----
Boyoung Choi had stopped trying to understand what was happening.
At least temporarily.
Because every time she thought she had figured out the dynamic in the room, something else happened that made absolutely no sense.
Jiwoo Seo casually called Inhyuk by his first name. Inhyuk allowed it. Jiwoo casually called the Chairwoman Jiyoung. She allowed that too.
Jisuk Yoo—
Jisuk Yoo of all people—
was somehow friends with Jiwoo. Or whatever Jisuk's deeply emotionally constipated definition of friendship was.
Then there was Asuka Seo.
Quiet.
Blindfolded.
Reading a philosophy book as though she had been dragged into a meeting against her will. Which, judging by her expression, she probably had. And Chairwoman Yoo kept looking at her.
Not suspiciously.
Not critically.
Almost…
Boyoung frowned.
Comfortably?
That could not be right.
Then there was the cat. The giant orange cat. Mr. Goo adored it. Jisuk respected it for some bizarre reason. Asuka held it like royalty. Jiwoo treated it like a family member.
Boyoung was beginning to suspect she had accidentally walked into some kind of cult. Jaehyuk, meanwhile, looked like he was having an existential crisis. His gaze kept shifting between Jiwoo, Asuka, Jisuk, Inhyuk, Jiyoung—
and back again.
The confusion had steadily fermented into irritation.
Eventually—
Predictably—
his ego won.
"Mr. Goo."
Inhyuk looked over.
"Yes?"
Jaehyuk straightened in his seat.
"I have a favor to ask."
Jisuk's eyes immediately narrowed.
That tone.
He knew that tone.
Boyoung knew it too.
Her shoulders sank.
Oh no.
Inhyuk's expression remained neutral.
"What is it?"
Jaehyuk's gaze moved toward Jiwoo.
"I want to spar with him."
Silence.
Jiwoo blinked.
Boyoung stared.
Jisuk shot upright.
"The hell?"
Jaehyuk didn't even look at him.
"I wasn't talking to you."
Jisuk's eye twitched.
"What did you say?"
"Stay out of it."
Wind stirred faintly around Jisuk.
Boyoung immediately leaned away.
Here we go.
Inhyuk sighed.
"Jisuk."
"I didn't do anything."
"Yet."
Jisuk clicked his tongue and dropped back into his chair, arms crossed hard over his chest. Kayden's eyes opened. Asuka did not move from near the window. Her cheek still rested against one hand. Her book remained open. But she was listening now. Of course she was.
Inhyuk looked back at Jaehyuk.
"What exactly did you mean by that?"
Jaehyuk frowned slightly.
"I meant it literally."
His eyes settled on Jiwoo.
"I want to spar against Jiwoo Seo."
Jiwoo stared at him.
Not angry.
Mostly surprised.
Inhyuk's expression became more serious.
"That isn't the purpose of this gathering."
Jaehyuk's jaw tightened.
"But earlier…"
He looked directly at Inhyuk.
"You said you would leave everything up to us, didn't you?"
Inhyuk stared.
Boyoung's brows furrowed.
"What are you trying to do?"
Jaehyuk finally looked at her.
She knew him well enough to know this was not curiosity. Not really. It was pride. Bruised pride. And considering his face was already bruised, Boyoung thought perhaps that particular emotion had suffered enough recently.
Apparently Jaehyuk disagreed.
He looked back toward Jiwoo.
"It's not because I can't accept Chairwoman Yoo's decision."
Jiyoung remained silent.
Jaehyuk continued.
"We worked hard."
Boyoung's expression changed slightly.
He wasn't wrong there.
Training.
Evaluations.
Family expectations.
Internal competition.
Every opportunity within Shinhwa had been earned under pressure.
Jaehyuk's voice hardened.
"We've trained for years to get where we are."
A pause.
"But these two…"
His gaze moved over Jiwoo.
Then briefly toward Asuka.
Asuka did not react.
"These two kids came out of nowhere and were suddenly given the exact same opportunity."
Jiwoo's expression softened.
Boyoung frowned.
Jaehyuk continued.
"I want to see for myself how good he actually is."
He glanced toward Asuka one more time.
Then dismissed her entirely.
As far as Jaehyuk was concerned, she was blind.
Maybe clever.
Maybe strange.
But blind.
Probably support-type at best.
Maybe useful because of some odd ability.
Certainly not worth challenging.
Asuka sensed the thought almost as clearly as if he had spoken it.
She sighed internally.
How fascinating.
