MC Partner

Minju looked glamorous in her mint green dress. Today, she is the special MC for the KBS Song 

Festival you were also chosen to be the MC along with Minju. You go backstage to your waiting room while your makeup artist is fixing up your face before going up on stage, until you notice a figure out of the corner of your eye.

“H-Hey,” she says. 

“H-Hi Minju,” you say nervously. “What brings you here?”

She smiled back shyly. She looks so beautiful in that dress it felt like seeing a fairy in real life. You get up from your chair and walk towards her.

“I just wanted to rehearse the lines with you,” she says.

“Yeah, we can do that,” you say, noticing how nervous she is.

The two of you go over the lines that have to be said on stage for the next 20 minutes.

The time arrives when you both must announce the lineup of artists and entertain the audience for the next 3 hours. Throughout the entire festival the two of you matched each other's energy perfectly. You catch yourself staring throughout the festival the way her makeup looks on her, the way her entire neck and shoulder is expos- (focus don’t be too obvious.)

“Do you have any words for the next performer Mr,” she says teasingly. 

“W-What I mean yeah there amazing I mean there cool yeah.” You mentally smack yourself in the head.

You clear your throat trying to save yourself. “They're amazing performers and I'm sure everyone is excited to see their performance good luck to them,” you finish, showing a composed smile. 

Minju glances at you biting back a laugh “That’s right,” she adds smoothly stepping in to save the moment. “Please give a warm welcome to our next stage!”

As the music starts playing and the lights dim you both step slightly to the side. The crowd erupts into cheers giving you a brief moment to breathe.

“You okay?” she whispers, leaning just a little closer than necessary.

“Yeah I just zoned out sorry I probably looked crazy just now.”

She lets out a soft laugh. “You were staring.”

“I was not.”

“You were,” she insists, eyes sparkling under the stage lights. “You blanked out mid-sentence.”

You rub the back of your neck. “Can you blame me?”

That catches her off guard. For a split second her confident MC composure falters and that same shy smile from backstage returns. As the performance wraps up the stage lights dim just enough for you and Minju to step forward again. This time you’re a little more prepared at least that’s what you tell yourself.

“Wasn’t that incredible?” she says, turning to you with a bright smile.

You nod. “Yeah but I think the audience might be getting used to amazing performances tonight.”

“Oh?” she tilts her head slightly. “And what else are they getting used to?”

You hesitate for a second, then decide to take the risk. “A really good MC partner.”

Her eyebrows lift clearly not expecting that. “Is that so?”

“Yeah,” you say, a little more confident now. “She keeps saving me every time I mess up.”

She lets out a soft laugh glancing away for a moment before looking back at you. “Maybe I just like seeing you panic a little.”

“That’s cruel,” you reply, smiling.

“Mm, maybe,” she says, then adds playfully, “but you’re kind of cute when you do.”

That catches you off guard again, but this time you don’t completely fall apart. “Careful,” you say, lowering your voice slightly. “We’re still on camera.”

She leans in a little so only you can hear. “Then try not to make it obvious.”

The both of you return to your positions finishing the segment smoothly before stepping offstage for the next transition. The second you're out of the spotlight, the atmosphere between you two changes into something more quieter something real.

She exhales softly. “Okay that was fun.”

“Fun?” you repeat. “I was fighting for my life out there.”

She laughs, nudging your arm. “You did good don’t worry.”

There's a brief pause between you two as staff rush around you, preparing for her special stage. She looks at you again, a little hesitant this time.

“Hey um,” she starts fiddling with her cue cards. “Do you maybe have time after this?”

You blink, a little surprised. “After the show?”

She nods. “Yeah I mean only if you're not tired maybe we can grab something to eat after this or maybe just talk.”

A small smile forms on your face. “I’d like that.”

She lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She glances around to make sure no one’s paying too much attention before stepping a little closer.

“Then,” she hesitates again, her confidence from earlier nowhere to be seen now, “Can I get your number?”

For a second, your brain freezes. “My number?” you repeat, just to make sure you heard right.

She nods, cheeks faintly pink. “Yeah. So I don't lose you after tonight.”

You chuckle softly, pulling out your phone. “Yeah, of course.”

You unlock it and hand it to her. Her fingers brush against yours as she takes it, and it sends a small electric jolt up your arm.

She types quickly, then pauses, biting her lip. “Should I save it as Minju or?”

