CHAP 50-54

Chapter 50: Costumes, Props, and an Unexpected Romeo

Inside the school’s costume and props department, Hiro and Misaki were knee-deep in fabric, paint, and glue sticks.

"Pass me that ribbon," Misaki said, her focus sharp as she carefully sewed details onto a costume.

Hiro, who was struggling with a glue gun, handed her the ribbon. "I don’t get why we have to make the costumes. Can’t we just rent them?"

"Budget, Hiro. Budget." Misaki didn’t even look up. "Besides, isn’t it more fun this way?"

"For you, maybe," Hiro muttered, his fingers now covered in glue.

As they worked, Yuna walked into the room, looking around curiously.

"Hey," she greeted, hands in her pockets.

Misaki glanced up. "Oh, Yuna. What are you doing here?"

"Thought I’d help out. Plus, I heard Hiro was struggling," she smirked.

Hiro huffed. "I’m not struggling. I just—OW!" He yelped as he accidentally burned his finger with the glue gun.

Yuna burst out laughing. "Yeah, totally not struggling."

Misaki sighed. "Hiro, maybe you should stick to painting the props instead."

Hiro, still pouting, grabbed a paintbrush. "Fine. But if I get paint on myself, I’m blaming both of you."

As the three continued working, Hiro picked up a can of gold paint to start decorating a fake sword for the play.

"Careful, don’t spill it—" Misaki warned, but it was too late.

With a clumsy move, Hiro knocked over the entire can. The paint splashed across the table, dripped onto his hands, and—most hilariously—left a streak on his face.

Yuna burst out laughing again. "Hiro, you look like a failed statue!"

"Damn it!" Hiro groaned, looking at his golden hands. "This is not funny!"

Misaki, trying not to laugh, handed him some tissues. "Here, wipe it off before it dries."

Hiro wiped his face but only managed to smear the gold further.

"Now I look like some kind of ancient warrior," he grumbled.

Yuna crossed her arms, pretending to be serious. "All hail the great Golden Hiro, protector of props and destroyer of dignity."

"Shut up, Yuna."

Misaki chuckled. "At least we know you’ll stand out on stage."

Hiro sighed dramatically. "I swear, this prop-making job is cursed."

Just then, a loud crash echoed from the other side of the room.

The three turned to see that Hiro, in his attempt to clean up, had accidentally knocked over a rack of costumes, which were now draped all over him.

Yuna and Misaki couldn’t hold it in anymore. They laughed so hard they had to hold onto each other for support.

Hiro, now buried under fabric, just groaned. "I hate everything."

—

Meanwhile, in the auditorium, Kyoya stood in the spotlight, script in hand.

"With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me."

There was a brief silence.

Then—

"Whoa…"

A few classmates started whispering among themselves.

"Is he actually good at this?"

"I thought he’d be awkward, but he’s like… really into it."

Kyoya, for once, wasn’t paying attention to the people watching him. He was absorbed in the scene, acting as if he was Romeo. His facial expressions, the way he moved—it was all natural.

Even the teacher nodded approvingly.

His partner, on the other hand, was struggling. She was undeniably pretty, but her delivery felt flat.

"Uh… oh… Romeo… um… wherefore art thou Romeo…?" she said awkwardly.

Kyoya sighed inwardly. This is gonna be a long practice.

—

Back in the costume department, Hiro finally freed himself from the pile of costumes.

"I give up," he muttered. "Props-making is not for me."

Yuna patted his shoulder. "At least you’ll have a funny story to tell."

Misaki smirked. "Yeah, the legend of Golden Hiro lives on."

Hiro groaned. "I am never going near paint again."

And with that, the chapter came to an end.

CHAPTER END


Chapter 51: A Confession Between the Lines

Hiro, Yuna, and Misaki sat in the auditorium, watching the ongoing play rehearsal. Various students were on stage, struggling through their lines, but Kyoya was nowhere in sight.

"Where’s Kyoya?" Hiro whispered.

"Maybe he ran away from the pressure of being Romeo," Yuna snorted.

Misaki, however, narrowed her eyes. Something told her he wasn’t the type to ditch practice—at least, not without a reason. Without a word, she wheeled herself out of the auditorium.

—

The Canteen Mishap

Misaki found Kyoya sitting in the school canteen, lazily stirring his drink with a straw, staring into space like a man deep in thought—or deep in stupidity. She rolled up beside him, arms crossed.

"Skipping practice, are we?"

Kyoya barely glanced at her before letting out a dramatic sigh. "Misaki… I have a confession."

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He turned to her with serious eyes. "I, Kyoya, have realized something truly tragic today."

