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If anyone's going to ask, who knows everything about AHOF members, that will be Chih En.
Ever the observant, he knows how menace Hani could be, teasing his members ruthlessly behind the camera; how playful Jeongwoo is despite of having a serious aura; how mature and helpful Juwon is despite his clingy and childish charm; how serious and determine Woongki is despite his bubbly and cheeky appearance; how insecure and overacting Shuaibo is despite of his confident portrayals in the camera; how Daisuke displays maturity is despite of being the maknae.
But nothing is more interesting to observe than their leader and center, Steven and JL.
There is something about them as individuals and as a pair that made him always want to watch them from afar. Like right now.
The air in the practice room hung heavy and thick, saturated with the mingled scents of sweat and exhaustion. The relentless energy of their recent drill still seemed to vibrate within the walls, even as the team members began to disperse, their movements sluggish with fatigue. Yet, amidst the general weariness, Chih En's gaze remained fixed on Steven and JL.
Steven, their captain, moved with a quiet competence that belied the evident strain of the session. He was the steadfast anchor of their group, a reliable presence whose concern for the collective well-being seemed to eclipse his own physical depletion. Chih En watched as Steven meticulously checked their members, his eyes sweeping across the room, a silent inventory of their states. A brief word here, a nod of understanding there – small gestures, but each carrying the weight of his responsibility. He was a natural leader, not through boisterous pronouncements, but through the quiet strength of his unwavering commitment. Chih En recognized the unspoken burden Steven carried, the constant pressure to guide and support them all, and admired the calm resolve with which he bore it. He was the bedrock upon which their shared aspirations were built, a silent force propelling them through moments of doubt and difficulty.
In stark contrast to Steven's quiet solidity was the vibrant energy that usually radiated from JL. Today, however, even JL's typically buoyant movements were subdued, though his inherent talent still shone through in the effortless grace of his stretches. JL was the artistic heart of their endeavor, his performances imbued with a captivating blend of skill and heartfelt emotion. Yet, Chih En had come to recognize the subtle anxieties that often shadowed JL's brilliance. He noticed the almost imperceptible tremor in JL's hands as he adjusted his water bottle, a fleeting sign of the nerves that often surfaced before a performance. Backstage, Chih En had often witnessed JL's restless energy, the rhythmic tapping of his foot against the floor betraying an inner tension.
JL's exceptional talent was undeniable, a gift that consistently elevated their collective efforts. But Chih En understood that this very gift came with its own unique pressure – the fear of falling short, the relentless pursuit of an unattainable perfection. He had seen JL meticulously review recordings, his brow furrowed in self-critique, each note and movement dissected with unwavering scrutiny. This wasn't driven by ego, but by a deep-seated dedication to his craft and an earnest desire to meet the expectations of the management and his own demanding standards.
---*---
One particularly draining evening, after a rehearsal that had pushed them all to their limits, Chih En observed Steven approach JL. JL was sitting alone on a chair, his usual ebullience noticeably absent, a cloud of introspection surrounding him. Steven didn't launch into a flurry of encouraging words or offer empty praise. Instead, he simply settled down beside JL, creating a comfortable silence punctuated only by the distant sounds of the emptying practice room. Chih En watched intently as Steven turned his gaze towards JL, his expression one of quiet understanding.
“Hyung~~”JL began to speak, leaning his head to Steven’s shoulder
Oh, they might have another serious conversation.
“Steven-hyung, we are going out to buy some food, is there anything you like?” Chih en asked
“Thank you for the offer, but you go first, Chih En. We’ll go out later as well,” Steven answered, then turned to JL and said while patting gently the head of the younger one “Rest, JL. let’s go grab our food later”
“Goguma?” JL’s eyes sparkled. Steven nodded.
“Yes, we’ll buy goguma later but take a rest first.. hmmm?”
On their own world again. Chih En thought.
The team grabbed their things and left the pair in the practice room.
