Chapter 5: Trouble in the Air

Karina told herself that the dance battle with Heeseung was just a one-time thing A moment of pride a test of skill—nothing more. 

But the problem was, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

The way he moved, the way he kept up, the way his eyes locked onto hers like he was daring her to feel something more.

And judging by the way she caught him watching her at every industry event afterward, he couldn’t stop thinking about it either. 

HYBE Building – ENHYPEN’s Practice Room

“Alright, what’s up with you?” Sunghoon asked, throwing a towel at Heeseung’s face. 

Heeseung caught it effortlessly, sighing as he wiped his sweat. “What do you mean?” 

Jay smirked, crossing his arms. “You’ve been weird lately. Distracted.” 

“I’m fine,” Heeseung replied, avoiding their eyes. 

“Yeah?” Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. “Then why did you zone out during rehearsals? That’s not like you.” 

Heeseung stayed silent for a moment before muttering, “It’s nothing.” 

Jay wasn’t convinced. “Does this have anything to do with Karina?” 

Heeseung froze for half a second—just enough time for his friends to exchange knowing glances. 

“Oh, so it is Karina,” Sunghoon said, grinning. 

“It’s not,” Heeseung insisted, a little too quickly. 

Jay laughed. “Dude, you literally stopped breathing when I said her name.” 

Heeseung groaned, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just—” He hesitated, debating if he should even say it. 

**But it was getting harder to deny.** 

“She’s… interesting,” he finally admitted, his voice quieter. 

Sunghoon and Jay exchanged another glance, then burst into laughter. 

“Oh no,” Sunghoon teased. “Lee Heeseung finds Yoo Karina interesting? This is dangerous.” 

Jay grinned. “I thought you two were supposed to be rivals.” 

Heeseung exhaled. “We are. It’s just… I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like just rivalry anymore.” 

And that was the problem. 

Because if it wasn’t **just rivalry**, then what was it? 

SM Building – AESPA’s Lounge

“Why do you look like you have a problem?” Winter asked, munching on a snack as she lounged on the sofa. 

Karina sat across from her, scrolling through her phone with a blank expression. “I don’t.” 

Winter smirked. “Liar. You always get that face when something’s messing with your head.” 

Karina sighed, locking her phone. “It’s just—” She hesitated. “Have you ever had someone get under your skin? Not in a bad way. But in a way where… you don’t know what to do about it?” 

Winter’s eyes widened. “Oh. **Oh.**” 

“What?” Karina asked, already regretting saying anything. 

Winter leaned forward, grinning. “Are we talking about a certain ENHYPEN member?” 

Karina groaned, covering her face with her hands. “This is ridiculous.” 

Winter laughed. “No,this is hilarious.” 

“I don’t even know what this is,” Karina muttered. 

Winter smirked. “Well, if you don’t know what it is, maybe you should figure it out.” 

Karina exhaled, knowing her friend was right. But how? 

Because the truth was, every time she saw Heeseung, her chest felt too tight, too unsettled. 

And she wasn’t sure if she hated it—or if she was starting to like it.