The day of the festival was finally here, and the school halls buzzed with excitement. Students from Rhythm High, Groove Institute, and Beat Music High gathered in anticipation of the inter-school competition, where performance, vocals, and dancing would collide.
JL, though nervous, couldn't help but feel a thrill running through him. He had been practicing for weeks, fine-tuning every move and note. He couldn't let his school down - not when so much was at stake.
As the students gathered in the main hall for the opening ceremony, JL was once again reminded of how different he was from most of his peers. While many students were focused on impressing their rival schools, he was simply focused on doing his best. His humble nature kept him grounded, even in the face of such intense competition.
"3-pick!" Steven's voice called out from behind, a grin plastered across his face. He had always referred to JL as "3-pick" because of the three prestigious schools that had scouted him. While JL didn't think of it as a big deal, Steven loved to tease him about it.
"Stop calling me that," JL chuckled, adjusting the straps of his bag.
"You should be proud," Steven said with a wink. "You're not just any student. You're one of a kind."
JL's cheeks turned pink. "I'm just trying to do my part for Rhythm High," he said softly.
Steven placed a hand on his shoulder. "And you'll do great. Now, let's get some food before you perform, alright?"
As they made their way to the cafeteria, JL noticed Chih En standing off to the side, his arms folded and his usual nonchalant expression in place. But there was something in his eyes, something that JL couldn't quite place.
"Hey, you coming?" JL asked, giving him a smile.
Chih En didn't respond immediately, but when their eyes met, he gave a slight nod and followed them. It wasn't much, but JL had learned that Chih En had his own way of showing interest. There was a quiet charm in the way he spoke - or rather, the way he didn't speak.
---
The Unexpected Moment
The festival was in full swing, with performances happening every hour. JL had just finished his dance routine and was catching his breath backstage when Chih En approached him.
"Great job out there," Chih En said, his voice soft but sincere. It was one of the few times JL had heard him speak without his usual aloofness.
"Thanks," JL replied, his heart skipping a beat. He always felt a strange mix of warmth and nervousness whenever Chih En spoke to him.
Just then, they were interrupted by Shuaibo, who practically dragged JL by the arm. "Come on, let's go take a photo at the booth! It'll be fun!"
JL hesitated, but before he could protest, Chih En was already following them.
The photo booth was a quirky part of the festival, set up in the corner of the venue. Students lined up to take fun, silly pictures with their friends. JL wasn't sure what to expect, but when he found himself standing next to Chih En, his heart raced.
Chih En stood next to him with his usual casual demeanor, but there was something different in his eyes. JL glanced at him, unsure of what to say, but then Chih En turned to him with a slight smile.
"Let's take a good one," he said, before the camera snapped a photo of them.
JL, feeling awkward yet oddly comfortable, smiled as the picture printed out. He handed the photo to Chih En, but to his surprise, Chih En didn't immediately put it away. Instead, he tucked it into the transparent case of his phone, keeping it close. JL didn't notice, though, as his attention was distracted by Shuaibo's antics.
---
A Hidden Smile
The rest of the festival continued with its usual chaos - performances, cheering, and friendly rivalries. But as the day wore on, JL's thoughts kept drifting back to Chih En. There was something about their brief encounter in the photo booth that felt… different.
After the final performances, the school directors gathered on stage to announce the winners. Ten, standing proudly beside Yangyang, gave a firm nod to the students who had worked so hard.
From the side, Changsub watched the crowd, his eyes flicking to Rhythm High's stage and then to the students from Beat Music High. He had a reputation to uphold, and he wasn't about to let some young talent slip by unnoticed. But there was something about the atmosphere today, something he couldn't quite place.
---
As the day drew to a close, JL and his friends gathered backstage to cheer each other. The final group performances would start in a while. Shuaibo was laughing loudly with some of the other students, while Steven clapped JL on the back.
JL smiled, grateful for his friend's encouragement. But as his eyes scanned the room, he caught a glimpse of Chih En standing by the window, looking out at the night sky. There was something about the way Chih En held himself that made JL's heart flutter, but he couldn't quite figure out what it meant.
"What's up with you and Chih En?" Shuaibo asked suddenly, noticing JL's gaze.
"Nothing," JL replied quickly, though his face betrayed him.
"Sure about that?" Shuaibo smirked, nudging him. "I'm not blind, you know."
JL's cheeks flushed, and he quickly looked away, focusing on the music playing in the background. He didn't know what to make of his feelings for Chih En, but one thing was clear: their bond was beginning to change, in ways he couldn't quite understand.