Work Text:
The practice room buzzed with energy as the RIIZE members wrapped up their final rehearsal for their upcoming comeback performance of “Boom Boom Bass.” The floor was littered with water bottles and sweat-soaked towels, and the group members were catching their breath, exchanging high-fives and congratulations.
Shotaro, who had just finished an impressive dance break, was panting slightly but beaming with pride. His performance had been a highlight, and the praise from his fellow members was flowing freely.
Sungchan, who had been watching Shotaro intently during the dance break, walked over to him with a wide smile. “Hyung, that was amazing! Your dance break was perfect. You really killed it, as usual.”
Shotaro’s eyes lit up with genuine gratitude. “Thanks, Sungchan. I appreciate that. It was a lot of fun.”
Eunseok, who was nearby, nodded enthusiastically. “Seriously, hyung, you always bring something special to the performance. It’s like you have this natural rhythm that just flows.”
Wonbin added, giving Shotaro a friendly nudge. “Yeah, you made those moves look effortless. I’ve been trying to keep up, but you’re just on another level.”
Sohee, who was resting on the floor, looked up with admiration. “You know, hyung, every time you perform, it’s like you light up the whole room. You’ve got this amazing presence.”
Seunghan, sitting next to Sohee, chuckled. “I totally agree. It’s like magic watching you dance. I’ve got to step up my game to keep up with you.”
Anton, who had been sitting on the sidelines, finally spoke up, his eyes wide with admiration. “Hyung, I swear you’ve got some sort of superpower when you dance. It’s like you’re in a different world. I want to be as good as you someday.”
Shotaro’s cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and shyness as the compliments continued. “Thanks, everyone. That means a lot. I’m really lucky to be part of this group with all of you.”
As the praise continued, Sungchan’s smile wavered. He had always admired Shotaro’s talent and charisma, but the constant stream of compliments from the members stirred a pang of jealousy within him. He felt overshadowed by the collective adoration Shotaro was receiving. Sungchan struggled with the thought that no matter how much he tried to express his feelings, they would never measure up to the admiration everyone else seemed to have for Shotaro.
Sungchan cleared his throat, trying to mask his emotions. “Yeah, hyung, you’ve definitely got some serious skills. It’s impressive how you make everything look so easy.”
Shotaro glanced at Sungchan, sensing a hint of tension. “Thanks, Sungchan. I’m glad you think so.”
Eunseok noticed the subtle shift in Sungchan’s demeanor. “Hey, Sungchan, are you okay? You seem a bit off.”
Sungchan quickly recovered, forcing a casual smile. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a bit tired, I guess.”
Wonbin raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further. “Well, let’s not forget to celebrate our progress. We’ve worked really hard for this comeback. How about we grab some dinner together and enjoy the moment?”
The group agreed enthusiastically, and the atmosphere lightened as they began to make plans for the evening. Anton, who had been quieter than usual, brightened up at the prospect. “Dinner sounds great! I’m starving. Plus, it’s a perfect way to celebrate.”
Sungchan tried to push aside his feelings of jealousy, focusing instead on the camaraderie of the group. He joined the others, making small talk and participating in the planning for their celebratory dinner.
As they prepared to leave the practice room, Sungchan found himself lingering near Shotaro, who was packing up his things. The conflicting emotions within him were difficult to ignore, but he knew he needed to confront them eventually. For now, he chose to join the others, trying to maintain a cheerful facade while grappling with his internal struggle.
The practice room, now quiet and empty, had been a place of both celebration and revelation. The admiration Shotaro received from his peers was well-deserved, but it also triggered feelings in Sungchan that he would need to address in the coming days.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
They gathered in the studio for the reaction video of their much-anticipated comeback “Boom Boom Bass.” The music video had finally been released, and they were eager to see their fans’ reactions and relive the fruits of their hard work.
The camera was set up, and the group settled into their spots, ready to react to the video. Shotaro, Sungchan, Eunseok, Wonbin, Sohee, Seunghan, and Anton were all smiles as the video began to play.
Sungchan is next to Shotaro, his enthusiasm evident as the opening beats of the song filled the room. “Hyung, look at those visuals! We’ve really outdone ourselves this time.”
