Chapter Text
Jun
Days went by… Jun woke up every day feeling hopeful. His life was looking up, and he was really getting into his training. Acting classes had become his focus since it was his biggest passion. Thame was helping him with his singing, and Nanon was teaching him some dance moves. At night, he worked at a small convenience store, grabbing rest only in the evenings. Everything felt pretty great; even with all the hustle, it never drained him. Jun often found himself thankful for days like these.
As Jun stepped into the bustling company today, he was immediately engulfed by a whirlwind of activity. Colleagues rushed past him, focused on their tasks, the air filled with conversation and the sounds of keyboards clacking. Today was an important day for him—he had rap classes to attend.
As he made his way through the hallway, he spotted Pepper, who was leaning against the wall, scrolling through her phone. "Oh, hi Jun! Where are you off to?" he called out, his voice brightening the otherwise hectic atmosphere.
"I have rap classes," he replied, a hint of excitement in his tone. "Are you coming with me?"
Pepper shook her head with a smile. "Oh no, I'm not actually. I think Dylan is coming along with you. I've got dance practice with nano today, working on my moves for the upcoming evaluation week."
Jun fell silent almost instantly upon hearing Dylan's name, as if a spell had been cast over him. It was as though he had vanished into a trance, lost in thoughts that were not meant for the present moment. Pepper, noticing the sudden shift in Jun’s demeanor, snapped his fingers sharply, trying to pull him out of his dreamlike state and ensure that he was okay.
“Jun—Jun, are you alright?” Pepper asked, his voice laced with concern.
After what felt like an eternity, Jun blinked as if waking from a deep sleep. Confusion clouded his eyes for a moment; he struggled to piece together what had just happened, his mind momentarily blank as flashes of thoughts of someone special interrupted his flow of consciousness.
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” he finally replied, forcing a smile onto his face. “Sorry, I was just thinking about the evaluation.”
He appreciated Pepper's support and light-heartedness.
“All the best, na bro! You’ve got this!” Pepper exclaimed, a big grin spreading across his face as he encouraged Jun.
Jun smiled back at his friend, feeling a warm connection between them. It was a bond built on shared experiences and understanding, even without words. He waved goodbye to Pepper, feeling both determined and nostalgic. As he prepared for the day ahead, thoughts of what was to come filled his mind and strengthened his resolve.
As he entered the studio room, he felt a rush of emotions. He was excited to be in the same space as the boy who had been on his mind since their first meeting. But along with that excitement, he felt a deep anxiety about the upcoming evacuation. This stress weighed heavily on his chest. Was it just the pressure of all the work they had been doing, the fear of what the future held? Or was it just about Dylan?
He sat down at his desk. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor echoed in the usually quiet room. No teacher was present, creating an unusual atmosphere, as if they were waiting for something that might never happen. Jun looked at the sheet of lyrics in front of him. The words on the page pulled him in. As he read, he felt the rhythm and emotions in the lyrics reflect his own feelings. He let himself get lost in the music, finding a brief escape from the chaos outside.
Rap Verse
Yeah,
You said forever like it wasn’t a lie,
Now I’m staring at the ceiling, asking God why.
We were picture-perfect, guess the frame was all a lie,
Smiling in the daylight while my heart would break.
You left your shadow in my room, it won’t fade,
Every memory’s a debt, and I’m the one who paid.
I keep replaying all the words you swore would never be fake,
Funny how forever only lasted till you.
Now I’m learning love ain’t loud, it’s quiet when it’s you,
It doesn’t scream goodbye — it just slowly says “I tried.”
I was holding onto us like it was meant for us.
But you were letting go long before me……..
The sheet of paper sat in front of Jun, empty except for a few words written on it. He felt frustrated as he tried to find the right rhythm and melody. He repeated the lyrics over and over, but he couldn’t connect his feelings to the music he wanted to create.
Just when he thought he might be stuck, the door opened, and Dylan walked in. Time seemed to freeze for Jun when he saw him. His heart skipped and then raced; Dylan always had that effect on him. Each time he saw him, the excitement only grew stronger. Jun admired how effortlessly beautiful Dylan looked, which made his worries fade away. In that moment, all his thoughts about lyrics and melodies disappeared as he focused on Dylan’s captivating presence.
“What are you doing?” Dylan asked, maintaining a perfectly neutral expression as he stepped into the room.
Jun looked up, slightly startled. “Oh, umm, just practicing. I found this lyrical sheet and... well, I’m trying to get the melody right,” he replied, his voice trailing off as he fidgeted with the paper in his hands.
Dylan’s gaze locked onto Jun’s, an intense focus that made Jun feel exposed. “Oh, by the way, the class was canceled today. Didn’t you get the message?” he said, tilting his head slightly in curiosity.
Jun’s heart sank as he nodded, disappointment washing over him. He had been looking forward to spending time with Dylan and working on their session together. “Oh, really? I didn’t know. I was so excited for today,” he admitted, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.
