The NPAC halls were buzzing with energy as Galee made his way inside. This time, it wasn't for another training session or critique. It was his last day as the team's overseer.
Standing in front of the gathered members, he sighed with exaggerated sadness. "It feels like just yesterday I was fixing your horrible postures and questionable outfit choices."
Shuaibo laughed. "That was yesterday."
Galee rolled his eyes but then turned serious. "I'll be stepping down as your aesthetics coach, but don't think I'm leaving you with nothing. I'm appointing two new, very capable people to take over unofficially." He turned to Shuaibo and Woongki. "Congratulations, you two."
Shuaibo gasped dramatically. "Me? The honor is too great!"
Woongki gave a light bow, smirking. "I accept this responsibility with grace and humility."
"You literally just said you'd quit if you had to do more work," Shuaibo muttered.
"I'll be watching you," Galee said, amused. "I believe in you two. Make me proud."
"Good job on passing the recent evaluation as well. I was kinda expecting it anyway," Galee added.
He then turned to JL, pulling him into a light but warm hug. "You've got this, okay?"
JL nodded. "I'll do my best."
Galee stepped back. "I have my own journey ahead. Unicorns will be promoting in Japan soon, so I need to focus. But I'll be cheering for all of you. Good luck!"
As he reached the exit, he paused. "Oh, before I go… turn on the TV."
The group exchanged glances before someone grabbed the remote. The screen flickered on, showing a live news broadcast.
"Breaking news: The highly anticipated supergroup formed from Korea's top performing arts schools is set to make their debut on an international stage in the first quarter of the year."
Excited murmurs filled the room.
The screen cut to interviews with students from each school.
Heejun from Groove grinned. "I'm so proud of them. They're going to represent all of us."
Jinho from Beat smirked. "They better not embarrass us."
Mac from Rhythm beamed. "I know they'll do great! JL, if you're watching this - don't forget to treat us shopping, okay?"
The team laughed at that.
Then, the final announcement came.
"And now, the official name of the new supergroup is…
'Hoof.'"
Silence.
A strange, uneasy silence.
For a few seconds, they all just stared at the screen.
Then, Steven raised a fist. "Hoof! Hoof!"
The others hesitated - but then joined in.
"Hoof! Hoof!"
Steven grinned. "Who are we?!"
"Hoof!"
"Who are we?!"
"Hoof!"
Their voices echoed through the halls. Employees outside peeked in, confused by the noise.
--
Elsewhere, inside the NPAC conference room.
The chairman's massive English Mastiff dog sneezed.
The preparation was in full swing. Staff members were on calls, others were busy on their laptops, and documents were being passed around. Plans were being set in motion. The debut was coming.
The chairman, his face unseen, watched everything with a satisfied smile.
Back in the practice rooms, training continued at full speed.
The members were practicing, recording, and refining their skills.
The tensions from before seemed to fade as they focused on one thing - their dream, finally within reach.
--
That night, on the rooftop.
JL stood alone, gazing at the stars. They felt so close yet so far away. No matter how much he reached, they would always be just beyond his grasp.
But… maybe that was the beauty of it. The stars didn't need to be touched. They just needed to be seen.
Unbeknownst to him, Chih En stood nearby, holding a jacket.
He didn't approach. He just watched.
Then, footsteps.
Park Han arrived, unsurprised to see JL there. But what caught him off guard was Chih En's presence.
They locked eyes.
Chih En, expressionless, handed the jacket to Park Han. No words. Just a simple gesture -
Give it to JL.
Park Han hesitated. Why? Why was Chih En letting him be the one to do this?
But he understood.
Without a word, Chih En turned and left.
Park Han stepped forward and gently draped the jacket over JL's shoulders.
JL flinched slightly, then turned. "Oh… thanks."
Park Han didn't respond immediately. He just looked at him. The night breeze ruffled JL's hair, and for a moment, Park Han was taken back to their first conversation on a rooftop.
"Do you remember?" he asked softly.
JL smiled faintly. "Yeah. We talked about our dreams that night."
Park Han chuckled. "And now, here we are."
JL nodded. But deep inside, his thoughts were conflicted.
His heartbeat was different with Park Han than with Chih En.
The rhythm of the stars seemed different when he looked at the two of them.
He liked them both--in different ways.
Before he could speak, the door burst open.
"Guys, you're missing all the fun!"
Steven entered, dragging a struggling Chih En with him. "He tried to escape, but no one escapes my grip."
JL chuckled. Chih En's face was already red.
The others followed, gathering by the railing.
Silence.
They looked up at the sky. The world was about to know them.
"Dreams come true."
JL's voice was soft, but everyone heard it.
It hit them all.
Steven broke the moment. "What? Dimsum is true?"
Laughter erupted.
JL pouted, "You're so mean."
More laughter.
The night was peaceful. Just the sound of boys chasing their dreams, enjoying the fleeting moments before the world changed forever.
The universe heard them.