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The sun cast a warm glow over the field as JL and his friends gathered for their weekly exercise. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and energy as everyone stretched, chatting and teasing one another.JL sat on the grass, leaning back on his hands as he watched Steven lead the warm-up. "Hoy, Steven, kailan ka pa naging seryoso?" JL teased, grinning. "Parang isa ka nang fitness instructor sa TV!""Like a hot instructor?" Shuaibo whispered to Woongki.Adding fuel to the fire, Woongki said, "It's getting hotter in here," dramatically fanning himself with his hand.Napailing si Steven pero di napigilan ang pagngiti.. "And you look like someone who skipped breakfast," he shot back at JL, ignoring Shuaibo and Woongki. "How are you even standing?""Easy," JL replied, lifting his leg into a lazy stretch. "I'm fueled by pure talent."The group burst into laughter, with Jeongwoo and Hanseo cheering JL from the back."Pure talent?" Juwon chimed in. "More like pure luck that you haven't fallen over yet."JL gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Juwon, how could you? I thought we were friends!""Friends don't let friends lie to themselves," Daisuke quipped, sending another ripple of laughter through the group.Ngumiti si JL at tumingin kay Han, na pilit pa rin nagba-balance sa isang paa habang nag-quad stretch. "Han, kampihan mo naman ako dito. Alam mong ako ang pinaka-talented dito, di ba?"Han snorted, barely managing to keep his balance. "JL, the day you do a split is the day I'll believe that.""Kaya ko namang mag-split!" JL protested, pointing an accusing finger at him. "I just... don't want to show off right now.""That's what they all say," Steven said with a smirk. "Now quit stalling and get back to stretching. You'll thank me later when you don't pull something."JL groaned but complied, bending over to touch his toes. "You guys are so mean to me," he muttered, though his grin never faded.Juwon leaned over and clapped him on the back. "We're only mean because we love you.""Sure sure," JL said, laughing. "I'm basically carrying the emotional weight of this group, you know."The troupe erupted into more laughter, the sound filling the field and echoing into the clear blue sky. It was one of those moments where everything felt light and carefree, the kind of memory they'd look back on and smile about. For now, it seemed like nothing could break the harmony. But beyond the laughter, something—or someone—was already waiting to shatter it. ****** "JL, samahan mo ako sa vending machine, please," Juwon whispered to JL."Sama din ako," Daisuke added."Hoy, hindi pa tayo tapos mag-stretching. Baka mapagalitan tayo ni Steven," JL whispered back."I can hear you guys," Steven interjected, rolling his eyes. "I'll give you 15 minutes to go and buy something."The three of them quickly stood up, racing toward the vending machine across the field."Yown, break time!" Heejun began to rise, but Steven called him out."Heejun, do 50 more push-ups," Steven instructed."Hala ka. Grabe ka naman—""Do you want me to add more?""Eto na oh, mag-pu-push-up na po, kamahalan." Heejun pouted. ***** JL was walking with Juwon and Daisuke toward a nearby vending machine.The two were laughing loudly at a joke JL made, and JL couldn't help but laugh along. Their laughter echoed and reached the ears across the field.Steven was watching them, smiling. He shook his head at their antics and got back to stretching.He was doing a butterfly stretch when Han, who was sitting beside him, suddenly stood up.Steven glanced at him. Han was staring ahead, focused on something.When Steven followed his gaze, it led to JL. He saw Juwon and Daisuke standing slightly behind JL, who was blocking them from a man.The man was speaking sharply to JL. Juwon clutched the back of JL's shirt, his hand trembling, while Daisuke visibly shook.Before Steven realized it, his legs were moving. He was heading toward them, and he could hear footsteps behind him as others followed.Steven's breath caught when he saw what happened next.The man grabbed JL by the head and slammed it against the nearest wall.
