Hyun-jun breezed over to his locker, shrugging off his jacket before making his way to the familiar table where his friend group usually gathered.

"Well, look who's the early bird today," Tiah teased, her lips curving into a playful smile that Hyun-jun mirrored. "Wanted to make sure I didn't miss a second of the action," he replied, earning a light chuckle from Tiah and a warm smile from Grainne as he took a seat beside them.

It had only been a week since Hyun-jun joined this close-knit circle of seven girls, but in that short time, their bond had blossomed into something truly special. These were friends he wouldn't trade for anything.

"So, are you all stoked for the big performance?" Grainne piped up, glancing up from her phone. Hyun-jun shrugged, an impish grin spreading across his face. "I don't know, but a change of pace could be nice. Though I'm pretty sure school isn't just about the excitement, right?" The two girls nodded in agreement, and the trio fell into an easy back-and-forth as they waited for the rest of their crew to arrive.

When the bell finally rang, Hyun-jun joined Belle, Echo, Grainne, and the bubbly Daphne - who happened to be deaf, but that never presented any issue within their tight-knit group - on the bus. As it pulled out, trailing two other vibrant-hued buses, Hyun-jun could feel the anticipation building. Whatever was in store, he had a feeling it would make for one unforgettable day.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Sometimes life is full of the unexpected.

As the performance unfolded, Hyun-jun couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment wash over him. The childish nature of the show was far from what he had anticipated, and being someone who didn't particularly enjoy such frivolous entertainment, he found himself quietly judging the spectacle.

Seated beside Daphne and another girl with blonde hair and glasses, Hyun-jun tried to keep an open mind, but the blaring music from the cheap speakers assaulted his eardrums, making him wince periodically throughout the two-hour runtime. Shouldn't the performers have introduced themselves first before taking the stage? he mused, perplexed by the unconventional format.

Yet, as quickly as the performance had begun, it came to a close, the acrobats finally introducing themselves as the audience rose to their feet. Despite his initial misgivings, Hyun-jun found himself reasonably satisfied, his hunger the only lingering discomfort.

As they stepped outside, Belle turned to the group, seeking their feedback. Hyun-jun sighed and shrugged, his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket. "Good enough for two hours' worth of play," he replied, heading towards the awaiting bus, Daphne walking happily by his side.

Once seated, Hyun-jun sighed again, his breath misting in the crisp autumn air. He turned his attention to his phone, intent on tuning out the background chatter of his friends – until a voice suddenly resonated within his mind, soft and vibrant, like a gong.

My descendant... the female voice spoke, sending a shiver down Hyun-jun's spine. Why are you mingling with the mortals? Come home, come home...

Hyun-jun furrowed his brow, unsure of what the voice meant or where it was coming from. You cannot ignore me, descendant, no matter how hard you try. Come to me, to us, to the temple in the darkness... come home.