Hyemi felt a nervous buzz about them as they walked into the Korea University Art Wing. It was just their luck that their biggest rivals happened to be hosting sectionals that year, but it just meant that they'd have to beat them on their own turf.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to sectionals." Jaemin mumbled under his breath as they looked around, seeing the halls filled with different teams all wearing their team jackets.

"Feeling nervous already, Jaem?" Hyemi teased, seeing the way he was eyeing their competition.

"Yeah, aren't you? We're on The Next Level turf." He replied, quickly scanning the hallway for the silver jackets of Korea Uni's Next Level team.

She looked to the side and saw Jaehyun standing there, also surveying the crowd and an unconscious smile made its way onto her face. He must've felt her staring because he turned and met her eyes, a smile also growing in his face as he sent her a quick wink before facing forward again.

"Surprisingly, no I'm not. I think we're gonna do well today."

"I sure as hell hope that's true. I would hate to be in a room with Mr. Dance Dictator if we lose today." Jaemin muttered out.

"He's not that bad. And we're not gonna lose. We're the All Stars team, people here are afraid of us. Not the other way around. So let's go get that trophy."

- - -

"Alright, 20 minutes until the male solo division starts! Good luck out there guys! Momo and I are going to go register our solos so we'll see you after!" Sana said, leaving the dressing room with a wave.

"You feeling ready?" Hyemi asked as she finished touching up Yuta's makeup.

"Now that you've made me look like a superstar, absolutely." He laughed out. "My solo is solid. I'm feeling that first place win already."

"Well good. The last I saw of it, you looked fantastic. Jae and Taeyong will give you a run for your money, but you can handle it." She said with a giggle, giving his makeup a once over before standing up with a satisfied grin.

"Oh please, I'm not worried about those two. My eyes are set on that Ten Lee kid." Yuta replied, fake punching the air.

"Yeah yeah, big guy, go and get stretched. You're on in 20 minutes." She laughed out, shoving him towards the bar.

After watching Yuta walk away, she turned to see Jaehyun staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face. Seeing him staring, Hyemi waved, snapping him out of it as a smile quickly appeared on his face.

"So Jae, where do you want us? Crowd or backstage or what?" Sicheng asked the leader.

"Totally up to you guys, but not all of you can be backstage so just make sure not to crowd to much." He replied with a nod.

"Hey, Hyemi, would you mind staying backstage with me?" Yuta asked, turning to her with a smile and gripping her hands.

"Oh, uh, sure."

"Thanks, you help me feel relaxed."

"Hyemi, wanna sit by me?" Jaemin asked, walking up to her.

"Oh, Yuta asked me to watch from the wings, but I'll see you after."

"Sounds good, see you then!" He called out as he, Sicheng, and Chaeyoung left the room.

"You're not going with them, Hyemi?" Jaehyun asked, walking up to her.

"I think I'll go back with you guys, if that's okay."

"Of course." Jaehyun's eyes glanced down, seeing Yuta's hand firmly holding Hyemi's, his expression wavering. "Why don't, uh, Yuta and I get changed. You can head over first, Hyemi, and we'll meet you there."

"Sounds good." She said, Yuta releasing her hand as she walked out of the room.

- - -

"Hyemi!"

She turned at the mention of her name, seeing Yuta running up to her in his solo costume.

"Oh, hey Yuta. Feeling good?"

"Yup. I'm ready to win this title." He replied with a determined smile.

"And next up, representing Seoul University's All Star Team, Nakamoto Yuta."

"Oop, that's me. Wish me luck out there, Hyemi." He said quickly before bending down and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Oh!" She recoiled slightly from shock. "G-good luck out there!"

He smiled at her one last time before taking the stage. Her hand quickly raised to touch her cheek, shocked by his actions. She brushed it off, instead focusing on Yuta as he took his starting position.

Unlike Hyemi, one person who had seen the kiss wasn't able to shake it off so easily, staring at the Japanese boy with fire in his eyes as he began his solo.

Hyemi cheered for Yuta as he danced. She had seen him perform many times, especially this solo, but something about him was different. He was dancing with a power and intensity that she didn't know he had in him. He was totally nailing his routine, and she knew that he knew it when she saw the smile on his face as he walked off the stage.

"Amazing job, Yuta! How do you feel?" She asked excitedly, passing him his towel and some water.

"That felt awesome! I don't think I could've done it any better! First place, here I come." He laughed out. I knew you were my good luck charm, thanks Hyemi." He quickly pulled her in for a hug, surprising her but she just smiled.

"We'll, hopefully I can be a good luck charm for both of you, right Jaehyun?" She laughed out, waiting for his response, but got none. "Jaehyun?"

She turned to look around but didn't see him anywhere, despite seeing him watching from just behind her in the wings earlier.

//

Jaehyun paced back snd fourth back stage while waiting for his name to be called. Yuta had given an exceptional performance and he was starting to feel the nerves.

He saw the way Hyemi looked when watching Yuta dance and he knew she was impressed. He'd only ever seen her look at him that way, never Yuta. He normally wasn't one to feel jealous, but he couldn't help it.

Hyemi walked around the stage and instantly caught sight of him. With a small sigh, she walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Everything okay, Jae?"

"Huh? Oh uh yeah fine. Just waiting for my call." He said, trying to play off how nervous he was but she could see the way his hands were shaking.

"I've never seen you nervous before, Jae..."

"I'm usually not but I just...."

"Just what?"

"Just... want to do well for the team."

"Well you have nothing to be nervous about, Jaehyun. You can do this."

"Next to the stage, from Seoul University's All Star team, Jung Jaehyun!"

Jaehyun let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to calm himself down before he began to walk up to the stage.

"Hey," he paused as Hyemi quickly caught up to him. "Good luck out there."

After a moment of hesitation, she went onto her tip toes, resting her hands on his shoulder and placed a light kiss on his cheek.

"I'll be rooting for you."

He just stared at her as she gave him a shy smile and ran back to her spot in the wings. Jaehyun was frozen, and slowly a smile made its way onto his face. He reached up and touched his cheek ever so softly, feeling a warmth spread throughout his body, and with a determined smile, he made his way onto the stage.

Hyemi watched with a smile as he danced, Jaehyun was doing amazing. All his moves were so purposeful, powerful, and emotional. She cheered and clapped for him, he couldn't have done a better job and as he walked off the stage, she saw he had a smile on his face.

"So, what's your verdict?" He asked, taking the water from her hand. "Did it look clean?"

"It looked perfect. No notes from me. Did you feel good?" She asked as they made their way out of the wings.

"Yeah. I think it went well. And I owe that to you."

"No, Jae, that was all you."

"I couldn't have done it without you. Not only your choreo and notes but just... everything. You made me feel like I could do this." He said, pausing outside of their dressing room.

"Because you can and you did. Just like I need to learn to trust myself, you need to learn to believe in yourself. You're amazing, Jaehyun." She replied, smiling at him.

"You're pretty amazing too."

"I didn't do anything." She said, tilting her head in confusion.

"But maybe you did. My little good luck charm." He whispered out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She felt her heartbeat quicken as they stared down at one another. Jaehyun smiled down at her, his hand brushing her cheek.

"Hey man! Great job!"

The two of them jumped apart as Yuta approached from behind them, splitting up the moment.

"Giving me a real run for me money, huh." He continued, nudging Jaehyun's shoulder before opening the door. "Come on, Hyemi, we gotta go get ready for the group."

"Oh, right."

Yuta grabbed her hand and dragged her into the room, leaving Jaehyun in the hallway to eventually follow them in as well.