The Hidden Oath | JHS

3. Ari......................................💕

I rolled onto my side, staring at the wall, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips. Dancing with kids had always been my happy place. They were pure, full of energy, and their laughter was contagious. I never needed more than that. Hybe wasn't part of my plan—it never had been.

But this? This was different.

I wouldn't have even stepped into Hybe's shadow if it weren't for him. Hoseok wasn't just a K-pop dancer to me; he was so much more. I loved him long before the world knew his name.

I was just a teenager when Taehyung first told me about him. I remember the way Tae's eyes lit up when he talked about his "Hobi hyung," describing his incredible dancing, his energy, his smile. I'd never even seen him, but I was captivated by the image painted in my mind. And when I finally did see him, it felt like my heart had been waiting for that moment all along.

From that day, I knew.

It wasn't just a crush. It wasn't fleeting. It was love—the kind that settled deep in your chest and refused to leave. Hoseok became my first and only love.

Because of him, no one else ever stood a chance. I never wanted to be in a relationship with anyone else. Why would I? I'd already given my heart away, even if he didn't know it.

I sighed, pressing my face into the pillow to smother the jumble of emotions threatening to spill over. This wasn't about fairy tales or grand gestures. I didn't need him to love me back. Just being close to him, even if he didn't know who I was, was enough.

For now.

But even as I tried to convince myself of that, my chest tightened. Because deep down, I knew I couldn't keep this feeling hidden forever.

****

The practice room was buzzing with energy as everyone took a quick break. I sat in the corner, sipping water and trying to blend into the background. Wearing my mask felt like a shield, but it also made me feel invisible—which, honestly, was fine by me.

Jimin strolled over, his signature smirk in place. His playful energy was unmistakable, I felt his gaze zero in on me.

"Hey," he said, leaning slightly to meet my eyes. "You're the new one, right? Ari?"

I nodded, clutching my water bottle like it was a lifeline.

"You're quiet," he teased, tilting his head. "Cute, though."

My cheeks burned under the mask, and I didn't know what to say. I was used to this kind of attention—but I mean, Jimin.

"Yah, Jimin-ah!" Taehyung's voice cut through the room before I could even respond. He was lounging against the wall, pretending to scroll through his phone, but his sharp tone betrayed him.

Jimin turned, raising an eyebrow. "What? I'm just being friendly."

Taehyung pushed off the wall, sauntering over with an air of mock nonchalance. "Friendly? You're practically hovering over her like she's some new toy."

"Relax, Tae," Jimin said, laughing. "I'm just talking to her."

"Well, don't," Taehyung shot back, his voice low but firm.

I looked between the two of them, confused. Taehyung had been pretending not to know me since the moment I walked into Hybe, but now he was acting like an overprotective older brother.

Jimin raised his hands in surrender, grinning like he found the whole thing amusing. "Fine, fine. I'll leave her alone. For now." He winked at me before walking off, leaving Taehyung and me alone.