"Jungwon, that's not done."

The manager's voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air like a knife. Jungwon sat unmoving, determination burning in his eyes.

"But he is sick, hyung. He can barely stand, let alone perform."

Jungwon's words were steady despite the emotion building in his chest. The manager scoffed, anger flickering across his face.

"If he can't participate, he's out. That's the rule."

Jungwon clenched his fists, holding back the furious retort on his tongue. He had to stay calm.

"You can't just abandon him when he needs us most."

The manager collapsed into his chair with a weary sigh, rubbing his temples. Jungwon bit his lip, knowing the odds were stacked against them. But he couldn't give up on Jake. Not after everything they'd sacrificed to get here.

"Please hyung...we have to try."

Jungwon's voice wavered, eyes glistening. The manager looked away, conflicted. Jungwon knew it was a long shot, but he had to fight for his friend.

Jungwon pleaded with desperate eyes, his voice strained with urgency. "I'll take on his part of the work. Please, just give him two days off to recover."

The manager's stare bore into him, unmoved. "The evaluation is in six days. What will be left if I grant him leave?"

The teen sat firm, though his hands trembled on his lap. "We can write his lyrics and choreograph his moves while he rests. He'll memorize it all in a few hours once he's back, I promise you. He's always been quick."

Jungwon took a step forward, voice cracking. "Please...he just needs time to heal and regain his strength. We can handle the rest."

The manager's features froze in disbelief. But in a moment, his gaze turned sharp, considering the desperate request.

He met the man's stern gaze. A knot twisted in his stomach at the thought of sending Jake home. After all they had been through together, after all Jake's hard work and dedication, it couldn't end like this.

"Please," Jungwon implored, his voice strained with desperation. "Just give him one more chance. I know he can do this if you believe in him."

Jungwon held his breath, willing the man to reconsider. Jake deserved the opportunity to prove himself. They had come too far to turn back now.

The man's expression softened ever so slightly. Jungwon felt a swell of hope in his chest.

"Alright," the man conceded with a slow nod. "But if he fails to perform, he goes home."

Jungwon exhaled in relief, the weight lifting from his shoulders. At last Jungwon allowed the smile to return to his face.

"Thank you," he breathed. "You won't regret it. He won't let you down."

******

Jungwon's phone erupted with the fury of a thousand suns as call after call bombarded him. He winced as he finally answered, knowing the onslaught of worry that awaited him.

"Where have you been?! We've been worried sick!" The voice on the other end exploded.

Jungwon sighed heavily. "I'm sorry. The manager called me into the office. I'm here now."

A tense silence followed before the voice softened. "Well...alright. Is everything okay in there?" Youngbin always fretted over him like a mother hen.

"How's Jake hyung holding up?" Jungwon asked gently, ignoring his question.

A long groan answered him. Jungwon couldn't help but chuckle.

"Please get back here and make him stop talking. He hasn't shut up since he finished sobbing." Desperation tinged Youngbin's voice.

"Put him on the phone," Jungwon requested.

Shuffling sounds followed before an excited voice burst through. "Jungwonie!"

Despite everything, Jungwon couldn't stop the wide smile stretching across his face at the sound of that voice.

"Hyung, how are you feeling?"

"Much better," came Jake's subdued reply. "Where have you been, though? I haven't seen you in a long time."

Jungwon could still hear the excitement in his hyung's voice. "I talked to the manager about the evaluation," he said carefully.

"...Yea?" The excitement that had flickered briefly in Jake's voice extinguished like a candle in the wind.

Jungwon hated that. Hated how the light left Jake's voice at the mere mention of the evaluation that could end his idol journey.

"I took up your parts so you can rest. It's Monday today, you'll be back on Thursday, so we'll still have two days. All you need to do is memorize your parts and-"

"Woah, woah, woah Jungwon. You cannot do that," Jake interrupted, panic rising.

Jungwon sighed heavily, the weight of Jake's dreams resting squarely on his shoulders. He knew Jake didn't want him to take on the extra burden. But it was the only way left. He would not let his brother fall.

"Don't worry Hyung. We'll be fine this way. Just focus on taking rest. I'll look after everything." Jungwon tried to sound confident, for Jake's sake."And please, dont tell the rest of the boys about this."

"Jungwon, I-"

Jungwon hung up before Jake could protest further, the click of the phone echoing with finality in the empty dorm. He heaved another shuddering sigh, glancing at the clock. 10:30am. No time to lose. He marched with grim determination to the studio, where the lyric book lay hidden safely in the drawer, the key to saving Jake's dream.

*******

The choreographer's voice echoed through the big room, stopping the boys in their tracks as they were about to leave the practice room. "Jungwon, stay back for a bit."

Hanbin's eyes widened in confusion as he looked at the younger boy. Jungwon had kept whatever this was a secret from all of them.

"I'll be back soon, don't worry," Jungwon said, forcing a smile to try and reassure them. The others didn't argue, acquiescing to the choreographer's demand. They filed out, leaving Jungwon alone with the conflicted mentor.

Jungwon's chest still heaved as he caught his breath, sweat dripping down his face. But his eyes were determined, resolute in keeping his promise despite the exhaustion. The choreographer watched him, emotions swirling in his own gaze. Whatever was about to happen next, it was clear it would be intense and emotional for both of them.

Jungwon's hands trembled as he clutched the empty plastic bottle, his chest heaving with exhaustion. But he couldn't stop. Not yet. The choreographer's words echoed in his mind: "Are you sure you can do this?"

With a fierce shake of his head, Jungwon tossed the bottle aside. It clattered across the studio floor, as familiar to him now as his own heartbeat. He had to keep going. Had to nail Jake's part if it killed him.

The hours crawled by, an endless cycle of starts and stops and frustrated shouts, his clothes soaked with sweat. His muscles screamed for relief but Jungwon pushed harder, repeating the choreography again and again until his mind went blissfully blank.

Finally the choreographer stepped forward, hands raised. "Jungwon, that's enough for today. You've got it."

The choreographer stared at Jungwon with pleading eyes, begging him to pause his relentless training for just a moment. But Jungwon was deaf to his pleas, wiping the sweat from his brow with a single swipe of his sleeve.

"I have to get this perfect, and soon," Jungwon declared, fire in his eyes. "I need to show Jake hyung what I can do."

The choreographer gazed at him with sorrow, but acquiesced to the boy's unwavering dedication. Two grueling hours later, Jungwon finally approved of his routine.

"Thank you for everything, hyung," he said, flashing a weary but grateful smile. The choreographer watched as Jungwon sluggishly hoisted his backpack over his aching shoulders and shuffled out wordlessly. A swell of pride bloomed in the man's heart for the tireless teen.

He approached the table where Jungwon's lyric notebook lay open, the pages baring the raw outpourings of a struggling boy fighting not just for himself, but for those around him too. The words etched in ink reflected a heart laid bare.

Yeah I'm scared,
Run vigorously, let's just try
It's our chance engraved countless times
I know the past footsteps

Woah oh

Let's be friends and walk together
Let's just run for our lives

Woah oh

Reach out your hand and promise
Let's just run for our lives

Woah oh

The door to the future opens and I see the day of promise
You & I
We can fly

You are another me, I am another you
Let's just run for our lives
Woah oh