Not because she was insulted.
She truly did not care.
More because Jaehyuk Lee was apparently capable of reaching astonishing levels of arrogance even after Jisuk had physically rearranged his face.
There was almost something impressive about it.
Almost.
Asuka thought of Jisuk.
Jisuk was arrogant too.
Loud.
Provocative.
Terrible at emotional communication. But she understood him. He had grown beneath pressure. He knew what it meant to be Jiyoung Yoo's younger brother. He knew people could use him against her. Could judge Shinhwa through him. Could exploit weakness through family. His arrogance had armor underneath it.
Anxiety.
Expectation.
Protection.
Jaehyuk?
Asuka's covered gaze moved faintly toward him.
No.
This was simply ego. A boy given too much assurance that his place in the world was correct. And that ego was about to be shattered by the gentlest person in the room. Without Jiwoo even meaning to do it.
Asuka yawned.
Boyoung looked toward her.
She's bored?
Asuka turned her face back toward the window.
Outside, clouds moved lazily across the sky.
Much more interesting.
Inhyuk sighed.
"This isn't my decision to make."
Jaehyuk straightened.
He understood immediately.
"Then Chairwoman—"
"No."
Jiyoung's voice stopped him.
Jaehyuk blinked.
Jiyoung stood calmly near the side of the room.
"It isn't my decision either."
Jaehyuk's brows drew together.
"Then…"
Jiyoung looked toward Jiwoo.
"It's his."
Silence.
Jaehyuk stared.
Jiyoung continued.
"Jiwoo is not a member of Shinhwa."
Her tone was even.
"We sponsor him."
A pause.
"We do not own him."
Asuka's mouth softened faintly.
There it was again.
That distinction.
Small.
Important.
Jiyoung continued.
"We cannot decide whether he fights for him."
Jaehyuk's expression shifted.
For a second—
he looked dissatisfied.
Because naturally—
surely—
Jiwoo would decline. The boy looked too nice. Too soft. He had been smiling at everyone since he entered. He apologized constantly. He carried himself like someone who would rather resolve an argument over tea than fight anyone.
Surely he would—
"I'll do it."
Silence.
Jaehyuk blinked.
Boyoung's head snapped toward Jiwoo.
Jisuk stared.
Inhyuk's brows rose.
Jiyoung's gaze sharpened slightly.
Even Kayden looked toward his disciple.
Jiwoo stood calmly.
"I'll spar with you."
Jaehyuk stared.
"…What?"
Jiwoo smiled faintly.
"I said I'll do it."
Jisuk immediately sat forward.
"Why?"
Jiwoo looked at him.
Jisuk frowned.
"Why the hell would you agree?"
Jiwoo scratched his cheek.
"Because…"
He looked toward Jaehyuk.
"I think he has a point."
Jisuk looked personally betrayed.
"What?"
Boyoung blinked.
Jiwoo continued.
"Both of them probably have complaints."
Boyoung's eyes widened.
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Because—
yes.
She had.
Not enough to send people breaking into houses. Not enough to insult them. But she had wondered. Who were Jiwoo and Asuka? Why had Chairwoman personally sponsored them? Why were exceptions being made?
Jiwoo smiled awkwardly.
"I understand why it would feel strange."
He glanced toward Asuka.
"And honestly…"
His face brightened.
"If it were only Asuka, I'd completely understand."
Asuka slowly turned her head.
Here we go.
Jiwoo smiled warmly.
"She's really talented."
Jisuk's expression went flat.
Boyoung blinked.
Jiwoo kept going.
"She learns really quickly, and she understands awakened abilities way better than I do."
Asuka's shoulders lowered in fond resignation.
"Oppa."
"And she's much stronger than me."
"Oppa."
"She's really smart too."
"Oppa."
"And—"
"Jiwoo."
Kayden's voice came quietly from her arms.
Jiwoo stopped.
To everyone else it sounded like a meow.
Jiwoo smiled at him.
"Oh, sorry."
Asuka shook her head fondly.
Of course.
Her brother would use a conversation about his own worth as an excuse to praise her instead.
Boyoung watched.
There was something almost painfully sincere about it.
No jealousy.
No insecurity.
He genuinely thought the world of his sister.
Asuka sighed softly.
Troublesome Oppa.
Jisuk stared at Jiwoo.
"What the heck are you saying?"
Jiwoo blinked.
"I'm explaining."
"No, you're putting your sister on a pedestal again."
Jiwoo looked confused.
