Stars' Song: Clef

Chapter 20 : Our Reflections

20-1

Sierra High School has metamorphosed. The chatter of the student body had always been present during school days, although this time around, it was ten times louder. At events like today's Battle of the Bands Contest, wherever you were, the surrounding atmosphere was livelier than usual. It was around when everything should be settling down since most of the students in lower grade levels had finished their classes. Still, since everyone was awaiting such a cultural and celebrated event, this energy will undoubtedly last until the moon rises. Some found the change pleasant, while some found it bothersome. Although whoever found it vexatious were probably teachers in their sixties.

As we sauntered through the hallways, students kept the incomprehensible ball of noise alive in their casual attires. Some were rushing to the restrooms to change, and some, mostly pupils in their first year, were merely running around and chasing each other.

The crashing and thumping of drums were accompanied by a screech of feedback. Following this was an amplified male voice repeating 'soundcheck, one, two'. This triggered those who were running to pick up their pace. During my walk with three other students, I inhaled the radiating ardor from the overwhelming sight.

"It's almost time." Ronin surveyed the watch wrapped around his left wrist.

"Where'd you buy your top, Cy?" Keith, oblivious to Ronin's heads-up, ogled Cyril's clothes.

"I don't know. I just had it in my cabinet. Maybe it was from an ukay." Cyril fixed the collar sheltering his neck.

"Pretty slick!"

Cyril wore a buttoned-up black shirt and tucked it into a pair of washed denim jeans. The sleeves were folded up to his elbows, and the pants' bottom cuffs were rolled up to his shins. Below the garments were pure black espadrilles. To increase the pizazz of Cyril's fashion, the black belt completed a single revolution around his waist before lazily dangling at one end. It doesn't culminate there. The garment serving as the final touches truly swept us off our feet.

"Whoa! What?! Is that a choker?!" Keith pointed at the fabric just above Cyril's Adam's apple. "This is legit a choker!"

"Where'd you learn to dress like this, Cy?!" Ronin's pupils sparkled as he examined Cyril from head to toe. "This is badass! You look so cool!"

There was, indeed, a black choker decorated with a single pearl around Cyril's throat. Today, he resembled a cat more than any other day.

"My little sister called me saying since it was the last BOTB we'll be performing in, I better go all out." Cyril shrugged his shoulders, indifferent. "Technically, Cleo was the one who went all out. She was the one who picked these clothes for me."

Cyril mentions his little sister a lot, but none of us has ever seen her. We don't even know if she exists, but I don't think Cyril is insane to fake a family member.

"She did you a huge favor. You seriously look amazing," I complimented.

"Why, thank you."

It would be bland if the performers wore the primary school uniform during their performance. It was customary to don an attire during the contest. Furthermore, students from the audience were free to change into whatever apparel they wanted, as long as it obeyed the dress code. It was also popular to ask someone to become their BOTB date. Couples flirting in the dark while the bands played was not unusual.

"Ronin's looking interesting, as always." Cyril nodded at Ronin's outfit.

"Hehe~! It's cute, right?"