The day had been anything but ordinary, with so many twists and turns leaving everyone slightly on edge. After the tense encounter at the soup restaurant, the Rhythm High students returned to their dorms. Steven remained quiet for most of the night, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by something more subdued.
JL had tried to ask him about his part-time job, but Steven brushed it off with a laugh, saying, "Not all Australians are rich, you know. Gotta work to survive." Despite his lighthearted tone, JL couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
---
The next morning, Rhythm High was bustling with activity. Li Zhinuo entered the practice room early, his blond hair shining under the lights as he stretched in front of the mirrors. His movements were graceful yet sharp, a testament to his growing skill in dance.
Shuaibo, as usual, was the first to strike up a conversation. "Zhinuo, did you sleep here or something? You're always the first one in!"
Zhinuo smirked, standing upright. "Practice makes perfect. You should try it sometime."
"Ha! With my charm, I don't need to practice," Shuaibo shot back, grinning.
Their banter continued, drawing laughter from the others who slowly trickled in. Even Chih En managed a small smile as he entered the room, though his gaze naturally sought out JL, who was adjusting the settings on the speakers.
As the morning practice began, Steven took charge, guiding the group through their choreography. But true to his nature, he gave others moments to shine. "Zhinuo, take the lead for this section," he said, stepping back and letting the younger dancer take center stage. Zhinuo's movements were fluid and precise, earning nods of approval from the group.
"JL!" Steven called out, snapping him out of his reverie. "You daydreaming again?"
JL looked over at Steven, who was busy adjusting his shoes on the other side of the gym. "Just thinking," JL muttered.
Steven approaced JL, grinning. "About what? The next surprise accident where you save someone's life?" Steven grinned, crossing his arms. "You know, I can't get over how dramatic that was."
JL chuckled weakly. "It wasn't dramatic, just... unexpected."
Steven raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure you two were about to kiss."
JL's face went pink. "What?! No! We - "
"I'm just messing with you," Steven said, laughing. "But I get it. Chih En is hard to ignore. Trust me, I see it."
JL's heart skipped at the mention of Chih En, but he kept his composure. "We're teammates, that's all. No need to read too much into it."
Steven smirked, clearly not buying it. "Yeah, whatever you say. But don't expect me to help you if you're too busy getting lost in his eyes."
JL shot him a glare. "You're ridiculous."
As the group gathered for the practice, JL noticed Chih En standing off to the side, eyes fixed on the floor as he fidgeted with his hands. There was a tension to him, a sense of something he wasn't saying. JL couldn't help but feel a pull toward him, like an invisible thread drawing him closer.
As they began the practice, Zhinuo led them through the routine with ease. But JL couldn't focus. His mind kept drifting to Chih En, who had yet to look at him directly.
During a brief break, JL walked over to Chih En, his heart pounding. "Hey," he said softly, trying to keep his voice steady. "You okay?"
Chih En lifted his head, eyes meeting JL's for the first time since the accident. There was something unreadable in his gaze, but JL couldn't quite place it. "I'm fine," Chih En said quietly. "Just... thinking."
"About the next performance?" JL asked, trying to keep things light.
Chih En nodded, though his expression was distant. "Yeah. I want to do well. I don't want to let anyone down."
JL smiled, though he felt a twinge in his chest. He didn't understand what was happening, but it was clear that Chih En was holding something back. "You won't," JL said, his voice warm. "We're a team. We've got this."
Chih En looked up at him, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "Thanks."
Before JL could respond, Zhinuo clapped his hands loudly. "Alright, back to work! We've got a performance to win, right?"
The rest of the practice continued with the usual intensity, but JL's mind kept returning to Chih En. There was a quiet, unspoken connection between them, one that neither of them fully understood, but both of them felt. And as the day came to an end, they couldn't help but wonder what would happen when they finally had to face it.
--
As JL hurriedly left the gym for a short break, he noticed Chih En walking alone toward the school park. The sight of him brought an unexpected ache to JL's chest, but he didn't know why. Maybe it was just the tension of the upcoming event, or maybe it was something deeper, something he wasn't ready to confront.
"Hey, Chih En!" JL called, surprising himself.
Chih En stopped and turned around, a look of surprise crossing his face. "Yeah?"
JL hesitated, unsure of what to say. He had the strangest urge to walk over and just... be near him. But instead, he smiled. "Want to walk with me for a bit?"
Chih En seemed taken aback, but then his expression softened. "Sure."
And so, as they walked side by side, neither of them said much. But the silence between them felt comfortable, like two pieces of a puzzle slowly finding their place. Neither of them knew where this would lead, but for now, the quiet was enough.
---
Later that afternoon, as the sun cast long shadows across the campus, Park Han from Groove Institute approached Rhythm High's gates. His presence was unexpected, and it didn't take long for Ten, Rhythm's director, to notice him.
"Park Han," Ten greeted, his voice calm but curious.
"Director Ten," Park Han replied, his tone equally composed.
The two exchanged pleasantries, though their conversation carried an undertone of seriousness. From a distance, their interaction seemed cordial, but there was a subtle tension in their body language. Students passing by couldn't help but wonder what brought a Groove Institute student to their campus.
---
Meanwhile, JL and Chih En found themselves walking together, slowly, quietly. The autumn breeze was cool, and the ground was littered with golden leaves. The park within the school grounds was quiet, save for the rustling of trees and the occasional chirp of birds.
JL kicked a stray pebble as they strolled. "It's been a crazy week, huh?" he said, glancing at Chih En.
Chih En nodded. "Yeah. A lot's been happening."
Their conversation trailed off, and a comfortable silence settled between them. The sun began to set, casting a warm, golden light that bathed everything in a romantic glow.
As they reached a secluded spot in the park, they paused to take in the sunset. The vibrant colors painted the sky, and the moment felt almost magical. Standing side by side, their fingers brushed faintly, sending an electric jolt through both of them.
Chih En's cheeks flushed, but he didn't pull away. JL turned his head slightly, meeting Chih En's gaze. The world seemed to blur around them, leaving only the two of them in sharp focus.
Their breaths quickened as their faces inched closer together. Neither of them fully understood what they were feeling, but it was undeniable - intense, longing, and completely new.
The feelings lingered, silent and confusing, like a secret they weren't yet ready to face...