"But she deserves it."
Asuka covered part of her face with one hand.
Jisuk looked ready to scream.
"I explained this to you already!"
"I know."
"Then why are we doing this?"
Jiwoo's expression softened.
"Because what he said isn't wrong."
Jisuk stopped.
Jiwoo looked toward Jaehyuk.
"He doesn't know me."
A pause.
"He doesn't know what I can do."
Another.
"And from his perspective, I was suddenly given something he had to work hard for."
Jaehyuk went quiet.
Jiwoo smiled faintly.
"I think this is something I should handle."
Silence followed.
Not uncomfortable.
Something heavier.
Boyoung looked at Jiwoo differently. The naïve impression did not disappear. He was still clearly naïve in some ways. Still too trusting. Still absurdly kind.
But—
maybe not weak.
Maybe kindness and weakness were simply two things Boyoung had been taught to associate when they had never belonged together.
Jiyoung watched Jiwoo quietly.
Inhyuk did too.
Asuka's mouth curved.
There it was.
Her Oppa.
Always trying to understand people who had not bothered understanding him.
Jisuk stared for several seconds.
Then finally sighed.
Long.
Irritated.
Defeated.
"Whatever."
He leaned back.
"Do what you want."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Okay."
Jisuk immediately pointed.
"Don't smile at me."
Jiwoo smiled more.
Jisuk groaned.
The training room was prepared quickly.
Too quickly, in Boyoung's opinion.
Probably because Shinhwa had multiple rooms built specifically for this sort of thing.
Jiwoo stood near one end, rolling his shoulders.
Across the room, Jaehyuk stretched his arms.
His confidence had returned.
Boyoung stood beside Jisuk near the observation area.
Inhyuk and Jiyoung watched from nearby.
Asuka leaned against the wall.
Book closed now.
Kayden sat in front of Jiwoo.
His expression had changed.
No longer cute.
No longer irritated about being called fat.
Focused.
Serious.
His voice lowered.
"Listen."
Jiwoo crouched slightly.
"Yes, Mr. Kayden."
Kayden continued, quiet enough that only Jiwoo and those who knew could properly understand him.
"Don't underestimate him."
Jiwoo nodded.
"I won't."
"Good."
Kayden's eyes sharpened.
"You're faster."
"Yes."
"You have more reserves."
Jiwoo's hand moved unconsciously toward his core.
The secondary space.
That strange additional storage Asuka had created.
"And your recovery between bursts is better."
Jiwoo nodded.
Kayden continued.
"But none of that matters if you get sloppy."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
Jiwoo smiled.
"I'll try."
Kayden's face darkened.
"That wasn't what I asked."
Jiwoo immediately corrected.
"Yes."
"Better."
Asuka spoke from the wall.
"Oppa."
Jiwoo looked toward her.
Asuka remained leaning back, one leg slightly bent, arms loosely folded.
"Do not rush the first exchange."
Jiwoo blinked.
Kayden glanced at her.
Asuka continued.
"You are faster."
Jaehyuk's brow twitched at the confidence in her voice.
"But he has more formal experience."
Jiwoo listened carefully.
"He will expect you to prove yourself immediately."
A pause.
"Let him."
Jiwoo tilted his head.
Asuka smiled faintly.
"Watch first."
Kayden's mouth curved.
Good.
Exactly.
Asuka continued.
"Shoulders."
Jiwoo nodded.
"Hips."
Another nod.
"Feet."
"Yes."
"Do not watch his technique."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Watch the body before the technique happens."
His eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
Asuka's smile softened.
"Exactly."
Boyoung stared.
That was—
not beginner advice.
Not at all.
Jiyoung noticed too.
Her gaze shifted toward Asuka.
Inhyuk's brows rose.
Jisuk glanced sideways.
Kayden looked almost proud.
Asuka felt everyone looking at her.
She sighed.
"What?"
Boyoung quickly looked away.
"N-Nothing."
Asuka looked back to Jiwoo.
"And Oppa?"
"Yes?"
"Do not worry about proving anything."
Jiwoo paused.
Her voice softened.
"You already belong here."
His expression changed.
Quietly.
Then he smiled.
"Okay."
Kayden stood.
"One more thing."
Jiwoo looked down.
Kayden grinned.
"If he gives you an opening…"
Jiwoo waited.
"Take it."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Yes."
Kayden's grin widened.
"Don't hesitate because you feel bad."
Jiwoo scratched his cheek.
"I'll try."
