Rival's Crescendo: Secrets of Melrose Manor

Thursday's Luck: Nonexistent

It was Thursday, and my heart was pounding as I stood in the echoing grand hall of Bluebirds Academy. All I could think of was Haerin – her face, how she would react if she saw us, and if she was even coming. Bluebirds Academy, our biggest competition, was coming to perform on open day after school. I've been wondering if I could bear to touch the keys of the grand piano, let alone see her face after how I treated her. It's my fault she's gone.

I couldn't help but stare at the class president as he rolled the grand piano into the hall. Each movement our orchestra made seemed to reverberate through the large, intimidating space that was usually reserved for us.

"Minji, are you alright?" Antoine's voice pulled me out of my trance. I realized I had been standing in the middle of the hall, lost in my thoughts. I blinked and forced a smile. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine," I replied, but my voice quivered slightly. Antoine nodded and walked away, leaving me to gather my thoughts.

I raised my eyebrows and bowed my head in self-disgust. I needed to get it together. This was an important performance, and I couldn't let my personal feelings get in the way.

"Hey," I heard a familiar voice say, and I turned around to find Sebastian standing there.

I couldn't help but smile when I saw Sebastian walking towards me, his eyes darting around the hall as if trying not to get caught. As we approached each other, his smile was warm and reassuring.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, genuinely curious about his unexpected presence. He blushed bashfully, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Just wanted to wish you luck, you know," he began, stumbling over his words. "I mean, it's not like you need luck."

His words made me chuckle softly. "Thanks, I appreciate that. But, to be honest, I'm feeling so nervous for some reason," I admitted, my gaze dropping to our feet.

Sebastian, always perceptive, searched for my eyes and leaned in a little closer. "Well, I have something for that," he said, his voice filled with a hint of excitement. With a swift, confident movement, he produced a charm from his pocket.

The charm was exquisite, a delicate silver star with tiny sapphire crystals embedded in it, twinkling like the night sky. It dangled from a fine chain, and its craftsmanship was impeccable. I was momentarily mesmerized by its beauty.

He gently placed the charm in my hand, and I looked up at him, my smile growing wider.

I held the beautiful star-shaped charm in my hand, feeling the cool, smooth metal beneath my fingertips. The sapphire crystals caught the ambient light, creating a shimmering dance of blue hues that seemed to mimic the starry night sky. It was a breathtaking piece of jewelry, and I couldn't believe Sebastian had chosen it for me.

My eyes met his, gratitude welling up inside me. "It's stunning," I breathed, my voice filled with genuine amazement. "But what is it?"

Sebastian's smile deepened as he explained, "It's a good luck charm, Minji. My grandmother gave it to me when I was feeling nervous before a big performance. She said it had been in our family for generations, passed down to help calm our nerves and bring good fortune. I thought you could use a little extra luck today."

Touched by his thoughtful gesture, I felt my heart swell with affection for him. I held the charm close to my chest, feeling the warmth of his kindness. "Thank you, Sebastian," I said, my voice soft and sincere. "I can't express how much this means to me."

He shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the slight pink tinge on his cheeks gave away his genuine emotions. "It's nothing, really. Just remember, you're incredibly talented, Minji. You've got this."

His words of encouragement were like a soothing balm to my anxious soul. I knew I had to compose myself, for the performance was fast approaching. I took a deep breath and met Sebastian's eyes with determination. "I'll do my best," I promised.

As the minutes ticked away, I tucked the charm carefully into my pocket, close to my heart. It was a tangible reminder of Sebastian's belief in me, and it gave me the strength to face the daunting stage ahead with confidence.

As people began to pour into the grand hall, I exchanged glances with my classmates, all of whom were seated in their designated areas. The anticipation in the air was palpable as our music teacher welcomed the audience to our school. My heart raced as I scanned the crowd, searching for a particular row of students wearing blue blazers. Bluebirds Academy, our music rivals, had arrived.

Amidst the sea of blue blazers, my eyes darted anxiously, seeking a familiar face. Where was Haerin? I couldn't help but wonder if she was among them. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but there was no time to dwell on it as I took my place at the grand piano.

I positioned myself, fingers poised over the keys, and took a deep breath. The silence in the hall was almost suffocating, amplifying my nervousness. Then, with a gentle touch, I began to play. The first notes flowed from my fingertips, filling the grand hall with a melody that seemed to dance and twirl like a fragile wisp of smoke.

My playing was a delicate balance of power and grace, every note resonating with emotion. The piano responded to my touch, its rich tones rising and falling with each stroke. As I poured my heart into the music, I could feel the audience being drawn in, captivated by the story my fingers were telling.

The piece swayed like a gentle breeze, carrying the listeners away to a world of beauty and melancholy. It was as if the piano had become an extension of myself, and I was communicating my feelings through its elegant, haunting notes.

Time seemed to stand still as I played, and the grand hall was filled with a profound stillness. It was a moment of pure connection between me, the piano, and the audience. And as the final note hung in the air, I could sense the collective breath the audience had been holding being released in a sigh of appreciation.

The applause that followed was thunderous, and the weight of my nervousness lifted, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and a renewed determination to face the challenges ahead, whatever they may be.

After playing for a little while longer, there was a scheduled break. Parents and students began to wander around the hall, sipping tea and enjoying biscuits. I took the opportunity to crack my knuckles and step back from the piano. I knew I would be here until about 7 pm, so it was a chance to relax and give my fingers a much-needed break.

As I looked around, I couldn't help but notice the bustling activity of parents and students. The atmosphere was buzzing with conversations and laughter. I watched as people mingled, some discussing the performances they had just witnessed, while others indulged in the refreshments.

Just as I was about to find a quiet corner to rest, a voice called out my name. It seemed like I was always the first person to be recognized in these situations. I turned around, and to my surprise, a girl from Bluebirds Academy was standing in a small group. Haerin was there too, but I tried my best not to meet her gaze.

"Minji, right?" the girl said, confirming my identity.

I nodded, slightly wary. "Yes, that's me."

"Kate, I must say I'm a big fan of your work," she said with a warm smile.

I raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled. "I appreciate that, Kate," I replied slowly and cautiously, wondering where this was heading.

"We're about to go up, and I just wanted to say thanks," Kate explained.

I furrowed my brows, genuinely perplexed. "Thanks for what?" I asked.

Kate's smile widened, and it became clear she was making some sort of inside joke. "For Haerin. We got lucky, didn't we?" she said with a mischievous tone.

The rest of the group nodded, clearly amused by Kate's comment. They then walked away, leaving me standing there, trying to process what had just happened.

I couldn't resist stealing a glance at Haerin, who kept her eyes fixed on the floor. It was a moment filled with unspoken tension and emotions. All I could think was, "You made a big mistake."