The next day, unfortunately, came early.

"What kind of shoes, hyung," Jeongin whined over the phone, "the only thing I know about kpop dances is that they're difficult even if they look easy."

Hyunjin buried his head in his pillow. "Oh my god."

Luckily, that was an issue quickly solved, and two hours later Huynjin walked Jeongin through a Twice choreography, a handful of thirteen year old girls doing their best in following along.

Hyunjin wasn't the only college student hanging out there, but he had made friends with a group of high school girls and after that didn't really bother to get to know anyone. Those girls were currently rehearsing a Taemin choreography, which just wasn't a beginner kpop dance class. So Hyunjin was stuck with two thirteen year olds who knew a lot about hair care, which really wasn't so bad.

Then there was Jeongin.

"I don't understand how Sana can do this and not look like an overgrown potato," Jeongin muttered as he lay on the floor, face down. "I look like an overgrown potato."

Yeah, Hyunjin was right when he decided to not attempt teaching Jeongin a Taemin choreography.

"It's okay," one of the girls, Euntak, lay down next to him. "You'll get over it. Half of what you're experiencing is only psychological, and the other half is true, but if you practice a lot you'll feel better."

"You're a potato," Hyunjin told him kindly. "Don't overthink, just go with the flow."

Just then, Changbin arrived and knocked politely on the door, even if it was open.

"Hi! Who are you?" Taeul cheerfully called.

"This is Hyunjin-hyung's boyfriend," Jeongin answered, sending Hyunjin a look that said I remember the potato comment.

"I'm Changbin, but I'm actually just Hyunjin's roommate," Changbin smiled. He was wearing all black, again.

"That's why you're going on a date," Jeongin told the floor.

Hyunjin smiled at the girls, who looked a bit lost as they looked between the three older students. "Okay, yes. But did you know Changbin is also a rapper and a producer?"

It took Hyunjin fifteen minutes to pry Changbin away from curious teenagers and out of the building, leaving it to other people to lock up and possibly give the girls a few more minutes of dance practice. The youth center had a handful of small practice rooms, and all of them were reserved for kpop dance for all of Saturday. Hyunjin had just made a habit of being there in the morning and leaving around midday to study in the afternoon.

"I'll definitely come back next week," Jeongin said, draping himself over Hyunjin's back. "You were a good teacher."

"Now you say that?" Hyunjin elbowed Jeongin off him. "Earlier you were complaining about the terrible life of a potato in a capitalist society."

"But Euntak said this is a feeling that passes. And it must, right? Hyunjin, have you ever felt like a potato, when dancing?"

Hyunjin caught Changbin's amused eyes. "Of course," he replied. "I still do, sometimes."

"See?" Jeongin slung an arm over Hyunjin again, and this time Hyunjin didn't elbow him. "I'll just practice, and come back next week. Can we do an Ateez choreo next?"

"No, we'll do Itzy next. Anyway," Hyunjin blinked against the sun high in the sky. "What do we do now? You said it yourself, this is supposed to be a date. Jeongin, why are you here?"

"I'm the photographer!" Jeongin stepped away from Hyunjin and clung to Changbin's arm. "You're much nicer than Hyunjin, hyung."

"Just because I don't call you a potato?"

"Yes."

"You're a potato."

Jeongin laughed. "Okay, I'll stop annoying Hyunjin-hyung. What about that cafe over there?" He pointed to a small cafe tucked into a corner, the glass front surrounded by bright white wood. Hyunjin couldn't see inside because of the many plants blocking the windows.

"I guess?" Changbin shrugged. "We might as well go inside."

Inside the cafe, cosy armchairs stood around low tables. Plants with big leaves and tiny trees as well as succulents lived on every surface, the lighting bright but not too bright and the cafe's name in neon pink writing along the walls. Classical music sounded through the room.

"I was going to say I don't like it," Hyunjin said, "but that would be a big, fat lie. This place is nice."

"I am resisting the urge to tell you I told you so, so let's just order," Jeongin masterfully dodged another elbow to the ribs.

They got the special drinks advertised on the front page of the menu and sandwiches that the cashier promised to bring to their table. The drinks turned out to be green smoothies in tall glasses topped with lemon slices and mint leaves, while the sandwiches came with a side of salad and balsamic vinegar artfully spread over. Hyunjin immediately reached for his phone, but Jeongin stopped him.

"Give me your phone, and don't touch the food yet."

"What? I wasn't going to," Hyunjin handed Jeongin his phone.

"Now hold hands."

Changbin laughed at that, and Hyunjin couldn't help but smile, too. They reached out over the table and let Jeongin arrange their clasped hands, the food and drinks into what would hopefully look artsy and aesthetic. Making sure his own food wasn't in the picture, Jeongin snapped a picture. He held the phone in Hyunjin's face.

It was simple, really. The food and drinks to the side and halfway cropped off, and the focus was quite clearly Hyunjin's hand in Changbin's. His gold rings shone in the same way as Changbin's thin, silver bracelet. It was definitely a picture Hyunjin would post to his Instagram, especially if this was a real date.

"I like it," Hyunjin said, taking his phone back and showing it to Changbin. "I'll post it and tag you?"

"Sure," Changbin agreed readily, "does this mean I can eat now? I skipped breakfast to meet you here, you know."

"Aww, really?" Hyunjin lifted a teasing eyebrow. "I'm sorry I interrupted your beauty sleep, but I don't think you need to sleep anymore."

