Chapter 10 — The Choice That Stays
The training hall didn't feel like a hall.
It felt like a stage where no one had rehearsed.
Fifty trainees stood scattered across the floor, pretending not to stare at one another. Shoes squeaked softly. Someone laughed too loudly and then stopped.
The host stepped forward.
"You've cleared the first round," he said. "That doesn't make you safe."
Silence tightened.
"From now on, all training happens here. And from today—" he paused, eyes sharp, "—you stop working alone."
The screen behind him lit up.
GROUPS OF FIVE.
TEN DAYS.
"Ten days?" someone whispered.
The host didn't blink. "More than enough."
Another slide replaced it.
GRADE BALANCE REQUIRED.
"Each group must include Grades C, D, E, and F," he continued. "Grade A and B trainees will choose their groups."
A ripple moved through the room.
"But only one A or B per team," he added. "Fairness matters."
Then, casually, "You have one hour."
The hall broke into motion.
William didn't move right away.
Wong leaned toward him. "Okay. We're already four—me, you, Yoshi."
Yoshi nodded. "Let's not overthink it."
Kai scanned the room. "We just need F."
A nervous-looking trainee hovered nearby, hands clasped too tightly.
Wong pointed. "You. Want a group?"
Day looked up, startled. "…Yes."
Five.
William nodded once. Done.
It should've felt relieving.
Instead, his chest tightened.
Lee was still standing alone.
William shifted his stance—small, deliberate. Closed off.
Please don't.
Day noticed. "You good?"
William shut his eyes tightly.
If he comes here, everything gets awkward.
It always does.
Footsteps stopped in front of them.
"I'll join this group."
Lee's voice was calm. Neutral. Familiar in the worst way.
William opened his eyes.
The reaction betrayed him immediately—his face drained of color, shoulders stiffening like he'd been braced for a hit he still wasn't ready for.
Wong muttered, "Oh… wow."
Yoshi frowned. "You two look alike."
William stared at the floor.
"Problem?" Lee asked quietly.
"Do whatever you want," William said flatly.
Day blinked. "Wait—you know him?"
Lee's mouth curved slightly. Not a smile. "We've met."
Brother, William thought bitterly.
The word hung between them, heavy and unspoken.
"Five members," Lee continued. "Balanced."
The host marked it down.
Whispers started immediately.
William didn't look up.
Lee didn't push.
That somehow made it worse.
.....
Yan stood near the far wall, untouched by the rush.
A folded paper rested in his hand. Names written neatly. Carefully. Not grades.
People.
He watched groups form and settle, watched tension rise and lock into place.
Then his vision blurred slightly.
The noise faded.
And suddenly—
BOSSSSSSS—
YOUUUUU—
HAVEEE—
DOOOO ITTT YOURSELF.
ミ●﹏☉ミミ●﹏☉ミ
The voice slammed into his head, loud and distorted, like it was being shouted through metal.
Yan's jaw clenched.
I'M ON WITH YOU—
ALWAYSSSS—
"SHUT UP."
(─.─||）(─.─||）
The word slipped out under his breath, sharp and angry.
A couple of trainees glanced his way.
Yan straightened instantly.
Silence snapped back into place.
The voice was gone.
No comfort.
No reassurance.
Just him.
"…Damn it," he muttered.
Then he looked up.
That's when he saw them.
A group of four.
Yuxi stood at the center—calm, listening more than speaking. Yan remembered him from the competition. Clean control. No panic.
Yan pushed off the wall.
Yuxi noticed first. "Oh—hey."
"You have space," Yan said.
Hua straightened. Dylan studied him openly. Tian looked like he might bolt.
"Yes," Yuxi said quickly. "We do."
Yan hesitated for half a second.
Then stepped forward.
"I'm in."
Tian exhaled shakily, like he'd been holding his breath for too long.
Before anyone could speak, the host's voice cut across the hall.
"Time."
Every head turned.
"If you are a group of four," the host said, "choose now."
Yan didn't look back.
"This team."
The host glanced at his tablet. "Confirmed."
Yuxi let out a breath. "Guess we're together."
Yan replied flatly, "Don't get attached."
"All teams are final," the host announced. "From now on, you rise together—or fall together."
The hall went quiet.
William stood stiff beside his brother.
Lee's presence felt heavier than before.
Yan folded his paper and slipped it away.
Ten days.
No rewinds.
No escape.
And some choices, once made—
Stayed.