The leaves rustled gently as JL and Chih En stood under the fiery hues of the autumn sunset. The world seemed to fall silent around them, as if nature itself held its breath.
Chih En glanced at JL, his heart pounding. His hand, slightly trembling, hovered close to JL's, their fingers almost brushing.
JL turned, his face bathed in the golden light. His eyes met Chih En's, and for a moment, the world slowed.
"I…" JL hesitated, his words faltering as he noticed the faint blush on Chih En's cheeks.
"Hey, you two!"
The voice shattered the moment like glass hitting the ground.
JL and Chih En jumped apart, their faces flushed as they turned toward the source of the interruption.
Shuaibo came bounding toward them, waving enthusiastically. "What are you doing out here? It's getting late! Are you plotting something without me?"
JL coughed, trying to regain his composure. "We were just… uh… watching the sunset."
Chih En turned away, hiding his face, which was practically glowing red.
Shuaibo squinted at them suspiciously. "Watching the sunset? Together?" He smirked. "Sounds romantic…"
JL shot him a warning look, but Shuaibo either didn't notice or chose to ignore it. "Well, anyway, Steven's been looking for you guys. Something about tomorrow's practice schedule."
JL nodded quickly, eager for an excuse to leave. "Right. Let's go!"
Chih En followed silently, still flustered. As they walked back toward the dorms, Shuaibo kept chattering, oblivious to the tension he had interrupted.
---
Steven's Unease
Steven was pacing in the practice room, his eyes flicking toward the door every few seconds. "Where are they? I only asked for a short break." he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Relax, Steven," Li Zhinuo said from his spot near the mirror. He was tying his blond hair into a loose ponytail. "They'll show up. Probably got caught up in something."
"Caught up in what?" Steven snapped.
Shuaibo burst into the room with his usual energy, JL and Chih En trailing behind him. "Found them!" he declared.
Steven's gaze zeroed in on JL, noting his flushed cheeks and the way he avoided looking directly at anyone. His jaw tightened.
"Where were you?" Steven asked, his tone sharper than he intended.
"Just… outside," JL replied vaguely, avoiding Steven's piercing stare.
Shuaibo grinned. "They were watching the sunset together. Romantic, huh?"
"Shuaibo!" JL groaned, glaring at him.
"What? It's true!" Shuaibo protested, laughing.
Steven's eyes flicked to Chih En, who was fidgeting nervously. His chest tightened with an unfamiliar feeling... jealousy. He couldn't understand it fully, but seeing JL and Chih En together made his stomach churn.
---
At the Gates of Rhythm High
Outside, Park Han stood at the entrance to Rhythm High, his posture casual but his gaze focused. Ten approached him, his expression unreadable.
"Park Han," Ten greeted, his voice calm but firm. "I assume this isn't a social visit."
Park Han smirked. "Just thought I'd take a walk and visit the school. I hear Rhythm High's students have been doing well."
Ten crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "I hope you're not here to help scout anyone. You know the rules."
Park Han slightly bowed his head with reassuring respect. "Relax, Sir. I'm just observing. Director Changsub gave me the green light to ask you."
Ten didn't look convinced. "See that you stick to observing."
---
The Arrival of a Mysterious Visitor
Later that evening, as the students wrap up their day, a commotion stirs in the Rhythm High dorm lobby. A staff member announces, "We have a visitor!" All eyes turn to the entrance as the doors open, revealing Park Han standing confidently.
The students murmur in surprise. Why was the Groove Institute star at their school?
"Park Han?," Steven mutters under his breath, his jaw tightening. JL tilts his head curiously, and Chih En's heart skips a beat at the sight of someone so renowned.
"I'm here to observe," Park Han declares, his eyes scanning the room before landing briefly on JL. The subtle spark in his gaze doesn't go unnoticed, making Steven step protectively closer to JL.
---
As the tense situation unfolds, Li Zhinuo whispers to Shuaibo, "Does this mean war or something? Should I warm up my moves?"
Shuaibo replies, "Forget war. Let's just hope he doesn't recruit JL. We can't lose our 3-pick."
But before anyone can make sense of Park Han's arrival, a text notification rings out across the students' phones.
The sender: Jay Park.
"All students must gather tomorrow for an important announcement."
The screen fades to black with mounting tension and questions: What does Jay Park have planned now, and how will this disrupt the delicate balance of relationships brewing at Rhythm High?
"The competition isn't over," Ten entered the lobby together with Yangyang. "This is just the beginning."