“Save it however you want.”

She smiles to herself and finishes typing before handing your phone back. A new contact sits on your screen, but instead of just a name, there's a small emoji next to it.

“Really?” you raise an eyebrow.

“What it fits me,” she says innocently.

A staff member called her name its time for her special stage performance. She takes a step back and lingers for a second longer. “Don't disappear after the show okay?”

“I won't, you got my number now anyway.”

“Good.” 

She turns and heads towards the stage. You stay behind to watch her performance, leaning slightly against the wall where the stage can’t see you. The moment the music starts, everything changes. The shy girl from backstage was now replaced with someone different, someone radiant, someone whose movements are sharp yet graceful. 

Her voice is angelic, the crowd is in awe, you are in awe, her beauty is undeniable. The way her expression changes when she sings is so natural that it pulls you in. At one point, she turns to your side of the stage. For a split second, your eyes meet, and a wide smile appears on her face.

Your heart stumbles.

When her performance ends, the crowd goes crazy, cheering so loud it hurts your ears. You clap along with them, amazed by her performance. A staff member taps your shoulder, “You're up in 1 minute.”

You step back onto the stage, slipping back into MC mode. The applause begins to fade as you deliver your line cleanly this time, not zoning out.

But your mind was still half on her.

The rest of the festival flies by like a blur, and before you know it, the final segment arrives. The two of you stand next to each other, delivering the last lines, wrapping the night up.

Backstage you spot her, she's already out of her stage outfit, now wearing something simple but somehow stunning. She catches you looking.

“You didn't run away,” she says, walking towards you.

“I said I wouldn’t.”

“Are you hungry?” she asks.

“Yeah. You?”

“I didn't really eat today I was too nervous,” she admits.

“You didn’t look nervous.”

“That’s because I’m good at pretending,” she says, then adds more softly, “not so much right now though.”

You smile a little. “Then let’s fix both problems.”

“Both?”

“Food and the nervous part.”

She lets out a quiet laugh. “Okay.”

The place she brings you to is tucked away, the kind of restaurant that doesn't draw much attention. Warm lighting spills across the table, soft music hums in the background and for the first time tonight, everything slows down.

You sit across from her. Neither of you says anything.

Shes the one that breaks the silence.

“You almost lost it on stage earlier.”

You groan. “You’re not letting that go are you?”

“Not a chance,” she says, smiling. “You completely froze.”

“I didn’t freeze.”

“You stared at me like you forgot how to speak.”

“That’s different.”

“How is that different?”

You lean back slightly. “Because that was your fault.”

“My fault?” she repeats, amused.

“You showed up looking like that.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Looking like what?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“I really don’t,” she teases, clearly enjoying this.

You hesitate for a second, then decide not to back out this time. “Like it was impossible not to look.”

That lands.

Her expression shifts just slightly. The teasing softens, replaced with something quieter.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

She glances down for a second, then back up, her smile smaller now but more genuine. “You're more honest than I expected.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No,” she says quickly. “Just new.”

The food arrives, but neither of you rushes to eat it. Conversations flow naturally between you two, jumping between topics, funny moments from rehearsals, embarrassing stories, and small details about your daily lives that somehow feel important now.

By the time you leave the restaurant, the night feels softer. 

More quiet.

“So,” she says, stepping right beside you. “What now?”

You glance down the street. “Want to go on a walk?”

“Sure.”

The two of you walk for a couple of minutes, talking here and there. At some point, the conversation fades not because there's nothing to say but because neither of you feels like filling in the silence between you two.

Minju nudges your arm lightly. “You're doing it again”

“Doing what?” you say, confused.

“Thinking too much.”

“You can tell.”

“Easily.”

You both stop at the edge of a crosswalk, the lights red, cars are passing by, and the streets are empty, just you and her.

The light changes, but neither of you moves right away.

“We should probably go,” you say, even though you don’t.

“Probably,” she says.

Neither of you moves.

You both laugh at that.

“Okay, that’s actually kind of awkward,” you admit.

“A little,” she says, smiling.

She doesn't step away, instead she steps closer towards you. Your eyes flick down for a second. Then, back up she notices.

“Are you going to say anything,” she asks quietly, “or you’re going to keep looking at me like that?”

You hesitate. “I'm deciding.”

“On?”

You glance at her eyes, then nose, then lips. This time, you’re not even trying to hide it.

“This.”

