EP 3
EP 3
The morning after the quiet kitchen moment felt like a totally different universe. The Jeanz dorm exploded with the usual sounds of chaos: doors banging, hair dryers blowing full blast, loud footsteps running down the hallway, and the constant chatter of five girls getting ready for another full rehearsal day.
The scent of toasted bread and fabric softener clung to the air. In the kitchen, Minji stood by the counter, sipping from her favorite bear mug. Her hair was still damp from the shower and she wore her old, oversized hoodie — the one that said "TEAM LEADER" on the back, faded from too many washes. She looked half awake, eyes narrowed, processing the noise.
Danielle swung into the room like a tornado, humming a random melody while flailing her arms like she was mid-dance routine. "Morningggg~! Anyone want toast with peanut butter and banana and a little cinnamon and maybe love?"
“No,” Minji said flatly.
“Yas.” Hyein mumbled behind Danielle, her eyes barely open. Her cheeks were puffy, and her hoodie sleeves were still covering her hands like a kid.
Danielle spun on her heel dramatically. “A toast order! Coming right up!” She pointed at the toaster. “You! Begin!”
Minji rubbed her temple. “Please stop yelling at the appliances.”
Just then, Hanni padded into the room wearing Minji’s old black hoodie — the one that was clearly too big for her but comfortably worn-in. Her hair was tied up loosely in a half bun, bangs messy. She looked like someone who had barely made it out of bed but was trying to look functional.
“I want a love toast,” Hanni said, voice still scratchy.
Danielle gave her an exaggerated gasp. “Two love toasts?! I must work overtime.”
Hanni moved next to Minji, her shoulder brushing hers lightly. "Still cool about last night?"
Minji raised an eyebrow, sipping her coffee. “You drooled on my shoulder.”
Hanni gasped. “Liar.”
“You did,” Minji said without blinking.
Danielle choked on laughter. “Wait, wait, rewind! You two were shoulder-drooling last night? Where was my camera?!”
“Mind your toast!” Minji said, reaching over to ruffle Hanni’s hair. Hanni pouted but didn’t move away.
Haerin entered silently like a breeze and sat at the kitchen table, legs folded, her hair perfectly brushed despite the early hour. She watched the scene unfolding with the cold stare of a judge at a talent show.
“What?” Hanni asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
Haerin blinked once. “Your energy looks strange today.”
Danielle’s eyes sparkled. “Ooohhh. Did something happen?”
“No,” Minji said immediately.
“Yes,” Hyein said at the same time, sipping from her juice box with a cheeky look.
Minji turned her head slowly toward Hyein. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting!” Hyein squeaked, holding up her hands. Then under her breath, not-so-quietly, “But maybe something’s starting...”
Danielle leaned across the counter, whispering loudly, “Hanni. Tell us. Did you finally kiss the protector of your sunshine?”
Hanni almost dropped her cup. “What the—! Dani! Ewwwwwwwww~!”
Minji, completely unbothered, sipped her coffee. “You’ll choke.”
Danielle grinned so wide it looked like her face might split in half. “Oh my gosh. You’re not denying it.”
Behind her cup, Hyein was whispering to herself, “Bbangsaz is canon. Bbangsaz is canon.”
Haerin didn’t say anything more. She just gave a single nod like some ancient oracle who had already seen this coming.
The kitchen erupted with noise. Danielle was now halfway into a fake dramatic re-enactment of the toast-and-shoulder scene, complete with juice box microphones and impromptu background music from Hyein.
Hanni buried her face in her sleeves. “This is so embarrassing.”
Minji just leaned against the counter, watching her members spiral into chaos. She looked over at Hanni, who peeked out from the hoodie sleeve with a soft, annoyed grin.
“See?” Hanni whispered. “Told you we should’ve eaten chicken quietly.”
Minji smirked. “You’d still have drooled.”
Before Hanni could respond, their manager’s voice called from the hallway. “Girls, car leaves in thirty. Let’s move!”
Danielle grabbed her toast triumphantly. “To battle!” she shouted.
An hour later~~
Their practice room was cold as usual. Hanni hated that room. It smelled like sweat, echoes, and tired legs. And today, it also had something new, someone she didn’t recognize.
A girl stood near the corner, wearing company-issued training clothes. She was slim, tall, with long dark hair pulled into a clean ponytail. Her face was blank. Too blank.
“Who’s that?” Hanni whispered to Danielle as they stretched.
Danielle shrugged. “Maybe a new trainee?”
“Sullyoon,” Minji said, walking past them toward the center of the room. “She’s been shadowing the dance team. Might be filling in for some backup later. Don’t worry about it.”
But Hanni was already watching the girl. The girl, Sullyoon, had eyes that flicked over the members one by one. When they landed on Minji, her expression changed. Just a little. A flicker.
Hanni frowned.
Practice started. Choreographer shouting. Music loud. Sweat everywhere.
But something felt off.
Hanni was usually a beat ahead — fast, sharp, bright. But today her eyes kept drifting. Sullyoon was dancing behind them, just far enough back to be out of the main group. But she was good. Sharp lines. Smooth turns.
Too smooth.
Minji stopped the music. “Again, from the top.”
They reset. Everyone breathing hard. Sullyoon didn’t even look tired.
During a short break, Minji walked over to Hanni with a water bottle. “You okay? You’re off today.”
“I’m fine,” Hanni said quickly, taking the bottle but not drinking. “Just… thinking.”
Minji studied her face. “About what?”
“Nothing,” Hanni said. But her eyes moved toward Sullyoon again.
Minji followed her gaze.
Sullyoon, noticing them watching, gave a small wave and walked over.
“Hi. I’m Sullyoon,” she said, smiling. “Sorry if I was in the way. I’ve watched your performances a lot. You’re amazing.”
She said it to all of them, but her eyes were locked on Minji.
Minji gave a polite smile. “Nice to meet you. Welcome.”
Hanni didn’t smile.
“Unnie, your moves are so strong,” Sullyoon continued. “Really cool. I want to learn to lead like you.”
Minji tilted her head. “You’re already doing fine. Just keep working.”
Sullyoon beamed. “I will! Maybe you can give me some tips later?”
“Sure.”
Hanni’s jaw clenched. “We should probably get back to practice.”
Sullyoon nodded. “Of course! Sorry for interrupting.” She bowed lightly and moved back.
Hanni watched her go, then turned to Minji.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Minji said.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re going to kick someone.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Hanni turned away. “I just don’t like the way she looks at you.”
Minji blinked. “What way?”
Hanni didn’t answer. She grabbed her water bottle and walked back to the center.
From behind, Minji watched her — the slight tension in her shoulders, the rare tightness in her step.
Jealousy? From Hanni?
Minji wasn't used to seeing that.
And somehow, it made her smile.