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

STF 18

The script had said "intense emotional kiss."

The director had said "lose yourselves in it."

Jisung's brain said ERROR 404: SANITY NOT FOUND.

He could barely breathe.

Not because the lights were hot.

Not because of the cameras.

Because Minho was looking at him like he wanted to ruin him-and not in the "we're just acting" kind of way.

Their characters were supposed to be in the middle of a betrayal scene. A last-ditch, desperate kiss that screamed love and hate at the same time.

It was passionate.

Painful.

Loaded.

Jisung felt it.

Every press of Minho's lips. Every shaky exhale.m The way Minho's hands curled around his jaw like he was memorizing the shape of him.

By the time Director Jung called "cut," Jisung's legs were jelly and his soul had left the chat.

They wrapped the scene and headed to the lounge area. Someone brought sodas. Felix cracked jokes. Hyunjin stole a hoodie.

It was peaceful. Comfortable.

Minho was already seated cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through his phone.

Jisung didn't think. He just walked over and sat in his lap.

Like it was nothing. Like he always did that.

No one even questioned it.

Minho didn't blink. Just shifted slightly so Jisung fit better, then went back to scrolling.

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Felix was too busy trying to open a juice box like it was a Rubik's cube.

Jisung only processed what was happening when his hand brushed Minho's thigh.

And stayed there.

He glanced down.

Minho's lap.

Minho's arms around his waist.

And they were just... chilling?

Like???

HOW DID THEY GET HERE???

When did this become a thing???

Jisung's brain started spinning.

Are we a couple? Are we dating?? Did I miss the part where he asked me out? Did I skip a whole episode of my own life??

He looked around the room.

Nobody looked shocked.

They were used to it.

And that was somehow worse.

And that is when the door opened.

A figure stepped in, confident and relaxed, dragging a suitcase behind him.

He wore a sleek leather jacket, black ripped jeans, and an expression that said "I know I'm hot and I know you know it too."

Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Piercing eyes.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he scanned the room.

"Hope I'm not late," he said, voice smooth with a slight accent-Korean with a foreign lilt, maybe Thai.

Director Jung stood immediately. "Ah. You're right on time."

Everyone turned.

And the stranger's eyes landed directly on-

Jisung.

Still.

In.

Minho's.

Lap.

Minho blinked. Didn't move.

Jisung, however, wanted to die.

The guy raised an eyebrow, eyes flicking between them with open amusement. "I see the leads are... close."

Jisung jumped up like he'd been tasered. "I-uh no-just-comfy floor's bad posture-hi."

The guy chuckled. "Cute."

Jisung stopped breathing.

Minho stood too, slow and casual, giving a slight nod. "You're the new cast member?"

"Yep. Name's Than," he said, slipping off his jacket. "I'm playing the new antagonist."

"Wait, Than?" Felix blinked. "As in Than Aphisit? You were in that hit Thai-Korean web drama last year, right?"

Than winked. "The one and only."

Hyunjin mouthed "holy shit" to no one in particular.

As introductions circled, Jisung stood stiff and awkward.

Than was confident. Charming. The kind of guy who could smirk and win awards for it.

And Jisung could feel his eyes on him.

Not in a creepy way-just... knowing. Like he'd already picked up on the weird tension between Jisung and Minho and was choosing violence.

Great.

Wonderful. Just what Jisung needed.

Director Jung clapped once. "Alright. We're rearranging episode 16's arc to build more tension between the three leads. Than's character will now replace the current enemy king and become a major rival."

Chan leaned toward Jisung and whispered, "Love triangle confirmed."

Jisung turned to ash. Minho didn't react. Just crossed his arms and looked at Than like he was already annoyed.

Than? Smiled wider.

"So," Than said, walking over to Jisung during break, "you're the one I'm supposed to hate onscreen."

Jisung laughed awkwardly. "Yep. That's me."

Than tilted his head. "You always act this nervous, or is it just around him?" He nodded toward Minho.

Jisung turned into static.

"...I'm not nervous."

Than grinned. "Sure you're not."

And walked away.

Minho appeared beside him a moment later, handing him a juice.

"He's a flirt," he said flatly.

Jisung blinked. "You jealous?"

Minho sipped his drink. "Should I be?"

"...No?"

"Then no."

But the way he subtly slid his hand across Jisung's lower back said otherwise.

And maybe-just maybe-he liked it.