An Unexpected Encounter
The rehearsal video was just over three minutes long. High-difficulty choreography, lightning-fast moves, intricate formations—you could tell at a glance just how much time and effort had gone into that stage.
Was that why? "Don't make fun of us. Do you even know how long we've been preparing this stage?" Ha-ra sunbae approached me with utter disbelief on her face.
"A whole half year. And you think you can pull off a stage like that? With only 13 days left until the competition?"
Her words brimmed with anger, bewilderment, and thinly veiled doubt. I got it. I was the newbie who'd just joined yesterday, and I'd never synced up with the sunbaes even once. Unless I was some kind of genius—and even then—my claim would've sounded like pure bluff.
...Time to plant some trust here. I sidled up to the advisor teacher and asked casually, "Is this rehearsal choreography a reinterpretation of A-Star's so what??"
"H-How did you...?" The teacher jumped, her eyes going wide as saucers.
Just as I'd guessed. The moves, the stage paths—they'd felt oddly familiar because it was a fresh take on our group's choreography. so what?—the song I'd rehearsed hundreds, thousands of times to take the stage.
"I'm actually a huge A-Star stan. So I've pretty much mastered all their dances."
That line reminded the teacher—and the other members—that my confidence wasn't baseless bravado. The advisor nodded, convinced. "Ah, that makes sense. But teamwork's a whole different story..."
She looked a little sulky, but she nodded silently soon enough. Thirteen days. Replacing the lead dancer or rewriting the choreo? Time-wise, borderline impossible. There'd never really been a choice.
"Let's at least run through the choreography once. We can judge after."
The group performance members (nine in total) moved to their positions. Ha-ra sunbae took center, her face skeptical but complying with the teacher's order all the same.
I did some light stretches and headed to my spot. Lead dancer wasn't my usual position, but I'd memorized the moves well enough.
Not surprising— it was our group's choreo, after all. The real issue was meshing with the other members. That'd have to be ironed out through rehearsals, step by step.
~♪
As the music started, my body moved on instinct. Feet hitting the rhythm, eyes nailing the gazes, even the breath control— this whole setup felt like second nature.
Of course it did. Rehearsals were an idol's daily bread and butter. Sometimes you had to sync on the fly with dozens of backup dancers.
So maybe that's why I felt zero nerves, even matching breaths with the sunbaes for the first time. It let me move even more fluidly.
First rehearsal wrapped. Plenty of rough edges, but not bad for a debut run. Matching them even roughly was something.
"...Whew."
I wiped the sweat beading on my forehead and gauged the reactions around me.
"Whoa, you're actually good."
"Only a year of dance under your belt? No way."
"So smooth—I thought you were an original member."
The sunbaes crowded around me, praise flowing freely. First impressions: solid win.
"...Impossible."
Ha-ra sunbae muttered to herself in the corner, lost in thought. The members' vibe was a pass, no question.
But the real verdict came from the advisor teacher. Even if the crew loved me, one sour look from her and nationals were off the table.
I sneaked a glance her way. She pushed through the circle and grabbed both my hands tight.
"You've got real talent!"
"...Huh?"
"How are you that natural on your first run!?"
"It just... kinda happened."
Her eyes sparkled like stars as she stared at me.
"Why not transfer to our practical dance department while you're at it? I'll handle talking to your homeroom teacher!"
"Th-that's... a bit..."
She wouldn't let go of my hands. If I said no, she'd probably drag me there anyway.
The CEO, Director Yang, now this teacher—everyone reacted the same way at first sight.
...Am I giving off pheromones or something? I lifted my shirt to my nose and sniffed. Just the faint scent of fresh laundry.
**
Before heading out, I checked my fit in the mirror. Comfy track pants, oversized jacket, cap to top it off. Super hip street style.
Custom gear we'd picked out together. The casual vibe worked for me. Slap on the glasses, add the ear strap for dance security, and I was good to go.
"Heading out."
I called a greeting to the empty house and stepped outside.
Street dance nationals—D-day. We boarded the bus idling out front and rolled out to the venue with the crew.
"It'll be fine. It'll be fine..."
Haneul sunbae in the next seat was bowed over, muttering like a mantra. Tension radiated off her.
Last nationals for the third-years. No wonder she was wired.
"S-Siyeon, you aren't nervous at all?"
"Nah, I'm not the type who gets tense easily."
Nationals were still just a youth comp. Scale-wise, half of my usual stages. Couldn't force the nerves if they weren't there.
"We're here—get ready to unload."
Seoul Multi-Purpose Sports Center loomed outside. Hip beats thumped from the parking lot already. Buses ahead of us were disgorging teams.
Damn, packed house. 167 teams competing. Top seven to place—fierce odds for a youth event.
"Stick close so you don't get lost."
We trailed the teacher inside. High gym-like ceiling, massive hall with a stage, bleachers ringing it round. Felt more arena than theater.
We claimed our assigned seats and waited patiently for kickoff.
Soon, the MC took the stage and ran through the rules calmly.
"This year's format differs a bit from last."
Normally 1v1 team tourneys, but too many entrants this time—they'd judge all performances in one go.
"Now, introducing our judges, one by one."
They filed up: big-name choreographers, pro dancers. Nationals-level pros, all industry heavyweights.
Then the final judge stepped into the spotlight.
"Whoa, is that...?"
"No way."
"Holy crap."
The crowd buzzed hard. Cheers erupted here and there.
"Huh...?"
Flashy two-tone hair, sparkling eyes, sleek stage outfit screaming idol glam. Sharp features and oozing confidence—she wasn't ordinary.
I knew that face. Chae Yu-na of LovelyPink, A-Star's fierce rivals. We'd been neck-and-neck since so what? blew up. They even lost by a hair in the O Bank chart battle earlier this year.
A razor-thin margin.
...She's judging? Kinda awkward all around, but no biggie. Right now, I was Kim Siyeon, not Ruti. Focus on the comp.
**
"And that's it! Haneul Arts High School's performance!"
———!!
The crowd roared. Our 13-day crash prep went off without a single hitch—flawless.
"Phew."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, feeling refreshed. Even by my standards, perfect execution. Hard to believe it was short-notice.
The judges seemed to agree, showering us with praise.
"Wow, Haneul Arts came sharpened this time, huh? What's your take, Yu-na-ssi?"
"Well..."
Judge number four, Chae Yu-na, stood and gave her feedback.
"Incredible—hard to believe it was high schoolers. One member really caught my eye, though..."
She descended the stage and strode right to us, jabbing a finger straight at me.
"This one. The way she synced breaths with everyone, keeping the team's balance—super impressive. What's your name?"
"...Kim Siyeon."
I mumbled, cheeks heating up. Praise from a rival group member? Stirred up weird butterflies.
"Danced with such confidence, but turns out you're the shy type? Adorable."
She flashed a grin and stepped even closer.
...Way too close.
I backed up a step in a fluster. She grabbed my shoulder and leaned in, whispering low.
"You—what's your deal with Ruti?"