Misaki blinked. "What…?"

Kyoya leaned in as if revealing a deep secret. "I hate the girl playing Juliet."

Misaki snorted. "That’s your tragedy?"

"Yes," Kyoya groaned, dropping his head on the table. "She’s pretty, sure, but she delivers her lines like a malfunctioning robot. And worse, she called me ‘Kyota’ three times!"

Misaki chuckled. "Kyota, huh? Maybe you should consider a name change."

Kyoya shot her a betrayed look. "Et tu, Misaki?"

She laughed. "So? What are you doing here instead of practicing?"

Kyoya shrugged. "Avoiding my tragic fate." Then, after a pause, he sat up and grinned. "But hey, since you’re here, wanna help me practice instead?"

Misaki raised an eyebrow. "Me? I’m not playing Juliet, you know."

"Yeah, but I’d rather rehearse with someone who won’t make me cringe."

"Flattery won’t get you anywhere."

"It got you here, didn’t it?" Kyoya smirked.

Misaki sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. But don’t expect me to dramatically fall in love with you."

Kyoya grinned. "No promises."

—

A Moment Between the Lines

They found an empty classroom, where Kyoya pulled out his script and stood by the window, bathed in the soft afternoon light. Misaki sat across from him, arms crossed, watching as he flipped through the pages.

"Alright, Romeo, let’s get this over with," she muttered.

Kyoya cleared his throat.

"With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me."

His voice—usually playful, teasing—shifted into something softer, more sincere. His usual smirk faded, replaced by something Misaki couldn’t quite place.

"I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo."

Misaki’s heart did something strange.

A small, unexpected bump.

She studied Kyoya’s face—his sharp features, his slightly nervous expression.

Why was he so good at this?

Then he looked at her.

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, neither spoke.

The air between them changed. It was no longer just a practice session. The playful banter, the light teasing—it all faded into something deeper, something neither of them had expected.

And then—

"Misaki."

She blinked, realizing how close he had stepped toward her. His usual grin was gone, replaced by an almost hesitant look.

"I like you."

Misaki froze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"I know we’re both busy with this play, so you don’t have to answer right now. But I wanted to tell you."

His voice was steady, but there was something vulnerable in it—something that made Misaki’s heart ache.

"I know that saying this might ruin our friendship, and I don’t want that. No matter what happens, I just…" He exhaled. "I just want to be honest with you."

Silence filled the room.

Misaki’s mind was racing.

Her heart was pounding.

She had always thought of Kyoya as annoying, as someone who wouldn’t stop pestering her. But now, standing here, seeing him like this—serious, sincere, waiting—

She realized something.

She liked him too.

And that terrified her.

She managed a nod, unable to speak.

Kyoya smiled—a relieved, almost boyish grin. "Okay. No pressure. Just… think about it."

—

Doubt and Fear

As they returned to the props and costume department, both of them were still visibly flustered.

Kyoya kept running a hand through his hair, muttering, "That was so cringe. I sounded like a drama lead in a bad soap opera. Why did I say it like that?"

Misaki, on the other hand, was in turmoil.

I knew it. I like him. But I don’t want to be hurt.

Her hands clenched slightly on her lap.

What if he leaves?

I’ve already lost so much. If I let myself love him and he leaves, I…

She swallowed hard.

I’ll break.

Love was supposed to be something wonderful, something warm.

But for her, it was terrifying.

Kyoya… I don’t know if I can do this.

And the chapter ends.


Chapter 52: Wait… Do I Like Him?!

The props department was in complete chaos. Yuna had no idea how their class expected them to finish everything on time when Hiro was around.

"Hiro, what the hell are you doing?"

She had only turned away for five minutes, and somehow, Hiro had managed to get himself tangled in a mess of fabric and wooden frames.

"I think… I’m stuck," Hiro admitted, his arms awkwardly pinned to his sides by a roll of decorative vines.

Yuna groaned. "You’re useless."

"I’m trying!" Hiro protested, wriggling like a trapped fish. "Why do we even need fake vines for a medieval play?!"

"Because the set is supposed to look dramatic and romantic, unlike you," Yuna huffed, grabbing a pair of scissors to cut him free.

Just as she started snipping, the classroom door opened, and a group of girls walked in.

"Hiro-kun, can we borrow you for a second?" one of them asked sweetly.

Yuna paused, scissors still in hand.

Hiro looked up, blinking. "Oh, uh, sure? What do you need?"

"We need help carrying some materials," another girl chimed in, twirling her hair.

Yuna's grip on the scissors tightened.

Why are they acting all flirty? This is just moving stuff!