Shotaro grinned, nodding in agreement. “I know, right? The whole video looks amazing. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Eunseok leaned in, his eyes wide with admiration. “The choreography looks incredible. You can really see how all our practice paid off.”
Wonbin added, “And the set design! Everything fits so perfectly with the vibe of the song. We’re going to have such a great reaction from the fans.”
Sohee chimed in, her excitement palpable. “The outfits are on point too! I love how every detail matches the energy of the song.”
Seunghan, who was watching intently, gave a thumbs up. “We look like we’re having the time of our lives. That’s what matters most.”
Anton, also next to Shotaro, placed his hand on Shotaro’s shoulder, joining in the excitement. “Hyung, you look so cool in that dance break. I can’t get over how good you are!”
Shotaro chuckled, appreciating the support. “Thanks, Anton. It means a lot.”
As the video progressed, Sungchan’s attempts to place his hand on Shotaro’s shoulder were met with a small challenge. Anton’s hand was already there, and Sungchan’s feelings of jealousy resurfaced, even though he tried to keep his emotions in check. He settled for leaning closer to Shotaro, though his gaze occasionally lingered on Anton’s hand.
When the reaction video concluded, the members were in high spirits. They shared their excitement and praised each other’s contributions to the project. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and satisfaction as they prepared to head to their dorms.
They all piled into their van, excitedly discussing the video and the day’s events.
As they settled into their seats, Sungchan found himself sitting next to Shotaro. Despite his earlier feelings of jealousy, he sought comfort in Shotaro’s presence. Sungchan gently curled up next to Shotaro, his head resting against his shoulder.
Shotaro, accustomed to Sungchan’s affectionate nature, smiled and adjusted his position to make Sungchan more comfortable. “You okay, Channie? You seemed a bit off earlier.”
Sungchan relaxed into the embrace, his voice soft. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just needed to process everything. The video turned out amazing.”
Shotaro’s arm draped around Sungchan’s shoulders, providing a reassuring presence. “It really did. I’m so proud of all of us.”
Sungchan let out a content sigh, finding solace in Shotaro’s closeness. “I’m glad we’re in this together. It makes everything better.”
Shotaro’s gaze softened as he looked at Sungchan, feeling a deep sense of contentment. “Yeah, it does. And you always know how to make things feel right.”
The van ride was filled with light conversation and laughter from the other members, but for Sungchan and Shotaro, it was a moment of quiet connection. Despite Sungchan’s lingering feelings of jealousy, the warmth of Shotaro’s presence helped ease his emotions.
As they arrived at their dorm, Sungchan felt reassured by the connection he shared with Shotaro. The journey ahead promised more opportunities to address his feelings and navigate their evolving relationship, but for now, he found comfort in the closeness they shared.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
The final day of RIIZE's promotion for their hit song “Boom Boom Bass” arrived, and the members were both exhausted and exhilarated. They had just finished their energetic performance on the Inkigayo stage, and backstage was a flurry of activity. Staff members, production teams, and fans alike were buzzing with excitement and congratulations.
The RIIZE members, still in their stage outfits, made their way through the backstage area, thanking every staff member who had contributed to their success. The atmosphere was one of relief and camaraderie as they settled down to catch their breath.
Amid the chaos, Anton excitedly approached Wonbin with his phone in hand. “Hyung! You have to see this!” He showed Wonbin a video on his phone that had clearly been a source of constant amusement for him.
Wonbin’s eyes widened as he watched the video, which showed Anton giving Shotaro a piggyback ride after their final performance as the ‘ending fairy.’ The clip ended with Shotaro leaning in to plant a quick peck on Anton’s cheek, a gesture of gratitude and camaraderie.
When Anton turned to show the video to Sungchan, Sungchan’s reaction was more subdued. His usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a tense silence as he watched the video. His heart sank a little as he saw Shotaro’s affectionate gesture toward Anton.
Sungchan forced a smile, trying to mask his jealousy. “Yeah, that’s… nice. Looks like you had a lot of fun.”
Sohee, who had been nearby, squealed with delight upon seeing the video. “Oh my gosh, that’s so cute! Shotaro hyung is always so sweet.” teasing his hyung.
