Chapter 4
The practice room was filled with the sound of synchronized movements and focused breathing as the members worked through their routine. When the door opened, everyone turned their heads to see Yangyang and Ten walking in. Instantly, they straightened up and greeted their mentors with bows and respectful nods.
“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got,” Ten said, taking a seat next to Yangyang as they watched the group’s progress.
The members went all in, performing their routine with precision and energy. JL was especially focused, wanting to impress the mentors. As the performance ended, Ten and Yangyang started giving pointers, correcting minor mistakes and offering advice.
JL was listening intently, nodding at every instruction. But as the session went on, he started noticing something… Yangyang wasn’t looking at him. Normally, he’d get at least one glance or nod of approval, but today, nothing. Not even when JL made eye contact. Is he in a bad mood? Did I mess up somewhere? JL wondered, trying not to let it affect his focus.
After wrapping up their feedback, Yangyang and Ten got up to leave. As they walked towards the door, JL’s eyes followed Yangyang. Just before stepping out, Yangyang finally looked back, but the moment their eyes met, he averted his gaze and walked away.
JL felt a pang of confusion. It wasn’t like Yangyang to ignore him.
As soon as the mentors were gone, the members started talking. “Mentor Yangyang seemed off today,” one of them commented.
“Yeah, maybe he’s having a bad day,” another added.
Then, Shuaibo spoke up, smirking. “Or maybe it’s because he wasn’t hovering around JL today.”
The room went silent for a second before laughter broke out. “True! He’s always watching JL’s performances like a proud… dad I guess?,” someone joked.
“No, that doesn’t sound right, It’s something else. Also, I swear he compliments JL the most,” another chimed in, nudging him playfully.
JL quickly waved his hands, trying to brush it off. “Come on, guys, it’s nothing. Mentor Yangyang is just really kind and supportive, that’s all.”
But even as he tried to dismiss it, the thought lingered in his mind. Why was Mentor-nim ignoring me today?
Later that night, Yangyang was lying in bed, scrolling through his phone, still lost in his own thoughts. He was trying to push aside everything from earlier, his weird reaction to JL, Ten’s words from the night before, the way he felt when he saw JL perform today.
Then his phone rang.
He sat up immediately, seeing the caller. It was a staff member from the show.
“Hello?” he answered, already feeling a sense of unease.
“Yangyang, we just wanted to inform you that JL is at the hospital—”
“What?!” Yangyang shot up from his bed, heart pounding. “What happened? Is he okay?”
The staff member was still speaking, but Yangyang wasn’t listening anymore. His mind was racing, panic setting in. Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys and bolted out the door, running to his car.
His hands were shaking as he started the engine. His only thought was getting to JL as fast as he could.