If there was one thing Shinyu decided after the confession, it was this:

He was done pretending.

The very next morning, the group had a rehearsal at the company building. Staff were moving around, cameras occasionally passing by for behind-the-scenes footage.

Normally, Shinyu would keep a comfortable distance.

Not today.

Dohoon was stretching near the mirrors when Shinyu walked over and wordlessly handed him a water bottle.

"You didn't bring one," Shinyu said.

Dohoon blinked. "You noticed?"

"I always notice."

Across the room, Youngjae physically collapsed to the floor.

Kyungmin grabbed Jihoon's sleeve. "He's unlocked Bold Mode."

Jihoon whispered loudly, "Character development final boss."

Dohoon tried to act normal, but his ears were red. "You don't have to say it like that in public."

Shinyu tilted his head slightly. "Like what?"

"Like... that."

Shinyu stepped a little closer. Not inappropriate. Just unmistakably close.

"Like you're mine?" he said calmly.

Dohoon almost dropped the bottle.

Youngjae choked on air.

Hanjin clapped once. "Progress."

Shinyu didn't even look embarrassed. He just reached out and adjusted Dohoon's hoodie collar like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"You look tired," he added softly. "Sleep earlier tonight."

Dohoon stared at him. "You're being bold."

"I know."

And the scary part?

He looked completely comfortable with it.

Later that day, during filming, the members were asked to stand in pairs for a photo segment.

Before anyone could speak, Shinyu casually walked over and stood next to Dohoon.

Claimed the spot.

Kyungmin gasped dramatically. "Territorial behavior."

Jihoon whispered, "Nature documentary voice: the leader marks his territory."

Dohoon tried not to laugh.

The photographer asked them to stand closer.

Shinyu didn't hesitate.

His hand rested lightly at Dohoon's lower back.

Not hidden.

Not subtle.

Intentional.

Dohoon's brain short-circuited.

"Hyung," he muttered under his breath.

"Yes?"

"There are cameras."

Shinyu's expression barely changed. "I know."

Click.

Another photo.

Youngjae leaned toward Hanjin. "He's fearless now."

Hanjin nodded seriously. "Love makes men brave."

The real chaos happened that evening.

They were doing a casual livestream to celebrate their anniversary week. Comments were flying nonstop.

Kyungmin was reading them out loud.

"'Why is Shinyu sitting so close to Dohoon?'"

Everyone turned.

Shinyu was, in fact, sitting very close.

Their knees were touching.

His arm rested behind Dohoon on the couch.

Dohoon swallowed. "We always sit like this."

"No we don't," Youngjae said immediately.

Jihoon grinned. "Soft launch became hard launch."

Comments exploded even more.

Dohoon tried to shift slightly, but Shinyu's hand lightly caught his wrist.

Not tight.

Just enough to stop him.

"Stay," Shinyu murmured.

It wasn't loud, but the mic caught it.

The chat went insane.

Kyungmin screamed. "HE SAID STAY."

Dohoon's face was completely red now. "You're doing this on purpose."

Shinyu leaned in slightly, voice calm as ever.

"I'm not hiding you."

The teasing stopped for half a second.

Because that?

That was real.

Dohoon's expression softened instantly.

"Okay," he said quietly.

And instead of pulling away—

He leaned back into Shinyu's side.

The dorm erupted.

Youngjae fell off the couch.
Jihoon yelled, "WE MANIFESTED THIS."
Kyungmin clutched his chest dramatically.
Hanjin wiped imaginary tears.

But Shinyu just looked down at Dohoon with the smallest smile.

Confident.

Certain.

Bolder than before.

And completely unafraid of letting the world see it.