The polished conference room at Korea's National Performing Arts was unusually tense.
Jay Park, seated at the head of the table, clicked the remote, and the screen lit up with Rhythm High's latest investment report.
DOUBLE the international investments from last year.
Silence.
Changsub's fingers tapped lightly on the desk. His jaw tightened, but his expression remained neutral. Beside him, Yugyeom leaned back, arms crossed, looking unimpressed. EC, on the other hand, didn't react at all.
On the opposite side, Ten exhaled sharply, almost amused, while Yangyang had a small smile on his lips.
"This is… unexpected." Changsub finally spoke.
Jay Park looked around the table. "Rhythm High has received significant international backing. Investors are recognizing its potential as an elite global performing arts school."
EC finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "And I assume we have Kun to thank for this?"
Yangyang's smile widened slightly. Ten shrugged.
"Kun's been traveling for business. What he's been doing exactly? Well… seems like we just got our answer," Ten said smoothly.
The directors exchanged glances.
This wasn't the first time investments shifted between schools. Groove had been on top for years, securing the best funding and the best talents. Now, Rhythm High was taking the lead.
Jay Park cleared his throat. "As a result of these developments, Rhythm High will be allowed to recruit two students from either Groove or Beat."
This time, the tension became palpable.
Changsub sighed, adjusting his watch. "This is how it works. We've done this before."
Despite his professional demeanor, it was clear - he wasn't happy.
"Alright. Let's move forward," Jay Park said, concluding the meeting.
As the directors stood, EC suddenly got up and left first without a word.
Everyone watched him go.
Something was definitely brewing.
---
A Chaotic Morning at Rhythm High Dorms
JL was the last to wake up.
It started with loud knocks on his door. Then voices. Then more knocks.
"JL! Wake up! You're missing something huge!"
"I swear if you don't get up - "
JL groaned, blindly reaching for his pillow and throwing it at the door. "Five more minutes..."
The door slammed open.
Before JL could react, a group of students dragged him out of bed.
"Come on, lazyass! Get downstairs!"
JL stumbled down the stairs, rubbing his eyes. "What the hell is going on - "
Then he saw him.
Juwon.
Smiling. Standing in the middle of the dorm lounge. Wearing his Rhythm uniform.
For a second, JL's brain stopped working.
Then -
"JUWON!"
He lunged at his best friend, wrapping him in a tight hug.
Juwon laughed, patting JL's back. "Careful, careful! I just got back, you trying to break my ribs?"
The other students exploded in cheers.
"RHYTHM! RHYTHM! RHYTHM!"
JL pulled back, grinning like an idiot. "You're really back?!"
Juwon smirked. "Obviously. Did you think I'd leave you forever?"
"Well, yeah!" JL punched his arm lightly, still overwhelmed.
Then something caught his attention.
Another figure stood beside Juwon.
Tall. Impossibly good-looking. Effortlessly charismatic.
JL's brain short-circuited again.
"Jeongwoo?!"
Silence. Then a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Wait."
"Is he… transferring?"
"Why is a Groove student here?"
Juwon just grinned knowingly.
JL blinked, then whispered, "What the hell is happening?"
Juwon patted his shoulder. "You'll see."
---
The classroom was buzzing with excitement.
JL sat in his usual seat, still processing. Juwon was back. Jeongwoo was here. Ten had recruited them.
And now, Ten stood at the front of the class, arms crossed.
"Alright. We have a new student. Be nice."
Jeongwoo stepped forward, the definition of confidence.
"I'm Jeongwoo. Formerly from Groove Institute. Looking forward to working with all of you."
The class erupted into cheers.
JL looked over at Juwon. "You're not gonna explain anything, are you?"
Juwon winked. "Nope."
JL groaned but couldn't stop smiling.
For the first time in a while, he forgot about all his worries.
---
A Quiet Confrontation
From the back of the classroom, Chih En watched.
Then, as soon as the bell rang, he silently slipped out.
Steven followed.
"Yo."
Chih En kept walking.
Steven sighed. "You're avoiding JL."
Chih En tensed but said nothing.
Steven smirked. "So, let's play."
Chih En finally looked at him. "Play what?"
Steven grabbed a basketball. "One-on-one. If I win, you answer my question."
Chih En narrowed his eyes. "And if I win?"
Steven grinned. "Then I'll stop asking."
Chih En hesitated. Then sighed.
---
The gym was silent.
Chih En moved fast, but Steven was quicker.
As they played, Steven spoke.
"Why are you avoiding JL?"
Chih En's face remained unreadable. "I'm not."
"Liar." Steven shot the ball. Missed.
Chih En grabbed the rebound. "It's none of your business."
Steven stole the ball back. "JL's my business."
Chih En froze for just a second.
That was enough.
Steven faked a shot, then stopped.
Then, with a smirk, he said:
"If you keep avoiding JL... I won't stop myself from pursuing him."
Chih En's entire body stiffened.
For the first time, his unreadable mask cracked.
Steven's smirk widened. "First time hearing that from me?"
And then, he shot the ball.
It bounced off the rim.
Silence.
Steven facepalmed.
Then - he walked away like he won.
Chih En stood in the middle of the court, completely still.
For the first time, he was the one who didn't know what to do.