The basketball headed straight toward Sooyaa and Hye-jin.
The crowd behind them pressed forward, too chaotic to allow an escape.
Both girls froze, eyes wide.
The ball flew at them like a bullet
closing in, fast and they couldn't move.
Just as the ball was about to strike.
A strong hand gripped Sooyaa's wrist and yanked her back with a swift tug.
Another hand reached out and pulled
Hye-jin into a steady embrace, shielding her with quick precision.
The ball whizzed past missing them by inches.
Heart pounding, Sooyaa turned in shock
only to meet the intense gaze of
Kim Tae-hyung.
His grip on her wrist lingered for a moment longer before he said in a low, firm voice,
"Sooyaa, you need to stay alert because world doesn't stop for day dreamers."
His eyebrows were furrowed, jaw tight with worry but his hand gently let go, softening the moment.
Next to them, Choi Yeonjun looked equally serious, still holding onto Hye-jin's arm.
She blinked up at him, dazed, her hand pressed against his chest where he had instinctively pulled her in.
"You okay?" Yeonjun asked softly, searching her eyes.
Hye-jin nodded, then grinned like a drunk drama queen. "yess I am okay thanks."
Yeonjun rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling.
Everyone had seen it.
Kim Tae-hyung and Choi Yeonjun. Saving two girls. In perfect sync. Effortlessly cool.
And then it happened.
The crowd went wild.
"Wahhhh!"
"OHHHHHHH MY GODD!"
"Did you SEE THAT?!"
"I CAN'T—THE WAY THEY MOVED!"
"KIM TAE-HYUNG JUST—PULLED HER SMOOTHLY!"
Phones came out. People were already posting.
The scene was going viral before it even ended.
Because of that disturbance, too much time had been lost. Both teams now had equal points. Only 20 seconds remained on the clock.
The opponent team got possession.
They passed quickly, sharply cutting through the defense like butter. Yeonjun dashed in to intercept, but one of their players pushed him aside.
The ball was now in their shooter's hands, right under the basket.
He went for the shot.
But in that very second, Kim Tae-hyung leaped high his hand cutting through the air like lightning and blocked the shot.
Gasps echoed around the court.
The ball bounced off his palm, landing near the edge of the court. Only four seconds left now.
Tae-hyung didn't hesitate.
From the farthest end of the court their own basket line he grabbed the ball and throw it with all the force and focus he had.
The crowd screamed. Everyone stood.
The ball soared through the air, rotating in perfect arc… flying
from one end to the other.
Three seconds. Two.second.
And....