"There you are!"

The boy collapsed to the ground, panting. Jungwon watched in surprise, he didn't expect Ni-ki would come running all the way to the dance studio just because of their call earlier.

"Where is she?" he asked, still catching his breath.

Jungwon pointed to the elevator.  "Takara got stuck inside."

Lucy and Taki held their laughter, as much as they wanted to tease their friend and laugh at the situation, they couldn't. For sure Ni-ki would smack them both in the head once he hears them laughing.

"Did anyone call the repair man or whatever they call those people who fixes these things, yet?"  Ni-ki questioned. He grabbed his phone from his back pocket and sent Takara a short message.

Jungwon nodded.  "You mean the elevator mechanic? Yep! The owner of the studio just contacted one, minutes ago but it's going to take a bit longer for the mechanics to arrive since they're stuck in traffic at the moment."

Ni-ki hummed in response. He looked back and noticed that not all of his teammates are here with him and Jungwon. One was missing.  "Hyung, where is-"

Ni-ki got caught off when three boys entered the scene. He gave a sigh of relief when he finally found his missing member, Xinlong, but he couldn't believe that he was hanging out with two of Soul's team members.

The japanese boy dragged Xinlong away from them.  "Xinlong what are you doing with them?"

Xinlong scratched the back of neck.  "Oh you meant Zihao and Hanyu ge? Ni-ki, you need to chill. They are my dormmates. And besides, just because you and Soul are rivals doesn't mean that I should treat his team like rivals too."

"Whatever. Just make sure you don't spoil nor reveal any specific parts of our choreo to them. "

"Of course, I don't—"

"Soul! Wait up!"

Everyone's attention was directed at Soul and Jeongseob who came running. Ni-ki just snickered at their presence and started to play games on his phone.

"Saeyoung? Are you okay?"  Soul approached the door of the elevator.

"Soul, I'm okay."  Ni-ki's eyes widened when the girl replied.

Jungwon's jaw slightly dropped.  "Wait, Saeyoung is inside the elevator too?"

"Surprise!" the girl exclaimed, sarcasm in her tone.

Just far behind Ni-ki and Soul, stood Wonyoung and Yoon who stared directly at the elavator wondering what's happening inside those closed doors. It sure seemed quiet.

"How did Takara and Saeyoung got stuck in there?"

"I don't know but we can't say that it's a coincidence...right? Or am I wrong?"

Wonyoung shrugged.  "I don't know but it can't possibly be because of a cat fight right? Ni-ki came to like them both but chose Takara, leaving Saeyoung in the dust."  the girl explained.  "But it has been over a month and two weeks now so Saeyoung must have moved on and Takara...I don't know about her."

"Hopefully, they aren't pulling each other's hair and silently started attacking each other."

Meanwhile inside the elavator, Takara was sitting down on the other end while Saeyoung leaned back against the wall and stared down at the floor. None of them chose to start a conversation. Knowing that they competed over a month ago for Ni-ki, made they're situation a lot more awkward and uncomfortable.

Saeyoung sighed.  "Are you okay?" she questioned, not daring to look at Takara's direction.

"I-I'm fine." Takara replied.  "You?"

"Same."

Silence once again rained the two girls. They both couldn't find the confidence to start a proper conversation.

Saeyoung took a deep breath. She didn't know why she felt so awkward when she shouldn't be. Ni-ki is Takara's and she no longer has any special relationship with him, so why can't she open her mouth, take the lead and talk to her?

"H-Hey, how are you and Ni-ki doing? Is your relationship doing well so far?"

Takara nodded.  "Y-Yeah, it is. How about you? Are you and Soul together?"

Saeyoung blushed at her question.  "H-Huh? What do you mean? W-We're not together."  she laughed awkwardly.  "That's ridiculous!"

"But it's not impossible." she commented.  "You don't have to take my words at heart but, maybe you could try building a relationship with him, I guess? I mean, he seems to be really interested in you."

"You think so?"

The japanese girl nodded. "And...why are you here? In the dance studio. Why aren't you at school? The last time I checked, Adroit's Dancers are the only one excused from classes today."

"I have an appointment." she lied. "Doctor's Appointment! You see, I took a half day at school today so...yeah. After I finished my appointment, Soul umm...called me over to watch them practice."

Takara eyed Saeyoung's choice of clothing.  "It looks like you purposely came to the studio, judging by you're outfit you seem like you went here for practice instead of an appointment. It would have been clear and understandable if you were wearing something casual, but not something like that. You look so ready to practice."

