What the hell was going on?

After a long day of practice, soaked in sweat and adrenaline, it was finally time to go home.

"Wow! Guys, that was crazy. We are ready for the concert tomorrow!" Mick exclaimed, almost bouncing like an over-energized puppy.

"Oh yeah," Ash and East high-fived, their smiles reflecting his enthusiasm.

"Okay, time to go home," Kai stated, voice dripping with authority, as if he were their dad.

They clustered together for a final team chant. "Neon-Hype, just for you!" The shout rang through the practice room before they broke apart.

Kai had been waiting. Stepping out into the evening air, a smile pulled at his lips. He already knew what he was going to do.

By six o'clock, Noah had yet to come home.

Cherry, cross-legged on the couch, kept looking at the door with a long pout, hoping the doorbell would ring. When it did, her face brightened—but the eagerness soon vanished when she spotted Kai standing there.

"Where's Noah, Dada?" she asked, disappointed.

Kai just picked her up and tickled her until she wriggled in gales of giggles. "Even I don't know, baby. Maybe he's coming." He set her down and retrieved something from his pocket. "But, hey—I've got something for you."

Cherry's eyes flew wide as he held out two VIP passes to the Neon-Hype concert. "Neon-Hype?! One for me and…?"

Kai smiled as she just about grabbed them.

"And one for Noah," she announced, bouncing with happiness. "Yay! I get to meet my other three dadas, and with one of my favorites! This is the best day ever!"

The doorbell rang again at this point. Kai didn't linger this time. He slipped into his room as Cherry hurried to meet Noah.

She smiled up at him and handed him one of the passes. "Here, Phi-Noah!"

Noah accepted it and scanned the information. "Neon-Hype concert… VIP pass?" His eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Tomorrow?"

Cherry nodded enthusiastically, but Noah groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know if I can go…"

Her face fell immediately.

"Dada, please?" she begged, her voice as sweet as honey.

Noah was about to refuse—but one glance at her big, pleading eyes and he was a goner. "Alright, alright. I'll go."

Behind the door, Kai grinned. His fists were clenched in silent triumph. Love you, Cherry. You're getting extra ice cream tonight.

The morning after was different. The sky was brighter, the birds sang louder, and everything just felt… lighter.

"Phi-Noah, don't you think today is more lovely than any other day?" Cherry chirped as they sat side by side on the bus.

Noah smiled. "Perhaps. Where's your brother, anyway?"

Cherry raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to know?" 

Noah tensed up. "Curious."

She laughed out loud. "Dada left earlier. He's the lead vocalist, duh."

Noah nodded, affected. "Of course, my mistake."

Cherry leaned close, smiling coyly. "You know. you look great today."

Noah cocked his head to one side. "Oh?" 

Cherry smiled slyly. "I bet my brother won't be able to help but stare at you throughout the concert."

Heat rose up Noah's cheeks. "W-What do you mean?"

She laughed.

The ride was full of teasing and laughter until they finally arrived in Bangkok. After checking into their hotel, the hours blended together until finally—it was time.

The concert hall throbbed with excitement. Fans shrieked, lights strobed, and the bass shook the floor.

Noah stood in the crowd, observing as the host revved up the crowd. But something was. wrong. A tingling sensation ran down his spine.

He shifted to the side—only to catch someone's gaze.

A man, unmistakably handsome, with styled hair, sharp cheekbones, and a loose shirt that fell just so, gave him a slow, deliberate smile.

Noah blinked.

The guy took a step closer. "I didn't know Kai had such a hot friend."

Noah stiffened.

What the hell?

Up on stage, Kai was performing his heart out—but his sharp gaze never left Noah. And he didn't like what he was seeing.

The guy leaned in. "I'm Fist, from Star Streakers."

Noah glanced at him, offering a forced smile. "Oh… cool."

Fist's smile broadened. "You ought to come backstage afterwards. I'd like to know you better."

Before Noah had a chance to answer, the last song reached its climax, and Kai—with sweat dripping off him, giving off waves of heat and pure raw power—nailed a killer finishing move. The crowd went wild.

Kai wasn't thinking about the concert, though.

The moment the lights went down, he stormed backstage, his blood on fire.

And there he was—Fist, standing far too close to Noah, his fingers brushing against Noah's wrist.

That was it.

Kai marched forward, slapped on a tight-lipped smile, and seized Noah's wrist, pulling him away without saying a word.

Cherry had barely time to protest before Kai vanished with him into a private room.

The door slammed shut.

Noah didn't even have a second to catch his breath before Kai pushed him back into the makeup counter, his arms pinning him in.

"What the hell was that?" Kai's tone was low, dark—hazardous. His eyes, still burning from the performance, narrowed on Noah's.

Noah gulped hard. "W-What—"

Kai moved in. "Did you forget last night?" His tone fell even lower.

A shiver danced down Noah's spine. Recollection of Kai's lips against his, being held down, breathless murmurs and blinding heat—everything flooded his mind again.

Kai pressed closer, his warm breath against Noah's mouth. "I love the taste of your lips," he said softly. "And I want to taste them again."

Noah's heart thrashed about. "Kai—"

He tried to push him back, but Kai was faster. He caught Noah's wrists and pinned them above his head, locking him in place.

"I'm angry, Noah." His voice was thick, heavy with something Noah couldn't quite place. "And you're here… wasting your energy."

He smirked. "Save it for something else, babe."

Then, he leaned in and dragged his tongue along the sensitive skin of Noah's neck.

Noah's body tightened, warmth gathering in his abdomen as a stinging, electric spark coursed through him.

His brain yelled at him to make it stop.

But his body?

It was already failing him.