Yangyang just arrived in time. He stood behind JL and Chih En as he flicked a small stone at the car, the sound of it hitting the metal echoing through the quiet street.

"Ya!"

A voice suddenly shouted from within the car, startling the peaceful night.

JL and Chih En jumped at the sudden outburst, instinctively moving closer to Yangyang for protection. They glanced up at him, expecting to find him flustered, but instead, Yangyang shot them a reassuring smile. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.

The door of the car swung open, and a tall, hooded figure stepped out, the shadows swallowing most of his features. As the figure lowered his hood, the light from the streetlamps illuminated his face, revealing a man dressed in black. The bodyguards surrounding the car bowed in respect.

The man's gaze landed on Yangyang, and he grinned. "Ya! It's an expensive car!" he shouted, not angry, but more like a brother teasing another.

Yangyang raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Don't go around scaring the kids like that," he shot back playfully.

JL and Chih En, still trying to shake off the shock, looked cautiously at the man who had just emerged from the car. The voice and face were somehow familiar, but they couldn't quite place it. As they walked a little closer, the recognition hit them both at once.

It was Kun.

Kun, an alumnus at Rhythm High, had been one of Yangyang and Ten's teammates back in their school days. He was also the one who had seen potential in JL during his entrance exam and the performance auditions. After that, Kun had disappeared, leaving the country for other business ventures.

JL and Chih En, still a little wary but more relieved, awkwardly bowed to Kun, paying their respects. Kun smiled warmly, giving JL a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Good to see you again, JL," he said, his voice full of familiarity. "And welcome to Rhythm High, Chih En."

Both students nodded, still a bit unsure, but the tension in the air eased slightly.

Kun, noticing the lingering awkwardness between JL and Chih En, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Looks like you two are getting along well," he said, his gaze lingering on their hands, which were still clasped together.

Suddenly, the two pulled their hands apart, their faces flushing red in embarrassment. JL stammered, "Y-Yes, we are."

Kun chuckled, but his attention soon shifted back to Yangyang. "You'll be paying for that," Kun said, nodding toward the small rock Yangyang had thrown earlier.

Yangyang shrugged nonchalantly. "You deserved it for scaring the kids."

Kun laughed. "I just needed some drama, you know, like on TV."

Turning back to JL and Chih En, Kun's expression softened. "Sorry about that," he said with an apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Yangyang, his voice quieter now, leaned in. "Who are these men?" he asked, his eyes flicking to the four bodyguards who had been standing motionless by the car.

Kun nodded toward them. "They're my parents' bodyguards. They're in Korea for business, and they're not letting me go anywhere without them."

As the group began walking toward the venue of the celebration, Kun kept pace with Yangyang, while JL and Chih En trailed slightly behind. The night felt colder now, the quiet weight of the conversation settling in.

Kun spoke again, this time in a more serious tone. "Ten asked me to keep an eye on the students whenever they're at an event outside, but I'm not supposed to be seen by them. He doesn't want them to think he's tailing them. It's just his way of being overprotective. He can't always be around since he's busy running the school, and you are busy with your own things, so... I was asked to step in."

Yangyang nodded in understanding. "Sounds like Ten," he muttered.

Kun's eyes darkened slightly as he glanced at Yangyang. "Yeah, but it's not just about watching them. I got a message from Ten during the basketball event. Something big's coming. Jay Park's finally announcing another competition."

JL's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the competition. His mind raced, wondering what this meant for him and his future at Rhythm High.

Kun continued, not noticing the growing tension in JL's expression. "I don't have all the details yet, but Ten's been pushing for something bigger. It's not just about talent anymore-it's about taking the students to a whole new level. With Jay Park's competition coming, things are going to get intense. It's going to change everything."

The weight of Kun's words sunk in, and JL felt a surge of determination mixed with anxiety. They had been training hard, but now, it seemed, there would be no more room for complacency. The stakes were higher than ever.

As they entered the restaurant, Kun turned back to JL and Chih En. "You'll do fine," he said reassuringly. "Just remember-tenacity and teamwork will carry you through. We're all in this together."

JL gave a tight smile, his thoughts already racing ahead to the future. He wasn't sure exactly what was coming, but he knew one thing for sure: things were about to get a lot more challenging.

---

Back at the Rhythm High Dorm

The students were exhausted from the excitement of the party and the overwhelming news of the announcement. The celebrations had left everyone drained, their minds still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. But amidst the chaos, two figures quietly made their way toward the dorms, their steps in sync.

Chih En walked beside JL, his face serious. The weight of everything that had happened earlier hung heavy in the air. The silence between them was comfortable, but there was something unspoken, something Chih En needed to say. He glanced at JL, his voice low but steady.

"JL... I just want to thank you," Chih En began, his words slow and thoughtful. "For what you did earlier... You didn't have to sacrifice yourself like that for me, but you did. I've been thinking about it. You've always been there for me, even when I didn't ask."

JL glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. He had always been protective of Chih En, but hearing him speak like this-without the usual walls-made his heart race.

Chih En continued, his eyes softening, though a trace of emotion lingered behind them. "I see it now... Your eyes, JL. You're not just being kind. You're really looking at me. I never knew someone could care like that."

JL stopped walking for a moment, taken aback by the depth of Chih En's words. But before he could respond, Chih En's voice grew more serious, more fragile, as if he was fighting against something heavy in his chest.

"I won't be a burden to you anymore," Chih En said, his voice almost breaking. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears. "I've been holding on too tight, and I know it. But I'll stop. I promise."

The words hung in the air, and JL, deeply moved, could see the pain in Chih En's eyes. He reached out, but before he could speak, they had reached the door to JL's room.

Chih En stopped and turned to face JL. There was something in his expression-something unreadable. He opened his mouth, and for a brief moment, JL's heart skipped a beat, as if waiting for something profound to be said. But what Chih En murmured next was so soft, so quiet, that only JL could hear.

JL froze, his body still as his breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to process what had just happened. His face turned pale, and his expression was one of shock-Chih En's words had struck him deeply.

Without a word, Chih En leaned in and pressed a slow, sincere kiss to JL's cheek. It was gentle, filled with emotion, and it lingered long enough for JL to feel the warmth of it settle deep in his chest.

JL stood still, his body unmoving, his shoulders dropping as tears filled his eyes. He couldn't bring himself to speak, to move. The shock of the moment held him captive. Chih En's shadowed figure began to fade as he turned and walked toward his own room, his steps slow and deliberate, like the stars slowly disappearing in the night sky.

And in that quiet, fleeting moment, JL felt something shift in him- unspoken, undeniable.

---

To be continued...