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The atmosphere at the school was electric with anticipation as the annual festival approached in just a week. Colorful posters promoting food stalls, talent shows, and the eagerly awaited school dance covered every wall. The festival was the main topic of conversation-everyone was buzzing about who would perform, which class had the most creative booth, and, most importantly, who would be asking whom to the dance.

Hairi, on the other hand, felt overwhelmed by the chaos. She hurried through the bustling hallway, holding her books tightly against her chest. Her thoughts were consumed by Jiwon, who had been persistent ever since he returned.

"Hairi!" a familiar voice called.

She glanced over her shoulder and spotted Sehun walking towards her. His camera hung around his neck, and he gave her a grin as he fell into step beside her.

"Hey," he said, slightly out of breath. "You okay? You looked like you were running from something."

"Not something," she muttered. "Someone."

"Jiwon?" Sehun guessed, his grin fading.

"Hairi!"

Hairi nodded, lowering her voice. "He's been everywhere lately, and he keeps bringing up the dance."

Sehun raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You think he's going to ask you?"

"I'm sure he's going to ask me," she replied, exasperated. "He's already dropped enough hints to fill a notebook."

Sehun chuckled softly but became serious when he saw the concern on her face. "Do you... want to go with him?"

"Absolutely not," she said firmly. "But I also don't want to deal with the awkwardness of turning him down."

"Understood," Sehun said, nodding thoughtfully. "So, what's the plan?"

"Right now?" Hairi glanced around nervously. "Avoid him."

Sehun smirked. "Well, you're in luck. If he shows up, I'll-"

"Hairi!" Jiwon shouted.

Hairi turned to him, raising an eyebrow hiding behind Sehun so Jiwon won't find her. "For what?"

"For being your decoy. Obviously."

"You didn't do anything," she pointed out.

"I stood here and looked intimidating," he replied, flashing her a grin.

Hairi rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile that crept onto her lips.

"Anyway," Sehun continued, "you know you can't avoid him forever, right?"

"Don't remind me," she muttered, running a hand through her hair.

"You could just tell him you're going with someone else," Sehun suggested casually.

Hairi stared at him. "And who exactly would that be?"

He shrugged, leaning against the wall. "Me."

Hairi blinked. "What?"

"Think about it," he said, his tone light yet sincere. "If you're already going with someone, he won't ask. Problem solved."

Hairi hesitated. The idea wasn't entirely absurd, but the thought of pretending to go with Sehun felt... complicated.

"You're serious?" she asked.

"Sure, why not?" he said, grinning. "I'm a fantastic fake date."

She snorted. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Come on, Hairi," he said, leaning closer. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Before she could respond, the bell rang, signalling the start of the next class.

"Think about it," Sehun said, winking as he headed for the door. "I'm always here for rescue missions."

Hairi watched him leave, her mind racing thinking of what he said to her.

---

The rest of the day flew by in a haze. Hairi couldn't shake off Sehun's suggestion from her mind. It made sense logically, but the thought of attending the dance with him , even if it was just an act sent her heart racing in a way she wasn't prepared to face.

When the final bell finally rang, she felt an urge to bolt from the school and head home. She threw her bag over her shoulder and made her way to the gate, keeping her gaze low to avoid bumping into Jiwon.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

"Hairi!"

She stopped in her tracks, slowly turning to see Jiwon jogging toward her, a wide grin on his face.

"Hey," he said, coming to a halt in front of her. "I've been searching for you all day."

Hairi managed a polite smile. "Oh, really? Sorry, I've been... tied up."

Jiwon chuckled. "No problem. I just wanted to ask you something."

Hairi's stomach dropped. Here it comes.

"I was wondering if-"

"Hairi!"

Both of them turned to see Sehun striding toward them, his expression hard to read.

"Sehun," Hairi said, surprised.

"Hey," he said, completely ignoring Jiwon as he stopped next to her. "You ready to go?"

Hairi blinked. "Go where?"

He shot her a significant look. "You forgot? We were going to check out the festival decorations together."

Hairi quickly remembered. "Oh! Right. Sorry, Jiwon, I've got to go."

Jiwon frowned, glancing between them. "You two are... going together to see the festival decorations?"

"Yep," Sehun said cheerfully, wrapping an arm around Hairi's shoulders. "We're practically inseparable these days."

Hairi felt her cheeks flush but didn't pull away.

Jiwon's frown deepened, but he managed a smile. "I see. Well, maybe another time, Hairi."

"Yeah," she said quickly, stepping away with Sehun. "See you later."

As soon as he was out oftheir view, Hairi elbowed Sehun in the ribs.

"Ow!" he yelled. "What was that for?"

"For being so... so you," she said, flustered.

"Admit it," he said, grinning. "I just saved you."

Hairi rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile creeping onto her lips.

"Thanks, I guess" she muttered.

"Anytime," he replied, his voice softer now.

They walked in silence for a moment, the earlier tension gradually dissipating.

"You know," Sehun said, glancing at her, "if you wanted to make it official, I wouldn't mind."

Hairi looked at him, taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"The dance," he said with a shrug. "You could go with me. For real, I mean."

Hairi's heart raced, but she kept her voice steady. "You're not serious."

"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked, his tone light, yet his gaze unwavering.

Hairi hesitated, her thoughts swirling. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words eluded her.

"Think about it," Sehun said, offering her a small smile before turning toward the art wing. "See you tomorrow, Hairi."

She watched him walk away, her chest tight with a mix of confusion and something else she couldn't quite identify.

As the sun sank below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the school, Hairi realized one thing, this dance was going to be far more complicated than she'd ever anticipated.

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