The day of the first practice presentation dawned with overcast skies—fitting, considering the storm brewing in Group One.
They were in the AV room, projector flickering, Rio adjusting the HDMI cable while Ren polished off the last visual edits on his tablet.
"Try now?" Rio asked, crouching near the screen.
Ren nodded. "It should be synced."
The image flicked up onto the wall—crisp, clean, animated.
"That's perfect," Ren smiled, proud.
Rio gave him a double thumbs-up and stood. "We're actually ahead of schedule. Go us."
Yuuji, sitting with arms crossed at the back of the room, didn't share the enthusiasm.
He watched the easy way Ren laughed with Rio—how comfortable they'd gotten in just a few days. It burned. He couldn't explain it, not out loud, but the ache settled behind his ribs like a warning bell.
He's not yours, his rational side whispered.
But the part of him that remembered the campfire talk, the library detention, and Ren's faint smile when no one else was looking… that part wasn't so rational anymore.
---
At the opposite corner of the room, Ian was pretending to scroll through notes on his laptop—but his gaze kept drifting. Every time Rio laughed, every time he bent toward Ren to say something too softly for anyone else to hear, Ian's stomach twisted.
It had started quietly—just a curiosity. But now?
Now it hurt to watch.
---
"Okay," Will clapped his hands dramatically. "Let's rehearse like our final grades depend on it. Because—plot twist—they do."
Kenji leaned over to him and whispered, "We should sell tickets to this drama. Ian staring daggers, Yuuji brooding like a vampire. It's peak entertainment."
Will snorted. "It's like watching a love pentagon unfold."
---
Ren took center stage first, nerves masked behind practiced calm. His voice was steady as he introduced the historical topic. Rio followed, effortlessly charismatic. They were a natural pair.
Yuuji tried to focus on the content—but every time Ren glanced at Rio with that lopsided grin, it was like a crack down his spine.
His heart thudded unevenly.
He'd been trying not to name it. That feeling. That flutter that turned into a sting when Ren laughed with someone else.
But now, watching the way Rio got all of Ren's attention, Yuuji couldn't lie to himself anymore.
He liked Ren.
He liked him.
He just didn't know if he was too late.
---
Ian stood next, voice a little stiff but competent. Rio smiled at him in encouragement from the front row.
Ian tried not to melt.
He wanted to say something clever—something that would make Rio laugh the way he did with Ren. But the words caught in his throat.
After the run-through ended, the room broke into chaotic debriefs.
"You did great," Rio said, patting Ian's shoulder.
Ian gave a small smile. "You were better."
Rio tilted his head. "You okay lately?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
Rio gave him a look. "You've been quiet."
Ian looked down. "Just tired."
He wasn't. Not really. Just tired of being second to Ren in Rio's world.
---
Meanwhile, Yuuji stayed behind, gathering the printed feedback sheets. Ren lingered too.
"You were quiet today," Ren said gently.
Yuuji looked at him. "You didn't notice?"
Ren blinked. "Of course I did."
There was something raw in Yuuji's eyes now. "You spend a lot of time with Rio."
Ren blinked again. "Yeah. He's part of the group."
"Right. Just… wondering."
Ren's brows drew together. "Why?"
Yuuji hesitated. Then: "Because I like you."
The words hung in the air like a dropped pin.
Ren's lips parted—but no sound came out.
Yuuji stepped back. "Forget it. I just needed to say it once."
He turned and left, leaving Ren staring after him—heart thudding, thoughts racing.
---
Outside the AV room, Will and Kenji sat on a bench, sipping vending machine drinks like they were front-row at a drama series.
Will looked over. "So… that was a confession, right?"
Kenji nodded. "Two chapters late, but I'll take it."
"And Ian?"
Kenji chuckled. "Drowning in unrequited pining."
Will sipped thoughtfully. "Should we intervene?"
"Nah," Kenji said, smirking. "Let the chaos bloom."