The Next Moment…
Y/N suddenly leaned back in her chair with a sigh, rubbing her neck.
Then, as if remembering something urgent, she sat upright again and reached for the phone she'd just shut off.
Kim Bum, still stretched across the sofa like a lazy king, raised an eyebrow.
She ignored him, turning her phone back on just to check a message from her best friend.
But before she could even unlock it—
RIIINGGG.
A call came through instantly.
Without thinking, she answered.
"Hello—?"
Kim Bum was still lounging there, now aimlessly scrolling through his phone, but his brain was already wandering.
What should he ask for as his bonus this time?
She had said, very clearly, "This week, you can ask for anything. One wish. I owe you for the last scene."
And tomorrow was Friday.
His final day on set.
The wish needed to be good.
Epic, even.
Romantic, maybe?
But then—
"WAIT—WHAT?!" Y/N shouted suddenly, jumping to her feet like someone had lit a fire under her.
Kim Bum sat up halfway, blinking.
She was pacing already. "Did we really win?! Seriously?!"
On the other end of the call, her best friend squealed, "YEAHHHH! We did! Our assignment, our project—first prize!!"
Y/N let out a full, unfiltered, over-the-top happy shriek like a child being told she could adopt a puppy.
"I—WAIT—NO WAY!!" she gasped, spinning in a small circle. "YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?!"
Then her voice dipped suspiciously low.
"…You are joking, right?"
The sarcastic little laugh she gave next was full of panic. "Hah. Hah. Tell me it's a joke."
There was a very guilty silence on the other end.
Then a sheepish laugh.
"Y/N… we… we didn't mean to… but it accidentally happened."
Her eyes narrowed. "What accidentally happened."
"Uh… well… since we won… they picked our team for the final round showcase... and they picked you for the solo slot—"
Y/N froze.
Her smile faded.
"Solo slot? Okay, that's fine. I can handle it. What solo slot?"
"…Couple dance."
Dead silence.
Even Kim Bum could hear that.
Y/N stared into the void.
"…Couple what?"
Her friend spoke faster. "Y/N, don't panic—"
"OUT OF EVERYTHING—WHY COUPLE DANCE?!" she exploded, flailing one arm. "WHY?! I'M NOT EVEN A SOCIAL PERSON—I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO—"
Her friend cut her off with a terrified, "List will come to you later! The participants who want to partner with you will apply!"
Click.
Call ended.
Y/N stood there, blinking.
Then slowly turned her gaze to the phone like it had just stabbed her in the back and slapped her for good measure.
"…Betrayal," she muttered.
She put it down carefully.
Then began pacing the room like a dramatic detective trying to solve a murder case with no leads.
Kim Bum?
Was silently dying on the couch.
His whole body shook from holding in his laughter.
She was too adorable.
Too chaotic.
Too… fox-like.
She paused, turned, walked in a circle, and then suddenly stopped.
Her eyes lit up.
She looked at him like a kitten spotting a laser dot.
"Wait," she said.
He sat up, alarmed. "What?"
"You're an actor, right?" she asked seriously, like it was a groundbreaking realization.
"…Yes?"
"You know how to do a couple dance, right?!"
The way she asked it.
Hopeful. Bright-eyed. Like a lost bunny begging for directions.
He broke.
He laughed.
"Of course I know, little fox! I'm an actor."
"WAIT, WAIT—BUT—" she panicked, pointing an accusing finger, "you haven't done many romantic dramas!"
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Fair point.
Her eyes narrowed. "Wait… no… WAIT. There was a scene. In Tale of the Nine Tailed 2!"
He froze.
His smile twitched.
"You danced with the heroine in that one episode! I remember now!"
And although he smiled and nodded…
Something in his chest pinched.
Because hearing her say that… even if it was innocent…
Reminded him that she had watched him fall in love on screen before he ever even knew she existed.
But he hid it.
Just smiled. "Yes. That one."
She clapped her hands. "Perfect! You can teach me! Let's go!"
"…Go?"
"Yeahhh!! Let's go to the terrace!" she beamed, already pulling his arm. "We'll practice now before I panic again!"
He got pulled up by the sleeve, laughing, amused, and dazed all at once.
"You're really dragging me to the terrace to teach you a couple dance?"
"Yes!" she shouted behind her as she led the way like a mission commander. "Before I change my mind and faint!"
He followed her with a grin and one thought echoing in his mind:
She doesn't even know…
This is my wish come true.
They finally reached the terrace, a soft breeze playing with Y/N's hair as she stepped onto the open space. She turned back to him with a little breathless smile and held out her phone.
"You choose the song."
He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"You're the teacher, na," she grinned. "You choose what you think fits."
He took the phone with a nod, scrolling slowly. "Okay…"
She wandered to the center of the terrace, looking around as he stood nearby, taking his time—because truthfully, he was stalling.
Why?
Because this wasn't just a practice session.
This was her.
And he hadn't even told her how he felt yet.
He finally tapped a song.
