Soul in the System: Chanjin

Prom Night

The day of prom arrived like a breath of fresh air, sweeping through the school and leaving no one untouched by the excitement. The buzz was palpable, the hallways a flurry of last-minute chatter about outfits, limos, and after-parties. For Chan and Hyunjin, it was more than just a school dance—it was a milestone, a celebration of everything they had built together.

The week leading up to prom had been surprisingly calm. The success of Chan's promposal had silenced most of the lingering doubts or whispers from their classmates. Even Hyejin, though she still threw the occasional glare their way, seemed to have given up on stirring trouble. For once, it felt like the world was on their side.

At the Hwang house, the excitement was already in full swing. Felix, Jeongin, and Jisung had come over to get ready with Hyunjin, filling the house with laughter and the sound of music blasting from the living room speakers.

Hyunjin stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the lapel of his suit jacket. It was tailored to perfection, sleek and bold in a way that only he could pull off. His hair was styled immaculately, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"You look amazing," Felix said, stepping back to admire him. "Chan's going to lose his mind."

Hyunjin smirked, turning to give a dramatic spin. "Well, he should. I didn't spend two hours getting ready for nothing."

Jeongin rolled his eyes but grinned. "You know he thinks you're perfect no matter what, right?"

"Obviously," Hyunjin replied, his tone playful but warm. "But it doesn't hurt to remind him."

As they continued their banter, Chan stood in the living area, dressed in a classic black tuxedo that fit him like a second skin. His hair was styled neatly, but the sight of him standing in the entryway, looking slightly nervous, made Hyunjin's heart skip a beat.

"Wow," Felix said, breaking the silence. "Superstar cleans up nice."

Chan glanced at Hyunjin, his gaze softening as he took him in. "You look... incredible," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Hyunjin felt a blush rise to his cheeks, though he covered it with a smirk. "I know. But thanks for noticing."

Chan chuckled, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Hyunjin took it without hesitation, his heart fluttering as they headed out the door.

The prom venue was a dazzling affair, the school gymnasium transformed into something out of a dream. Lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow over the room, while a live DJ kept the energy high with a mix of upbeat tracks and romantic ballads.

When Chan and Hyunjin entered, arm in arm, the room seemed to pause for a moment. Heads turned, whispers rippled through the crowd, and their friends greeted them with cheers and applause.

"You guys look amazing!" Felix exclaimed, rushing over to give them both a quick hug. "I'm seriously so proud."

"Thanks, Felix," Hyunjin said, his smirk softening into a genuine smile. "You don't look half-bad yourself."

The group posed for photos, laughing and joking as the night unfolded around them. But for Chan, the highlight was simply being there with Hyunjin, watching him light up the room with his confidence and charm.

As the evening progressed, the DJ slowed the tempo, signaling the start of the traditional slow dance. Couples began pairing off, and Chan turned to Hyunjin, offering his hand.

"May I have this dance?" Chan asked, his voice steady but warm.

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a playful grin. "You really are a charmer, aren't you?"

Chan shrugged, his smile widening. "Only for you."

Hyunjin took his hand, letting Chan lead him to the center of the dance floor. As the soft melody filled the room, they moved together in perfect sync, Chan's hands resting gently on Hyunjin's waist while Hyunjin looped his arms around Chan's neck.

For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world faded away. The whispers, the rumors, the doubts—all of it melted into the background, leaving only the two of them.

"You know," Hyunjin said softly, his voice barely audible over the music, "I never thought I'd be here, dancing with someone like you."

"Someone like me?" Chan asked, tilting his head.

Hyunjin smiled, his gaze full of affection. "Someone who sees me. Who makes me feel like I'm enough."

Chan's chest tightened, warmth spreading through him. "You are enough, Hyunjin. More than enough."

Hyunjin rested his head against Chan's shoulder, closing his eyes as they swayed to the music. For the first time in a long time, he felt completely at ease.

As the song ended, the DJ's voice rang out over the speakers. "Alright, everyone! It's time to announce this year's Prom King and Queen!"

Cheers erupted as the crowd gathered around the stage, their energy buzzing with excitement. Chan and Hyunjin stood together, their hands brushing as they waited for the announcement.

"And the winners are..." the DJ paused dramatically, drawing out the suspense. "Hyunjin Hwang and Chan Bang!"

The room exploded into applause as their friends cheered loudly, Felix practically bouncing with excitement. Hyunjin's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, turning to Chan with a playful grin.

"Looks like we're royalty now," he said, his voice full of humor but tinged with pride.

Chan smiled, his gaze soft. "You've always been royalty to me."

Hyunjin laughed, nudging him gently as they made their way to the stage. As they accepted their crowns and posed for photos, Chan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. This moment, this night, felt like a celebration of everything they had overcome.

Later, as the night wound down and the crowd began to thin, Chan and Hyunjin slipped away from the dance floor, finding a quiet spot under the stars outside the venue. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth of the gym, and they sat together on a bench, their hands intertwined.

"Tonight was perfect," Hyunjin said softly, leaning against Chan's shoulder.

"It was," Chan agreed, his voice equally soft. "But it's not just tonight. Every day with you feels like this—like I've found something I didn't know I was looking for."

Hyunjin looked up at him, his eyes shining. "You really are too good to be true, you know that?"

Chan shook his head, smiling. "I'm just me. And I'm lucky to have you."

For a moment, they simply sat there, letting the quiet wrap around them like a warm blanket. And as the stars twinkled above, Chan knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—side by side.