Ben still hadn’t wrapped his head around it.

Daniel was rich.

Not just comfortable rich, or upper-middle-class rich. No, this guy was full-on, chandelier-having, luxury-apartment-living rich.

And yet—

“Why the hell do you act like a jjikbbang pauper?” Ben blurted out. [shabby person]

Daniel, who had just tossed him a fresh towel and a warm hoodie, blinked at him. “Huh?”

Ben gestured wildly around them. “You live in a place that looks like a drama set, but you dress like you raided a lost-and-found bin.”

Daniel gasped. “Excuse me, this hoodie is sentimental.”

“It’s half torn.”

“Vintage.”

Ben ignored him. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the cup rameyon. Seven days straight, hyung, seven.”

Daniel rubbed the back of his neck, looking completely unbothered. “It builds character.”

Ben scoffed. “Oh, yeah? And what about your phone? I swear I saw a crack on that screen that could be classified as modern art.”

Daniel just shrugged. “My parents already pay for my tuition and this apartment. I handle the rest on my own.”

Ben stared at him. “You work?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“As in, an actual job?”

“Two, actually. All dance-related”

Ben’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “You’re joking.”

He searched Daniel’s face for a smirk, a wink, anything to show he was messing with him. But all he found was that usual playful smile, with no trace of teasing behind it.

As the shock settled in, he blinked. “Dance-related? Do you work as a backup dancer?”

Daniel shrugged like it was nothing. “Yeah. Eomma’s been a performance director at one of the labels forever. She’s worked on a bunch of Idol routines. She trained in modern dance originally, but she made a name for herself choreographing for idols. That’s how I got the gigs. I’ve done backups for a few groups. Some soloists, too.”

Ben looked like his entire worldview had shattered. “You’ve been a backup dancer for idols?”

Daniel flashed a lazy grin. “More than once.”

Ben ran a hand through his hair, as if he needed to physically reset his brain. “Okay, so both your part-time jobs are, what, dancing for famous people?”

Daniel grinned wider, throwing an arm out theatrically. “One’s backup dancing and the other’s being a body double and extra in commercials. Occasionally, I pretend to be a moody idol drinking coffee in slow motion.”

Ben just gaped. “You’re insane.”

Daniel grinned. “No, I’m just independent.”

And for the first time, Ben looked at Daniel not as the chaotic menace who tormented him daily but as someone respectable.

“That’s… actually kind of cool,” he admitted.

Daniel reeled back in mock surprise. “Did you just compliment me? Who are you, and what have you done to my annoying hubae?”

Ben groaned. “Never mind. I take it back.”

Daniel burst into laughter, ruffling his hair.

***

The next day, Ben was at the dance studio during hours against his better judgment.

Daniel had invited him, claiming he wanted to introduce him to a friend. But in typical Daniel fashion, he couldn’t just ask like a normal person.

No.

He had to tease him first.

“Why are you always alone, Bennie?” he asked, voice dripping with fake despair. “Such a loner. Such a tragic existence.”

Ben scowled. “I like being alone.”

“No, you don’t.” Daniel patted his head. “Don’t worry, Appa’s here. I’ll fix your sad little social life.”

Ben smacked his hand away. “Hyung, I swear—”

***

That was how he ended up at the studio, watching Daniel dance with another student.

And, holy shit! They were perfectly in sync.

Every movement was fluid, every beat hit flawlessly, their bodies mirroring each other like reflections in water. The chemistry and the precision; it was like watching something unreal.

And Ben, who had always thought dance was about emotion, suddenly saw the power of technique.

As the song ended, Daniel turned to him, breathless but grinning.

“Ben, meet Terrence a.k.a Terry. You both are in the Economics Department.”

Ben nodded dumbly, still recovering from what he had just witnessed. “A-Annyeonghaseyo…”

Terrence, a boy of about the same height as Ben but far more solidly built, carried himself with the kind of straight-backed posture that made him look unyielding. His skin was sun-darkened, his short black hair neatly cut, and his sharp eyes seemed to size everything up at once. He raised an eyebrow. “So, this is the ‘baby bird’ you keep talking about?”

Ben bristled. “Baby, what?”

Daniel smirked. “Don’t be shy, Bennie. I talk about you all the time.”

Ben wanted to strangle him.

But before he could, Terrence sighed, turning to Daniel. “You really like collecting strays, huh?”

Daniel gasped. “Excuse you, he is special.”

Terrence gave Ben a once-over. “Hmm.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ben demanded.

Terrence shrugged. “Nothing. Just wondering how long you’ll last.”

Ben narrowed his eyes. “Oh, I’ll last.”

Terrence smirked. “We’ll see.”

Ben immediately decided that Terrence was insufferable.