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Everything felt like a blur.The moment JL's head hit the wall, his vision exploded into stars, and a sharp, unbearable pain radiated through his skull. For a second, he thought he was dreaming. Everything moved in slow motion, muffled and distant, like he was underwater.He tried to open his eyes, but the world wouldn't stay still. Colors and shapes twisted together, and he couldn't tell where he was. Voices sounded somewhere in the distance, but they were drowned out by a deep, steady thudding in his ears. It took him a moment to realize it was his own heartbeat, pounding like a drum, loud and relentless.What's happening? he thought, his mind clouded and sluggish. His hands reached out, trying to steady himself, but his body felt like it wasn't his own. His legs gave out, and he slumped against something solid. Was it the wall? The ground? He couldn't tell.The pain in his head throbbed in time with the pounding in his ears. It was sharp, unrelenting, each beat a reminder of how wrong everything felt. He groaned, the sound weak and unfamiliar, even to him.He managed to blink a few times, his vision clearing just enough to make out familiar faces. Han? Juwon? Daisuke? They looked worried —terrified, even— but their words didn't make sense. The sound of his heartbeat drowned them out, like the world had been muted except for the rhythm of his body's distress.JL's breathing was shallow, each inhale sending another wave of dizziness through him. He tried to speak, but his tongue felt heavy, his thoughts jumbled. "I'm... fine?" The words came out slurred, barely audible, and even he didn't believe them.Someone's hands were on his shoulders now, steadying him. He tried to focus on who it was, but his head throbbed too much to concentrate. The world spun again, and nausea bubbled up in his stomach.He squeezed his eyes shut, the pounding in his ears growing louder, echoing in his mind. What's going on? Why does it hurt so much?Somewhere in the haze, he felt the weight of someone's hand on his arm, grounding him. He wanted to tell them he was okay, to stop worrying, but all he managed was a faint, shaky breath."JL! Look at me!" A voice finally broke through, clearer this time. Steven's voice. JL forced his eyes open, meeting Steven's gaze. There was fear in his eyes, something JL rarely saw."S—ven..." JL started, his voice cracking. "Anong...nangyari?""You hit your head. Just stay awake, okay? We're here." Steven's voice was steady, but JL could hear the tension in it.Tumango lang si JL, though it felt like his head weighed a ton. His heartbeat was still roaring in his ears, but Steven's words cut through it just enough to anchor him. He still didn't understand what had happened, but one thing was clear—his friends were there. And for now, that was enough to keep him holding on.
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Steven's heart pounded as he sprinted toward the scene.JL's legs had buckled, sliding him down the wall to the ground. Now he knelt on the pavement, his hands raised to his head but not touching it. He was completely immobile, his head hung low, but Steven could see blood trickling down the side of JL's face."What's your problem?!" Steven yelled, his voice trembling with rage. He didn't wait for a response, grabbing the man by his shirt and shoving him back.The man sneered and shoved Steven's hands off, but Steven didn't back down. He landed a hard punch square on the man's jaw. The crack of impact echoed in the air.Behind him, Han and Juwon crouched beside JL. Han's hands shook as he gently touched JL's shoulder. "JL, are you okay? Say something, please."JL groaned, his head lolling to the side. His eyes fluttered open, but his gaze was unfocused, as if he were looking through them.Juwon's voice was tight with panic. "Oh my God, you're bleeding too much. Stay still, okay?"JL winced, pressing a hand to his head. "I'm... fine?" he murmured, blinking rapidly, his breaths shallow."It's okay, you're okay." Juwon said quickly, his voice cracking, as if trying to convince himself.JL moaned, trying to straighten up, but his head fell back against Han. Somehow, Han managed to maneuver them so they were sitting with their backs against the wall. Han's arm wrapped securely around JL's middle, and JL's head leaned back against Han's upper arm and chest.Han's anxiety was palpable; he couldn't bring himself to look at JL's face.Steven, who was still seething, landed another punch, sending the man stumbling back.Then, five men emerged from the corner, looking like they were with the crazy man who had attacked JL.That's when everything went to hell.Kyungho, Kenta, Gijoong, Kairi, Zhinuo, and Hanseo stepped forward, their expressions grim and determined. Without hesitation, they positioned themselves to fight."Stay back," Kyungho barked, his sharp tone silencing everyone.Zenzen and Dongyun instinctively moved to join the fight, their hands already balling into fists, but Woongki and Jinho blocked their way."Don't." Woongki said firmly, gripping Zenzen by the shoulder. