A Love Beyond
Chapter 1
The stage lights were blinding. The air buzzed with anticipation, a mix of nerves and excitement radiating from every contestant in the room.
The Universe League had officially begun.
Out of the many hopefuls, only forty-two would advance. Dreams would be made or shattered, by the end of this competition.
And JL?
JL was already a name people were talking about.
He had the voice. The charisma. The presence.
But JL wasn’t naïve. He knew that talent alone wouldn’t take him to the top.
He needed to prove himself.
To grow.
And most importantly… to learn from the best.
When it was time to pick a mentor, JL already knew where he belonged.
There were three teams. Rhythm, Groove, and Beat. Each led by respected idols, each offering something different.
But Team Rhythm stood out for him the most.
Not just because of its reputation, but because of who was leading it.
Ten and Yangyang.
Two of the best in the industry.
JL admired Ten’s precision, the way he commanded the stage so effortlessly. But Yangyang, he was different. He was sharp, straightforward, and never sugarcoated anything. His critiques were brutal, but that was exactly what JL needed.
A challenge.
Something inside him told him that if he wanted to truly push his limits, he had to stand in front of Yangyang.
So when he made his decision, he stepped forward with confidence.
“I choose Team Rhythm.”
The first day of training was intense.
JL walked into the practice room, the air thick with expectation. Some trainees were stretching, others whispering about the competition.
But Yangyang was already there.
Leaning against the mirror, arms crossed, gaze sharp.
He didn’t say anything at first, just watched.
When his eyes landed on JL, they lingered. Just for a second.
Then, finally…
“So, you’re JL.”
His voice was calm. Unreadable.
JL straightened his posture. “Yes.”
Yangyang tilted his head slightly, studying him before his lips curled into something close to a smirk.
“Let’s see if you live up to the hype.”
Training wasn’t just hard.
It was relentless.
JL expected tough lessons, but Yangyang took things to another level. He didn’t hold back, didn’t ease anyone into the process.
He pushed them.
Especially JL.
“Again,” Yangyang called out as JL finished a routine, breathless, sweat dripping down his neck.
JL clenched his fists, forcing himself to nod. “Got it.”
And so, he went again.
Again.
And again.
No shortcuts. No excuses.
Every mistake was called out. Every weakness exposed.
“You’ve got talent,” Yangyang finally said after JL finished his last run-through, chest rising and falling with exhaustion.
JL waited, expecting praise.
Instead
“But that’s not enough.”
Yangyang’s tone was firm, his gaze unyielding. “A lot of people here have talent. What separates the ones who make it… is how much they’re willing to bleed for it.”
JL swallowed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Then I’ll work harder,” he said without hesitation. “I won’t fall behind.”
For a brief moment, something flickered in Yangyang’s expression. Something unreadable.
Then…
A nod.
“Good.”
JL let out a quiet breath, feeling the exhaustion in his bones.
Yet, beneath all that…
He was excited.
Because in that moment, one thing was clear…
This competition was just getting started.
And he had a long way to go.