Saeyoung bit her lip. She didn't think this through, causing her to panic inside.  "Zihao accidentally splashed some juice punch on me...yeah it was juice punch. Luckily Jieun packed some of her spare clothes and made me wear it for today." she flashed a small smile before avoiding Takara's gaze.

"Okay."

"Tell me again why Saeyoung is here? Shouldn't she be in school?"  Ni-ki complained. He intensely gazed at Soul, but the boy ignored him and went to stand beside Jeongseob. Ni-ki gritted his teeth.  "You're such a bad influence. Really? Keeping her away from her studies, Haku Shota?"

Soul continued to ignore Ni-ki. As much as he wanted to talk back and defend himself, he shouldn't give in and control himself to stay quiet before he could accidentally blurt out the actual reason on why Saeyoung is here with them, rather than be at the classroom, jotting down notes.

With no response given, Ni-ki snorted.  "You like her? It's more likely you're obsessed with her rather than like her."

"Ni-ki stop it."  Lucy scolded. "Remember we're here to practice okay? Not to start a commotion. Whatever Saeyoung's business here is, forget about it. Let's focus more on the competition, then you could fight later."

Ni-ki sighed in defeat. He gave Soul once last glance before giving his attention back to the mechanic.

"Okay! We're finished."  the sound of the elavator door opening made everyone sigh in relief.

Once Takara caught a glimpse of Ni-ki waiting for her, she immediately ran to him and gave him a hug. Ni-ki patted his girlfriend's head.  "Babe, are you okay? What happened in there?"

"Nothing much, really."

Ni-ki humned in response.  "Alright. Drink some water first then we could go back to practice." he handed her, his bottle of water and kissed her in the forehead.

She smiled shyly at him.  "Thanks."

"No worries. " after giving his girlfriend a reassuring smile, Ni-ki directed his gaze at Saeyoung who was walking her way to Soul.  "Excuse me for a sec."  he excused himself from Takara and walked away.

Seeing Saeyoung's approach, Soul sighed in relief. She is okay.  "Saeyoung!"  the boy left Jeongseob's side and walked up to her.  "Let's go back─"

Before Soul could even finish his sentence, Ni-ki blocked his view, separating him and Saeyoung. Ni-ki locked his eyes with the girl, anger and disappointment clearly visible as she looks into him deeper.

"What are you doing here at the studio? Go back to school." he demanded. Saeyoung rolled her eyes and tried to walk past him but blocked her path.  "Are you really skipping school just for a boy, Saeyoung? I know you can do better than this─"

"I have my reasons, Riki. Can you just leave me alone!?" she fired back at him.

Ni-ki scoffed. "Oh really? What could be so important that you have to be here with Soul today?"

Saeyoung avoided his eyes.  "That's none of you're business." she tried to walk away but before she could, Ni-ki managed to grab hold of her arm. She could feel his tight grip and his eyes staring right through her.

"It is my business! Because.... because...."

"Because what Nishimura Riki?"

"Because.... you're my friend! And friends should look out for each other."  he boldly answered. Saeyoung was confused, she doesn't remember staying friends with Ni-ki. 

Saeyoung heaved a sigh of frustration.  "I don't give a damn! Can't you just move along and do whatever business you have here? Because you're just giving me a bad day. And I can't stand you being a busybody! So shut up!"

Ni-ki's lips parted at her words. He felt like his heart got stabbed by a butcher knife.

"That's enough! A bit of respect please? The both of you are arguing in public! Can't you see how many people are staring at us right now?"

Soul did not hesitate and grabbed Saeyoung's hand away from Ni-ki. He pulled her away from the scene with his fellow teammates immediately following them from behind.

Ni-ki ignored the stares from the crowd, all his attention was at Saeyoung and Soul's hands. He couldn't believe what he just saw, how badly how he wanted to rip Soul's hand off of hers.

Takara went beside her boyfriend and held his right arm.  "Ni-ki... let's go back to practice."

Ni-ki humned in response and let's go of Takara's grip from his. He marched his way back to their room with his teammates while Takara stayed behind and stared at her boyfriend walking away from her.

'Tell me Riki, do you still love her?'

____________________________________

Casually promoting BOYSTORY here!

Seriously,  s t a n  BOYSTORY. These boys are so young yet so talented! And the members are so cute and fine af, you'll love them ~

"ID" is currently my favourite song from them and if you check their covers, vlogs and especially the 'beside story'.

Please Stan them ♡︎