Hiro smiled. "Yeah, I can—"

Without thinking, Yuna grabbed his sleeve and yanked him back.

"No, he can't. He's busy."

Hiro nearly tripped. "I am?"

Yuna nodded firmly. "Yes. Very busy. With me."

The girls blinked in surprise.

"Oh… okay then," one of them said, exchanging glances before leaving.

Hiro turned to Yuna, utterly confused. "Why did you do that?"

Yuna crossed her arms. "Because we need to finish the props, obviously. We can’t afford distractions."

"I can carry a few things and still work on the props, you know," Hiro pointed out.

"Nope, you’re too clumsy. You’ll probably trip and destroy everything," Yuna shot back.

Hiro sighed. "You have so little faith in me."

Yuna ignored the weird fluttering feeling in her chest and turned back to work.

—

Realization Hits Hard

After untangling Hiro, they spent the next hour painting props and assembling stage pieces.

Hiro, of course, managed to knock over a can of paint.

"Hiro, you absolute menace—!" Yuna shrieked as red paint splattered across the floor.

Hiro looked at the mess. "Okay, but hear me out… what if we meant to do that?"

"What kind of excuse—?! Just clean it up!" Yuna threw him a rag, still fuming.

But as she watched him struggle to scrub the floor, something weird happened.

Her heart did this stupid little jump.

She frowned. That’s weird. Must be heartburn or something.

Then Hiro looked up at her and grinned, paint smudged on his cheek.

Yuna felt her face warm.

Oh no.

She quickly turned away, forcing herself to focus on the props. But it didn’t help. Because suddenly, every little thing Hiro did—his goofy grin, the way he absentmindedly hummed while working, the way he always managed to make her laugh even when he was being an idiot—felt different.

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no, no, no.

She liked him.

She really liked him.

—

Denial & The Final Blow

As she desperately tried to shove that realization into a mental box and lock it away, a group of students walked by.

"Wow, the props team is working hard!" one of them said. "Hey, Hiro-kun, you’re really good with your hands, huh?"

Hiro chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I try."

Yuna didn’t know why, but she immediately blurted out—

"Hiro is horrible at this, actually. He got stuck in vines, spilled paint, and almost broke a chair."

Hiro gasped. "Betrayal!"

The students laughed, and Yuna felt strangely satisfied.

But then, one of the girls from earlier walked by and smiled at Hiro. "Still, it’s cool that you’re helping out. Maybe after rehearsal, you can—"

"He’s busy," Yuna interrupted, grabbing Hiro’s wrist.

Hiro blinked. "I am?"

Yuna dragged him away without answering.

Hiro, now extremely suspicious, leaned closer. "Okay, seriously. What’s up with you today?"

Yuna scoffed. "Nothing."

"You literally just scared off three girls," Hiro pointed out.

Yuna hesitated. "I didn’t scare them. I just… redirected them."

Hiro smirked. "Are you jealous?"

"W-WHAT?!" Yuna nearly choked on air.

Hiro laughed. "You so are! You’ve been acting weird ever since Aiko talked to me!"

Yuna’s face burned. "Shut up! I just don’t want you slacking off!"

"Sure, sure," Hiro teased, grinning.

Yuna turned away, crossing her arms.

This is bad.

She had spent years making fun of people for their dumb crushes.

And now here she was, crushing on Hiro.

Yuna groaned into her hands.

"I hate this."

Hiro, still smirking, patted her head. "It’s okay, Yuna. I know it’s hard to resist my charm."

She smacked his hand away.

I am so doomed.

Chapter 53: The Unexpected Juliet

Yuna had always considered herself the untouchable one in her friend group. Among her friends, she was the one who rejected every confession, dodged every attempt at flirting, and never entertained the idea of romance. It wasn’t that she disliked boys—it was just that none of them ever caught her interest.

At least, that’s what she always told herself.

Now, as she sat with her friends from another section during break time, laughing over their usual nonsense, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"So, Yuna," one of her friends, Sayaka, began with a sly grin. "How’s your love life?"

Yuna choked on her drink. "What kind of question is that?"

"A normal one?" Sayaka teased. "You never talk about guys. We’re just curious!"

Yuna rolled her eyes. "There’s nothing to talk about. I don’t have a ‘love life.’"

Her friends exchanged knowing glances.

"Riiight," another friend, Mei, drawled. "You just so happen to never be interested in any guy, huh?"

"Exactly," Yuna nodded, feeling a bit smug. "No one’s ever caught my attention."

"Oh? So how do you explain Hiro?"

Yuna nearly dropped her cup.

"What about that clumsy idiot?" she scoffed, trying to keep her voice steady.

