Ch.143143. Couple Outfits

Though it might not have been as smooth as clockwork, the 23rd generation’s ensemble practice proceeded quite well.

“Here. Take your sheet music.”

Dark circles had settled under Hana’s eyes.

A side effect of juggling assignments and composition.

She had been so busy that she hadn’t properly hung out with Suhyeok for several days.

That meant she was truly serious about this project.

“Ooh!”

Seoeun flipped through the pages after receiving her sheet music.

“It doesn’t look particularly difficult at first glance?”

“I kept the bass part straightforward. You seemed swamped with the pieces you’ve been practicing lately.”

“What! So this is the ‘consideration for beginners’ treatment?”

Whether it was consideration or mockery.

Seoeun felt rather ambivalent about it.

Hana handed sheet music to Suhyeok as well.

Though they played the same instrument and he already had experience composing songs, Hana never discussed her work with Juyeon in front of Suhyeok.

Even when Suhyeok asked out of curiosity how things were going, Hana would only repeat that she’d show him when it was finished.

It was a clear expression that she didn’t want to share the process.

*Rustle*

Suhyeok turned the pages of the previously veiled sheet music with anticipation.

His part also didn’t seem particularly difficult.

Just when he thought everything would proceed smoothly until the end…

“…Huh?”

His gaze stopped at the last page.

Sixteenth notes packed densely like bean sprouts.

Suhyeok rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things, and checked the paper again.

“Hana.”

“Yes?”

“What’s this?”

Hana grinned, seemingly aware of his confusion.

“A gift.”

“…This is?”

“Yes. So you can show off one last time with a bang.”

“Does this song really need such a flashy solo?”

“It’s only a few measures. It just looks dense because that section is packed.”

Suhyeok examined the sheet music carefully, like an old man reading a newspaper.

He questioned whether such fast playing would suit the song’s mood.

And realistically, he worried whether he had the ability to pull this off within the given timeframe.

“…Can I do it?”

“You auditioned with a more difficult song than this.”

“That was a piece I practiced for two years.”

“Now you can do it in two weeks. Since that’s all you need to focus on.”

“Hmm…”

Suhyeok scratched his cheek, looking uncertain.

Juyeon, who had been quietly listening to their conversation from the side, spoke up from a distance.

“…I requested it.”

“Huh?”

“I said I wanted… your solo to sound cool at the end of the song…”

It wasn’t easy for Juyeon and Hana to see eye to eye.

But while working together, they created one common denominator.

Giving Suhyeok an impressive part.

Both shared the wish to see the person they cared about shine brilliantly on stage.

“I… see…”

“Tell me if you can’t do it. We can either simplify it or remove it entirely.”

Hana didn’t want to pressure Suhyeok.

“No. I’ll do it.”

Suhyeok smiled broadly as if to say not to worry.

“I think I can do it.”

If it was Juyeon’s request.

Suhyeok felt he could fulfill it no matter what.

“Really? Then let’s prepare the first verse by next practice.”

Seoeun organized the schedule.

Choegang seemed to have something else to do, as he immediately grabbed his bag to leave after practice ended.

“Hey, Kang.”

“Huh?”

Suhyeok called out to Choegang.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“What is it?”

“Not here though…”

It was a space where Juyeon was present.

It felt impolite to bring up the double date.

“What’s with you guys wanting a secret men’s meeting? Anyway, follow me out if you have something to say.”

“Ah. Okay.”

Since he had already mentioned it to Hana, Suhyeok followed Choegang into the hallway.

“So… Hana… wants to go on a double date.”

“A double date?”

“You know, when couples hang out together.”

“Hmm…”

Choegang stroked his chin as if finding it unexpected.

“Does Ji Sohye know?”

“No? I was hoping you could tell her.”

“Got it. I’ll talk to her. Is that all?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“If that’s all you wanted to say, why not just tell me in the club room instead of following me out here?”

Suhyeok gave an awkward smile.

“Well, Juyeon was there and…”

“Come on. If you were going to be considerate of her, you shouldn’t have dated Yoon Hana in the first place.”

Choegang’s response was cold.

“Selective consideration?”

There was nothing wrong with what he said.

Suhyeok felt a bitter and shameful feeling welling up inside him.

At least to Seoeun and Choegang, Suhyeok was indeed guilty.