"Ugh," Jeongin stuffed his face with food. "Is this how you usually talk?"

"What do you mean," Hyunjin let go of Changbin's hand to type a comment under the picture, "I always talk like this."

Jeongin just rolled his eyes.

"I made this demo song the other day," Changbin said, "and I think it may be a good song to dance to?"

"Really?" Hyunjin studied Changbin's slightly nervous face. "Do you want me to listen to it? I can't promise any feedback I give will be useful, though."

"Yes, actually," Changbin answered, digging his phone and headphones from his pocket. "I know Chan-hyung and Jisung well enough by now that I just know what they'd say if I let them listen to it, so you're really a life saver."

"I can't believe this," Jeongin muttered. "It's like I'm not even here."

"Ha, thanks," Hyunjin put an earbud in his ear and Changbin pressed play. It was only about a minute long, but soon Hyunjin and Changbin found themselves in a discussion about bass drops and if the beat would go better with rap or singing.

"I was thinking of just asking Jisung to write some lyrics," Changbin muttered, "since his rap style is musical and his lyrics show that."

"That's a good idea," Hyunjin agreed, "doesn't Chan-hyung also sing sometimes? Felix never shuts up about it."

"They're a good pair, Chan also never shuts up about Felix's voice."

"Well uh," Jeongin interrupted. He was done with his food. "I'm going to meet Seungmin-hyung. And I want to come dancing again next week. Thanks for paying for my meal!"

"Sure," Hyunjin pressed pause, "It was fun, you potato."

"Bye, Innie," Changbin put down his phone and turned to Jeongin.

With two quick hugs and Hyunjin managing to mess up Jeongin's hair later, Jeongin was gone.

"We should also leave soon," Hyunjin said, "I promised to help Felix."

"We haven't even started eating yet," Changbin chuckled.

"That's true. Let's eat first." Hyunjin bit into his sandwich and moaned. "This is really good. I might have to come here more often, now."

Changbin stuffed his face with food and nodded, avoiding Hyunin's eyes. "Yeah. And here I thought Jeongin just wanted to leave as fast as possible, and that's why he ate so fast."

"I didn't even notice," Hyunjun shrugged. "Tell me more about the lyrics you wrote for that class you mentioned?"

"It's called Cypher," Changbin started and shared his hopes and insecurities about it.

In the end, Hyunjin was late to meet Felix in the library, but Felix just waved him off with a teasing smile.

Felix's assignment wasn't too complicated when Hyunjin explained the different words Felix would otherwise have to look up online or take guesses. While Felix had been in South Korea for a few years by now, literature, especially old literature, was just complicated like that.

"How was the date?" Felix asked when they were packing up in the evening.

"Good," Hyunjin replied. "You know, I get what you mean now when you say Chan-hyung becomes another person when he talks about music. If he's in any way like Binnie-hyung, I might even understand why you always talk about Chan-hyung's music."

"Oh? Does that mean you won't stop me from warming up to 3Racha songs from now on?"

"Tch," Hyunjin shook his head. "I'll probably listen to their Soundcloud more often from now on."

A sunny smile spread on Felix's face. "See? Why cry about BTS' rap line when you have 3Racha literally in front of you?"

"I don't cry about BTS' rap line," Hyunjin sniffled. "Lies and slander."

"No, we cry about all seven members of BTS," Felix sighed deeply and wiped a fake tear from his eye. "I do have a video of you covering Jimin's Lie. You know, it's just a few clicks away from being sent to our friends or posted online."

Hyunjin gasped dramatically. "You wouldn't! I happen to have video evidence of you doing the wap challenge, and you know, sometimes my fingers slip, especially when I listen to BTS and cry all over the screen."

"Bold of you to assume I would be bothered by you posting it," Felix replied with a smirk.

"Bold of you to assume I don't recognize a bluff when I see one," Hyunjin smirked back.

Felix rolled his eyes. "Agree to disagree. Oh, and that's Chan-hyung over there!"

Chan, standing in the entrance of the library, waved when he was spotted.

"I'm also going on a date, Jinnie," Felix said as he made his way to Chan and kissed him on the cheek in greeting.

"Hey, Chan-hyung," Hyunjin waved. A librarian gave them a long look, so the three of them left the building in a rush. "Changbin-hyung told me about a new song he's writing," Hyunjin continued, "when he tells you about it, can you try and say something surprising? He complained that you and Jisung always say the same things."

"Huh," Chan laughed. "I guess I do say the same things... but wait, did he tell you that on your date?"

"Obviously," Hyunjin rolled his eyes.

"He talked to you about his music?" Chan specified. At Hyunjin's nod, he smiled. "Well, I can't say I didn't expect it."

"Chriiis," Felix whined, "I'm hungry."

"Okay then," Hyunjin laughed, "I'll leave you and go home alone, hoping that Changbin went grocery shopping because I sure didn't this week."

Felix rolled his eyes. "Just text him if you're unsure."

Hyunjin didn't reply to that, but he hugged Felix and Chan goodbye and plugged his headphones in on the way home.

So what if he listened to BTS? Literally everyone on the planet did. Tragically, not everyone on the planet listened to Itzy. Yet.

Hyunjin arrived home to an empty apartment, and a post-it note on the fridge telling him there was pasta. Changbin was rarely home on Saturday evening, and come to think of it, neither was Hyunjin.

"How did I end up with the best roommate," Hyunjin mumbled to himself while he started heating up water for the pasta.

~~~

Date idea: listen to BTS together and cry