The other members joined in, their chatter filled with praise for the video and playful comments about Anton and Shotaro. Sungchan, however, felt increasingly uncomfortable as the conversation continued.
Upon arriving at their dorm, the atmosphere was subdued. The other members chatted animatedly, their energy still high from the day’s events, but Sungchan remained withdrawn. Shotaro, sensing Sungchan’s discomfort, approached him gently.
“Hey, Sungchan, do you want to talk about anything? I noticed you’ve been off today.”
Sungchan looked at Shotaro with a polite but firm smile. “It’s nothing, hyung. I just need some time alone.”
Shotaro’s heart ached a little at Sungchan’s refusal. He nodded, understanding but disappointed. “Alright. If you need anything, I’m here.”
Sungchan gave a small nod and turned away, retreating to his room. Shotaro watched him go, feeling a mix of concern and sadness. He respected Sungchan’s need for space but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was deeply troubling his friend.
As Shotaro headed to his own room, he tried to focus on the positive aspects of their promotion and the camaraderie of the group. Yet, the weight of Sungchan’s behavior lingered in his mind. He hoped that in time, Sungchan would open up about what was bothering him.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
The days following their final promotion for “Boom Boom Bass” were supposed to be a time of relaxation and recovery for the RIIZE members. With a week off, Shotaro had hoped to spend some quality time with Sungchan, who had recently been noticeably distant.
Shotaro had been trying to arrange various activities, eager to reconnect with Sungchan and enjoy their time off together. Despite his best efforts, Sungchan had been consistently turning down Shotaro’s invitations for lunch, dinner, or movie nights. It was an unusual and painful shift in their friendship, and Shotaro could not understand why Sungchan seemed so unwilling to spend time with him.
One afternoon, Shotaro decided to try again. He had heard about a newly opened sushi restaurant near their dorm and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for a casual outing. He approached Sungchan with a hopeful smile.
“Sungchan, there’s this new sushi place that just opened nearby. I thought it would be nice to check it out together. What do you think?”
Sungchan looked up from his phone, his expression polite but distant. “Oh, that sounds great, hyung, but Eunseok and I already have plans for today. We’re going to check out a new café.”
Shotaro’s smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his composure. “I understand. Maybe another time?”
Sungchan nodded, his tone friendly yet noncommittal. “Yeah, definitely. Maybe next time.”
As Sungchan walked away to meet Eunseok, Shotaro watched him go, a sense of disappointment washing over him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Sungchan’s consistent refusals were more than just coincidence. It hurt to see his friend so distant, especially when he seemed to be making time for others.
In the solitude of his room, Shotaro replayed their recent interactions in his mind. The constant rejections stung, and he struggled to understand why Sungchan had become so elusive. It was clear that something was bothering Sungchan, but Shotaro was at a loss as to what it could be.
He considered their recent days together—the way Sungchan had been more inclined to spend time with other members or to make plans without including him. Shotaro felt a pang of jealousy and sadness, wondering if he had done something to upset Sungchan or if their friendship was changing in ways he didn’t understand.
Later that day, Shotaro ran into Eunseok in the common area of their dorm. Eunseok noticed Shotaro’s troubled expression and decided to inquire.
“Hey, hyung, you seem a bit off. Everything okay?” Eunseok asked, his concern evident.
Shotaro hesitated but decided to open up a bit. “I’ve been trying to spend time with Sungchan, but he keeps turning me down. It’s been really hard, especially since we have so much free time now. I’m just worried that I’ve done something wrong.”
Eunseok’s expression grew thoughtful. “Sungchan has been distant lately, hasn’t he? I’ve noticed it too, but I didn’t know it was affecting you like this. Maybe he’s dealing with something personal that he’s not ready to talk about yet.”
Shotaro sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. “I just wish I knew what it was. It’s like he’s shutting me out, and it’s hurting.”
Eunseok placed a comforting hand on Shotaro’s shoulder. “Hang in there. Sometimes people need space to work through their feelings. Maybe give him a little time and space, but let him know that you’re there for him when he’s ready to talk.”
Determined to show that he still cared, Shotaro decided to send Sungchan a small gesture. He left a handwritten note in Sungchan’s room, expressing his concern and his willingness to listen whenever Sungchan was ready to talk.
