• Logs of the Past || Pt. 2 •
❝ When marimba rhythms start to play... D A N C E !! with me... make me sway.❞
When Jiwoo attends his first latin dance lesson, he’s a natural. His parents are surprised since they were confident he had no interest in their hobby, yet watching him was like watching fragments of themselves. His body moves to the music as if it’s rehearsed - and it is, from the hours he spent intently watching them go dancing as a child. It was intriguing to him.
He’s 14 when he starts competing.
Choreographing is easy, he reckons, and his instructor agrees. It’s the execution that’s the real kicker. It’s what keeps him occupied hours a day, and keeps him struggling for perfection. It’s why he struggles to find a dance partner that’ll stay with him for longer than two tournaments, since finding someone as equally motivated is difficult.
❝ Like a lazy ocean H U G S the shore, Hold me close, sway me more.❞
The sound of music is once again leaking from his earphones. It’s playing way louder than it needs to be, but its as if his ears are cancelling out the sheer volume of the composition, his mind only focusing on the rhythm of his movements. There’s a thin sheen of sweat adorning his facial features forming when he quickly twirls to the sensual vocals of the music. He hardly notices it since his feet are moving slowly; his right drags in a half circle before he kicks, and he lifts his arm high - in a motion to twirl an imaginary partner, which he follows with a catch.
❝ Like a flower bending in the B R E E Z E. Bend with m e , sway with ease.❞
“This is Jiwoo. He’s our studio’s superstar.”
It’s almost as if his peripheral vision is turned off. His only focus is on his own reflection staring right back at him; then his focus is switched to his facial expression. The words of his instructor suddenly ring, and he remembers that he’s meant to express the dance in his facial composition as much as he does in his movements, and like a switch the previous blank expression changes instantly. What replaces it is an almost smug smile, the corners of his lips upturned and full of charisma, but his eyes are holding an intense gaze.
“...he hasn’t had a partner stay with him for more than 2 months, haha. Most of them complained he took it too seriously, but then again, a lot of them were hobbyists. With your skill, I’m hoping you’re not like the rest!”
Jiwoo’s low voice can be heard whispering the lyrics, and the spectators eyes are following him with interest. His hands are up, level with his shoulders when he takes exaggerated steps forward, then back—then forward again, and his hips swing in time with sensual hum of Nicole Scherzinger’s voice. His expression has turned back to a concentrated one, with knitted brows when he loses control of his face trying to perfect his movements. His eyes are watching his legs closely, still humming the tune of the oldish song.
“Jiwoo!”
He almost jumps out of his skin when the hands of his instructor smack themselves onto his shoulders, letting out a high pitched yelp as he does so. Consequently, the earphones drop from his ears and the silence of the room is suddenly louder than the music that was previously playing. He can only ringing for a few seconds. His instructor barks out a laugh before he indicates to the figure beside him. Jiwoo hadn’t noticed her earlier.
“What did I tell you about playing your music so loud? You’ll lose your hearing before you can even compete nationally at that rate!”
Jiwoo says nothing. He’s trying too hard not to roll his eyes in the presence of the studio owner to care to answer, and it seems the instructor understands since he doesn’t care to dwell on it.
“Anyway... Jiwoo, this is Daeun. She’s your new partner—or so we hope. Your compatibility test is this weekend, but good news before then... Her best discipline is Latin, just like you.”
❝ W H E N W E D A N C E , you have a way with me Stay with me, S W A Y with me.❞
The music can still faintly be heard from the earphones which are now on the ground. Jiwoo meets Daeun’s eyes for a brief moment, when he quickly looks down when he’s aware she was watching him dancing for a while. There’s a subtle embarrassment, but he pushes it back to his mind to hold out his hand. She shakes it.
“...I look forward to dancing with you, Daeun-ssi.”