HAEDAM ARTS & INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY — Midday
The hallway was loud again.
Always loud.
But 'structured' in a way.
The kind of chaos that pretends it's still in control.
Corridor Outside Music Wing
Romeo walked with his bag slung over one shoulder.
An unbothered posture.
Tired eyes that still looked like they belonged on a stage.
Fans had already been cleared from this section, but traces remained:
scribbled notes slipped into lockers
staff whispering his name like a keyword
students pretending not to stare
Jaimie floated just above his shoulder.
"…Hungry," it reminded him.
"You ate already."
"That was emotional food."
Romeo didn't respond.
He stopped near the window and looked out.
Seoul skyline in the distance.
His phone lit up.
A message.
Manager: Contract discussion with SEVYN in 2 months. Don't engage with external requests.
Romeo stared at it.
No expression change.
Just… stillness.
Then he locked the phone.
"…Of course."
Jaimie tilted.
"What is contract?"
"Trouble."
"I dislike trouble."
"You cause it."
"I consume it."
Romeo exhaled lightly through his nose.
"Same thing."
Across the Hall
Jeremy jogged past.
"Hyung, you coming or not?"
Gage followed behind him.
"Don't let him drift into existential crisis again."
Ashe walked slightly slower, earbuds in.
He glanced at Romeo once then continued.
Romeo didn't move yet.
Still watching the window.
Something in his expression softened for half a second.
Then reset.
SMALL CITY STREET
H.You Café
The bell above the door chimed as she stepped out.
Job finished.
Hands clean.
Expression unchanged.
She adjusted her apron strings and checked the time.
Still early.
Next shift wasn't for a while.
Bessie floated beside her.
"You're quiet."
"I'm always quiet."
"That's not true either."
Cami didn't argue.
She rarely did.
---
She stood near the roadside.
Cars passing.
People passing.
Lives overlapping without touching.
Her eyes lifted slightly.
The sky was clear today.
Too clear, like it had nothing to hide.
"…People at Haedam are probably loud right now," Bessie said suddenly.
Cami paused.
"…Haedam?"
Bessie blinked.
"Just a thought."
Cami didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"I don't know that place."
A beat.
"…Must be nice."
She started walking again.
Slow. Controlled. Same rhythm as always.
---
HAEDAM
Romeo finally turned away from the window.
Jaimie drifted in front of him.
"Thinking?"
"Not really."
Romeo adjusted his sleeve.
"Let's go."
Jaimie perked up instantly.
"Food?"
"Later."
"Then I will survive incorrectly."
"That's your default setting."
They walked down the corridor.
Passing noise, people.., everything.
---
AT THE EXACT SAME TIME—
Cami stopped briefly at a crosswalk.
Waiting for the light.
---
Romeo passed a group of students talking about LUCENT's next schedule.
He didn't listen.
---
Cami watched the signal turn green.
She didn't hesitate.
---
Both stepped forward.
Different directions.
Same world.
Still unaware of each other.
But—
not disconnected.
Not anymore.
Just not aligned yet.