Celestial Echoes~

Chapter 17

The next day, the arrangements for the party had been finalized, and now it was time for everyone to gather. Era had invited another close friend, Sisily, to join them for the evening. Naturally, Era made sure to ask for Scoups' permission beforehand, as Sisily, known for her unwavering loyalty and kind heart, had always been a trusted companion.

With less than 40 minutes left before the party, the girls meticulously prepared themselves, each reflecting their own unique style. Ren opted for a flowing, gown-style dress that elegantly framed her figure, layering it with a chic jacket and a matching scarf draped with effortless grace around her neck. The sophisticated look perfectly suited her reserved, yet commanding presence. Era chose a dress in a similar style but decided to forgo the scarf, allowing the simplicity of the gown to speak for itself. Meanwhile, Al went with something more daring—a knee-length, crop gown with delicate, thin straps that highlighted her charm. She looked undeniably captivating, a vision of elegance mixed with youthful confidence. Not one to be outdone, Sisily arrived dressed in a short, sleeveless Western ensemble, which showcased her confidence and boldness.

After applying just enough makeup to enhance their natural beauty, the girls were ready. Together, they set off for the Seventeen dormitory, excitement bubbling under their calm exteriors.

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Upon arrival, they were greeted warmly by the members. As soon as the girls stepped through the door, Mingyu’s playful voice broke the silence.

"Wow! The girls are looking so incredibly gorgeous tonight!" Mingyu exclaimed, flashing his signature flirtatious grin.

Ren rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Thanks, buddy," she muttered dryly, shrugging off the compliment with a wave of her hand.

"It wasn’t for you, duh!" Mingyu shot back, casting a playful side-eye her way, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Ugh! Whatever,” Ren retorted, rolling her eyes once again, though a faint smile tugged at the edges of her mouth. Their familiar sibling-like banter drew a soft chuckle from Wonwoo, who stood nearby, silently observing the exchange, amused by the dynamic.

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The party kicked off in full swing, the music blasting through the speakers as the energy in the room became infectious. Laughter, conversation, and dancing filled the air. Seungkwan, however, found himself particularly distracted. His eyes kept wandering to Sisily, who had caught his attention from the moment she walked in. After debating with himself for a while, he finally mustered up the courage to approach her.

“Hey there,” Seungkwan greeted, flashing a bright smile as he stood beside her.

“Hey,” Sisily replied curtly, her response brief and guarded.

“You’re really pretty,” Seungkwan complimented, his tone genuine as he offered a smile.

“Umm… yes?” Sisily responded, her tone carrying a hint of confusion as she glanced at him sideways.

“So… wanna go out with me?” Seungkwan blurted out, his directness catching the attention of the nearby members. Their eyes widened in surprise, though they kept their distance, quietly observing the interaction.

“What?!” Sisily’s eyes widened in disbelief, her voice momentarily rising above the music.

“I mean… I like you. So, do you want to go on a date with me?” Seungkwan repeated, still smiling as if the awkwardness hadn’t settled in.

Sisily blinked, taken aback, before furrowing her brows. After a moment of silence, a smile slowly crept across her face, and she leaned in slightly closer to Seungkwan.

“Really? Well… I don’t think we can date. Sorry, but—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Seungkwan quickly cut in, trying to save face. “It’s okay! You can take your time, no rush.”

“No, it’s not about time. Actually… I’m a lesbian,” Sisily said with a gentle smile, her tone sincere but leaving Seungkwan completely shocked.

The members who had been eavesdropping nearby tried their best to hold back their laughter, but within seconds, they burst into uncontrollable fits of giggles.

“Poor Seungkwan!” DK managed to say between bursts of laughter, clutching his stomach as tears of amusement filled his eyes.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Dino chimed in, patting Seungkwan’s shoulder, though his attempt at comfort was undermined by the grin spreading across his face.

Realizing how awkward the situation had become, Seungkwan shot Dino a withering look, and Dino quickly withdrew his hand, sheepishly stepping back. Without saying another word, Seungkwan hurried off, determined to avoid becoming the center of further mockery.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, the party continued in full swing...

Era's POV:

As the music thumped around me, I found myself slowly drifting away from the crowd, my mind unable to fully embrace the lively atmosphere. I wandered towards a quieter spot, watching as everyone seemed to lose themselves in the moment, dancing and laughing without a care in the world. And yet, all I could feel was a growing ache inside.

This was it—the last night we’d have together with Seventeen, the final moments I would share with Joshua. Over the past few days, we’d gotten closer, and somewhere along the way, he’d carved out a place in my heart. Now, I think I might be in love with him. But how could I admit that? He’s an idol, and I’m just… me. It felt impossible. The weight of the situation was suffocating, and I couldn’t shake the sadness that had settled deep in my chest.

Suddenly, a familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Hello, miss. What’s got you so lost in thought?”

I turned, startled, to see Joshua standing beside me. His eyes, as always, seemed to see straight through me.

“Oh, it’s you,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though it betrayed the emotions swirling inside me.

“Is something wrong? You seem upset,” Joshua asked softly, his concern evident in the way his eyes softened as they met mine.

“No, it’s nothing,” I lied, forcing a smile and hoping he wouldn’t pry any further.

Joshua’s gaze lingered for a moment before he nodded, clearly unconvinced. “It seems like you don’t want to tell me. But that’s okay.”

His gentle tone caught me off guard, and before I knew it, the words tumbled out. “Actually… I’m just upset because this is our last time together. I don’t know when—or if—we’ll see each other again.”

Joshua’s eyes met mine again, and this time, there was a tenderness in them that made my heart skip a beat. “Don’t be upset. If fate wants us to meet again, we will, no matter the circumstances.”

His words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. Our eyes locked, and I could feel the intensity in his gaze. I quickly looked away, my cheeks growing warm under his scrutiny.

“You’re looking really pretty tonight, though,” Joshua suddenly remarked, his voice soft but playful. His compliment caught me off guard, and I felt my face flush even more. I mumbled a quick, incoherent excuse before darting away, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I hurried off, I could feel Joshua’s gaze following me, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him chuckle. He had noticed my flustered reaction, and it seemed to amuse him. The realization made my heart race even more, and I couldn’t help but smile despite myself.

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Joshua lingered in his spot, watching Era as she retreated. There was a twinkle in his eye as he chuckled softly to himself, clearly enjoying how easily he could fluster her. He wasn’t done teasing her just yet—he found her reactions far too entertaining.

The tale whispers on~~!