Park Han used to be certain about everything - his talent, his school, his future. He was the brightest star of Groove Institute, the one who carried their name with pride.
Every time he stood on stage, he felt invincible, like nothing could shake him. But everything changed the moment Groove lost the last inter-school competition.
The dream he had built with his classmates - to stand together as a supergroup, to prove that Groove was the best - ended in an instant. He still secured a spot in the final supergroup, but at what cost? Instead of celebrating, he felt like something had been taken from him.
The faces of his old friends flashed in his mind: Kyungho, Joohyoung, Hanseo. They used to laugh together, train together, push each other beyond their limits. They had a dream, and for a while, it felt real. Now, everything was different. He was still reaching for his dreams, yet he felt like he had left something important behind.
He exhaled. There was no point in thinking about the past now.
Besides, his life had changed in other ways too.
His new team, his new journey…
JL.
-
Park Han remembered the first time he saw JL at an inter-school competition. At first, he was simply intrigued - a new talent, an unexpected rival. But as time passed, interest turned into admiration, admiration turned into curiosity, and curiosity turned into something real.
A memory shifted in his mind. The rooftop.
That night, he and JL had stood under the stars, sharing quiet words about their dreams. The city lights flickered below them, but nothing shined brighter than the unspoken connection between them. For the first time in a long while, Park Han felt understood.
They shared the same dream. Maybe, just maybe, they shared the same heart.
But the illusion shattered at one time at the amusement park, when he witnessed JL desperately searched for Chih En, eyes filled with worry… That was when he understood. JL liked Chih En more than anyone.
Then, Chih En confessed to JL in front of everyone. That day, Park Han saw the way JL looked at Chih En - not with surprise, not with hesitation, but with something deeper.
It should've been his cue to step back. He tried. He tried to let go, to focus on his own path.
But fate had other plans.
That night, in the NPAC dorm, Park Han accidentally witnessed JL and Chih En's unofficial breakup.
The moment replayed in his mind. JL's pained voice, Chih En walking away.
There was a part of him that wanted to take advantage of the situation - to get closer to JL now that Chih En was gone. But that wasn't who he was. He wouldn't do that.
At least, that's what he told himself.
But then JL went missing.
-
The moment Park Han heard that JL had disappeared, something inside him ignited - fear, longing, and an ache he didn't want to name.
And then, a memory surfaced.
He was walking along the bridge one night when he overheard the Rhythm members talking by the railing. They were looking at the nearby hill where the famous Namsan Tower stood.
JL was there too, his voice soft but certain--
"I haven't been to that hill, especially the Namsan Tower. I'd go there if I had the chance."
Park Han had kept walking that night, adjusting his cap lower to avoid being seen. But in his mind, an image formed - him bringing JL there, when the timing was right.
And now, he was running up the very same hill, chasing after the possibility that JL had gone there.
When he reached the stairs, he saw him.
JL was descending slowly, lost in thought. His hair swayed with the breeze, his white spring coat almost glowing reflecting the morning sunlight. The sight stole Park Han's breath.
For a moment, it felt like time had slowed.
JL looked innocent. Pure. Pretty.
Like an angel descending from the heavens.
JL finally noticed him, blinking in surprise.
And just like that, reality came crashing back.
-
They walked together through the park, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Park Han felt at peace.
JL talked, laughed, and teased him about anything. It almost felt like a dream - a perfect date that wasn't really a date.
For once, Park Han let himself enjoy the moment.
They stopped by an ice cream stall, and JL made a joke that had them both laughing. Park Han turned, only to notice a tiny smudge of ice cream on JL's face.
Without thinking, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped it away.
JL blinked.
"You're a messy eater," Park Han teased.
JL chuckled. "I guess I am."
It was such a simple moment. And yet, Park Han felt his heart race.
-
They arrived back at NPAC's entrance. It was time to go back inside.
But Park Han didn't want the moment to cease.
Before he could stop himself, he whispered, "JL - I-I like this not to end."
JL turned. "Huh?"
Realizing what he had just said, Park Han quickly changed his words.
"Please don't do this again in the future. Everyone gets worried."
JL smiled, his eyes crinkling in that soft, endearing way--
"Sorry."
His voice was light, warm - so effortlessly cute that Park Han felt his heart skip a beat.
Then, JL turned and ran inside.
Juwon was waiting for him, pulling him into a hug. Steven stood nearby, watching silently before stepping forward to pat JL on the back.
From a distance, Park Han and Steven's eyes met.
-
Park Han went to his room, laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He lifted an arm to cover his eyes. The other rested on his chest.
His heart refused to rest.
He thought moving on would be easy.
But how could he move on when every moment with JL felt like something worth holding onto?