Set to Fail // Minsung (BOOK 1 OF 2 'SET SERIES')

STF 05

jisung had never felt more like a ghost on his own set. he didn't talk during rehearsals. he didn't sit with the others during lunch. he barely responded when hyunjin asked if he wanted to try a different bb cream. his whole body felt like it was buzzing—not with excitement, but with dread. because he couldn't stop thinking about what he'd overheard.

"he's jumpy, closed off. doesn't even make eye contact..."

"how am i supposed to connect with someone who won't even try?"

jisung had tried. at least, he thought he did. but now he wasn't so sure.

"let's go again," the director called. scene 11. eunjo collapses in the hallway, bleeding. jaewon rushes to hold him. minho was already in position. jisung took his mark, staring at the scuffed floor, trying not to shake.

"action."

he stumbled forward, eyes wide, and minho caught him—hands steady on his waist, pulling him in. their lines were quiet, almost too soft for the boom mic to catch. minho said his part, voice smooth and low. jisung opened his mouth—and forgot the line completely.

"cut," the director said. jisung flinched.

"again."

they tried again. and again. minho never said anything, never looked annoyed, just waited and watched him like he was trying to solve some puzzle. eventually, the director waved it off and muttered, "forget it. we're done for now." jisung swallowed hard. they broke early for the day. it wasn't exactly phrased like we're canceling because you suck, but it didn't need to be. everyone felt it.

"minho, jisung," the director called. "promotion shoot. studio 3. you've got an interview in twenty."

"yeah," jisung mumbled, already moving toward the door.

studio 3 looked like a toothpaste commercial. white chairs, glowing set lights, a big flat screen behind them playing teaser footage on loop. there were only two chairs. minho was already sitting in his. jisung slipped into the other one, not looking up. the staff bustled around adjusting lights, fixing hair, prepping cue cards.

"alright," the interviewer beamed. "we're going live in 3... 2... 1..."

the interview started fine. basic questions. how's filming going. what were your first impressions of each other. what's your favourite scene so far. jisung gave short answers. safe ones. minho smiled through it all like a pro, keeping things light.

then the interviewer grinned like he had something fun up his sleeve. "now, since the drama's been trending even before airing, let's play a game: 'cue the moment.' you'll watch teaser clips, and whenever it pauses, you act it out. live."

jisung blinked. minho glanced at him, amused. the first clip played. it was the moment from the teaser—the rain scene where jaewon and eunjo stand forehead to forehead under the temple roof. the screen froze. the director offscreen waved dramatically, mouthing something. jisung squinted. then his heart dropped. the director was mouthing: "kiss. him."

no way. jisung froze. he shook his head just slightly, barely. then he saw him—chan, standing off to the side next to the director, giving jisung a very worried look. chan glanced sideways at the assistant director, a sharp-jawed man in his forties who had never so much as smiled at jisung since day one. the man's arms were crossed. his glare was daggers.

jisung understood instantly. if he refused, he wasn't just being uncooperative. he'd be called difficult. useless. replaceable. he took a breath, steeled himself, and turned toward minho—who looked slightly confused but didn't move. jisung leaned in quickly and pressed the lightest kiss to minho's cheek, holding his hand weakly. the audience offscreen screamed. someone behind the camera shouted, "yessssss!" jisung pulled back like he'd been burned.

minho blinked, eyes wide. he didn't say anything, just touched his cheek gently and laughed. "i didn't see that coming," he said.

neither did i, jisung thought bitterly.

they wrapped up soon after. the second they were dismissed, jisung bolted out of the chair. chan caught up with him near the hallway. "hey—"

"i'm fine," jisung said, voice clipped.

chan frowned. "you did good. really."

jisung didn't answer. just kept walking. he didn't stop until he was in the stairwell alone, leaning against the wall like the building might collapse. his fingers brushed his own lips. he could still feel it. how stupid. how fake. how real it felt anyway.

chan dropped the keys on the counter. "that could've gone worse."

minho leaned against the kitchen sink, arms crossed. "he kissed me, it was on the cheek but like—who cares—" he said suddenly.

chan looked up. "huh?"

"jisung. during the interview."

"yeah, i saw that."

minho stared at nothing in particular. "he looked like he wanted to cry right after."

"he probably did."

minho exhaled slowly. "he shouldn't have had to do that."

chan was quiet for a second. "you're really worried about him."

minho nodded. "i don't know what he's thinking," he said. "but every time i get close, he pulls away like i've hurt him."

"have you?"

"i don't think so. have i?" minho paused. "he makes me nervous," he admitted finally. "not because he's cold. but because... i want him to not be."

he just looked out the window, wondering if jisung was still awake.

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