The soft opening chords filled the quiet terrace.
She turned to him again. "So… ready?"
He smiled.
But inside?
He was not ready.
Not at all.
Because right in front of him was not just anyone—it was the girl he liked.
No.
The girl he loved.
And she had no idea.
She was standing there, eyes bright, trusting him, smiling at him, absolutely unaware that every second around her made his heart feel like it was learning how to beat all over again.
He inhaled softly, then said it.
"Can I… ask for permission?"
She blinked. "Permission?"
He gave a sheepish little smile. "To hold you."
Y/N giggled immediately, tilting her head. "Didn't we already agree you'll help me?"
He chuckled too, a little bashfully.
Then she gently reached out and placed his hand on her waist.
"Okay," she said, softer now. "Let's start."
He braced himself.
A deep breath.
And slowly, carefully, he raised his other hand to guide hers.
He began explaining the first step—gently stepping forward, how to sway naturally, how the hands should move.
She listened with laser focus, nodding, trying not to panic, and concentrating hard not to make a mistake.
And she didn't.
Not even once.
She moved exactly as he instructed, light on her feet, smooth in her transitions.
Like she was born to follow him in rhythm.
He didn't say it aloud…
But inside?
He was stunned.
She was graceful. Elegant. Natural.
And so, so close.
They completed the first movement together, the terrace lights casting a soft glow around them as the music swelled just slightly.
Y/N looked up, eyes twinkling. "Did I do it right?"
He couldn't answer at first.
He just looked at her for a second too long.
Then smiled.
"You're… perfect."
She laughed. "That's a lie."
"It's not," he whispered.
But he said it softly.
So softly, she didn't hear it.
And maybe… maybe that was for the best.
At least for now.
Because if she knew just how much this moment meant to him…
She'd never believe it was his wish being granted tonight.
Not the other way around.
They both stood silently for a moment, music gently humming in the background.
Then, he said softly, "Now this step... it's a spin."
She blinked. "Spin?"
He smiled, nodding. "You'll twirl under my hand. Just follow my lead."
Her brows furrowed for a second—but then she held onto his one hand, lifted hers, and slowly spun under it.
A soft twirl.
And in that second…
She didn't just spin.
She floated.
The breeze lifted the edges of her hair, her dupatta dancing behind her, eyes sparkling with pure childlike joy.
To him, she looked like something out of a dream.
Magic.
Pure. Unbelievable. Beautiful magic.
She giggled as she spun, still holding onto his hand. "Ohooo… This is such an easy step!"
She had no idea.
No idea what she was doing to him.
What she looked like in that moment — how unreal this felt to him.
He didn't speak. Didn't move.
Just stared.
Wide-eyed.
Heart thudding.
Because it didn't feel like practice anymore.
It felt like something he never wanted to end.
Not now.
Not ever.
But the spin ended, and she stopped right in front of him with the softest smile. "So… what's the last step?"
He blinked, pulling himself back to Earth. "After the twirl… you fold into me."
"Fold?" she repeated, a little confused.
He gently guided her again.
She stepped closer.
Closer.
Until her back softly touched his chest.
He wrapped his arm lightly around her, their joined hands resting just in front of her.
"That's the last step," he whispered.
"Ohhhhhhh…" she breathed, a little surprised.
Then she grinned. "Okayyyyy then."
She stepped forward and turned to face him.
"Let's do the whole thing again!"
He chuckled. "You sure?"
She gave a firm nod, full of mischief. "Absolutely. Teacher-ji."
And they started again.
One step.
Two.
Twirl.
Sway.
Breathe.
Now perfect.
Completely in sync.
Until…
The final move.
She folded into him again, just like before — her back resting gently against his chest.
But this time…
It didn't feel like a step.
It felt like something much more.
Something unnamed.
Unspoken.
She giggled suddenly, turning her head to face him. "It's easy."
And there he was.
Already watching her.
Already lost.
Already gone.
She gave him a bright, teasing smile. "Thanks, Mr. Actor."
He smiled back… but said nothing.
Because the way she was looking at him right now — he wasn't sure his voice would even come out.
And just as they were about to part—
Her hair tugged.
A small, sudden pull.
She blinked. "Oh—wait—"
She glanced down.
Her hair was caught in the first button of his shirt.
She leaned in without hesitation, trying to carefully free it.
Their faces inches apart.
"I got it," she murmured, focused.
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
He just let her do it.
Because if he leaned back — the moment would end.
And he didn't want that.
He leaned in a little more.
Watching her so close.
The way she squinted, trying to unhook her hair.
The way her breath hit his neck.
The way her fingers brushed his chest lightly.
Time slowed.
She was still focused.
He was still watching.
Close.
Closer.
So close, he could see the tiny beauty spot under her eye.
The rise and fall of her breath.
Her fingers finally freed the hair, and she looked up—
And froze.
Because he was still leaning in.
Looking at her like…
Like he never wanted to look away.
And for one breathless second—
Neither of them moved.