The streets of Vale were alive with chatter, the evening lights glowing against the shop windows. Team NOVA moved together, their destination clear: a formal boutique where Hyunwoo could be fitted for the upcoming dance.
Hyunwoo trailed at the back, clearly unenthused. "I still don't get why this is necessary. I wasn't even sure if I was going."
"You weren't sure," Jisoo said over her shoulder, "but now you are. Unless you plan on showing up in your training gear and humiliating us."
Jaemin, hands behind his head, grinned. "Honestly, that would be kind of funny. But nah, Hyunwoo, you gotta at least look presentable. Think of it like... armor, but for social stuff."
Hyunwoo gave him a look. "Armor?"
"Exactly," Jaemin nodded, smiling wider. "You don't wanna walk into the dance unarmed, right?"
Meanwhile, Jiwon was scrolling through his Scroll, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he compared suit cuts. "This one," he finally said, showing the screen. "Black, tapered, minimal trim. Suits your build and doesn't draw attention for the wrong reasons."
Hyunwoo glanced at the image, then back at Jiwon. "You've thought about this too much."
"It's called being prepared," Jiwon replied calmly. "Something you, of all people, should understand."
Jisoo crossed her arms. "See? Even Jiwon gets it. You can't just wing this, Hyunwoo."
Jaemin leaned forward with a grin, adding, "Plus... Ruby's gonna notice if you don't show. Don't act like she wouldn't."
Hyunwoo stopped in his tracks, brow furrowing. "...Ruby?"
Jiwon spoke evenly, his tone lacking Jaemin's teasing edge. "It's not hard to see, Hyunwoo. She listens to you. More than most. That doesn't happen by accident."
Hyunwoo's gaze shifted toward a store window, where a mannequin displayed a simple but sleek black suit. For a moment, he studied his own reflection in the glass.
"...Fine." He muttered, stepping forward and pushing open the boutique door. The bell overhead chimed as he entered.
Behind him, Jaemin whispered with a grin, "Knew he'd cave."
"Not caving," Jiwon corrected flatly as he followed. "He just saw the logic in it."
"Same difference," Jaemin said, smirking as they trailed after Hyunwoo.
The bell chimed softly as Team NOVA filed into the boutique. The interior was sleek and polished, racks of neatly pressed suits lined against the walls, and mannequins stood proudly in the center wearing outfits that screamed refinement. The smell of pressed fabric and cologne hung in the air.
Hyunwoo already looked uncomfortable. His hands slipped into his pockets, his sharp eyes scanning the room as if this was enemy territory rather than a clothing store.
"This isn't a battlefield," Jisoo muttered, catching his expression. She pushed him gently toward the nearest rack. "Relax. You just need to try a few on."
Jaemin stretched his arms above his head and grinned. "Nah, this is a battlefield. Except instead of swords and fists, you've got fashion, fabric, and the judgmental stares of strangers." He winked. "Good luck, commander."
Hyunwoo shot him a glare. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Of course I am," Jaemin laughed, already flipping through jackets on a rack. "When else do I get to see Mr. Stoic look this out of place?"
Meanwhile, Jiwon was already serious at work. He circled one of the mannequins, observing the cut of the blazer and the line of the trousers. His voice was calm but precise. "Hyunwoo, you should aim for something fitted but not flashy. Dark tones. Subtle. You don't want to draw too much attention—you're not the type to enjoy that."
"See? He gets it," Hyunwoo said, grateful someone understood.
But Jisoo quickly cut in. "No, you can't just look like you're heading to a funeral. This is a dance. You need a little... charm." She pulled out a deep navy suit and held it against his frame. "This color would bring out your eyes."
Hyunwoo blinked, caught off guard. "...Charm?"
Jaemin leaned over Jisoo's shoulder with a grin. "Charm, as in Ruby's gonna look at you twice instead of once."
Hyunwoo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why is this about Ruby again?"
"Because it obviously is," Jaemin said flatly, clapping him on the back. "Don't fight it, dude."
Jiwon ignored their banter, plucking another blazer from the rack and handing it to Hyunwoo. "Try this one first. Black with a silver trim. Minimalist. Practical. It'll work."
Hyunwoo took it reluctantly and stepped into the fitting room.
Minutes later, he emerged, adjusting the sleeves. The suit clung to his broad frame, sharp but clean, accentuating his posture without overdoing it. He glanced at the mirror, expression unreadable.
