WebNovels

Chapter 24 - Chapter 4.1 - Wolves' 5th Anniversary Gift

♫ Because I knew how useless I am… ♫

The silver-haired boy moved alone in the dim gym, his voice rising with the music as he pushed his body through every step. He spun, catching the wrong heel, and fell hard onto the wooden floor. Just then, a butterfly drifted down, settling onto his wrist, its wings glowing faintly until it looked almost like a tattoo etched into his skin.

"Yah, ssiggi!" I cursed, forcing myself up and kicking the basketball against the metal hoop.

♫ Why kept running with me when you knew that you could fly? ♫

The lyrics stabbed straight through me. I ripped off the headphones and slammed them to the floor, stomping down hard. "Damn it! There has to be a shortcut or some'." My sweat-soaked shirt clung to me as I rubbed at my face, panting.

"Can't mess on the tempo[1] like this....."

Bing! The elevator chimed behind me. I turned to see the rest of the group stepping out, arms full of snacks and drinks.

"How's practice?" Sanghye[2] asked casually.

"Looks like he's more than ready—hundred percent, Captain," Jin said.

"Bettin' hundred twenty," Juwon cut in.

"I'll give him three hundred," Giyul grinned, holding up three fingers.

But I only shook my head. "No… not even close. For me, it's still not enough."

Sanghye called out again, "Hey, lil'bro!" I glanced back, just in time for him to toss me a set of car keys.

"What the-?-!" I gasped.

"Think of it as a~ 5th anniversary present, so we decided to buy you this," he said, nodding toward the black sedan car that rolled smoothly into the parking lot below, autopilot lights flashing.

"You're fucking with me, right? I can't... really, I do~ appreciate you guys, but i can't accept this." I held up my hands.

"Why not? Has anyone ever given you a gift this big?" Juwon teased. "Your ex?"

"You've earned it, Without you, none of us would've made it this far," Baek Giyul said, ruffling my damp hair.

"Guess I only have you guys; thanks," I replied before pulling them into a sudden hug.

"You'll get that golden throne; we believe it," Jin said with a shrug. "I don't even hate D8. I just mess around. But what they can give you is a successful career; you'll become a worldwide celeb'."

"And what's that worth if I don't have you guys with me?" I asked quietly.

"We're still here, lil' bro. You're not going anywhere without us." Sanghye grabbed me on the shoulder, his grin brimming with faith. "So let's take that fucking throne, eh?"

I nodded. My dream burned brighter—the throne, the chance to stand among the world's best. Still, even with endless hours of practice, one week felt impossibly short. My body screamed for rest, but my heart refused.

[1] Another k-pop song reference.

[2] K

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