Each committee gathered at separate tables, armed with planners, notebooks, and whiteboards. The gym buzzed with conversation as students settled into their roles.
At the Logistics & Scheduling table, Ara flipped open her planner, already focused.
"Alright, let's start by dividing the schedule. We need to balance performances, cultural booths, and donation stations without overlap," she said clearly, eyes on her notes, not on Karina.
Karina leaned back, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Wow, Ara. Already trying to be the boss?"
"It's called planning. You should try it sometime," Ara replied, keeping her voice steady.
Karina's smirk widened. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure things get real interesting."
Ara ignored her, but she gripped her pen a little too tightly.
At the Entertainment & Performances table, Chenle and Mark were already frustrated.
Mark exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Danny, we need actual performers, not just a 'vibe.'"
Danny grinned lazily, reclining in his chair. "Come on, man. Who needs schedules? Let's just see who shows up."
Chenle groaned, throwing his head back. "I swear, if I throw this clipboard at him, do I still get my volunteer hours?" He looked between Mark and Jaemin at the next table.
Mark and Jaemin chuckled, but Winter, sitting next to Jaemin, remained quiet. She hadn't contributed much, but Jaemin noticed how she kept stealing glances at him, like she wanted to say something. He met her eyes for a moment before looking away.
At the Publicity & Marketing table, Ningning, Giselle, Haechan, and Renjun worked efficiently.
Ningning scrolled through her phone, grinning. "We already made an Instagram page for the event. Give us a day, and half the school will be talking about it."
Renjun nodded, adjusting the budget notes he and Giselle had prepared. "Good. If we hit our donation goals early, we might get sponsors."
Before Giselle could respond, Chenle dramatically appeared, Mark trailing behind him.
"Giselle, can I borrow your calculator to throw at Danny's head?" Chenle sighed dramatically.
Haechan laughed. "Don't waste it. You need him alive for the festival."
Giselle just shook her head, muttering something about needing a new committee altogether.
Later, Karina, Danny, and Winter gathered in a secluded hallway.
Danny grinned, arms crossed. "So, how do we make sure this whole thing blows up in their faces?"
Karina flipped her hair, smirking. "Easy. We mess with the scheduling, ruin their performances, and let chaos take over."
Danny chuckled darkly. "Perfect. And Mr. Lee just had to pick the Dreamies to perform at the festival. That's perfect."
Winter leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "What about Jaemin? He's watching me like a hawk."
Karina's expression hardened. "Then don't let him distract you."
Danny tilted his head, smirking. "And if I play my cards right, maybe I'll distract Ningning while we're at it."
Winter and Karina exchanged unimpressed glances, rolling their eyes as the scheming began.
The tension was quiet but sharp. Ara, Chenle, Ningning, Giselle, and the others were busy, unaware that Karina, Winter, and Danny were already planning ways to throw everything into chaos. The festival, which should have been a fun school event, was about to get complicated.