Jaemin's grin widened immediately. "Ohhh. Look at that. From 'brooding loner' to 'mysterious gentleman.' That's a big upgrade."
Jisoo nodded approvingly, arms crossed. "Not bad at all. Definitely better than I expected. You actually clean up well."
Hyunwoo muttered, tugging at the cuff. "Feels strange."
"That's because it's not combat gear," Jiwon said evenly. "But it suits you."
Jaemin chuckled. "You hear that? Suits you. Nice one, Jiwon."
Jiwon gave him a flat stare. "...That wasn't a joke."
The group laughed anyway, and for the first time that evening, Hyunwoo allowed himself the faintest of smiles.
The shop clerk, a middle-aged man with round glasses and a warm smile, strolled over as Hyunwoo stood in front of the mirror. He clasped his hands behind his back, giving the young hunter a thoughtful look.
"Excellent fit," the clerk said, circling once as though inspecting a prized work of art. "Sharp, clean, and understated. Perfect for a formal event." He paused, then smiled knowingly. "I take it this is for the dance? A date, perhaps?"
Hyunwoo froze mid-adjustment, his hand still on the cuff. "...What?"
The others immediately lit up.
"Oh, it's definitely a date," Jaemin blurted, slapping Hyunwoo on the shoulder. "He's just too shy to admit it."
Hyunwoo exhaled slowly, trying very hard to keep his composure. "I didn't say anything about a date."
The clerk chuckled softly, unfazed by his stiff tone. "Young man, I've been fitting suits for decades. I can tell when someone is preparing to impress. You don't walk into a boutique with three friends for backup unless you're trying to look your best for someone."
Jaemin laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. "You hear that? Even the professional agrees with me!"
Jiwon, though more reserved, nodded once. "It makes sense. You wouldn't be here otherwise."
Hyunwoo rubbed his temple, muttering under his breath, "I should've come alone."
"Too late for that now," Jisoo said sweetly. "Besides, you needed us."
The clerk gave a satisfied nod and began noting down measurements. "Don't worry, young man. Whoever she is, she won't be disappointed."
Hyunwoo didn't respond, only sighing quietly as his teammates smirked and whispered among themselves. Still, as he looked at his reflection one last time, the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed him.
"I hope so."
_______
The ballroom glowed with soft golden light, chandeliers reflecting across the polished floor as music played faintly in the background. The air was filled with laughter, chatter, and the faint fragrance of roses arranged elegantly around the room.
Yang stood proudly at the podium near the entrance, radiant in her white dress and heels, though her grin widened the moment the doors opened.
"Ooohh, you look beautiful!" she blurted out, her voice carrying over the hum of music.
Ruby stepped in, trying to balance herself in her red dress with black lace and matching pumps, her expression a mix of nerves and frustration. She tugged at the belt around her waist, groaning, "Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" She wobbled slightly, attempting to maintain her balance, which only made Yang burst into laughter.
"Oh, come on, Ruby," Yang teased, eyes sparkling mischievously. "You look amazing. I bet Hyunwoo will fall for you the moment he sees you."
Ruby's smile faltered just a bit, her eyes dropping toward the floor as she pressed her hands together. "He... didn't even ask me." Her voice carried a quiet sadness, almost lost in the music. "Maybe he's busy..."
Yang's grin softened into something gentler. She nudged Ruby's shoulder, leaning down slightly so her words reached only her sister. "Ruby... if he's not here yet, maybe he's just taking his time. Guys like him—" she paused, smirking, "—they like to make an entrance."
Ruby gave a small, uneasy laugh, though her gaze lingered on the crowd already dancing. Somewhere in that sea of color and motion, she quietly wished Hyunwoo would appear.
Before Ruby could respond to Yang's words, a familiar voice cut through the music from the doorway.
"Well, I did take time," Hyunwoo said, stepping into the ballroom, his tone calm but carrying a hint of dry amusement. "My teammates were a little too excited to suit me up for this."
The shift in the air was immediate. Conversations around the entrance slowed, a few curious glances turning his way. Hyunwoo's tall frame carried itself with quiet confidence, dressed in a sharp black suit with a deep red tie that contrasted perfectly against his dark attire. His usually rough-around-the-edges look was polished tonight—still him, but refined enough to make more than a few heads turn.