Kayden's expression darkened.
"Jiwoo."
"I won't."
"Good."
Jisuk scoffed from the side.
"Better not."
Jiwoo looked over.
Jisuk crossed his arms.
"If you get hit because you're trying to be nice, I'm gonna beat your ass after."
Boyoung stared.
Jiwoo smiled.
"Thanks, Jisuk."
"That wasn't support!"
"It sounded supportive."
"It wasn't!"
Asuka murmured, "It was."
Jisuk whipped toward her.
"Whose side are you on?"
"Oppa's."
"That wasn't what I meant."
"It was my answer."
Jisuk stared.
Then gave up.
Boyoung pressed her lips together.
These people were exhausting.
But strangely—
warm.
Jaehyuk looked between them. That warmth irritated him. This strange familiarity. Jiwoo being supported by Jisuk. Asuka casually advising him. Inhyuk standing there without objection. Chairwoman Yoo calmly observing. Like Jiwoo belonged. Like he had always belonged.
Jaehyuk clenched his fist.
Fine.
Then he would prove whether Jiwoo deserved it.
The room settled.
Inhyuk stepped between the two sides.
"Since both of you agreed, this will be a controlled spar."
His gaze sharpened.
"No unnecessary injuries."
Jaehyuk nodded.
Jiwoo nodded.
"Understood."
Inhyuk looked toward Jiwoo.
"Ready?"
Jiwoo inhaled.
He felt the energy in his core.
Then the secondary space beneath it.
Fuller than before.
Stable.
Waiting.
His body felt light.
His heartbeat steady.
He thought of Kayden's training.
Asuka's advice.
The academy.
His home.
His friends.
His sister.
He smiled.
"Yes."
Inhyuk looked toward Jaehyuk.
"Ready?"
Jaehyuk lowered his stance.
"Of course."
Boyoung swallowed.
Jisuk leaned forward slightly.
Kayden sat beside Asuka's feet now, eyes sharp.
Jiyoung's attention settled fully on Jiwoo.
Asuka remained against the wall.
Calm.
Almost lazy.
Because she already knew.
She had seen enough versions of this moment.
Enough paths.
Enough outcomes.
Jaehyuk Lee wanted to see whether Jiwoo Seo deserved to stand beside Shinhwa's best.
Unfortunately for his ego—
he was about to find out.
And Asuka almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Jaehyuk Lee stared at Jiwoo Seo from across the training room and felt his irritation rise all over again. This punk. This completely unknown, unaffiliated punk. Actually accepted. Actually stood there like he belonged. Actually looked calm.
Jaehyuk's jaw tightened.
How dare he.
He had expected hesitation.
An excuse.
Maybe even some polite refusal about not wanting to cause trouble. Instead, Jiwoo had agreed almost immediately. Like fighting Jaehyuk Lee was something he had any right to accept. Like they were equals.
Jaehyuk's eyes narrowed.
He really thinks he can compete with me?
Across from him, Jiwoo adjusted his footing.
Nothing arrogant.
Nothing provocative.
Just focused.
Which somehow annoyed Jaehyuk more.
He must be desperate.
Desperate to impress Chairwoman Yoo. Desperate to impress Mr. Goo. Desperate to make them think sponsoring him had been worth it. That had to be it. Why else would someone with no affiliation suddenly show up, call two of the highest-ranking people in Shinhwa by their first names, and act like he belonged in the same room?
He's dying to suck up to them.
Nearby—
Asuka's face changed.
Barely.
But enough. Her lips pressed together. Her nose wrinkled. Her head tilted with unmistakable secondhand embarrassment.
Jisuk noticed immediately. He had been standing near her with his arms crossed, fully prepared to enjoy whatever humiliation Jaehyuk was about to experience.
Then he saw Asuka's expression.
He frowned.
"What?"
Asuka did not answer. Her face somehow became even more visibly uncomfortable beneath the bandages.
Jisuk leaned slightly closer.
"Why are you making that face?"
Asuka slowly turned toward him.
Then shrugged.
"Nothing."
"That is definitely not a nothing face."
She sighed.
"I have heard this sort of internal logic before."
Jisuk stared.
"What internal logic?"
Asuka glanced toward Jaehyuk.
Then back at Jisuk.
"He challenged Oppa."
"Yeah."
"To test how good he is."
"Yeah."
"Oppa accepted."
"Yeah."
"And now he is offended that Oppa accepted because apparently Oppa should have considered him too superior to fight."