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare intensity. "You'll just get in the way.""Pero—" Dongyun started, his voice tight with frustration."No," Jinho interrupted, his tone cold. "Step back, both of you."The tension was suffocating, the air crackling with the promise of violence.The five attackers wasted no time, charging at once.Kenta met the first with a powerful jab square to the man's jaw, sending him reeling. Before he could recover, Gijoong stepped in, landing a sharp uppercut that knocked the man flat.Kairi and Zhinuo moved as a synchronized duo, dodging wild swings with practiced ease. Kairi delivered a clean right hook to one man's face, the impact resounding like a crack of thunder, while Zhinuo delivered a swift punch to another's chest, sending him to the ground.Hanseo, calm despite the chaos, caught a punch aimed at him and countered with a brutal left hook to the attacker's stomach, leaving him gasping. "Tangina, ang weak." he spat out.Steven stayed in the center of the brawl, fueled by pure rage. He ducked a swing aimed at his face and countered with a punch that left his opponent staggering. Another man lunged at him, but Steven pivoted and drove a solid punch into his ribs, sending him crumpling.Finally, the last of the attackers hit the ground, groaning in defeat. Kyungho straightened up, brushing dust off his shirt, while Kenta shook out his hands. The others were breathing heavily, their adrenaline still coursing.Steven turned back and dropped to his knees beside JL. "How is he?""He's... not okay," Han said, his voice trembling. "He's bleeding a lot."Jeongwoo, standing behind Juwon, spoke suddenly. "Eito and Heejun went to get security and to find a staff member. They'll be back soon."Steven knelt in front of JL and called his name, but JL didn't respond, his eyes blinking rapidly. "JL! Look at me!""S—ven..." JL rasped, his voice cracking. "Anong.. nangyari?""You hit your head. Just stay awake, okay? We're here," he said gently, withholding the full truth to avoid further confusion. JL needed to relax, not think.JL nodded weakly but groaned at the movement, pressing his palm to his temple. "I don't... feel right. Why's it so hard to think?" His words were slurred, his gaze darting aimlessly.Steven placed a steadying hand on JL's shoulder. He gulped, his worry evident on his face .Daisuke's tears streamed down his face as he knelt beside Juwon, who was clutching JL's pants.Minutes ticked by with no sign of the adults who could handle the situation."Where the hell are they?" Shuaibo murmured worriedly.Steven grew more tense with each passing second, but he kept his voice soft and steady as he spoke to JL, occasionally earning a faint "hmm" in response."It's okay, we've got you," Steven reassured him, though his voice was tight with worry.As time wore on, JL's breathing became shallow and ragged, his fingers clenching and unclenching against Han's arm."What..." JL's voice interrupted Steven, who stopped talking and listened intently. "What.. happened?"Those who heard froze. It was the third time JL had asked the same question."You had an accident," Steven answered, gritting his teeth. "Don't worry, just stay calm, alright?"JL mumbled, "Why do you guys look so scared? I'm fine... right?"Woongki, who was standing behind Steven, bit his lip, trying to hold back tears. "You're going to be fine, JL. We promise."But the blood staining JL's shirt and dripping from his head made the words feel painfully uncertain."Steven, where's Juwon? I thought he was here earlier..."A shadow of worry crept over Steven's face. "I'm right here," Juwon said quickly, tapping JL's arm."I'm tired," JL mumbled. His head lolled back on Han's shoulder. "Gusto kong matulog.""Don't you dare." Steven scolded him.Finally, the adults arrived. Security guards jogged to the scene, followed by their mentors and several staff members.Mentor Yangyang looked flushed and overwhelmed, while Mentor Changsub seemed on the verge of screaming at everything and everyone.The commotion was deafening. Mentor Ten demanded answers, and Mentor Yugeom barked orders for an ambulance to be called.In the chaos, Steven never let go of JL's shoulder, his heart hammering as he silently begged for help to arrive in time.