Daylight To Her Midnight | YJH | Seventeen Fanfic

Chapter: 29

"An opening ceremony?" Miyeon’s voice cut through the loud and lively chatter of the cafeteria, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement as she sat next to Dokyeom.

The sun streamed in through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the bustling room, but the group around her seemed to be in their own world, oblivious to the chaos around them.

Across from her, Seungkwan looked up from his half-eaten sandwich, his eyes reflecting days of fatigue. "Yeah," he sighed, pushing the plate away slightly, "They want us to perform something for the inaugural. It’s the usual drill, nothing new, but still exhausting."

Dokyeom glanced at her, then her plate, and then slid a muffin from his plate onto hers, his smile as sweet as the treat. She returned the gesture with a grateful nod, but her curiosity remained piqued.

Miyeon’s gaze flicked between the three boys in front of her. Despite the weariness in Seungkwan’s voice, there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes that didn’t go unnoticed. "What are you three doing?", she questioned.

"Since I’m part of the organizing committee, that’s my main focus," Seungkwan explained, leaning back in his chair, "But I’ll also be singing." There was a hint of pride in his voice that made Miyeon’s heart swell with affection for her friend. He often downplayed his talents, but she knew how much effort he put into everything he did.

"I’m doing a dance skit," Hoshi chimed in, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Miyeon had heard countless stories about his incredible stage presence, but she hadn’t yet had the chance to see it for herself. The thought of finally witnessing it made her own excitement bubble over, a grin spreading across her face.

"And I’m starring in the musical. I’ve got the lead role, but that’s scheduled for later to keep the hype going," Dokyeom added, flashing her his dazzling smile.

Miyeon beamed at them with happiness. "I can’t wait to see you all perform. I’ll make sure to watch every single one of you. Just make sure to come and support me at my games too, okay?" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and they all nodded in agreement, sharing in her excitement.

Their classes had been cancelled for two weeks for the Diamond Cup, and until now, Miyeon hadn’t realized just how significant the competition was.

The cafeteria buzzed around them, students laughing and talking loudly, but Miyeon felt as if the world had shrunk to just their small group. The Diamond Cup was a big deal, and she could feel the weight of it pressing down on her shoulders, but in this moment, surrounded by her friends, all she felt was a deep sense of belonging.

As they continued eating their lunch, Miyeon felt a presence behind her. The way the atmosphere shifted slightly, growing more serious, told her exactly who it was. She smelled him before she saw him, his distinct musk cologne giving him away even amidst the mix of scents in the room.

Jeonghan stood there, his tall frame slightly hunched as if he’d just come from an intense practice session. His long black hair clung to his damp face, still wet from a recent shower, and his sports jacket hung loosely off his shoulders, giving him a casual, almost boyish appearance. But it was his eyes, dark and deep, fixed intently on her, that made her heart skip a beat.

Behind him stood Nari, Seungcheol, Joshua, and Mingyu, all looking similarly tired but with an underlying tension that wasn’t lost on her. When her eyes landed on Mingyu, she narrowed them playfully, sticking her tongue out at him. He chuckled and rolled his eyes, returning the gesture. Despite the others, her gaze kept drifting back to Jeonghan.

Except for Nari and Jeonghan, the rest seemed hesitant to be standing there. Sensing the tension, Nari stepped forward, "Mind if we join you for lunch?" she asked hopefully, trying to ease the atmosphere.