Jisuk stared.
A beat passed.
Then—
"…That is stupid."
Asuka nodded.
"Correct."
Kayden, sitting near her feet, gave a low approving huff.
Jisuk scratched his cheek.
"Wait. How do you even know what he's thinking?"
Asuka paused.
Jisuk narrowed his eyes.
"Asuka."
She looked away.
"Pattern recognition."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
Jisuk immediately pointed.
"That's the same bullshit you use when you're cheating again, aren't you?"
Asuka hummed.
"Coincidence."
"It is never coincidence with you."
She ignored him.
Honestly—
this sort of monologue was painfully familiar.
Haruka had heard variations of it throughout her entire first life.
How dare you stand there.
How dare you challenge me.
How dare you accept my challenge.
How dare you be stronger after I demanded proof you were strong.
Humans were remarkably consistent across worlds.
Asuka almost found it comforting.
Almost.
Jiwoo, meanwhile, had absolutely no idea Jaehyuk was mentally accusing him of social climbing.
He simply looked across the floor, then lowered his head politely.
"I hope we have a good match."
Jaehyuk's mouth curved.
Not kindly.
"I'll give you credit."
Jiwoo looked up.
"At least you didn't run away."
Jiwoo blinked.
Jaehyuk continued.
"But your intention was indecent."
Silence.
Jiwoo stared.
His face became the picture of genuine confusion.
"My intention?"
Jaehyuk scoffed.
"Yeah."
Another silence.
Jiwoo waited.
Jaehyuk did not elaborate.
Jiwoo blinked again.
"…What intention?"
Boyoung covered her face.
Oh my god.
Jaehyuk's expression hardened like Jiwoo was deliberately provoking him. But Jiwoo really did not understand. Because there was nothing to understand. No ulterior motive. No scheme. No desire to impress anyone. He had accepted because Jaehyuk had a complaint.
That was it.
Jiwoo genuinely believed settling that complaint directly was reasonable.
Asuka's shoulders shook once.
Jisuk looked toward her.
"Are you laughing?"
"No."
"You are."
"I am breathing."
"You and that damn line."
Kayden muttered, "It is funny."
Jisuk looked down at him, then immediately straightened.
"Respectfully, yes."
Inhyuk stepped forward.
"All right."
The room quieted immediately.
Jiwoo lowered into position.
Jaehyuk did the same.
Inhyuk glanced between them.
"The match begins with the signal."
Jiwoo nodded.
Jaehyuk's eyes sharpened.
Boyoung folded her arms.
Jisuk leaned forward.
Jiyoung watched silently.
Asuka rested her back against the wall.
Kayden's pupils narrowed.
Beep.
Jaehyuk gathered his energy.
Wind stirred around his body.
Beep.
The air in front of him compressed.
Boyoung immediately recognized the technique.
Jaehyuk was not planning on testing Jiwoo carefully. He was planning to end it immediately. One decisive strike. Overwhelming force. Humiliate the unaffiliated newcomer before he could even show what he could do.
Boyoung's brows furrowed.
He's going too hard.
Jisuk noticed too.
His expression darkened.
"That bastard."
Asuka remained calm.
Of course.
She had already seen this.
The compressed wind gathered in front of Jaehyuk.
His confidence surged.
Third signal.
Beep.
Jaehyuk released.
"Got you—"
Nothing.
His eyes widened.
The space in front of him was empty.
Jiwoo was gone.
Not moved.
Not dodged.
Gone.
Jaehyuk's brain barely had time to process the absence—
before Boyoung's eyes widened.
"Behind you!"
Too late.
Jiwoo appeared directly behind him.
His fist drove forward.
Not recklessly.
Not with everything.
Controlled.
Precise.
THUD.
The punch landed squarely against Jaehyuk's face.
His head snapped sideways.
The force sent him stumbling several steps across the floor.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Boyoung's mouth fell open.
Inhyuk's brows lifted.
Jiyoung's gaze sharpened.
Jisuk's grin appeared instantly.
Kayden looked satisfied.
Asuka—
yawned.
Jaehyuk caught himself.
His hand flew to his cheek.
The same bruised cheek Jisuk had damaged yesterday.
Pain bloomed.
Again.
His eyes widened.
What—
He turned sharply.
Jiwoo had already backed away.
His hands were raised.
Ready.
Focused.
No arrogance.
No smugness.
Nothing.
That somehow made it worse.
Jaehyuk stared.
Speed.
So that was his awakened ability.