Dylan shrugged, a small smile breaking through his poker face. “It was sent out in the group chat. Thame created it last night,” he explained, crossing his arms casually.
Jun felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. “Oh, I must have missed it. I might have skipped over it without realizing,” he replied sheepishly, feeling embarrassed for not being more attentive.
Dylan leaned back casually against the wall, a nonchalant expression plastered across his face as he replied, “Hmmm.” His tone gave nothing away, almost as if he were lost in thought.
Dylan studied him for a moment and couldn’t help but think he looked like a sad puppy, his eyes wide and expressive, pleading for attention. With a playful grin, he added, “You look like a sad puppy…” before momentarily adopting a pair of puppy dog eyes in a humorous imitation.
“Hey,” Dylan continued, attempting to lighten the mood, “wanna join Pepper and Nano for the dance classes? I don’t want to leave just yet, and I think Thame will be joining us in a little while.” Since Jun wasn't ready to leave, he decided to join the practice with all the boys
Dylan glanced at the wrinkled sheet of paper in Jun’s hands. “Oh, I think that’s mine,” he said with a slight shrug. “I was just scribbling down some thoughts a while ago.” Intrigued, Jun reached for the sheet and brought it closer to his eye level, scanning the doodles and notes. He looked back at Dylan, his admiration apparent. “Umm, just scribbling? This is so good!” His voice was filled with excitement, fingers tracing the patterns on the page.
“It’s whatever,” Dylan muttered, dismissing the praise as he turned to leave the room, a slight smile creeping onto his lips despite his effort to appear indifferent.
Jun was about to respond, but he found himself trailing behind, trying to match Dylan’s brisk pace, a mix of admiration and intrigue swirling within him.
Just as Dylan was about to step into the dance room, he abruptly blurted out, “By the way, you sing really well.” The words hung in the air, catching Jun off guard. He halted mid-step, his heart racing as his entire body felt like it had malfunctioned, caught between surprise and a swell of pride
The room was filled with a strong smell of sweat, mixed with the soft, tired groans of three boys—Pepper, Nano, and Thame—who had taken a short break from their hard practice session. The air was full of both exhaustion and thrill.
“Oh, are you guys finished already?” Dylan asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as he walked into the room, adding to the lively atmosphere.
“No, we’re just taking a break,” Thame replied, his voice a bit shaky as he tried to catch his breath, sweat shining on his forehead.
“I thought you weren’t going to come in, Dylan. Didn’t you see the message in the chat?” Thame added, a cocky smile creeping onto his face, clearly enjoying the banter.
Everyone in the room stopped talking. They looked at each other with a mix of amusement and surprise. In the corner stood Jun. He was still getting used to this close-knit group of friends. He had only joined their training sessions about a months ago. Although he sometimes felt out of place, it was also comforting. The guys treated him like he had always been part of their circle.
“I was just writing some lyrics and practicing, nothing special,” Dylan replied, attempting to sound annoyed, though a hint of a smirk betrayed his true feelings.
"Hey, phi Jun! Are you ready for the dance evaluation?" Nano said, rushing over to Jun with excitement. "Do you want to practice with me, please?" His energy was infectious, and he didn’t want to miss this moment.
Jun smiled as he felt accepted by his friends. Their support and friendly competition made each practice feel important. Even though he was new, he felt like he truly belonged here.
Dylan
Under the night sky, Dylan's phone buzzed with a call from Thame. When he answered, he sounded excited. “Hey, guess what? company’s best singer just called me!”
“Come on, Dylan! Just because I’ve missed you doesn’t mean I can’t call a friend,” Thame said playfully, with some mischief in his voice.
“Fine, fine, but can you please stop whining in my ears?” Dylan replied, laughing.
Thame cleared his throat, shifting the conversation. “So, um, Premik reached out and mentioned there are no available rap teachers anymore.”
Dylan furrowed his brow in confusion, questioning, “What? Why is that? What happened to Phi Ron?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Thame said, sounding frustrated. “I just feel so discouraged. Every time I think about asking Premika to help form Mars, something goes wrong.”
“Premika won’t let Jun join the group without an evaluated exam. It’s so frustrating! We keep making progress, but it feels like we take two steps back,” Thame sighed, showing his irritation.
“Wait! I can help Jun! Just let me take care of it,” Dylan said firmly.
Thame paused, surprised by Dylan's offer. “Oh…,” he replied, trying to understand what Dylan suggested.
Dylan continued, “This is our best option right now. If we really want to do this, everyone involved needs to know and agree to it, Thame.”
“Can you bring Jun to the practice room? I will join Nano and Pepper for dance practice,” Thame said, agreeing.
“Okay! I’ll handle it,” Dylan replied, trying to stay casual, though he felt excited inside.
Thame smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day when Dylan Zhao wanted to help someone.”
"Stop talking, Thame," Dylan said playfully, but his voice carried warmth. He hung up without saying goodbye. A faint blush rose on his cheeks as he realized he was thinking of him and Jun spending time together.
