At Groove Institute.
The air inside Groove Institute buzzed with excitement as the school's top students chatted among themselves, still riding the high of their victory at the festival. However, the atmosphere in one corner of the school was far quieter, as Park Han stood by himself, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he stared at the floor.
"Park Han!" Kyungho's voice echoed from behind, his voice light, but with a note of concern. "You've been unusually quiet today. What's on your mind?"
Park Han gave him a sideways glance and smiled faintly. "Nothing much, just thinking about the future."
Kyungho leaned against the wall next to him, raising an eyebrow. "The future? Like what? You mean the global supergroup idea?"
Park Han nodded, his lips curling into a small grin. "Yeah. You know, the idea of mixing all the schools together. I've heard the directors are seriously considering it. It's going to be a game-changer."
Kyungho's expression shifted slightly, something unspoken in his eyes. "You think they'll really go through with it? A global supergroup sounds like something out of a dream, not something that could actually happen."
Park Han shrugged. "They seem serious about it. The only problem is, how will they choose the members? I can only imagine how that's going to unfold."
Heejun, a handsome and charismatic figure, walked past them, his presence causing a few heads to turn. He had just returned from his military service and was still adjusting to life back at school. He caught part of their conversation and chimed in with a teasing grin.
"You guys talking about the supergroup?" He leaned closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If you ask me, it'll be chaos. But I'll go where the spotlight is." He winked and walked off.
Kyungho chuckled. "Heejun always knows how to make an entrance."
Just then, Joohyoung and Hanseo joined the two, their tall frame and striking looks drawing attention from the nearby students. Joohyoung's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable intensity to it.
"We overheard you two talking. Honestly, I think we have a good chance if it comes down to talent," he said with a confident smile. "But the bigger question is, who from the other schools do you think could make it?"
Park Han hesitated before responding, his mind drifting for a second. "JL from Rhythm High stands out. His vocal power and facial expressions are crazy. He might be the one to watch."
Kyungho raised an eyebrow, noticing the slight tension in Park Han's voice. "You're still thinking about JL?"
Park Han turned to him, his expression slightly guarded. "What do you mean?"
Kyungho's eyes softened as he considered his words carefully. "I don't know, but you seem... interested in him, more than just his talent." He smirked teasingly. "Maybe you're just afraid of competition."
Before Park Han could respond, Jeongwoo, the class president, walked over, sensing the shift in the conversation. "What's all this talk about JL?" His voice was light, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity.
"Nothing," Park Han said quickly, brushing the conversation aside. "Just wondering how the selections for the supergroup are going to happen."
Hanseo smiled knowingly. "Well, whatever happens, it'll be fun to watch, won't it?"
---
At Beat Music High.
Meanwhile, at Beat Music High, Woongki sat at the back of the gymnasium, his thoughts drifting as the sound of his classmates filled the room. His usually composed demeanor seemed distant today. The events from the festival replayed in his mind, particularly the moment when he locked eyes with Kyungho from Groove Institute. The discomfort lingered, and he couldn't quite shake the feeling of unfinished business between them.
Jinho walked over with a cheerful grin. "Hey, Woongki! You've been really quiet today. Something on your mind?"
Woongki forced a smile, not wanting to burden his friend. "I'm fine, just tired."
Jinho tilted his head, eyes sharp despite the playful tone. "Yeah, sure. You know, if you need to talk, I'm here, right?"
Woongki nodded, grateful for Jinho's understanding, but his thoughts kept returning to Kyungho. Doyoon, another Beat classmate, walked by with a grin, flexing his legs as if he were showing off. "Did you guys hear about the supergroup idea? Sounds crazy, right?"
Yuito and Kairi, their Japanese classmates, joined in. "Crazy, but it could be fun. Beat, Groove, and Rhythm, all in one group? That would be something!" Yuito exclaimed.
"Definitely," Woongki muttered under his breath, barely paying attention to the conversation. His gaze was distant, his thoughts still occupied by the unresolved feelings he had about his ex, Kyungho.