Sayaka smirked. "So you do know who we’re talking about."

"Well, yeah, he’s in my class," Yuna shrugged. "He’s just some tiny, clumsy guy who—"

"Tiny?" Mei repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Since when did you start insulting people’s height?"

"I—I was just stating facts!" Yuna protested.

"Mhm," Sayaka hummed. "Well, I think Hiro is kinda cute. Would you mind introducing him to me?"

For some reason, Yuna felt her whole body stiffen.

Introduce Hiro to Sayaka?

That idea was unacceptable.

"Pfft, you don’t want him," Yuna blurted out before she could stop herself. "He’s an absolute disaster. He spills paint, trips over air, and has the worst sense of balance. He’s always knocking things over and—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Mei interrupted. "Why are you listing his flaws like you’re personally offended?"

Yuna opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Damn it.

"I’m just warning you," she muttered.

Sayaka smirked. "Suuuure you are. What’s with your reaction? Don’t tell me… you like Hiro?"

Yuna instantly went red.

"W-WHAT?! NO—NOO!"

Her friends immediately pounced, teasing her mercilessly.

"You totally like him!"

"Oh my god, this makes so much sense!"

"You’re always around him!"

"No wonder you scare other girls away from him!"

Yuna covered her face with her hands. "I hate all of you."

Sayaka grinned. "So? When are you confessing?"

Yuna peeked at them through her fingers. "…Huh?"

"You should confess!" Mei said. "I mean, it’s obvious Hiro likes you too."

Yuna’s stomach flipped. "What? Where did you get that idea?"

Sayaka waved her hand. "Girls’ intuition. The way he looks at you, the way he sticks around you even when you insult him 24/7—it’s clear as day."

Yuna fell silent, staring down at her lap.

Hiro… likes me?

That thought made her heart race in a way she really wasn’t ready to deal with.

—

Meanwhile, in the props department, Misaki was lost in her thoughts.

Sitting at the table, she absentmindedly traced patterns on the wooden surface, her mind replaying Kyoya’s words over and over again.

"I like you."

It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen this coming. Kyoya was always around, always pushing past her walls, always making her feel things she didn’t want to feel. She knew she had feelings for him. But…

What if he leaves me?

Misaki clenched her fists.

She had spent so much time convincing herself that she was fine on her own. That she didn’t need anyone. But Kyoya had made her doubt that belief. He had brought color back into her world, had given her warmth when she had forgotten what it felt like.

And yet, that warmth scared her.

Because if she let herself need it—if she let herself need him—what would happen if he disappeared?

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when someone called her name.

"Misaki!"

She turned to see a group of classmates rushing in, all of them looking frantic.

"We need your help! The lead actress is sick, and she can’t perform!"

Misaki blinked. "So?"

One of the students groaned. "So we’re in chaos! We need a replacement Juliet!"

Before she could even process that information, Kyoya’s voice cut through the noise.

"How about Misaki?"

The room went dead silent.

Misaki’s head snapped toward him, eyes widening.

One of the classmates immediately protested. "How can she participate? Don’t you remember? She can’t even—"

The sentence wasn’t finished.

Because, for the first time, the class saw something they had never seen before.

Kyoya’s bright, easygoing aura darkened in an instant. His usual grin disappeared, and his gaze turned cold.

His eyes locked onto the student who spoke, and for a moment, it felt like Kyoya was looking through him, peeling away every layer until there was nothing left but the raw fear settling in his chest.

"Say that again," Kyoya said, voice calm but dangerous.

The student swallowed hard, visibly paling.

No one knew Kyoya could look like that.

The tension was shattered when the class director quickly stepped in.

"I’ll make it work," the director said firmly.

Kyoya’s terrifying aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He turned back to Misaki and smiled, as if he hadn’t just mentally destroyed someone.

—

Now, standing on stage, Misaki gripped the sides of her skirt, her heart still racing from the events that had unfolded.

She was Juliet.

How did this happen?!

She looked at Kyoya, who was watching her with a soft, amused smile.

He planned this.

That realization sent a wave of emotions through her.

Frustration. Amusement. And, above all, warmth.

She didn’t know whether to yell at him or thank him.

But when he grinned at her, she knew one thing for sure.

She had never met anyone like Kyoya before. And that scared her more than anything.

CHAPTER END

Chapter 54: A Love Written in the Stars

D-day Play

The moment the curtains rose, the audience hushed into silence. A single spotlight illuminated the stage, revealing Kyoya as Romeo, standing tall and confident at the edge of the balcony. His costume was simple yet elegant, complementing his natural charm.

He took a deep breath before his voice resonated throughout the auditorium.