The note read: “Sungchan, I’ve noticed that you’ve been distant lately, and I just want you to know that I’m here for you. Whenever you’re ready to talk or if you just need someone to listen, I’m here. - Shotaro”
Shotaro felt a sense of resolve as he placed the note in Sungchan’s room. He hoped that it might help bridge the gap between them and show Sungchan that he was genuinely concerned. For now, all Shotaro could do was wait and hope that Sungchan would eventually open up about what was troubling him.
As the days passed, Sungchan’s guilt over consistently turning down Shotaro’s invitations grew heavier. The silence between them was filled with unspoken words, and Sungchan struggled with his emotions. He knew he had developed feelings for Shotaro that went beyond friendship, but the fear of jeopardizing their relationship weighed on him. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Shotaro, but he felt trapped by his own hesitations.
One evening, after a particularly long day of rehearsals and promotions, Sungchan returned to his room, his mind a swirl of confusion and remorse. He opened the door to find Shotaro sitting on his bed, an anxious look on his face.
Sungchan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hyung? What are you doing here?”
Shotaro stood up, his expression earnest. “I wanted to talk to you, Sungchan. I’ve noticed that you’ve been distant lately, and it’s been bothering me. I just want to understand what’s going on.”
Sungchan shifted uneasily, trying to deflect. “It’s nothing, really. I’ve just been busy, and… I need some space right now.”
Shotaro’s gaze softened, and he stepped closer. “I know something’s wrong. I’ve been trying to give you space, but I can’t help feeling that there’s more to it. Please, Channie, let’s talk.”
Sungchan hesitated, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. He wanted to protect his friendship with Shotaro, but he also felt overwhelmed by his own emotions. Finally, seeing the desperation in Shotaro’s eyes, he relented.
“Alright, hyung. I’ll tell you. It’s just… I’ve been having a hard time figuring out my feelings. I know I like you—more than just a friend—but I’m afraid that telling you might ruin what we have.”
Shotaro’s eyes widened in shock, and a mix of relief and disbelief washed over him. “Sungchan… I’ve been feeling the same way. I’ve liked you for a while now, but I was scared that expressing my feelings might drive you away.”
Sungchan’s confusion deepened. “You’ve liked me too?”
Shotaro nodded, his voice trembling slightly. “Yes. I’ve been trying to balance my feelings with our friendship. I didn’t want to risk losing you. I thought if I stayed quiet, maybe my feelings would fade.”
Sungchan’s heart ached at Shotaro’s words. “I’ve been so worried about losing you that I pushed you away. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, but now I see that keeping my feelings inside was only hurting us both.”
Shotaro reached out and gently took Sungchan’s hand. “Channie, we don’t have to let our feelings ruin what we have. We can talk through this and find a way to be together without losing our bond. I just want you to be happy, whether that’s with me or not.”
Sungchan’s eyes softened as he looked at Shotaro. “I don’t want to lose you either, hyung. I was just so scared of messing things up.”
Shotaro gave a reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out together. Let’s start by being honest with each other. That’s the first step.”
After their heartfelt conversation, the tension between them began to dissolve. They decided to take the time to understand their feelings and explore their relationship, while still valuing their deep friendship. Their first step was to go on a date that they had missed out on during the past few weeks of promotions.
Shotaro and Sungchan decided to visit the sushi restaurant that Shotaro had previously suggested. This time, they both enjoyed the meal with a sense of newfound closeness, laughing and talking as if no time had passed.
As they walked back to their dorm, Shotaro slipped his hand into Sungchan’s, a gesture of comfort and affection. Sungchan squeezed Shotaro’s hand, feeling a surge of happiness and relief.
“I’m really glad we talked,” Sungchan said softly. “I’ve missed this—being close to you.”
Shotaro smiled warmly. “Me too. Let’s make sure we keep talking and stay close. We can handle whatever comes our way.”
As they reached their dorm, the once-awkward distance between them had been replaced by a renewed sense of connection. Their relationship had entered a new phase, one filled with understanding and mutual affection. Both Shotaro and Sungchan felt lighter, their hearts unburdened by unspoken feelings.
Together, they looked forward to the future, eager to continue their journey as both friends and something more, knowing that their bond was stronger than ever.