Speed.
Fine.
His teeth clenched.
He only got me because I didn't know.
Now he did.
There would not be a second time.
Wind gathered violently around Jaehyuk's right hand.
Boyoung saw the shift.
"He's getting serious."
Jisuk scoffed.
"He should've done that from the start."
Jaehyuk lunged.
Fast.
His right arm swung forward, wind wrapped tightly around his fist.
Jiwoo watched his shoulder.
His hips.
His feet.
Exactly like Asuka had told him.
The attack came.
Jiwoo moved.
Jaehyuk's fist cut through empty air.
His eyes widened.
Jiwoo had shifted barely enough.
A clean dodge.
No wasted movement.
Jaehyuk immediately twisted, sending another gust toward him.
Jiwoo ducked.
Another.
Jiwoo stepped aside.
Another.
Jiwoo vanished.
Jaehyuk spun.
Too late.
Jiwoo appeared at his flank.
One punch.
Then another.
Then another.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Jaehyuk staggered.
His defense came up—
but Jiwoo was already gone.
Boyoung's eyes widened further.
"What…"
Jiwoo appeared again.
A punch to the side.
Jaehyuk blocked.
Another came from a different angle.
He barely caught it.
Then Jiwoo shifted again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
The secondary space within his core fed energy smoothly into his movement.
Not in one desperate burst.
Not all at once.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Short acceleration.
Recover.
Redirect.
Accelerate.
Stop.
Move.
Each time Jaehyuk thought he had understood Jiwoo's timing—
Jiwoo changed it.
Kayden's eyes gleamed.
Good.
He was learning.
Not perfect.
Still some wasted motion.
Still too gentle in the follow-through.
But much better.
Inhyuk watched intently.
His expression slowly changed.
He's improved.
Not just raw power.
Not just speed.
Everything.
Jiwoo's control was cleaner. His transitions were smoother. His movement no longer looked like someone throwing himself forward with everything he had. He was actually fighting.
Thinking.
Adjusting.
Using distance.
Using rhythm.
Using restraint.
Inhyuk's gaze sharpened.
His awakened power has gotten stronger.
That was obvious.
But more importantly—
His control and movement are incomparable to before.
The improvement was too fast. Much too fast. His eyes flicked briefly toward Asuka.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Jiyoung noticed the same thing.
Her gaze remained calm, but her attention intensified.
Jiwoo had always possessed potential.
That much she knew.
But this?
This was development.
Structured development.
Boyoung stared.
Jaehyuk could not hit him.
Not once.
Every attack—
missed.
Every attempt to corner Jiwoo—
failed.
And Jiwoo was not even looking panicked.
He was breathing steadily.
Focused.
Almost—
comfortable.
"How…"
Jaehyuk's face twisted.
Wind exploded around him.
"Stop running!"
Jisuk immediately yelled from the side.
"He's not running, dumbass! You just can't catch him!"
Boyoung flinched.
"Jisuk!"
"What? It's true!"
Jaehyuk's face reddened.
"You shut up!"
Jisuk cupped his hands around his mouth.
"MAKE ME!"
Inhyuk's eye twitched.
"Jisuk!"
Jisuk lowered his hands.
"Tsk."
Asuka sighed.
"He is emotionally supportive in a very aggressive way."
Kayden muttered, "He's loud."
"Also true."
Jaehyuk rushed Jiwoo again.
He changed tactics.
Wide-area pressure.
Wind expanded in an arc to limit Jiwoo's escape routes.
Boyoung's eyes sharpened.
Good.
That was the correct answer against a speed user.
Restrict movement.
Control space.
Force them into predictable lanes.
Jaehyuk stepped forward.
Jiwoo's eyes narrowed.
For the first time, his escape options shrank.
Boyoung leaned forward.
There.
Jaehyuk grinned.
"Got you."
Jiwoo looked at the incoming wind.
Then—
down.
His foot shifted.
Energy surged.
The secondary reserve answered.
Asuka tilted her head.
"Good."
Jiwoo accelerated directly forward.
Jaehyuk's grin vanished.
"What?!"
Instead of retreating away from the attack—
Jiwoo entered it.
The narrow opening before the wind fully closed.
Jaehyuk's eyes widened.
Too close.
Jiwoo appeared directly in front of him.
One punch struck his guard.
Jaehyuk's arms jolted.
Jiwoo pivoted.
Second strike.
Jaehyuk stumbled.
Third.
His defense broke.