"With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out…"

His tone was deep, filled with raw emotion, as if he truly meant every word.

On the other side of the stage, Misaki, dressed as Juliet, felt her heart pounding.

She had feared this moment, but now that she was here, something felt right. The stage lights, the audience, the rush of excitement—it was familiar. Nostalgic.

She inhaled, then spoke her lines with grace.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite."

The audience was silent, mesmerized by her delivery.

—

In the front row, Misaki’s aunt gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if she had just witnessed the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Ang ganda-ganda naman ni Misaki! Kamukhang-kamukha ko talaga!"
("Misaki is so beautiful! She looks exactly like me!")

Misaki’s mother let out a short laugh, shaking her head.

"Yeah, right."

Her aunt turned to glare at her. "Ano?! Totoo naman ah! Alam mo namang dati akong campus crush eh!"
("What?! It’s true! You know I used to be the campus crush!")

Misaki’s mother giggled, covering her mouth. "Uh-huh, sure, sure."

Misaki’s father, who sat beside them, sighed and shook his head. "Can we please just watch the play?"

Her aunt pouted but returned her focus to the stage, muttering, "Wala ka talagang taste, bayaw."
("You really have no taste, brother-in-law.")

—

On the other side of the audience, Kyoya’s family sat together.

Renji was grinning like a proud older brother, his arm draped over Amelia’s shoulders.

"He really is meant to be Romeo," Renji whispered, nudging his girlfriend playfully. "Look at my brother—handsome, just like me."

Amelia rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.

"Of course."

Renji’s parents chuckled beside them.

"Get a room, you two," his mother teased.

"Yeah, don’t ruin your brother’s moment," his father added playfully.

They all laughed, but Amelia couldn't shake the feeling in her chest.

Something felt… strange.

She turned to glance at Renji’s parents, expecting them to be purely happy, but there was something else in their eyes.

A quiet sadness.

As if they were watching something fleeting.

As if they were watching Kyoya’s last play.

Amelia reached for Renji’s hand and squeezed it.

Renji, sensing her unease, squeezed back.

Neither of them spoke.

—

Onstage, Misaki was experiencing something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Confidence.

The whispers in the crowd didn’t faze her.

She could hear them faintly—

"Why is she playing Juliet? She's disabled."

"Maybe the teacher felt sorry for her."

"Or she has connections. Must be a backer."

Her aunt, however, did hear them.

Her head snapped toward the group of gossiping students, eyes burning with anger.

"Ano kamo?! Sino may sabi niyan?!"
("What did you just say?! Who said that?!")

She was already rolling up her sleeves, ready to charge at them, but Misaki’s mother grabbed her wrist before she could stand.

"Hayaan mo sila."
("Let them be.")

Her aunt shot her a look. "Ano?! Hahayaan mo na lang sila bastusin ang anak mo?!"
("What?! You’re just going to let them insult your daughter?!")

Misaki’s mother sighed, a small, knowing smile appearing on her lips.

She pointed at the stage.

"Tignan mo si Misaki—masaya na siya. Hindi na siya natatakot umakyat ulit ng stage."
("Look at Misaki—she’s happy. She’s not afraid of the stage anymore.")

Her aunt turned back and watched as Misaki confidently stood under the lights, delivering her lines with such passion and grace.

She went silent.

Then sniffled.

Her sister smirked. "O, akala ko ako lang iyakin?"
("Oh? I thought I was the crybaby?")

Misaki’s father, still wiping his eyes, muttered, "I just want to enjoy the play in peace."

Her aunt crossed her arms but let out a shaky sigh. "Pssh, fine."

—

Onstage, the play reached its most breathtaking moment.

Kyoya, playing Romeo, spoke his lines with such passion that the entire theater felt enchanted.

"With love’s light wings, I shall rise above any fate…"

Misaki, as Juliet, responded with equal sincerity, her voice laced with emotion.

Together, they sang—a harmony that resonated through the auditorium.

Every note, every lyric, was filled with something real.

The whispers had stopped.

The audience sat in awe, captivated by the performance.

Even those who had doubted Misaki before couldn’t deny the truth.

She belonged on that stage.

And Kyoya—he was born to stand beside her.

When the final line was spoken and the last note faded into silence, the entire auditorium erupted in applause.

A standing ovation.

As the curtain fell, Misaki and Kyoya stood facing each other, their breathing heavy, their hearts pounding.

For a moment, it wasn’t Romeo and Juliet anymore.

It was just them.

Looking at each other, as if lost in a world of their own.

As if nothing else existed.

And as the cheers echoed in the background, Misaki realized something.

She felt alive.

—
End of Chapter

Chapter end