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

STF 12

"you guys look exhausted," the host said, half-laughing as the cameras started rolling. jisung offered a sheepish grin and fixed the mic clipped to his hoodie. minho just nodded slightly, sipping iced coffee like he hadn't been up since 4am. they were at the final segment of a promotional interview shoot... those cute bts-style interviews where cast members sat in mismatched chairs, surrounded by props from set, answering spicy fan-submitted questions. the energy was light. fun. at least, it was supposed to be.

"okay next one's for both of you," the host said, glancing at the cue card with a grin. "there've been a lot of rumours flying around lately... about a possible change in the cast."

minho blinked. "oh?"

jisung felt his stomach twist slightly. the host raised an eyebrow. "word on the street is that the show might be bringing in a new character. possibly a different antagonist."

minho leaned forward slightly. "if that's happening, it's news to us."

"yeah," jisung added quickly, trying to keep his voice light. "we usually find out big stuff at the last second, like, right before cameras roll and someone's yelling 'new lines!' at us."

minho chuckled. "yeah, we're not exactly high on the decision chain."

"but wouldn't that mean they'll have to scrap some of the early episodes?" the host asked, tapping his lip with the cue card.

"maybe," minho said casually. "if anything, it might just tighten the arc."

"or complicate it," the host said slyly. "add more drama."

minho shrugged. "as long as the story stays good."

then the host turned directly to jisung.

"you're unusually quiet, jisung."

he froze slightly, then forced a laugh. "no, i'm just thinking; if someone new shows up, i'll finally have someone else to suffer with."

minho side-eyed him playfully. "you suffer with me?"

"constantly."

the host grinned. "well, fans have a theory."

"oh no," minho said immediately.

"that the real reason for the new character is to create a... drumroll please.. love triangle."

jisung laughed automatically. "god, no."

minho raised a brow. "sounds.. exhausting."

the host smirked. "but fun for viewers."

"not for me," jisung said, trying to smile. "i already have trouble making eye contact during scenes."

minho added under his breath, "he does."

"you literally get shy when we stand too close."

"i do not-"

"roll the bloopers, someone," minho teased.

jisung swatted him lightly and turned to the host again. "honestly, i think it's just rumours. we haven't heard anything official."

"yet," the host said with a wink.

after a few more questions and a quick promo for the next episode, the director stood behind the camera and gave a small wave.

"alright, we're good to cut."

the sound tech gave a thumbs up. the assistant called it.

"aaand-cut!"

people started to move. the camera operators lowered their rigs. the lights began to dim slightly. makeup artists swarmed in to check shine. jisung didn't move. his heart was thudding. he didn't know why, well, that was a lie. he did know why. the thought had been stuck in his head like a splinter since the moment that stupid question was asked. a love triangle. another actor. a new antagonist. someone younger. more "dynamic." possibly a "better match" for eunjo. which meant—someone who could get close to jaewon. to minho. to his minho. the thought made his throat feel tight.

minho stood and reached for his water bottle. jisung stood too. he walked over. minho turned toward him, casual. his usual smile on his face. then froze, because jisung grabbed the front of his hoodie, leaned in and kissed him,

fully on the mouth. 

minho's eyes widened. but he didn't move. didn't pull away. he just... kissed back. just for a second. then jisung broke it. breathless. face warm. heart racing.

there was a beat of pure silence in the room. every crew member, makeup artist, assistant, and camera op had stopped in place. someone dropped a clipboard in the back. jisung blinked. realized what he did. and immediately panicked.

"i-uh-sorry, i just-fuck," he muttered, backing up a step.

minho was still looking at him. not angry. not even shocked. just... quiet. his expression unreadable. jisung turned and walked off set. fast. by the time he reached the stairwell, his hands were shaking. what the hell was that? he hadn't planned it. hadn't even really thought it through. but the second he heard "love triangle" and saw minho laughing it off like it didn't matter... something inside him snapped. he couldn't explain it. he just needed to remind everyone, maybe even himself, of what this was. or what it felt like it was becoming.

ten minutes later, in the editing booth upstairs, the behind-the-scenes cameraman quietly labelled the footage.

"post-cut-interview 4-jisung kisses minho-do not delete."