Ruby's eyes widened, her words catching in her throat as her heart gave a sudden jump. The nerves she'd felt moments ago now tangled with something warmer, almost shy.
Yang's grin only grew wider, and she gave her sister a not-so-subtle nudge with her elbow. "Told you," she whispered smugly.
Ruby fumbled, tugging at her skirt as she tried not to look too obvious staring at him. "Y-you... clean up nice," she managed, her cheeks dusting pink.
Hyunwoo gave a small shrug, though there was the faintest curve of a smile tugging at his lips. "Guess my team has good taste." His gaze lingered on Ruby for a beat longer than necessary before glancing toward Yang. "Hope I'm not too late for the fun."
Yang crossed her arms, smirking like she'd just won a bet. "Oh, you're right on time. Perfect, actually."
Ruby, flustered, tried to hide her smile as she looked away, though the corners of her lips betrayed her.
Hyunwoo stepped closer, his eyes scanning Ruby from head to toe. The faintest softness slipped into his expression, breaking through the usual calm he carried.
"You look... good," he said, his voice quieter, less guarded than usual. After a small pause, he added with more weight, "No, actually—you look beautiful in that dress."
Ruby's face went crimson, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. "O-oh, um... thanks. You don't look too bad yourself." She glanced up, then down again, her words tripping over each other like she wasn't sure where to put them.
Yang smirked, sensing her cue. "Well, as much as I'd love to stick around, I've got some... duties." She waved her hand vaguely at the crowd before leaning close to Ruby with a cheeky grin. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
"Yang!" Ruby hissed, but her sister only laughed, striding off into the crowd and leaving the two of them standing awkwardly by the podium.
For a moment, the music and chatter of the dance hall felt muffled compared to the silence between them. Ruby peeked up at Hyunwoo, then quickly looked away, her foot shuffling against the polished floor. Hyunwoo, hands in his pockets, exhaled slowly as if trying to find the right words.
"You don't usually wear things like this," he said, his tone more observational than teasing. "But... it suits you. The color especially."
Ruby's lips parted, caught between embarrassment and a shy smile. "I-it's my favorite color. And, um... Weiss kind of insisted I wear it."
Hyunwoo gave a small nod, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Good choice on her part."
Just then, from across the hall, Hyunwoo caught sight of Jaemin, Jisoo, and Jiwon watching him with barely-concealed grins. Jaemin mouthed something exaggeratedly, hands cupped around his mouth: Go for it! Jisoo gave him a thumbs-up with a knowing smirk, while Jiwon chuckled, shaking his head like an older brother watching something obvious unfold.
Hyunwoo's eye twitched, and he muttered under his breath, "...Traitors."
Ruby blinked. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Hyunwoo said quickly, clearing his throat as he turned his attention back to her.
The awkward silence threatened to creep in again, but this time, Ruby let out a nervous little laugh. "We're... not very good at this, are we?"
Hyunwoo glanced at her, then let out a soft chuckle of his own. "No. Not at all."
Hyunwoo adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, the faint shine of his suit catching the light as he walked up to Ruby. She looked nervous, tugging at the hem of her red dress as if she wanted to disappear into the floor.
Hyunwoo chuckled softly. "You don't have to force it, Ruby. Just be yourself."
Ruby turned , her lips forming a shy smile. "That's not easy when you say things like that."
The silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft music drifting across the hall. Ruby shifted her weight, clearly unsure of what to say next, when Hyunwoo finally took a step closer. His eyes stayed on her, steady and unwavering.
"Ruby," he said, his tone softer now, almost careful. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Her eyes widened, silver irises shimmering like moonlight in the glow of the ballroom. For a second, she just stared at him, speechless. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Y-yes. I'd... like that."
Hyunwoo offered his hand. Ruby hesitated, then placed hers into his. His grip was firm yet gentle, and she felt her pulse quicken as he led her toward the center of the floor.
The music slowed, and they found themselves surrounded by other couples, but neither of them seemed to notice. Hyunwoo placed his hand lightly at her waist, guiding her with surprising ease. Ruby stumbled once, but he steadied her instantly.
"You're nervous," he said quietly.
Ruby let out a tiny laugh, trying to look anywhere but at him. "Is it that obvious?"
"A little," Hyunwoo admitted, the corner of his mouth curving. "But... it suits you."
