The award show had finally drawn to a close, the roaring applause giving way to the subtle rustling of fabric and movement as attendees began rising from their seats. At the discreet signal from the event staff, you stood alongside your group members, adjusting your posture with the practiced grace of someone used to the spotlight. The room buzzed with congratulations, laughter, and the soft hum of excitement lingering in the air like a fading melody.

As you followed your members toward the exit, you made sure to offer polite bows to senior groups and artists passing by—respect woven into every nod, every small gesture. The flashing lights still danced across the walls, but your focus briefly faltered when a familiar presence tugged at the edge of your awareness.

Out of the corner of your eye, you caught sight of him.

Park Gunwook.

Gunwook stood among his groupmates, exchanging casual words, but when his gaze found yours, something shifted. The boy you'd been secretly seeing for the past few months straightened slightly, and with the kind of restraint that masked deeper feelings, he offered a respectful bow—because here, in the eyes of the public, you were his senior first.

You returned the gesture with equal grace... but couldn't help the sly, knowing smirk that tugged at your lips—a silent message just for Gunwook. Your eyes sparkled with recognition, a barely-there smile blooming on your face, one that only you two would notice.