Chapter 1042: Everything Comes With A Prize

Chapter 1042: Everything Comes With A Prize



"We're going to kill it again," Zeth said, sitting on the floor while shaking his head. Just then, he wiped something wet from his brow. "Ah, this feels disgusting. I feel so hot."

Ren turned to him with raised eyebrows. "You're sweating," he said.

Zeth felt like the world had turned upside down. "What?" he asked, a chuckle bubbling from his lips.

Ren burst into laughter while Jisung innocently wiped his forehead.

"Woah, you're really sweating," Jisung said. "I can't believe it! Isn't this the first time?" Zeth's face was drained of color while the others went back to their respective conversations. "Guys!" he exclaimed, standing from the floor. "What should I do? What happens now?"

Akira turned to him with a chuckle. "Nothing happens," he said. "You're sweating. It's normal. Now, you're like the rest of us."

Zeth fell to his knees, creating a loud sound. His hands balled into fists as he stared up at the ceiling. "This was what I was afraid of," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Alright," Jaeyong clapped. "I think we're done for the night. We'll have the last practice tomorrow before heading to our schedule the day after."

The other boys nodded. Meanwhile, Zeth was still in turmoil. However, Ren hoisted him up and led him out of their practice room.

Meanwhile, as June grabbed his water bottle and towel, his mind wandered elsewhere.

Mei.

There were only two days left until their highly anticipated Christmas performance, and she hadn't reached out to him once.

No calls, no texts.

He shook his head. It seemed like she still wasn't ready for the performance.

"You good, Bro?" Jisung called, slinging an arm over his shoulder.

June nodded. "Yeah, just thinking about the duet performance."

Jisung gave him a knowing look but didn't press further.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The group began packing up, the chatter turning lighthearted as they joked about holiday plans and the number of gifts their fans had sent to the agency.

As the last of his teammates prepared to leave, his phone buzzed. His eyes darted to the

screen.

Mei: Meet me. Third-floor practice room.

He stared at the message. Without a word, he grabbed his jacket and made his way upstairs. The third-floor practice room was quiet, dimly lit by the overhead fluorescent lights.

Mei was already there, sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at the mirrored wall in front of her.

Mei hesitated but eventually nodded. She walked to the player and pressed play before closing

her eyes.

The room fell silent as the first few notes of the 'The Greatest Love' filled the room. Mei

started the song.

At first, her voice was steady but restrained. Then, Mei's brows furrowed, her shoulders tensed, and a memory seemed to pull her under.

A man's voice-not gentle at all but somehow reassuring-echoed in her mind. She couldn't see his face, but the warmth in his tone was unmistakable.

"You're angry and that's alright," he had told her once, pacing back and forth. "You're strong. Stronger than you think. You can't be weak!"

He had always told stories, although he sounded quite annoying. The memory was distant and hazy, but it was enough. He was always there the man in her dreams.

Mei's voice cracked, but it didn't take away from the beauty of the song.

June stepped forward, his own voice joining hers. Their harmony filled the room, a blend of pain and hope that felt both distant and achingly close.

They were telling a story together.

When the last note faded, Mei opened her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek, catching

the light. She wiped it away quickly, feeling embarrassed.

A small teasing smile made its way to June's face-and for some reason, Mei felt that it was familiar...too familiar.

"You okay there?" he asked, sounding a bit annoying, too.

Mei clicked her tongue and turned to the side, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"Yeah," she muttered. "I'm okay."

At that moment, June knew that Mei had remembered.

However, it was only the memory she recalled and not him.

In this lifetime, she would never remember him as his brother.

Yet, somehow, that seemed to be the right route.

Everything had to come with a prize.

And for June and Mei to live happily, they had to sacrifice the one thing they cherished the

most in their past lives.