Jun Kai did not wait.
The moment the results were announced and Jin Yue stepped down from the platform, he had already turned away from the balcony. The distance between them was not far...but it felt too far.
Too slow.
Too late.
By the time he reached the ground level, Jin Yue had already returned to his team.
Team 417 had gathered around him immediately.
Mu Qing looked relieved enough to collapse. "You made it! Fifth place!"
Huo Zhen grinned, clearly satisfied. "Ten points. Not bad."
Yun Ke gave a small nod. "Acceptable under the conditions."
Ba Ryou remained quiet for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on Jin Yue...not on his face, but on his hands.
Jin Yue stood among them, calm as always.
But not satisfied.
"…I could have done better," he said simply.
There was no frustration in his tone.
Just fact.
Ba Ryou stepped forward without a word. His left hand reached out, taking Jin Yue's wrist before he could pull away.
Jin Yue stilled.
