The studio held its breath as the host opened the results card.
"William… your grade is—"
But William raised a hand, his voice steady yet electric.
"Wait."
Everyone froze. Even K raised an eyebrow.
William stepped forward and said, "I'd like to perform my dance. Now."
Gasps. Murmurs. Lee sat straighter. Jun's expression didn't change, but his fingers tapped the table.
"You're asking for a re-evaluation?" Dream asked, intrigued.
K leaned forward, his sharp tone returning. "If your dance doesn't impress, it could drop your score further. Are you willing to risk that?"
William met his gaze. "Yes."
He tied his cloth back over his face, standing at the center of the stage with a fiery glare in his eyes.
Dream squinted. "Are you tying that mask again? I think it's time you let us see you properly."
William shook his head. "It's part of my performance."
And with that, the music started.
The moment it began, everything changed.
William moved like a force of nature—his body cut the air with fluidity, strength, and effortless grace. His arms swung with power, his feet never missing a beat. Every step screamed confidence. Every wave of movement said I belong here.
He soared—literally. Midway through, a powerful leap sent him spinning into a controlled landing. The audience erupted into applause.
Even K's pen paused in mid-air.
He moved like a master, but danced like a message: You all thought I was weak. Watch me.
Jun stared, brows low. Ming-Ji, wide-eyed, leaned in. "Bro… he's killing this."
Dream nearly stood from her seat. "Where was this energy before?!"
Lee whispered, "This guy… was hiding."
As William ended his performance in a sharp pose, a soft thud echoed.
The edge of his cloth mask slipped.
His face flashed in full view—for just a second.
Ming-Ji's eyes widened.
Jun didn't blink, but his entire body stiffened.
Ming-Ji subtly nudged Jun under the table with his knee and leaned in.
"…Is that him?"
Jun didn't answer. But his jaw tightened.
William quickly pulled his mask back on and walked to the mic, pretending nothing had happened.
The crowd burst into applause.
Dream stood and clapped. "That was amazing!"
Even East nodded. "You held your own."
But Jun? He stood up and slowly walked to the stage.
"Impressive," he said. "But I have questions."
William's heart dropped.
Jun looked him in the eye.
"What's your name?"
"William."
"Where are you from?"
"…Canada."
"Age?"
"Nineteen."
"Do you have a family?"
William hesitated. "I live alone. My mom's back in my home country."
"No siblings?"
William blinked. "No. I'm an only child."
Jun's eyes didn't move. "You sure?"
Ming-Ji fidgeted.
Dream frowned. "Jun… is this necessary?"
Jun stepped forward—too close. Then suddenly clapped.
"Bravo. What a story."
He turned and walked back to his seat in silence.
The judges whispered among themselves.
K spoke, "Dance potential is undeniable. Grade: C."
"C?!" the audience gasped.
"C is high here," Dream smiled. "Most contestants don't even reach D."
William bowed low. "Thank you."
He turned to leave.
But Jun muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Ming-Ji to hear:
"Liar."
As William walked backstage, Yan stared from his seat.
Lee muttered, "Your brother's about to explode."
Yan: "I can tell."
Jun's expression remained unreadable, but his nails dug into his palm.
"Next contestant," the host called. "From the group Fire… Yanan."
All turned. But only one person walked up.
Yan.
Tall. Calm. Radiating quiet confidence in a black turtleneck and silver chain. No smile. No bow.
Just… presence.
Dream whispered, "Wow. He's… intense."
K narrowed his eyes. "Can he even dance?"
Jun watched with subtle interest.
Yan stepped up. "My name is Yanan. I'm here alone."
"Do you have a team?" Dream asked.
"No. I came solo."
"What's your skill?" Ming-Ji asked.
Yan closed his eyes.
Music began. A soft, haunting R&B melody.
And then… he sang.
His voice was pure velvet. Smooth, haunting, emotional. Every note seemed to pull at something inside everyone's chest.
Judges froze. Dream had literal tears.
Lee's eyes widened. William stared, almost in awe.
Even K leaned back.
Jun slowly looked up.
Yan didn't just sing—he spoke to souls. His voice cracked reality like thunder wrapped in silk.
When the song ended, no one moved for three seconds.
Dream was the first to clap. "That was… beautiful."
Ming-Ji smiled. "Bro, why were you hiding that?"
Jun didn't speak.
K said, "You didn't dance. That's a minus."
East stood and asked, "What do you do for a living?"
Yan calmly replied, "I intern at an engineering company."
"Salary?"
"28,000 rupees a month."
"Then why are you here?"
Yan looked up. "To chase something I lost."
A pause.
Jun said nothing. His hand gripped the desk.
Dream clapped again. "Grade: B."
Ming-Ji: "B."
K: "C—due to no dance."
East nodded. "C. But potential is high."
Dream "B"
Final grade "B"
Later, during a break…
Jun looked around.
"Where's East?"
Backstage…
East and Yan stood alone in a restroom hallway.
Yan said " why are you here "?
East "I think this question is for you
"…Do you regret it?"
For what
Yan looked away. "Not yet."
Behind them, silent and unseen, Jun stood—watching.
His world shifting again.
To Be Continued