The morning sun peeked through the resort's large windows, casting soft golden hues across the lobby. Luggage bags were stacked near the entrance, and the boys buzzed with excitement as they prepared for their flight back to Seoul. Laughter filled the space - everyone seemed well-rested and ready to return to training.
Everyone except JL.
He sat on a couch, half-heartedly zipping up his luggage, his mind elsewhere. His heart felt heavy, and no amount of distraction could pull him away from last night. His fingers lingered on the zipper of his duffel bag as his eyes flickered across the room.
Chih En was there. Not too far. Not too close.
He looked completely normal, chatting with the others, his usual composed self. But JL wasn't stupid - he saw the difference. The way Chih En kept just enough distance, how he never looked directly at JL, how his hands never accidentally brushed against his anymore.
JL clenched his fists. He had expected this. He just didn't think it would hurt this much.
"Hey."
JL blinked and turned, finding Steven standing beside him.
Before Steven could say anything, another voice interrupted.
"Steven," Joe called, walking over with his hands in his pockets. "Can we talk?"
Steven looked at JL briefly before nodding. "Yeah. What's up?"
JL watched as the two stepped away. He wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling it was something important.
--
Joe's Confession
Away from the others, Joe exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, I need to be honest about something."
Steven crossed his arms, waiting.
"The real reason we came to the resort…" Joe hesitated. "It was an order from NPAC's chairman. They wanted us to test you guys - see how talented your group is, how well you handle challenges. And also…" He exhaled. "They wanted to test your leadership."
Steven's brows furrowed.
Joe continued, "The strategy we used, the way I acted - it was all part of the plan. I admit, I got carried away. I pushed too hard, and I became an asshole at times. I never meant to be rude, but… I was too focused on the mission."
He let out a sigh. "I just wanted to say sorry. Not just to you, but to everyone. I'll apologize to them later, but I wanted to tell you first."
Steven was silent for a moment before a small smirk crossed his lips. "So all that attitude was part of the test?"
Joe nodded. "Yeah."
Steven chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, you're a terrible liar. You enjoyed it, didn't you?"
Joe scratched his cheek. "…Maybe a little."
Steven rolled his eyes but held out a hand. "It's fine. Honestly, we needed the push. So thanks."
Joe looked surprised for a second before shaking his hand. "Thanks, too."
--
Back in the lobby, JL was still lost in thought when Eli approached him.
"So, this is it," Eli said, adjusting his backpack.
JL forced a smile. "Guess so."
Eli smirked. "I'll see you on the same stage someday hyung. And when that happens, don't hold back."
JL's smile widened, masking the emotions welling up inside him. "Of course."
From the side, Chih En was watching. His gaze flickered between JL and Eli, but the moment JL turned his way, Chih En turned on his heel and left.
JL's chest ached.
And from a distance, Park Han saw everything. His fingers curled slightly at his sides.
He had watched. He had listened. And for once, he wanted to say something - not to get closer to JL, not to take advantage of the moment - but because he understood.
But before he could take a step, the opportunity was gone.
--
The Plane Ride Back
The hum of the plane's engine filled JL's ears as he struggled with his overhead luggage. It wasn't that heavy, but his grip was slipping.
Without a word, another pair of hands grabbed the strap and lifted it with ease.
JL froze.
Chih En.
Their faces were just inches apart. Chih En's expression remained neutral, his eyes avoiding JL's, as he pushed the luggage into place.
JL swallowed, his heart thudding against his ribs.
"Thanks," he muttered.
Chih En nodded. "Mm."
And that was it. No other words.
They sat down - still seatmates, just like before - but the silence between them felt suffocating.
JL glanced at Chih En, noticing how he kept rubbing his nose and sneezing.
"Cold?" JL asked softly.
Chih En didn't respond right away. Finally, he sighed. "Maybe."
Without thinking, JL pulled some tissues from his pocket and handed them over.
Chih En took them, still avoiding his gaze. "Thanks."
Another silence.
JL pressed his forehead against the cool window, eyes shutting. His chest ached with something unspoken, something unresolved.
Memories played in his mind - the day he first met Chih En, their time at Rhythm High, the near accident, the amusement park, the stolen kiss in the dorm, the unexpected confession… and finally, last night.
The pain was unbearable.
A tear slipped from JL's eye.
He didn't bother wiping it away.
Because for the first time, he truly realized -
He had lost something.
And he wasn't sure if he could ever get it back.
--
Breakfast was unusually quiet at the NPAC dining hall. No sounds of cutlery - as if no one dared to eat.
They could not find JL.
Juwon was the first to notice, worried. "He's not in his room."
Steven checked his phone again. No messages. No calls. JL seemed unreachable. That wasn't like JL.
Chih En, who had been silent, tightened his grip on his fork. His face remained neutral, but his hand was shaking slightly.
Steven stood. "We need to check everywhere."
The group moved instantly, but amid the commotion, Park Han quietly got up and left.
Nobody stopped him.
Outside, he exhaled, glancing toward the distant hills beyond NPAC.
"You better be there, JL."
And then, without looking back, he swiftly walked away.