Kiss her till...

Chapter - 1

There he sat in the humongous hall, surrounded by a lively crowd, cheering for the performers on stage. He sat upright, exuding pride as he listened to the compliments pouring in for the performers-more specifically, for the girl dancing with such elegance alongside her partner. Her graceful movements captivated the audience, even after delivering a series of energetic performances earlier.

His chest swelled with pride as his brown eyes remained fixated on her-the girl who was now living her dream of performing on a national stage. She danced with her partner, representing her school with brilliance. Yet, amidst the overwhelming pride, there lingered a faint bitterness, a feeling he couldn't quite place. It was subtle, fleeting, and impossible to understand, but most of his heart brimmed with happiness, admiration, and awe.

He watched her every move, marveling at her beauty and skill. Each movement dripped with elegance, every step precise. Her arms extended with flawless flexibility as her partner lifted and swirled her in the air. Together, they moved like two swans, weaving a story of love and harmony through their dance.

They looked perfect-or perhaps, too perfect.

He remained seated among his friends, his smile unwavering as he watched her. Yet, his grip on the long black trench coat resting on his lap tightened ever so slightly.

The performance ended with a flourish, the duo bowing gracefully to the audience. Thunderous applause and cheers erupted, echoing through the hall. The crowd's chant of "Once more!" filled the air, much like it had after their earlier performance.

He watched as she chuckled, exchanging a small laugh with her partner before they exited the stage. A soft sigh of relief escaped his lips. The performances had gone splendidly, and now, all that was left was to wait for the results.

***

The one-hour break had begun. The audience began filing out of the hall, eager to grab a bite to eat or stretch their legs. Kei and his friends left too, heading towards the open area outside.

The dark haired boy stood near a large fountain with his friends, idly scrolling through his phone as if texting, his brown trench coat covered arm still holding the black trench coat while his companions animatedly discussed the incredible performance their school team had delivered.

Their conversation paused abruptly when a cheerful voice called out.

"Kei!"

The feminine voice broke through the chatter, and Kei immediately turned off his phone, recognizing the sound.

He looked up as she approached-a stark contrast to her stage presence. She had swapped her elegant silk gown for a plain gray jacket paired with dark blue jeans. Her previously loose, flowing hair was now tied neatly into a bun, and her big, expressive eyes were framed by golden glasses. The oversized jacket made her petite frame look even smaller, adding an air of charm to her appearance.

Before Kei could say a word, his friends jumped in, patting her head, and teasing her. She whined in protest, trying to free herself from their affectionate but annoying gestures.

"All right, all right, leave her alone," Kei said, stepping forward with a laugh. He gently pulled her away from their grasp, watching her huff in mock irritation.

"Our little girl's grown up so much! Look at her, performing so brilliantly!" Cori exclaimed, wiping fake tears from his eyes, drawing a glare from her.

"Who are you calling little? I'm in the same class as you!" she retorted, crossing her arms with a pout.

Levi smirked. "Says she's not little, but she's barely five feet tall."