And then—
Jiwoo planted one foot.
Turned his hips.
Kicked.
BOOM.
The impact caught Jaehyuk in the torso.
His body lifted off the ground.
Boyoung gasped.
Jaehyuk flew backward.
Several meters.
His back hit the padded training wall hard enough to shake it.
Then he dropped.
Silence.
Again.
Jiwoo stood where he had finished the kick.
One leg lowering slowly.
His shoulders rose and fell.
Once.
Twice.
That was it.
Barely out of breath.
He stared toward Jaehyuk.
Then immediately looked concerned.
"Are you okay?"
Jisuk's mouth dropped open.
Boyoung's eyes widened even more.
Kayden looked deeply satisfied.
Inhyuk stared.
Jiyoung's gaze softened by a fraction.
Asuka smiled faintly.
Very Oppa.
Beat someone decisively.
Then immediately worry about them.
Jaehyuk remained on the floor.
Stunned.
Not unconscious.
Not seriously hurt.
Just—
defeated.
Completely.
Inhyuk stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Jiwoo relaxed immediately.
The match was over.
For approximately two seconds, there was silence.
Then—
"DUDE!"
Jiwoo barely had time to turn.
Jisuk crossed the space toward him and hooked an arm around his shoulders.
Jiwoo stumbled.
"J-Jisuk?"
Jisuk pulled him into an aggressive side hug and started grinding his knuckles lightly against Jiwoo's head.
"When the hell did you improve this much?!"
Jiwoo laughed.
"Stop!"
"I thought all you did was feed cats!"
"I train too!"
"Since when?!"
"Every day!"
"Bullshit!"
Jiwoo laughed harder.
Jisuk grinned.
"No, seriously!"
He loosened his arm slightly but kept it around Jiwoo's shoulders.
"You were way faster."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes!"
Then Jisuk caught himself.
His face changed.
"Tch."
He looked away.
"I mean, not that fast."
Jiwoo smiled wider.
"You just said I was."
"I changed my mind."
"Thank you."
"I wasn't complimenting you!"
"You sounded like you were."
Asuka murmured from the wall, "He was."
Jisuk snapped toward her.
"Stop helping!"
Jiwoo laughed.
Jisuk nudged his head again.
"Seriously, man. What the hell?"
Jiwoo's smile softened.
Boyoung slowly looked toward Jaehyuk.
Then back toward Jiwoo.
Then Jaehyuk.
Then Jiwoo.
Her mind refused to reconcile what she had just seen.
Jaehyuk Lee.
Raised within Shinhwa. Formally trained. Supported by one of Shinhwa's prominent families. Had just lost. To Jiwoo Seo. A newly discovered awakened one. Not barely. Not because of luck. Not because Jaehyuk slipped. Not because something went wrong. He had lost completely.
And Jiwoo had barely looked tired afterward.
Boyoung swallowed.
What is that kid?
Her gaze sharpened.
Jiwoo was currently laughing because Jisuk had called him a cat-feeding idiot. The same boy who had just outmaneuvered Jaehyuk so badly it had looked almost effortless. Her eyes moved toward Inhyuk. Even Mr. Goo looked impressed. Then toward Chairwoman Yoo. She did not look surprised. Not exactly.
More—
satisfied.
Like Jiwoo had simply confirmed something she already suspected.
Boyoung's heart beat faster.
So that was why. This was why Shinhwa sponsored him. Maybe not the only reason. But certainly part of it. Then she remembered. Jiwoo's words earlier.
If it were only Asuka, I'd completely understand.
She's really talented.
She's much stronger than me.
Boyoung went still.
Slowly—
very slowly—
her eyes moved toward Asuka.
Asuka had returned to leaning against the wall.
Relaxed.
Blindfolded.
One hand resting loosely against the closed book in her arms.
Cream hair falling around her face.
Calm.
As if nothing surprising had happened.
Because to her—
nothing had.
Boyoung's instincts stirred again.
That same uncomfortable feeling from earlier.
Danger.
Quiet danger.
Jiwoo had called Asuka stronger than him.
Not once.
Repeatedly.
And considering how sincerely he spoke about everything else—
he had not been exaggerating.
Boyoung's throat went dry.
Stronger?
How?
What was her awakened ability?
Speed too?
Maybe.
They were siblings.
Jiwoo had incredible speed.
Perhaps Asuka possessed the same affinity but at a higher level.
But then—
that did not explain the pressure.
