Ben had naively believed that distance would bring clarity. He imagined long, silent walks through campus, hours in the library with headphones in, maybe a quiet cup of coffee while brooding like the tragic lead of some indie drama.
Instead, he stepped into class the next morning and found himself surrounded. Like vultures to carrion, or more accurately, like fans to a leaked idol debut, his classmates swarmed him.
"Ben-oppa," Ji-an, a classmate, purred, slipping her arm through his with zero hesitation, "you're such a double threat, those looks, that talent!"
"Bro, you were on fire in that performance!" Minho, another classmate, clapped him on the back so hard he staggered.
Another hooked an arm around his neck. "Seriously, chingu-ya, unfair! How do you get all the skills and the visuals? Share the blessings, man."
Ben blinked. Ah. The NDC clip.
His introverted soul shriveled under the fluorescent lights and pointed attention. Every word of praise felt like it was being delivered with a megaphone. He didn't know where to look. He tried to smile, but his eyes were darting to the door like he was planning an escape route.
He didn't get to escape until Professor Lee Soyeon marched into the room, eyes sharp and mouth thin.
"Back to your seats," she barked, and the crowd melted like mist under sunlight.
Ben exhaled in relief.
Professor Lee stopped in front of him. Her brows pulled together, clearly disapproving of his impromptu popularity, but her tone surprised him.
"Ben-ssi," she said, stiffly. "I saw your clip yesterday. You dance well. Chughahaeyo." [Congratulations]
Ben's brain stalled.
Wait, what?
This woman had practically delivered a monologue three days back on how dance was not a 'real' career. And now she was… congratulating him?
He bowed low. "Gamsahamnida, Gyosunim."
She reverted to her usual form immediately. "I hope your academic performance won't suffer just because you're making waves in this dance competition."
Ben nodded earnestly. "I'll do my best."
With a curt nod, she waved him to his seat. He sat down, but the stares continued. Some admiring, some clearly envious. He caught the tail end of a whisper:
"Ugh, even his skin glows. Makes the rest of us look like cave trolls."
Another muttered bitterly, "It's just a pretty privilege. He's not that good."
Ben groaned inwardly. Why had he ever bragged in high school about being 'God's visual masterpiece'? That kid needed to be slapped hard, or better, launched into space.
He wasn't just a face. He had trained, sweated, and worked for his art. If looks were all people saw, maybe he should start wearing a mask on stage.
Every break between classes, he was hounded. Some girls flirted shyly, others were bolder, looping their arms through his or dropping compliments like confetti. What surprised him more, though, was the handful of guys who flirted just as openly. Some gave playful smirks, some gave low-voiced compliments, and one of them even straight-up asked for his number.
Ben wasn't unused to attention, but this was a different level. And it only made him think, again, about Daniel. If this was what he was dealing with after just one dance clip, then how the hell had Daniel, who'd been in the spotlight for years, never caught on?
Did he really not realize just how many girls and guys were attracted to him?
By the time the last class ended, he was a drained husk of a human. When he reached outside the dance studio, a fresh wave of admirers had gathered, all buzzing like excited bees.
"Sean-ssi, you were amazing!"
"Terrence-oppa, you're so cool!"
"Daniel-sunbaenim, I'm in love with you—"
"Thank you. I'm in love with myself, too!" Daniel replied cheerfully, sending finger hearts and dazzling smiles with natural ease.
"Sunbaenim, your moves are so powerful!" one girl gushed.
Daniel grinned, placing a hand over his heart. "You're too kind! Though honestly, I'm still holding back a little because of my ankle. Wait till the next round, and you'll see me at full power."
"Can we come watch you live in the fourth round?" another admirer asked, clasping Daniel's wrist with wide, hopeful eyes.
Daniel winked. "You'll have to check with the NDC officials, but if you do come, bring signs with my name on them, okay?"
"You're really God's favorite, Oppa," someone sighed with envy.
"I know, right?" Daniel said with a proud little nod and another heart-flipping smile.
Ben sighed as Daniel, predictably, basked in the attention like a sunflower in spring. Of course, he was born to be under a spotlight.
Sean, however, looked like a man on the verge of death.
A girl clung to his arm. "Sean-oppa, your movements were so elegant!"
Another wrapped around his other side. "Sunbae, are you single?"
A third shouted from the back, "OPPA SARANGHAE!"
Sean blinked slowly. "I… need to go."
Ben, seeing a fellow introvert in distress, stepped in.
"Ben-oppa!" someone squealed. "What do you use on your skin? How does it glow like that?"
Ben scratched his neck, sheepishly. "Uh… genetics, I guess. Thanks, Mom and Dad."
With effort and the power of extreme awkwardness, he wrangled Sean free. Sean, who was pulled inside the studio, looked at Ben with gratitude and murmured a 'Thanks'.
By the time the five of them finally escaped into the studio, they looked like they'd survived a natural disaster.
Well, except Daniel. He was chatting amiably with that guy, the bully who'd kicked his ankle before the NDC officially began.
Ben tensed. Terrence glared. Kai actually froze mid-drink.
To their surprise, the guy bowed low. "Joesonghamnida, sunbaenim. I acted like a coward. If you want to kick me back, I'd deserve it." [I am very sorry, senior]
Daniel laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Nah, no grudges. Let's just compete fair next time, yeah?"
The guy nodded like he'd just been knighted and scurried off.
Terrence snorted. "You're too soft. One day it'll bite you."
Daniel just grinned. "No point collecting enemies. I like friends."
Ben said nothing. He couldn't look at him too long. He couldn't risk the ache that was always waiting in his chest now.
They practiced Shinee's Sherlock for hours. The footwork, the timing, the formations, and Ben lost himself in the rhythm. When Kai suggested they freestyle, he was surprisingly game.
"I miss my guitar," Kai lamented dramatically. "Appa confiscated it again."
Despite the chaos of the day, the session helped. Everyone laughed, and even Sean's lips twitched. But Ben was careful, keeping a polite distance from Daniel.
Daniel noticed.
Ben could feel his gaze occasionally, could sense his confusion and the tug of hurt. It wasn't fair to him. Ben knew that, but he wasn't ready.
Terrence and Sean both noticed the awkwardness, sharing a silent exchange during a break. Still, they said nothing.
Until—"Guys," Kai called, waving his phone, "look!"
Everyone crowded around him.
"The fourth round," Daniel read, his eyes scanning the NDC site. "It's at the venue. Two days from now. New rules announcement."
Terrence groaned. "What bomb will they drop this time?"
"I hope it's not another spontaneity-based challenge," Ben muttered. "Not exactly my strength."
Kai grinned. "Let's not panic yet. I'm sure it'll be fun."
They all nodded, looking both nervous and curious.
It was time to leave. Ben changed quickly, avoiding Daniel's eyes. He slung his bag over his shoulder and was almost out the door when a hand clamped around his arm. He turned and came face-to-face with Terrence. He looked half-serious and half-ominous.
"I want to talk," he said.
Ben opened his mouth to refuse, but Terrence didn't wait. He dragged him away.