It was a bright morning. There were no lessons, and no homework. Everyone was busy preparing something, whether it was equipment or outfits. What for? No one really knew.
Noa walked slowly toward Song's desk. He handed her a paper, the completed group task.
"Here, Song."
Song looked into Noa's eyes with a sharp gaze, filled with either wariness or fear. Noa looked confused as she stared him down. Just as he was about to ask why, Evelyn quickly blocked his path.
"What is your problem with Song?" Evelyn demanded.
"What did I do? Is something wrong?" Noa asked back.
"Do you know... Song was crying yesterday because of you," Evelyn snapped.
"I have no idea about that."
Evelyn chased him away. Noa only gave a small smile at the sight of her anger. He walked away slowly, leaving them both behind.
"What did he do to you?" Evelyn asked Song.
"Nothing... I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Noa just wanted to hand in the task. And he seemed like he wanted to ask me why I was staring at him like that."
"Forget it. You shouldn't get close to any guys for now, especially since you just broke up."
Song could only nod in response.
Some time passed.
"Want to come along?" Evelyn asked Song.
"No, I'll stay here," Song replied.
"Alright. Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Hm... just buy me a cup of noodles," Song said as she handed over some money.
Evelyn walked toward the canteen. On her way, she crossed paths with Noa and glared at him intensely. Vincent and Alvean could only swallow hard when they saw Evelyn's sharp gaze.
"Oi Noa, what sin did you commit this time?" Alvean asked.
"I didn't do anything."
"That's a blatant lie. What did you do?" Vincent added.
Noa just shrugged his shoulders as if he had no clue. The two of them could only sigh in frustration. When they reached the classroom, they sat on the floor at the back. But Noa stood up again and went to Song's seat. He sat right in front of her desk.
"Not going to the canteen?" Noa asked softly.
Song was startled. "Oh... no," she answered nervously.
Vincent and Alvean finally realized why Evelyn had been staring at them like that. It was this. They started calling out to Noa.
"Hey! Get over here, man!"
"Yeah... you're going to get chased by the forest witch!"
But Noa ignored them. Vincent and Alvean could do nothing but pray for him.
"Do you want to eat?" Noa asked Song.
"Oh... no need."
Noa just nodded. From a distance, Chorny, the class president, called out. "Oi Noa! Watch out, Evelyn is coming!"
Evelyn was heading back to the class quickly because she heard Song was talking to Noa. Noa ignored the warning. He moved his fingers closer to Song's desk. Song immediately pulled her hands away to avoid being touched, staring at him sharply.
"Move... get out of the way, you creep," Evelyn said from behind Noa.
Noa stood up and prepared to leave them. He held out a bottle of water that was still sealed. "Here is a drink for you."
And then Noa left.
"Are you okay?" Evelyn asked.
"I'm fine."
"Why didn't you fight back?"
"I feel... weak."
"Whatever. I'm throwing this water away. I'm afraid there's some weird medicine in it."
"No... don't. It's still sealed."
Evelyn eventually nodded.
Noa, who was now in the bathroom, just laughed. He laughed uncontrollably, unlike his usual self. He covered his face while he laughed. It was just so simple.
Noa walked back to the class while Evelyn glared at him from the opposite end of the hallway. As Noa sat with Vincent and Alvean, their homeroom teacher entered, ordering them to clean the class and prepare the equipment for the event tonight.
Once the class was clean and the equipment was ready, Chorny announced the opening of the NATIONAL STUDENT CHAMPIONSHIP (TPN).
"Alright, friends... attention please."
The room went silent.
"I'm here to tell you about the TPN opening ceremony. The TPN will open with a basketball match: our school vs. LU School."
"So, what about it, President?" Evelyn asked.
"So, we are required to watch the opening match. Especially since it's the very first game."
"Oh..."
"And also, we have to be enthusiastic!" Clarence, the vice president, added.
"Of course we will!" Evelyn replied.
Finally, the announcement ended. Everyone went home, except for the athletes who were about to be officially released, as they had to receive instructions from their coaches.
Noa headed to the football field and joined the briefing. It turned out their first match would be against Birllou Huna.
"Coach, is Noa playing later?" Guiro asked.
"Yeah, Coach, will Noa play?" others joined in.
"Pl—" Joe's words were cut off by Noa.
"No... my body is still sore, Coach. I'll probably only be able to play in the second or third match."
"Oh... alright then," Joe said with a small smile.
They finally dispersed. Their briefing was probably the fastest compared to other sports. As Noa walked out of the field, he saw the women's volleyball team having a briefing at the entrance of the school gym.
Noa walked past them without a care. Song's gaze was momentarily distracted by him.
"Song... is something wrong?" the coach asked.
"Oh... it's nothing, Coach."
Noa went to the parking lot and drove home immediately.
Time passed. Before long, the air had turned cold, and the moon had appeared. Noa returned to the school for the event, which had now turned into a venue for couples to be intimate.
The place was already crowded. As usual, Vincent and Alvean were waiting for Noa. When he arrived, the three of them entered the hall. It was filled with students from all three grades, but the hall didn't feel cramped or stuffy because it was spacious and had many air conditioners.
The principal opened the event and invited them to enjoy themselves. Some talked, some were being romantic, and some played outside the hall. When the music started, students who were dating began to dance, while the singles enjoyed the party.
Vincent was busy showing off his new clothes. Alvean was busy chatting with girls. Meanwhile, Noa walked toward Song.
Evelyn tried to block him, but Noa ignored her. He held out his hand, inviting Song to dance. Song looked at Noa's face seriously and placed her palm in his. Noa led her to stand and pulled her to the center.
There, they danced to the rhythm and melody of the song. Evelyn could only watch them from afar with an unusually sharp gaze.
And then came the climax.
Noa pulled Song's hand, and they stood face to face. Song looked nervous, while Noa enjoyed every moment of it. He leaned in and whispered something.
"The national tournament is just around the corner... don't tremble on the court later. Because I will be watching you, Song."
The song ended. Song was stunned. Noa escorted her back to where she was before. He smiled at Evelyn a polite, yet strange smile.
Everyone was shocked that Noa had asked Song to dance. Even the teachers were frozen, watching the two of them dance.
The principal returned to the podium and called Joe to give a speech before the official send-off ceremony. Joe stepped up.
"With all due respect to the teachers and staff, I stand here to give a message to both the athletes and non-athletes. I want an honest and honorable victory. It is okay to lose, as winning and losing are a natural part of the game. I ask the principal to officially release our school's athletes."
Joe stepped back.
"I hereby release all the athletes who will compete."
The ribbon was cut, and the gong sounded, marking the official send-off. Everyone clapped, their cheers filling the room.