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The studio lights left a long reflection across the shining floor, each movement reflected onto the glass mirrors. Chan moved in perfect rhythm, sweat dipping down his face and his shirt soaked as his body danced through the choreography with sharp precision. Every spin, every beat, was precise on the dot.
There you sat on the floor against the mirror, just outside the practice space, knees pulled up to your chest, eyes glued to him like the rest of the world didn’t exist. You weren’t even aware of the small, lingering smile that was formed on your face.
But Akane noticed.
He sat beside you, posture neat as always, hands placed loosely over his lap. He wasn’t watching Chan, at least, not in the same way you were. His eyes drifted to you, to the way your fingers fidgeted unconsciously with the hem of your sleeve, to the way your gaze never drifted away. You looked at Chan like he was the center of the universe like the sun, shining over everyone.
And Akane… he was only a shadow.
"Impressive," Akane said softly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, even, though it tasted like ash in his throat.
You hummed, not sparing a glance away from Chan. "He’s amazing, isn’t he? Every move… wow it’s like he was born to dance." you said as if Chan was able to take away air from you.
Akane’s lips curved into the faintest smile, one you didn’t see.
He wanted to agree, but the words stuck like a rock in his throat unable to spit out. What he really wanted to say was, I wish you looked at me like that. I wish I could be the one who makes your eyes shine.
Chan finished the routine, chest heaving as he glanced over. The second his eyes found you, his smile bloomed...bright, breathless, meant only for you. The way you answered him with a wave, meaningless but it was enough to twist a knife in Akane’s chest.
"Don’t forget to drink water," you called to him in a warm sweet tone.
Chan saluted playfully, grabbing his bottle. The little exchange was nothing to anyone else, but to Akane, it was everything. Proof. Confirmation of the truth he’d always known.
You loved him.
but he was not the him in question.
Akane’s gaze dropped to the floor, his glasses catched the light. His hands tightened for just a moment before he forced them still again. Always still. Always controlled. Because if he let himself break, even for a second, he knew he’d never stop.
"…You should tell him," Akane murmured suddenly.
You blinked, finally turning to him. "What?"
He kept his expression calm, eyes fixed on the floor where Chan danced again, spinning through another sequence.
"If you feel something, it’s better not to hide it. Some things hurt more when they’re left unsaid."
You hesitated, staring at him with confusion. But before you could question the tone behind his words, Chan stumbled and laughed at himself, drawing your attention right back to him.
Akane exhaled quietly, a sound lost in the music.
And as you watched Dino with stars in your eyes, Akane sat beside you in silence...loving you in a way he knew you’d never return.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Later that night, when you left for home, Chan stayed behind to practice. Akane lingered in the doorway, he meant to leave as well, but Chan called out.
"Hyung," he said, voice quieter now, different from how he would speak to others, it was calm or nervous rather.
Akane turned, brow raised.
"What is it?"
Chan shifted, eyes lowering. For once, he didn’t look confident. His hand gripped his water bottle too tight. "...You know... Y/N likes me, right?"
Akane froze. The words twisted deep, not that he was shocked but rather surprised he brought it up. He still stayed collected not wanting to show what he was feeling, soon his face into neutral.
"That’s obvious," he said flatly no tone not robot, with care... Just not care for him but rather someone else.
Chan exhaled, a nervous laugh slipping out. "Yeah. Obvious." He paused, then lifted his gaze..but the look in his eyes startled Akane. It was different..
"But… it doesn’t matter. Because it’s not them I’m looking at."
Akane’s chest tightened.
"…What?"
"You," Chan said simply. His voice cracked on the word, but he wasn't unsteady sudden confidence over came him. "It’s always been you."
The silence between them was louder than normal, it was heavy and suffocating. Akane’s carefully built walls were about to be crumble, but he forced his voice steady.
"Don’t," he whispered, almost pleading. "Don’t say things like that."
But Chan only stepped closer, a sudden wave of desperation spilling out. "I can’t help it. You sit there, calm and untouchable, like you don’t notice. But I see you. I-" His voice broke."I like you, Akane."
Silence filled the hallway. The two boys stood there. Chan tried reaching a hand out to Akane but Akane took a step back. He couldn't process what was going on. He stated a simple sorry, bowed and left. Leaving Chan in the dark.
The next day, from the hallway, laughter from passing students drifted faintly. Inside the studio, the world finally get out a gus of air. It held a breath no one knew it was.
Akane’s heart was in pieces. He was conflict on everything, on you. He worried about you. He thought about how you were outside dreaming of Chan, how Chan was inside pouring his heart to him, and how he was the only one left with nowhere to go for his love.
Three hearts, all breaking in silence under the same fractured lights of the studio room.