A Week of Freedom
The announcement of a week-long break spread like wildfire. At Rhythm High, the students celebrated in their usual chaotic fashion.
In the common room, Li Zhinuo was sprawled dramatically across the couch. "Finally, the universe recognizes my struggles. I'm a phoenix, ready to rise from the ashes of overwork!"
Steven raised an eyebrow. "More like a pigeon that tripped over a breadcrumb."
Zhinuo gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me! I am a rare and exotic bird."
Shuaibo grinned. "Exotic bird? More like a turkey during sale season."
JL, leaning against the wall, burst out laughing. "I can't decide if you're funny or just delulu, Zhinuo."
Zhinuo sat up, clutching his chest. "Delulu? JL, how dare you? After all the wisdom I've imparted to you!"
"Wisdom?" JL snorted. "You mean those times you got us lost during lunch breaks?"
The room erupted in laughter, with Zhinuo dramatically collapsing back onto the couch.
---
Over at Groove Institute, Sirin had become the talk of the campus. The young Thai vocalist was talented beyond his years, and his voice captivated everyone who heard it.
In the practice room, Sirin stood nervously as the students watched him sing. His clear, resonant voice filled the space, leaving everyone stunned.
Jeongwoo clapped first, quickly followed by the rest. "Changsub really knows how to pick them."
Park Han, standing at the back, nodded but said nothing. His gaze lingered on Sirin, a mix of admiration and wariness. With Sirin's addition, Groove's lineup felt almost unbeatable.
Kyungho leaned toward Jeongwoo. "Park Han looks like he's plotting a novel with all that brooding."
"Plotting or sulking?" Jeongwoo whispered back, grinning.
---
A Chance Encounter
The mall was bustling, filled with the hum of chatter, laughter, and the occasional jingle of arcade machines. JL walked ahead of his group, joking with Steven and Shuaibo, when a familiar face caught his attention.
Park Han, flanked by a few Groove Institute students, stood near a café, exuding an aura of calm confidence. His posture was straight, his movements calculated, and his expression neutral. JL immediately recognized the duality - this was the polished, composed Park Han that Groove presented to the world, not the warm and gentle boy he'd once shared private moments with.
Their eyes met, and Park Han approached, maintaining his cool demeanor.
"JL," Park Han greeted, his voice steady. "Good to see you here."
JL smiled, his voice light and teasing. "Han! Fancy meeting you here. Do all Groove students have a secret radar for mall trips?"
Park Han's lips twitched slightly at the joke, but he held his composure. "We just happened to be here." His gaze briefly flickered to Chih En, standing quietly by JL's side.
Sensing the tension, JL shifted the tone. "So, how's Sirin settling in? I heard he's pretty amazing there."
Park Han nodded. "He's talented. We've been working well together." His words were polite, but the undercurrent of formality felt out of place to JL.
"You're sounding all business, Han," JL teased, his voice softer now. "What happened to the guy who couldn't stop laughing at my bad Korean?"
Park Han's eyes softened for a fraction of a second before the mask returned. "Some things change," he said, almost cryptically.
Before JL could respond, Park Han turned his attention to Chih En, giving him a curt nod. "Chih En."
Chih En returned the nod, his expression unreadable. "Park Han."
As Park Han stepped back to rejoin his group, JL noticed the lingering glance he cast toward Chih En - a glance that carried a flicker of jealousy, quickly masked.
Chih En, sensing the weight of the moment, crossed his arms and muttered, "He's... intense."
JL smirked. "That's just Han being Han. Don't mind him."
Chih En said nothing, his gaze trailing after Park Han as he joined the other Groove students who just arrived.
Juwon suddenly appeared, sprinting toward JL. "JL!"
JL barely had time to react before Juwon latched onto his arm. "You're here too?!"
JL grinned, patting Juwon's head. "What are you, a puppy? Let go before people think I'm your babysitter."
Juwon pouted but didn't let go. "I just missed you, okay? Groove's nice, but it's not the same."
Chih En, standing a few steps away, crossed his arms. "We're all here now. Let's move on."
JL smirked, turning to Chih En. "Chih?"
"I'm not jealous," Chih En shot back, though his reddening ears betrayed him.
"I didn't say anything about jealous." Embarrassed, Chih En swiftly walked away without looking back.
Steven chuckled softly, his sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in Chih En's mood. He chose not to comment, though a faint flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.
Fate-or-coincidence? Beat Music students appeared too.
Woongki, walking with his peers nearby, groaned when he spotted the others. "Why does this keep happening? Do we live in the same simulation or what?"
---
The three groups eventually decided to hang out together, heading to the arcade. The moment they entered, chaos ensued.
Li Zhinuo immediately dragged Jeongwoo to the dance machine, declaring, "Prepare to witness greatness!"
What followed was a mix of wild, over-the-top movements that had everyone howling with laughter.
"Zhinuo, are you dancing or auditioning for a turkey show?" Jeongwoo asked, barely keeping up.
"Don't mock the art," Zhinuo replied, nearly tripping over his own feet. "This is freedom of expression!"
Meanwhile, Woongki and Kyungho unexpectedly faced off at the air hockey table.
"I'll win this time," Woongki declared, narrowing his eyes.
"You couldn't win against a toddler," Kyungho retorted, smirking.
Their match grew increasingly intense, with both players leaning into the table as if their lives depended on it.
Hanseo, who had been quietly following Jinho, accidentally bumped into him while trying to grab a claw machine prize.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Hanseo blurted, bowing repeatedly.
Jinho sighed. "You've apologized enough, Hanseo. Relax."
"But I - "
"Relax," Jinho repeated, his tone firm but not unkind.
JL, Chih En, Steven, and Shuaibo found themselves at a racing game. JL and Chih En shared a machine, with JL confidently taking the wheel.
"Watch and learn," JL said, grinning.
"Learn how to crash?" Chih En teased, smirking.
"Hey! I'm improving, okay?" JL protested as his car swerved wildly on the screen.
Chih En laughed, leaning closer to help steer. "You're hopeless."
Their laughter drew the attention of the others, with Shuaibo snapping a picture. "This is going on the group chat."
JL glared at Shuaibo, reaching for the phone, but Shuaibo dodged, cackling.
Steven, standing nearby, watched the scene with a faint smile. He couldn't deny the small pang in his chest, but he shook it off, focusing instead on keeping an eye on the group like a responsible leader.
---
As the students left the arcade, their phones buzzed simultaneously.
A message from the school directors lit up their screens:
"Attention: All students involved in the National Basketball League performance, report to the school auditorium tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp. Urgent briefing. Attendance is mandatory."
The cheerful atmosphere dimmed slightly as they exchanged confused looks.
"Do you think it's about the performance?" Chih En asked.
"Probably," Steven replied, though his tone carried uncertainty.
"Why do they have to be so cryptic?" Woongki muttered.
As they began to part ways, a hooded figure lingered near the arcade's entrance, watching them intently. The figure turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving an air of mystery behind.