It’s not the smoothest.

But honest.

And instead of stepping back, she lets out a small laugh, nervous but not stopping you.

“Wow, you’re really not subtle at all.”

“Not right now.”

Then she closes the distance for you, just a little.

It’s a quiet kind of permission.

So you meet her there.

The kiss is clumsy and a little awkward, but it makes her smile on your lips, and somehow that makes it much better. You adjust without thinking, your hand finding her waist. Her hand on your sleeve, holding tight, not wanting to let go.

You pull back slightly, not far, the both of you let out a laugh and a little surprised.

“Okay,” she says under her breath.

“Okay?” you repeat.

She nods once, like she’s confirming something to herself. “Yeah. Okay.”

You let out a quiet laugh. “That’s it? That’s your review?”

“Do you want a full evaluation?” she asks, teasing.

“Maybe later.” 

She hums, “Maybe.”

She finally steps back, but only a little, her fingers brushing yours before letting go.

“We should actually cross now,” she says, glancing at the street.

“Right.”

“I should go now,” she says.

“Yeah, alright.”

She smiles at you, “We’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah,” you say. “We will.”

She turns and walks, taking a few steps before glancing over her shoulder, giving you a small wave. 

You wave back.

You’re halfway home when your phone buzzes.

Minju 🌙Did you get home safe?

10:30 pm

Almost

You?

10:31 pm

I’m home

just laying in bed

You look different

Different how?

I think I like you even more like this

Your dangerous

Wait

A picture I took earlier

Wow

🥰

Goodnight

Goodnight

Dream about me

I don’t think I’ll need to try

The days that follow feel like a continuation. Messages between the two of you became more constant. Photos were being sent, videos shared, she would update you about her day, and so would you. Sometimes the messages would be random, but they felt important because they came from her. She would send selfies to you, and every time, it would make your heart beat fast.

Minju🌙Are you busy?

For you?

Never

Can I see you?

Where?

When you see her again, she doesn’t hesitate.

She walks straight up to you, stopping just close enough that it feels familiar now.

“You came fast,” she says.

“You asked.”

She smiles softly. “I like that.”

She steps closer and kisses you.

Slow.

Warm.

She pulls back her forehead, resting on yours.

“I was thinking about that all day.”

“The kiss?” you ask.

She nods, “and you.”

“So,” you say, glancing around. “Did you drag me out here just to kiss me?”

She pretends to think about it. “Maybe.”

“Wow.”

“Okay, not just that,” she admits, slipping her hand into yours this time like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I just wanted to see you again. Without everything else.”

“No scripts. No stage cues.”

“No pretending,” she adds.

The two of you walk without deciding where to go. You talk about small things again, what she ate, how she was this close to strangling Wonhee for stealing her dink in the fridge.

As the evening stretches on, the conversations slow, your steps sync together, and the space between you disappears completely without either of you noticing when it happens.

Eventually, you stop again, this time outside her place.

There’s that feeling again.

The same one from the crosswalk.

Like neither of you really wants the night to end.

“So,” she starts, rocking slightly on her heels.

“So,” you echo.

She looks at you for a second, then exhales. “I don’t want this to be a one-time thing.”

“It won’t be,” you say, without hesitation.

She searches your face like she’s making sure you mean it.

“I’m serious,” you add.

“I know,” she says quietly. “That’s why it’s a little scary.”

“Good scary or bad scary?”

She smiles faintly. “Good.”

You nod. “Then we’re fine.”

She steps closer, resting her head on your chest. 

“I have a busy schedule,” she says. “And things can get complicated.”

“I figured.”

“But,” she continues, tilting her head to look at you, “I still want to try.”

You meet her eyes. “Then we try.”

She smiles again, this time brighter, more certain and leans in, pressing a quick kiss to your lips.

“Okay,” she says. “Then start by texting me when you get home.”

“You’re really strict about that.”

“Very.”

You laugh. “Alright.”

She steps back, lingering just a second longer before finally turning toward her door.

“Goodnight,” she says.

“Goodnight, Minju.”

She pauses at the door, glances back one more time like she did that first night and gives you that same small wave. And somehow, it feels like the start of something instead of the end.

Minju🌙Did you get home safely?

Just got in

Good

Today felt important

Yeah it did

We’re really doing this huh?

Yeah

We are

🥰

And for once, you don’t overthink it.

You just smile.

And let it happen.