“…Please tell Sohye nicely. Hana wants to go to an amusement park together.”

“Fine. I’m off.”

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

As Suhyeok turned his back and walked away.

Though he didn’t often show it, Choegang disliked the recent atmosphere among the 23rd generation.

To be frank, it was uncomfortable.

He had joined the club for fun, but the atmosphere itself made fun impossible.

Everyone being cautious around each other.

How could fun emerge from an atmosphere of constant wariness?

Perhaps that’s why he seemed to spend more time with Sohye lately.

Choegang sighed deeply and took out his phone.

The person he called was his girlfriend.

The 24th generation’s drummer.

Sohye.

[Hey. It’s me. Lee Suhyeok and Yoon Hana want to go to an amusement park together. Want to join?]

Still, if Sohye wanted to go, Choegang would have no choice but to comply.

* * *

Going to an amusement park was quite a big event for the Suhyeok and Hana couple.

They hadn’t gone anywhere far since they started dating.

Of course, they had occasionally gone downtown, but this was the first time they had planned to spend money and have fun properly, like at an amusement park.

Hana had trouble sleeping the night before and got up early to get ready.

“Honey.”

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

What Suhyeok was wearing was a loose-fitting ivory knit sweater.

It was a texture he would never buy if shopping alone.

Hana looked him up and down with a satisfied expression.

It was her ideal couple outfit coordination.

A clean and neat style.

Hana also matched him with a knit sweater of the same color and a white blouse underneath.

Since Suhyeok was wearing jeans, she opted for a denim skirt as her bottom.

Their shoes were also uniformly white.

They exuded an aura that would make anyone recognize them as a couple at first glance.

“Now! Let’s take a picture!”

Hana pulled out her phone.

“…Again?”

They had just taken photos at the bus stop earlier.

Since they’d left together, Hana had already taken dozens of pictures.

“Hey. You need to bring these printed photos to the training center.”

Hana puffed up one cheek, seemingly displeased with Suhyeok’s attitude.

“I’m doing all this for your sake.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Huh? Are you finding this annoying right now?”

“Haha… How could I? Let’s take some~”

Suhyeok struck various poses as Hana directed.

*Smooch*

Hana also wanted a kissing shot, so she nestled into Suhyeok’s arms and kissed his cheek.

“Hm. That turned out well. By the way, why isn’t Choegang here yet?”

“I know. He said he’d be here soon, so he should arrive any minute.”

As Hana was organizing her gallery, a voice calling for them was heard from afar.

“Hana unnie~”

It was Sohye.

Following behind her was the large-framed Choegang.

“Wow! Sohye! No way!”

There was a reason the girls were squealing and exclaiming “no way!”

And that was…

“No! Unnie! Did you see this angle too?”

“Absolutely!”

Unlike the girls making a fuss, Choegang wore a miserable expression.

Suhyeok glanced at him cautiously.

He quietly asked Choegang.

“Um… did you… choose to wear that…?”

“Are you crazy!”

Couple outfits themselves were understandable.

For a special date, one might want to create that kind of mood.

But Suhyeok wondered if that particular color was really appropriate for Kang.

“Hey, Choegang. Come here.”

Unlike the cautious Suhyeok, Hana was fully prepared to tease.

“Wow… I never thought I’d live to see you wearing a pink shirt.”

Hana laughed until her sides hurt.

“…Sohye asked me to wear it.”

“Sohye, but why that color?”

Naturally, pink was a color that suited Sohye very well.

“Why? Doesn’t he look cool?”

“Huh?”

“Kang oppa looks super cool!”

The atmosphere became strange.

Hana glanced at her boyfriend.

Suhyeok nodded as if to confirm her thoughts.

Indeed, Sohye was a girl with a screw loose.

“Ahaha. Right. Shall we go in then?”

The two couples purchased their tickets.

Just as they were about to enter after presenting their tickets, Hana grabbed Suhyeok’s wrist.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You’re wearing matching underwear too, right?”

“Well… um…”

Honestly, this part didn’t make sense to him.

No matter how much they were into couple outfits, why match underwear for an outdoor date?

“You’re wearing what I gave you, right?”

“…Yes.”

The couple underwear Hana had gifted Suhyeok.

It was a pair of gray underwear from a famous brand.

“Okay! Let’s go!”

Hana was determined to create an unforgettable memory.