Her heart skipped. She dared to glance up at him, and their eyes met—hers wide and flustered, his calm but with a warmth she rarely saw from him.
From the edge of the hall, Team NOVA was blatantly watching. Jaemin was practically bouncing on his heels, mouthing that's our leader! while Jisoo elbowed Jiwon, who just gave a smug nod like he'd expected this all along.
Ruby caught sight of them, giggling under her breath. "Your teammates are... really invested in this."
Hyunwoo sighed, shaking his head slightly. "They'll never let me live it down." But he didn't look away from her.
As the song carried them, Ruby slowly relaxed into the rhythm. Her earlier clumsiness gave way to something more natural, her steps falling in sync with his. The music swelled around them, but all Ruby could really hear was the sound of her own heartbeat.
Hyunwoo leaned down slightly, his voice meant only for her. "You don't need to worry so much. Just... enjoy the moment."
Ruby blinked up at him, her breath catching. She nodded, letting herself smile genuinely this time. "Okay."
For the rest of the dance, the world seemed to blur away. It was just the two of them—her red dress flowing with every turn, his steady presence grounding her. And though nothing was said outright, the air between them carried something unspoken, fragile yet undeniable.
When the song finally ended, Ruby found herself almost disappointed. They stopped, standing closer than either realized, still holding onto each other as if the music hadn't ended at all.
Neither moved.
Until Hyunwoo finally murmured, with the faintest hint of a smile, "Not bad for our first dance."
Ruby laughed softly, her cheeks still burning. "Yeah... not bad."
The crowd clapped politely as the music shifted to the next song, but Hyunwoo loosened his hand from Ruby's waist, stepping back slightly.
"Want to take a break?" he asked, his tone casual, though his gaze lingered on her just a little longer than necessary.
Ruby nodded quickly, maybe too quickly. "Y-yeah. Fresh air sounds... nice."
Together, they slipped away from the dance floor, weaving past chatting students and laughing pairs until they pushed open the side doors. The cool night air rushed to meet them, carrying with it the soft sounds of music from inside and the faint glow of lanterns hanging across the courtyard.
Ruby breathed out, relaxing a little. "Much better." She tugged lightly at the hem of her dress, muttering, "How does Weiss do this all the time...?"
Hyunwoo leaned against the stone railing of the balcony, his suit crisp in the silver light of the moon. He watched her fumble with her dress for a moment, then shook his head with the faintest smile. "You're still thinking too much."
Ruby glanced at him, blinking. "Is that bad?"
"Not bad." He shrugged. "Just... unnecessary. You're fine as you are."
The words struck her deeper than she expected, and she found herself at a loss for a reply. Instead, she moved to stand beside him, her eyes drifting out toward the shimmering lights of Vale in the distance.
For a while, neither spoke. The quiet wasn't awkward—it was steady, calm, almost grounding. Ruby felt her heartbeat slow, matching the rhythm of the night.
Finally, she broke the silence. "I didn't think you'd actually come tonight."
Hyunwoo turned his head toward her, one eyebrow raised. "Why not?"
She fiddled with her fingers, voice soft. "I don't know. You always seem... busy. Focused on things that feel way bigger than dances."
He was quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Then, slowly, he said, "You're not wrong. But... even I know some things are worth stopping for."
Ruby blinked at him, caught off guard by the sincerity behind his words. "...Like this?"
Hyunwoo's gaze held hers, steady and unwavering. "Like this."
Her chest fluttered at the admission, and for a moment she forgot how to breathe. The noise from inside felt distant now, the lanterns swaying above them in the night breeze.
Ruby swallowed nervously, her voice a whisper. "Hyunwoo... why did you ask me? To dance, I mean."
His eyes softened, the usual sharpness in them easing into something far gentler. He leaned slightly closer, not enough to invade, but enough that his words were only for her.
"Because I wanted to," he said simply. "And because... I wanted it to be with you."
Ruby's face went scarlet, her hands curling into her dress as she tried to fight back a smile. "You can't just say things like that..."
Hyunwoo chuckled, straightening back up. "You asked."
She let out a small, breathless laugh, shaking her head. "I did, didn't I?"
The night stretched between them, quiet and endless, and for the first time Ruby felt like time had slowed—just the two of them on the balcony, the world outside momentarily forgotten.
___
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