – J"
Her lips curved into a small smile. She didn't have to guess who "J" was.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Taehyun stepped out of his room, half-dressed in joggers and a plain white T-shirt, hair slightly messy from sleep. He was heading toward the bathroom when—
"Ah—!"
A soft thump, followed by the sound of someone stumbling.
He turned just in time to catch Soyeon as she fell forward—conveniently—out of her room and right into his chest.
His hands instinctively gripped her shoulders to keep her steady.
Soyeon blinked up at him, wide-eyed. "O-oh, sorry… I must've tripped. I didn't see you…"
He stared down at her for a moment, his expression unreadable.
Soyeon tilted her head slightly, letting her fingers rest lightly on his arm. "Thanks for catching me…"
Taehyun gently but firmly stepped back, clearing his throat. "You should watch where you're going."
And then he walked past her without another word.
Soyeon's smile faded.
"Oof." She muttered to herself, rubbing her arm where he had held her briefly. "Okay. That didn't work."
But as her eyes narrowed slightly, a new thought crossed her mind.
He's pulling away now—but if he sees them get closer…
She didn't finish the thought. Not yet.
Back in the dining area, Hana was now setting out plates and reheating leftover rice for breakfast when Jisoo walked in.
His hair was wet from a shower, a towel slung over his neck.
"You're up early," he said, sitting at the table.
"You carried me to my room, didn't you?" she asked softly.
Jisoo blinked. "Did I? Must've been a dream."
She gave him a playful look, but said nothing more. Their eyes met for a second longer than usual.
Just then, Taehyun entered the kitchen. He paused when he saw them standing close—Jisoo helping her pour tea, Hana's shoulder brushing his.
His jaw clenched slightly.
"Morning," Jisoo said casually.
"Morning," Hana echoed.
Taehyun nodded. "Morning." His voice was lower than usual.
Soyeon appeared shortly after, brushing her hair back with one hand and smiling way too brightly. "Morning, everyone! What's for breakfast?"
Minjun walked in behind her, yawning. "This should be fun," he muttered under his breath, eyeing the slight tension in the room.
He wasn't wrong.
The air had shifted.
And it wasn't just because of Soyeon's fall plan.
End of Part 1 of Chapter 30.