---*---
He understands JL, the fear of imperfection, the pressure to constantly innovate, the vulnerability that comes with baring his artistic soul and being the rank 1 of the Universe League doubled it up. Fortunately, there was Steven who was always there to listen with unwavering attention, offering occasional nods and acknowledging glances. Whenever JL finally fell silent, Steven spoke, his words measured and thoughtful. He didn't dismiss JL's concerns, but instead offered practical insights and a quiet reassurance that resonated with genuine empathy. Chih En always saw a visible shift in JL's demeanor; the tautness in his shoulders eased, the worried frown softened. Every time Steven was there, the heavy weight JL carried seemed a little lighter.
---*---
“The two are at it again.” Shuaibo sighed.
“Let them be, Bobo~” Woongki said “JL and Steven-hyung know what they are doing. We should at least support them” Woongki tries to link his arms with Shuaibo but Chih En goes in the middle of them.
“Gege” Chih En called Shuaibo, completely ignoring Woongki “Let's buy some xiaolongbao.”
“No”
“Please~”
“Asked your beloved Heejun for that” Shuaibo snapped as he fastened his walk leaving Woongki and Chih En behind.
“Xiaolongbao? Why dumplings again?” Woongki asked Chih En “You always invite Shuaibo for dumplings. What about the rest of us?”
Chih En shrugged and proceed to chase Shuaibo
Oh.. Is it what I think it is? Woongki wondered
---*---
Chih En knows Steven and JL's relationship is quite too close to be just friendships. The team mostly caught them in the act but no one pointed it out. They are pretending to keep it a secret, they are not subtle but they didn’t proclaim it as well.
The fans will surely like fanservices. Chih En thought. But what Hyungs have is more than that. I doubt they could handle that. But what if? He smirked
Chih En slowed his steps, forgetting for a moment that he had wanted to catch up with Shuaibo. A gentle, thoughtful smile appeared on his face. He realized that the strength of their team did not come only from talent or clever plans. Instead, it came from the connections between the members and the quiet understanding they shared. Everyone had an important part to play, bringing their own skills and viewpoints that helped the group grow.
Their charismatic leader and their all-around ace were especially important. Their strengths matched each other’s, and even their weaknesses fit together in a way that made the team stronger. They stood like two pillars supporting everything the group hoped to achieve.
As Chih En watched them, he wasn’t just noticing random moments. He was beginning to understand the deeper human side of their journey—the way people balance hope with fear, confidence with uncertainty. He saw how powerful it can be when individuals find comfort, trust, and support in one another.
In that quiet moment, Chih En felt as if he were watching the story of their team unfold. It was a story stitched together by hard work, moments of doubt, and the steady, lasting strength that comes from unity.
“Chih En! Look! a Dumpling shop!”
Chih En looked up.
“Ok Gege~ wait for me!”
---*---
“I want to be paired with Steven-hyung”, he said laughing in his mind. JL’s reaction will be hilarious.
As the peppero begins to get shorter, he gulped. I think the storm is comi~ Eung? He was surprised to hear the stick snapped.
Flabbergasted, the bunny prince heard the loud laugh from his leader.
And he swiftly glanced at the back, Seeing their center is wearing a smile, a thin-lipped one, Someone's gonna be in big trouble. Sorry not sorry, Steven-hyung!.
The fans will surely notice you think you’re subtle,JL? Tee-hee~
---*---
Amid the chaotic but happy vibe upon arriving in the dorm, he noticed the two had not yet arrived until fifteen after. He saw their leader and their shining star in silence enter their dorm silently - one holding the box of meat, and the other, handling a small box containing the medal Steven-hyung won from the program. Small but significant interactions, but it tells him that what they have wasn’t just about working side by side—it was a balance of personalities, strengths, and emotions that shaped the team in ways that weren’t always obvious at first glance.
Together, they created a partnership that lifted the entire team, showing how two people with contrasting strengths could form a powerful and steady force when united by the same goal.
**--**
“Finally, we can eat meat again!” Hani exclaim
“You always eat meat, you hungry cat!” Jeongwoo mildly teased Hani.
Everyone laughs.
“Who says you all are going to eat this meat?” Steven said “I’m going to share this only with Chih En” the fox-eyed leader smirked
“Eung?”
And six pairs of eyes pointed at him.
He forgot, his leader can devise a ploy as well. He looked at JL who is also smirking beside Steven
What a great pair indeed.