That did not explain how she moved without hesitation despite the blindfold. It did not explain the strange way she seemed to notice everything. It did not explain her combat advice. It did not explain why Jisuk behaved carefully around her. Or why Mr. Goo treated her so naturally. Or why Chairwoman Yoo looked at her like she already knew there was much more beneath the surface.
Boyoung stared.
Asuka's head moved.
Barely.
Directly toward her.
Boyoung's body stiffened.
Again.
She had known.
She always knew when Boyoung looked at her.
Asuka tilted her head.
"Is something wrong?"
Boyoung flinched.
"N-No."
Asuka hummed.
Then looked away again.
Boyoung exhaled slowly.
Her senses had not lied to her.
Not once.
Asuka Seo was dangerous.
Boyoung just had no idea how dangerous.
Jaehyuk finally moved. His fingers twitched. His breathing was uneven. Humiliation burned hotter than the pain. He stared at Jiwoo. Jiwoo was laughing with Jisuk.
Laughing.
Like the match had been nothing. Like Jaehyuk had not mattered. His fists clenched against the floor. He had known Jiwoo's ability after the first hit. He had adapted. Or tried to.
And still—
nothing.
He had not landed a single clean strike.
Not one.
His eyes shifted toward Jiwoo's feet.
How?
Jiwoo had been too fast. But it was more than speed. His movements had changed. His timing. His decisions. Jaehyuk's face burned.
Boyoung looked toward him and sighed internally.
Oh no.
She knew that expression too.
The ego had survived.
Damaged.
Cracked.
But somehow still alive.
Then Asuka spoke.
Not loudly.
Not even toward Jaehyuk directly.
"Oppa."
Jiwoo looked over.
"Yes?"
"You did well."
His face lit up instantly.
"Really?"
Asuka smiled.
"Yes."
Kayden immediately added, "Still too much wasted motion."
Jiwoo's smile became sheepish.
Asuka nodded.
"That too."
"Where?"
Kayden's tail flicked.
"Your third acceleration."
Jiwoo immediately became serious.
"Oh."
"You overcommitted."
"I felt that."
"Then fix it."
"Yes."
Asuka added, "Your center of gravity rose before the final approach."
Jiwoo nodded quickly.
"I thought so too."
"And your left shoulder telegraphed the second punch."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Jiwoo's brows furrowed in concentration.
Boyoung stared.
They were already reviewing the fight.
Immediately.
No celebration.
No arrogance.
Just—
learning.
Jaehyuk listened too.
And somehow that hurt worse.
Because Jiwoo had beaten him and was being told everything he did wrong.
Meaning—
there was room to improve.
A lot of room.
Jisuk stared at them.
"You people are insane."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Why?"
"You just won."
"Yes?"
"And you're already talking about what you messed up."
Jiwoo smiled.
"I want to get better."
Jisuk stared.
Then looked at Asuka.
Then the cat.
Then back at Jiwoo.
"Yeah. You definitely belong with those two."
Kayden looked offended.
Asuka looked pleased.
Jiwoo just smiled.
Inhyuk finally exhaled and looked toward Jiyoung.
"He's improved remarkably."
Jiyoung nodded.
"Yes."
"More than I expected."
Her gaze remained on Jiwoo.
"His control has changed."
Inhyuk nodded.
"Completely."
Then his eyes flicked toward Asuka.
"And his sister clearly understands combat."
Jiyoung's gaze followed.
Asuka stood quietly against the wall.
Still blindfolded.
Still unreadable.
Jiyoung remembered sky-blue eyes beneath the night.
Calm.
Clear.
Ancient somehow.
"Yes," Jiyoung said softly.
"I know."
Inhyuk glanced at her.
But she said nothing more.
Boyoung heard it.
Her eyes widened.
She knows?
What exactly did Chairwoman know?
Boyoung looked between Jiyoung and Asuka.
Then back at Jiwoo.
Her head hurt again.
She was beginning to suspect the academy was going to be far more interesting than anyone had warned her.
And possibly far more dangerous.
Especially if Jiwoo Seo—
the supposedly unproven, unaffiliated newcomer—
could dismantle someone like Jaehyuk that cleanly.
And Asuka Seo was apparently even stronger.
Boyoung swallowed.
Then looked toward Jaehyuk's bruised face.
Yesterday, Jisuk had beaten him.
Today, Jiwoo had beaten him.
She quietly prayed he would not challenge Asuka tomorrow.
At this rate—
there might not be enough of Jaehyuk Lee left for the academy.
----