The night was alive with the glow of neon signs and the chatter of excited students as the group made their way to the exclusive samgyupsal restaurant. The directors had organized the gathering as a celebration for their successful performance at the basketball event, and everyone was eager to unwind after a day filled with nerves and excitement.
Inside the high-end restaurant, the tables were laden with platters of sizzling meat, colorful side dishes, and fresh vegetables. Jay Park had booked the entire place, making sure the students were treated to the best after their incredible show. The smell of grilled meat filled the air, mixing with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses of juice and soda.
JL took a seat next to Chih En, who was already digging into a plate of kimchi. "I think we earned this, don't you?" JL said, grinning as he grabbed some meat from the grill.
Chih En raised an eyebrow, looking at JL's plate. "You say that, but I haven't seen you touch any of the vegetables yet."
JL shrugged, his mouth full. "I'm all about the meat." "I love dimsum, too!"
Shuaibo, sitting a few seats away, called out, "Come on, Chih En! At least there's no fish. I hate fish."
Dongyun leaned over the table with a smirk. "What's serious about eating? JL, come on, eat a vegetable. You can't just grill meat all day."
JL made a face. "I rule the grill, Dongyun."
"3-pick!" Steven interrupted with his teasing voice.
The table burst into laughter, and even Woongki and Kyungho, who had been giving each other cold stares earlier, couldn't help but exchange a small smile. The tension between them had been thick ever since, but the atmosphere was slowly thawing.
"Hey, you guys can keep that smile going, but my meat's getting cold!" Zhinuo joked, waving a piece of grilled beef in the air. He quickly became the center of attention with his usual antics.
Yuito and Kairi from Beat Music High joined in. "In Japanese, it's all about balance." Yuito explained. "You can't just have meat; you've got to add a little seasoning," Kairi added, gesturing to the kimchi and sauces.
Doyoon, who had been quietly enjoying his meal, looked up and added, "Balance is key. A little spice makes everything better."
"Isn't that what makes you, Doyoon, such a great teammate?" Heejun chimed in, joining Beat's conversation.
"Me? I'm Nam Doyoon!" Doyoon cheered.
Heejun laughed at Doyoon's cuteness. "Kenta, are you going to let him say that without a comeback?"
Kenta grinned, leaning in. "I'm too full of food to argue with him... This is delicious!"
Jeongwoo tapped Kenta's shoulder, "You finally said it right."
The laughter continued, the earlier competition forgotten as everyone let loose and enjoyed their well-earned reward. It was a rare moment of camaraderie, where the different schools, despite their rivalry, came together as one.
---
The Announcement
As the night wore on, the chatter slowed, and the mood shifted when Jay Park stood up to address the group. His charismatic presence filled the room as he waited for the room to quiet.
"I'm proud of all of you," Jay Park began, his voice calm yet commanding. "You've shown your dedication and your passion. The basketball event was just the beginning, and we've seen a glimpse of the talent each of you brings to the table. But we're not done yet."
He paused for effect, and the room fell silent.
"The next step is a competition that will be the turning point of your journey. We've selected top students from each school, but only seven of you will perform. These seven will qualify for the next inter-school competition - a stepping stone toward something much bigger."
The tension in the air thickened. The students exchanged looks - some eager, some anxious.
Jay Park's eyes swept across the room, his gaze firm. "This is where you'll write your names into the universe. It's a chance to form a global supergroup. The stakes are high."
A hushed murmur spread across the room as they absorbed his words. The atmosphere had gone from lighthearted to intense in an instant.
Before Jay Park could continue, the doors to the restaurant opened with a soft creak. EC, the other half of Yugyeom, a famous music producer, walked in, his presence radiating authority. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed as he stepped toward the center of the room.
Yugyeom followed behind, his normally calm demeanor looking slightly disturbed.
Jay Park noticed the shift and turned toward them. "El Capitxn, what's wrong?"
EC's gaze was sharp. "Seven members? You can't be serious. After all the effort they've put in - this is what we're offering?" His voice was low but filled with frustration.
Yugyeom placed a hand on EC's shoulder, but EC shook it off. "Seven. Only seven. It's not enough. These students deserve more."
Ten, who had been sitting quietly, immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Yangyang's number. His face darkened as the call went through.
"This is urgent," Ten muttered, his tone sharp. "Yangyang, we need you here right now."
The others noticed Ten's unease, but before anyone could ask further questions, Ten stood up and walked briskly toward the door.
Changsub, who had been seated casually on the other side of the room, observed the scene in silence. His eyes scanned the students with a seriousness that contrasted with his usual relaxed demeanor. It was clear that something more was at play here, but no one could figure out exactly what.
---
On the other end of the phone, Yangyang's voice came through, urgent yet composed. "I'll be there in five minutes."
JL overheard Ten, sensing something was off, stood up. "I'll wait for him outside."
"Wait, I'll go with you," Chih En said quickly, following JL out of the room.
The cold night air hit them as they stepped outside the restaurant, their breath misting in the chill. The streetlights cast long shadows over the pavement.
Suddenly, a sleek black car sped toward them, screeching to a halt just as JL and Chih En were about to step off the curb. The headlights blinded them for a moment, and the car's engine revved loudly, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet street.
The door of the car swung open, and there, seated in the back, was the same hooded figure at the mall and the basketball event. His face was partially obscured by the hood, but the malevolent energy was unmistakable.
JL's heart raced, and he instinctively stepped in front of Chih En, his hand reaching for his phone, though he knew he wouldn't be able to outrun this.
Chih En's eyes widened in terror, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the figure.
For a moment, everything stood still. The hooded figure's eyes glinted with an eerie familiarity, and JL's protective instincts kicked into overdrive.
But before JL could act, four tall men in black slowly approached them. Chi En and JL clenched each other's hands tightly.
"When I tell you to run, you run!" JL instructed, his voice urgent.
Chi En shook his head, his expression filled with worry. "I will not leave you here."
"Chi En, I need you to go back and ask for help while I distract them," JL replied, his voice firm but strained.
Before Chi En could respond, JL suddenly shouted,
"Run!"