Autumn is a second spring

132. Performance

Earth's eyes flicked to the exit for what must have been the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes. The glow from the stage lights reflected off his glasses, but his thoughts were nowhere near the performance.

"Should we go check, Phi?" he asked, voice tight with unease. "P' Ohm has been gone for over an hour."

Kao glanced at him and then at the restless woman two seats away. Linlalin had been fidgeting nonstop—tapping her nails against her thigh, adjusting her hair, checking her phone, and pretending to smile every time the audience cheered.

Earth didn't miss the tension. He leaned in closer to Kao and murmured, "She has been acting strange ever since P' Ohm left. I think she knows something."

Kao sighed quietly. "You mean about Ohm and Fluke?"

Earth nodded grimly. "What else? The moment the fans in front shouted that P' Ohm was lucky to have someone as pretty as Fluke, her face turned red."

Kao followed Earth's gaze. Linlalin's polite smile had vanished; now she sat stiff, lips pressed thin, eyes coldly scanning the stage as though waiting for proof of a suspicion she didn't want to confirm.

Kao leaned back in his chair. "Don't overthink it," he whispered. "Fluke's next performance is coming up soon. Ohm is probably backstage. Maybe helping out."

Earth didn't look convinced. "You think I can just sit here? Linlalin is the kind who smiles for the cameras but strikes where it hurts. If she finds out that P' Ohm and Fluke were together before..." He exhaled sharply. "Fluke has that meeting with the hospital board tomorrow. If Linlalin spreads something before that, it could destroy everything he has built."

Kao turned to him, surprised by the quiet urgency in his voice.

"You know how conservative the board is," Earth continued, rubbing his temple. "Half of them already think Fluke is too young and unqualified to run the hospital just because he doesn't have a medical degree. If they find out he is gay—if she makes sure they know—it will be chaos."

Kao reached over and squeezed Earth's hand. "Hey," he said softly. "Fluke is smart. And you worry too much. Let's not jump to conclusions until we have to."

Before Earth could reply, a shadow loomed over them.

"P' Ohm!" Earth's relief was immediate.

Ohm slid into his seat, looking calm but pale. "Sorry," he said, flashing a faint smile. "Upset stomach. Took a bit longer than I thought."

Kao gave him a look that said he didn't quite believe it but decided to drop it. "You missed a few performances," he said instead.

"Yeah," Ohm murmured, glancing toward the stage.

Earth wanted to say something else, but Kao gently tugged at his hand, silently urging him to stay quiet. Linlalin had noticed Ohm's return, and her expression was unreadable.

Soon, Atom and Poom turned toward Ohm, both eager and oblivious to the quiet tension.

"P' Ohm, N' Dream was amazing!" Atom gushed. "I didn't even know she was an artist under SZ! Her voice—man, it's hypnotic."

Ohm's lips quirked faintly, though his eyes didn't warm. He glanced toward his parents sitting a few rows ahead, wondering if they had come for Dream's performance—or for Boun's. Probably neither.

He scoffed under his breath. They had never shown up for his.

His attention was dragged back when Atom spoke again. "By the way, I didn't know Khun could sing and dance like that!"

The words hit sharper than Atom realized.

Ohm's tone came out clipped. "What do you mean?"

Atom blinked, startled. "Uh—I just meant he usually looks so serious, you know? Didn't think he could perform like that. He is... really good."