You And I

Chapter 44: Pageant and Heart's Farewell

"Everyone! This is the second day of Silvergrove Academy's Cultural Festival! Enjoy yourselves because today there's a beauty pageant! Have fun, folks!" The announcement echoed all around the school, and I rushed to our classroom to check on Mei and Liya. They were both getting ready for the pageant, their focus entirely on what was ahead.

Ryan soon took the stage in the gymnasium, his voice booming through the speakers. "Good afternoon, everyone! Get your eyes ready to see some beautiful girls up on this stage. The winner will receive a stunning trophy and a free ticket to all the stalls! So let's get started, folks!"

The crowd cheered wildly, and I found a seat where I could get a good view of Mei and Liya. I couldn’t help but feel nervous for both of them.

Ryan continued, "Behold! The goddess of Section Raven—Mei Briar!"

The gym exploded with applause as Mei walked out, looking absolutely breathtaking. Her confidence was clear as she took her place in the center of the stage, and the crowd cheered louder when I shouted, "Go, Mei!" from the back.

Ryan smiled, then asked her the first question, "Okay, Ms. Briar. What would you do if you only had 24 hours to live?"

Mei paused for a moment before answering. Her voice was soft but steady. "I would spend my 24 hours with the boy I love the most, telling him how much I love him and pampering him every second."

Her answer sent waves of emotion through the crowd, and even I felt my heart skip a beat. Ryan chuckled. "A touching answer from the goddess of Raven! Give her another round of applause!"

The crowd roared in approval as Mei stepped back, her smile soft but proud.

Ryan then announced the next contestant. "Another from Section Raven, also known as the Heroine of the Seven Seas—Liya Clarke!"

The crowd cheered again, and someone from the back shouted, "I just saw this girl, but heck, she's beautiful!" Liya walked onto the stage confidently, her presence commanding the room.

Ryan asked her a pointed question, "Okay, Ms. Clarke, here's your question. If the person you love likes someone else... what would you do?"

I flinched at the question, wondering if Ryan had made it up on the spot. Liya took a deep breath before answering, "As we all know, people go through that sometimes. Even me. But for me, I'll force him to fall in love with me—I don’t care about the girl he likes. All I want is him."

Her words hit hard, and even Mei, standing at the corner of the stage, looked shocked but clapped along with the rest of the crowd. Ryan grinned, "Talk about confidence! Am I right, folks?"

After a few more contestants and rounds of elimination, it came down to just two: Mei and Liya. The crowd buzzed with anticipation.

Ryan addressed the audience. "This is a tough one, folks! Our final round will let the candidates wear whatever they like, and it’s up to the judges to decide who wins. Let's hear it for our finalists!"

The cheers grew louder, and in just a few minutes, Mei appeared on stage in a stunning wedding gown. The whole gym erupted with applause.

Ryan's eyes widened as he spoke into the mic. "Whoa! What an unexpected outfit! The goddess surprises us with her beautiful gown! But will the Heroine be outdone?"

Just then, Liya stepped onto the stage, wearing a traditional Japanese yukata with a matching umbrella. The crowd gasped in surprise. Ryan marveled, "Whoa! The Heroine chose to go traditional to compete with the wedding gown! What a match, folks!"

The crowd went wild, cheering for both Mei and Liya as they stood side by side on stage, their contrasting outfits captivating the audience. The tension was high as Ryan prepared to announce the winner.

"The judges have made their decision! Who will it be—the bride goddess, or the traditional heroine? Let’s find out!"

The room fell silent as Ryan opened the envelope. "And the winner of the beauty pageant is... Mei Briar!"

The gymnasium exploded with cheers and applause, and I felt my heart swell with pride for Mei. She looked stunned for a moment before smiling, her eyes shining with happiness as she accepted the trophy.

After Mei's victory in the pageant, we all rushed over to her, cheering and congratulating her. She was glowing with joy, her trophy in hand. The atmosphere was light and filled with laughter. But then, suddenly, Liya approached me.

"Levi, can I talk to you for a second?" she asked, her voice unusually serious.

I glanced at Mei, who gave a small nod of understanding. They exchanged a look I couldn’t quite interpret, but I followed Liya out of the room and up to the rooftop.

Once we were there, I could feel the tension building as Liya faced me, her eyes full of something I hadn't seen before.

"Levi," she began softly, "I love you. I have loved you for a long time now."

Her words hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn’t find my voice. She continued, "You know, Mei and I made a deal—whoever lost the pageant would give up on their feelings. And... I lost. So I'm taking this chance to say it. I love you, Levi."

I stood there, speechless, trying to process everything. Liya gave a soft chuckle, but it was filled with sadness. "Hey, you're making this awkward. Say something."

I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "You know, Liya, I liked you too, back then... when we were kids. But—"

She cut me off, a small, bittersweet smile on her lips. "I knew. I always knew. You even promised to marry me when we got older. How I wish I could turn back time."

Her voice wavered, and she added, "But not anymore, right? Levi already has someone else in his heart... right?"

I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. She tried to hide them, but it was no use. She turned away slightly, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

"I just needed to say it... before I could let go," Liya whispered.

I stood there, guilt and sadness swirling inside me, wishing I could make things easier for her. But there was nothing I could say to take away the pain. She smiled through her tears and looked back at me, her expression softer now.

"Thanks for listening," she said quietly. Then, without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone on the rooftop.

After Liya confessed her feelings and began to walk away, she suddenly stopped and turned back. "Actually... I want to talk more," she said, walking back toward me with a playful glint in her eyes, though I could still see the sadness there.

She stayed on the rooftop, leaning against the railing as if trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, you better give it your all with Mei," she teased, her tone softer. "That girl is good for you."

"Yeah," I answered quietly, still feeling a bit shaken by everything.

She forced a giggle, trying to cover her sadness. "Hey, remember that time you made your promise? Where is it now?" Her voice had a teasing edge, but it felt bittersweet.

Before I could respond, she teased again, "You know what part of our past I can't forget?"

I tilted my head, curious. "What?"

She grinned slightly. "Back when we were kids, remember when I stole your first kiss?"

I froze, memories rushing back to that innocent moment from so many years ago. But before I could react, she stepped forward, placing her hands gently on my cheeks. Her eyes met mine, and before I could pull away or even say a word, she kissed me—soft and brief, just like the first time.

When she pulled back, she forced another smile. "There. I got my kiss back."

The moment hung in the air, the weight of her words pressing on both of us. "Thank you for everything, Levi," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

And then, before I could say anything, Liya turned and quickly made her way down the stairs, tears streaming down her face.