As the show continued, Hana found herself only half paying attention to the performances. The earlier encounter with Kai lingered in the back of her mind, its weight pressing down on her thoughts like an unshakable shadow.
She wasn't the type to get flustered easily—especially not over celebrities. Yet something about Kai's gaze had unsettled her. There had been a strange mix of recognition and wariness in his eyes, as if he'd formed some opinion of her in a fleeting moment. It gnawed at her, the thought that someone who knew nothing about her might already have judged her.
Hana prided herself on being understood for who she truly was, not for someone else's assumptions. And the idea of being misjudged, particularly by someone as distant and untouchable as Kai, left a bitter taste in her mouth.
But what frustrated her more was her own reaction. Why was she letting this affect her so much? It wasn't like her to dwell on something so trivial, to let a passing moment rattle her composure. Yet here she was, her mind circling back to his expression, his unspoken thoughts, and the quiet tension that had lingered between them.
With a sharp breath, she shook her head, trying to pull herself back to the present. The vibrant lights on stage and the thunderous applause from the crowd felt distant, like an echo she couldn't quite reach.
"Get it together," she muttered under her breath, her own voice barely audible over the noise. But no matter how hard she tried, the memory of that moment refused to let her go.
~~~
The stage lights shifted to a dazzling array of colors as the next song began, the crowd erupting in cheers once more. Beside her, Soojin was fully in her element, singing along to the lyrics with unbridled enthusiasm.
Every so often, she glanced at Hana, her expression an open invitation to join in. "Isn't this amazing?" she yelled, her voice barely audible over the thundering music.
Hana gave her a faint smile, nodding in agreement, though her gaze remained distant.
Soojin bounced on her toes, casting another quick look at Hana before refocusing on the stage. She raised her hands, clapping to the beat, her excitement practically contagious. "Come on, Hana!" she called, leaning toward her friend for just a moment before losing herself in the performance again.
Hana waved her off lightly, gesturing for her to keep enjoying herself. "Go ahead, Soojin," she said, her words more to herself than her friend.
Soojin didn't press further, too swept up in the moment, though every now and then, she threw Hana a brief, encouraging look. Hana appreciated the effort but couldn't bring herself to match Soojin's energy.
Her eyes drifted back to the stage, where the members of Lumina moved in perfect sync, their talent undeniable. And yet, despite the electric atmosphere, her thoughts remained elsewhere.
Kai.
It wasn't just his cold demeanor or the way he'd stared at her earlier— it was the feeling that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Like there was something unspoken hanging in the air between them.
Soojin's voice broke through her thoughts again, her gaze darting back to Hana with a hopeful smile. Hana simply gestured for her to keep enjoying herself, shaking her head as if to say, "Don't worry about me."
With a shrug, Soojin turned back to the stage, her energy never faltering.
Hana folded her arms, letting the music wash over her. She didn't want to ruin Soojin's night by being a buzzkill, but she couldn't force herself to pretend. Not when her mind was still replaying those fleeting, inexplicable moments with Kai.
Whatever it was, her mind was too worked up for it. She hoped it would fade soon.
Finally, the final notes of Lumina's performance echoed through the packed auditorium, the crowd erupted into wild applause. Soojin's hands clapped furiously as she bounced on her toes, the excitement radiating from her.
"That was incredible! I can't believe I just saw them live!" Soojin exclaimed, turning to Hana with wide eyes. "Kai was perfect, and Min-soo's vocals were unreal. But did you see Joon's dance solo? And Hwan's rap? Oh my God, they're all so talented! Hana, are you even listening?"
Hana gave a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, yeah. It was… something." She kept her voice even, but her mind was miles away. Every time she tried to focus on the show, her mind had always rewinded to her encounter with Kai which she found annoying.
Soojin tugged at her arm, practically dragging her out of their seats as the crowd began to disperse. "You're so lucky, you know? Meeting Kai and Min-soo, even if it was just for a second. Do you know how many fans would kill for that chance? And to be in the same room as all of them! Joon, Hwan… even Sungmin was there! I thought he might miss the performance because of his injury, but he pulled through!"
Hana scoffed. "It wasn't a meeting- it was just bumping into them. I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Wrong place? That was fate, more like perfect timing!" Soojin corrected, her eyes gleaming. "You were right there, Hana! You met Kai. I'm sure he will remember you."
Hana let out a short laugh, "Even if he remembers, it won't be a good memory."
"No way. You're special. He must've noticed." Soojin grinned, but Hana just shook her head, unwilling to indulge her friend's fantasies.
Soojin scoffed- totally in disbelief, "You met Lumina, Hana. You're making it sound like it is an everyday thing." she emphasized.
"I never said it didn't matter." Hana's voice dropped slightly, "I'm just saying it's not as big of a deal as you're making it out to be."
Soojin rolled her eyes as they made their way through the bustling crowd. "You're impossible, Hana. " she clicked her tongue, being dramatic about the entire thing.
"Not my fault," Hana said tersely. " I just don't meet your vibe."
Nearing the exit, Soojin's attention shifted to the throngs of fans lingering outside, hoping for one last glimpse of the idols. A small group had gathered by the side entrance, where security was stationed.
"They're probably leaving soon," Soojin said, eyes scanning the scene. "Maybe we can catch a glimpse of them heading to their cars!"
Hana rolled her eyes, tugging on Soojin's arm. "Come on, let's just go. It's not like they're going to stop and chat with fans."
Soojin pouted but let herself be led away from the crowd. "You're no fun," she muttered. "I bet if we waited just a few more minutes, we could at least see them again. I mean, all of them, not just Kai."
Hana shot her a sidelong glance. "I think we've had enough excitement for one night, don't you?"
But even as she said it, Hana's mind wandered back. His cold but distant demeanor was frustratingly unclear what that flicker she had felt meant. All the same, it was enough to leave an impression.
As they moved further away from the venue, Hana stole a glance over her shoulder. A row of black SUVs was lined up near the back entrance, likely waiting for Lumina and their entourage. She could see the flashing lights of fans' cameras, hear the excited murmurs of those still hoping for a moment of contact with their idols.
Soojin followed her gaze and sighed wistfully. "I'll never understand how you can be so indifferent about all this. You were right there, Hana. With them. Joon, Hwan, Kai… How can you not be starstruck?"
Hana shrugged. "Maybe I'm just not wired like you, Soojin. I'm not starstruck by celebrities."
"Yeah, but Kai's not just any celebrity," Soojin pressed, her voice filled with reverence. "He's different. He's… mysterious. And you've always liked mysterious guys."
Hana let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Mysterious or rude?"
Soojin waved a hand dismissively. "He wasn't rude! He was just… protective of his space. You'll see once you get to know him better—well, not that you're going to get to know him or anything. I mean, what are the chances?"
"Exactly. Slim to none." Hana forced a smile, though a tiny part of her— an almost imperceptible sliver—wondered if Soojin was right. Not about getting to know Kai, but about there being something more behind his guarded exterior.