Back to the present
The music finally stopped.
And for a full five seconds, no one moved.
The studio was humid from body heat, mirrors slightly fogged, the wooden floor marked with scuffs from hours of practice. Their reflections looked wrecked—hair messy, shirts clinging to skin, chests rising and falling like they’d just run a marathon.
Thame dropped first.
He collapsed dramatically onto the floor, limbs spread out. “I can see heaven,” he groaned. “And it’s telling me to lie down forever.”
Nano didn’t even argue. He just slid down next to Pepper and rested his head on Pepper’s lap without asking. Pepper automatically started fanning him with a towel.
“You’re heavy,” Pepper muttered.
“You love me,” Nano replied weakly.
Across the room, Jun leaned back against the mirror, wiping sweat from his neck with the hem of his shirt. His breathing was still uneven. Beside him—close enough to feel the warmth, far enough to pretend it didn’t matter—Dylan sat with his elbows resting on his knees, head tilted down, catching his breath.
Their shoulders almost touched.
Almost.
The only sounds in the room were heavy breathing and the faint hum of the AC struggling to keep up.
Then Thame suddenly pushed himself up on his elbows.
“Do you guys…” he started, voice oddly serious.
Everyone glanced at him lazily.
“…feel like we could be a boyband?”
Silence.
Pepper stopped fanning Nano.
Nano lifted his head slightly.
Jun blinked.
Dylan slowly looked up, staring at Thame like he’d just suggested they rob a bank.
“What?” Dylan said flatly.
Thame sat up properly now, eyes bright despite the exhaustion. “I’m serious. When we dance together, it feels… right. Like we’re not just five trainees standing in a line. It feels like harmony.”
Pepper didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Everyone turned to him.
“Why not?” Pepper shrugged. “We work well together. Nano is steady, I’m sharp, Jun is expressive, Dylan is incredibly musical, and Thame—” he pointed, “—you have a frustratingly creative vision and the best singer”
Nano nodded immediately. “Oh definitely. Phi, whatever you say, I’m in.” He gave Dylan a lazy grin. “I’ve got nothing to lose anyway.”
Dylan let out a soft amused breath. “You’re all crazy.”
Then his eyes shifted to Jun.
“And you?” Dylan asked lightly. “What do you think?”
Four pairs of eyes turned to Jun at once.
The room suddenly felt warmer.
Jun froze.
He hadn’t thought that far ahead. He was still learning. Still catching up. Still afraid of failing. A boyband wasn’t just training—it was commitment. Risk. Exposure.
But when he looked around the room—
Nano smiling lazily.
Pepper already convinced.
Thame watching him like this mattered more than oxygen.
And Dylan.
Waiting.
Jun swallowed.
“…Yes,” he said suddenly, surprising even himself. “Let’s do it.”
They all straightened slightly.
“I mean,” he added quickly, cheeks flushing, “with you guys… I think I can do it.”
Thame’s entire body lit up.
“Oh helllll yaaaa!” he yelled, jumping to his feet. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
He clapped once loudly. “Now that this is settled—let’s celebrate!”
“Umm, excuse me,” Dylan cut in, raising a hand. “We still have to convince Pemika. How exactly are we planning to do that?”
Thame slowly turned toward him.
And smirked.
Dylan immediately didn’t like that expression.
“I’ve got an idea, Phi,” Thame said.
Dylan narrowed his eyes. “Why do I feel like I won’t like this?”
“Let’s compose a song,” Thame said confidently. “And make a music video.”
There was a beat of stunned silence.
“Aiii shiaa, Thame, what?” Pepper burst out.
Nano actually sat up. “Are you serious right now?”
Jun blinked. “A whole… MV?”
Dylan stared at Thame like he’d officially lost his mind. “Do you know how insane that sounds?”
Thame stepped closer, suddenly serious again. “Trust me. I won’t let this chance go to waste. If we show her what we could be instead of just telling her, she won’t say no.”
Dylan ran a hand through his hair, pacing once.
“We can do it,” he admitted slowly. “Musically, we can. I know we can rock this.” He glanced at the others. “But what if she denies it?”
Thame grinned, almost mischievous.
“Hehehe… she won’t.”
They all stared at him.
“She only has us right now to save the company anyway,” Thame added casually. “We’re her best bet.”
“That’s… terrifying logic,” Pepper muttered.
But no one disagreed.
The room went quiet again—but this time it wasn’t exhaustion.
It was anticipation.
Dylan looked around at them—at the sweat, the mess, the wild idea hanging in the air.
This was insane.
Reckless.
Way too ambitious.
And yet—
There was something thrilling about it.
Something alive.
He exhaled slowly.
“Fine,” Dylan said at last. “Let’s do something stupid.”
Thame’s grin widened.
Nano pumped a fist weakly from the floor. “Mars incoming.”
Jun laughed softly, heart racing for a completely different reason now.
All of them could feel it.
The risk.
The excitement.
everything made them feel alive