#tutting

After a long, mind-numbing day at school, you and Jihoon were walking out of the building, both already dreading the thought of going straight home. You had already studied, finished assignments, and had absolutely nothing to do. Sensing your boredom, Jihoon suddenly grabbed your wrist with a cheeky grin.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, tugging you along.

“Jihoon, where are we even going?” you asked, laughing at his excitement.

“You’ll see.”

A few minutes later, you arrived at a dance studio. It was completely empty, just the two of you and the mirror-lined walls reflecting back your confusion. Jihoon turned to you with his signature smirk, eyes glimmering with mischief.

“Remember when you said you wanted to learn tutting?” he asked.

Your eyes widened in realization, your heart swelling at how he actually remembered. “Wait… you brought me here just to teach me?”

“Of course,” he said, already setting up the speaker. “You’ve been talking about it forever, and who else would teach you better than me?” He winked playfully, making you roll your eyes but smile nonetheless.

Jihoon connected to the playlist you two had made together—filled with songs that both of you loved, including some questionable guilty pleasures. You warmed up first, laughing as he dramatically danced around, throwing in unnecessary spins just to make you laugh.

Then, the lesson began.

Jihoon was patient, breaking down each movement for you, his eyes filled with nothing but fondness. He hyped you up when you got a move right and gently corrected you when you got stuck. After an hour, you finally learned the whole choreography.

“Okay, break time!” Jihoon announced, flopping onto the floor and ordering food on his phone. You sat beside him, catching your breath as you both started talking about everything and nothing—old memories, funny school moments, and your shared love for dance.

When the food arrived, you sat on the floor eating, occasionally stealing bites from each other’s meals. It felt comfortable, warm, like every other moment you shared with him over the years.

After finishing, you stretched your arms, determined. “Okay, now help me with the details. I want it to be perfect.”

Jihoon grinned, standing up. “That’s my girl.”

You ignored the way your heart flipped at his words and got up, ready for the next part of the lesson. This time, he stood behind you, his hands gently taking hold of your arms to guide your movements. His voice was softer now, his breath close to your ear as he whispered instructions.

Your heart pounded in your chest.

You weren’t sure if it was because of the dance or because of the way he was holding you—so close, so effortlessly familiar yet suddenly overwhelming.

Then, you turned your head slightly to ask him something. And suddenly, your faces were inches apart.

Your breath hitched.

His eyes flickered from your lips to your eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.

You wanted to kiss him.

He wanted to kiss you.

But neither of you moved.

Right when the moment felt like it would break, your phone rang loudly, making you both jump. You quickly stepped away, cheeks burning as you picked up the call from your mom. Jihoon cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair as he tried to act normal.

He walked you home that night like he always did. But this time, there was an undeniable tension between you two, lingering in the air like an unfinished sentence.

When you reached your door, you turned to him, ready to say goodnight. But before you could, Jihoon pulled you into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around you a little longer than usual, his warmth seeping into you.

And then—just as you were about to pull away—he leaned down and kissed you.

It was soft, sweet, everything you had imagined and more.

When he finally pulled back, he had that teasing grin again, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

“I knew you wanted to do that back at the studio,” he teased, poking your forehead.

Your jaw dropped. “What—no, I—”

He laughed, already stepping back. “Too late, I caught you.”