Kyungsoo looks up from his sheet music, where he had been diligently writing notes for a new melody that came into his head during practice. "I'm sorry?" he says, blinking.

"Your ad-lib, at the end of the song. It really showcased your range," the boy says. "I'm Lee Jaehwan. I'm in the year above you."

The more Kyungsoo stares at the guy's face, the more he recognizes it. The distinguished ears. The thick lips. The huge nose. The sandy blonde hair. The warm eyes.

"I picked up your pencil last week," Kyungsoo says.

Jaehwan smiles. "Yesterday, too."

"Oh." Kyungsoo gets lost in his thoughts a lot, so he's bound to forget.

"I was just saying that your voice is," Jaehwan takes a breath, "beautiful."

Kyungsoo has heard compliments before, and he's taken them all in a stride, but the way Jaehwan praises him is... different. It makes him a little flustered.

"Thank you, sunbae," Kyungsoo says. He stares at the elder, silently hoping that Jaehwan walks away so he can continue his work.

But, of course, that doesn't happen.

"Can I ask another question?" Jaehwan bites his lip, batting his eyelashes.

Kyungsoo shrugs. "Sure, go for it."

Jaehwan laughs, hiding it behind a closed fist. "Well," he begins, "there's going to be that arts festival in a couple months, and--"

"My friend Jongin is going to dance," Kyungsoo says.

Unfazed, Jaehwan adds, "So is Wonshik, my bro. But the festival -- I was wondering if you wanted to do a duet with me."

"Duet?" Kyungsoo repeats.

"Duet," Jaehwan confirms.

Kyungsoo glances at the clock -- wow, he's going to be late for the Friday basketball game -- and starts to pack up his things. "I'm not into," Kyungsoo racks his brain for the word, "participating in big events."

"But you're in choir," Jaehwan says, confused. "There are concerts all the time. And you always look so relaxed on stage."

"I'm with friends, so it's easy." Kyungsoo looks up at Jaehwan with an apologetic smile. "No offense...? It's just that, um, we've never talked before. Really talked."

"We're not friends yet," concludes Jaehwan. "We can hang out sometime, and then we'll be friends, yeah?"

"Um." Kyungsoo looks at the time again, frowning. "Not now. I have somewhere to be. But. Maybe another time? After next practice?"

Jaehwan beams. "Yes! That'd be perfect! We can talk about anything, whatever you want. There's this movie coming out--"

"How are we going to talk during a movie?"

"We'll go out for ice cream afterwards!"

Kyungsoo stands up from his seat and almost steps back in surprise. Jaehwan is... kind of tall. Not as tall as Chanyeol, but still pretty up there. He hadn't been expecting something like that.

"Sounds like a date," Kyungsoo comments absently. He freezes. "Uh, not a date, a... a get-together. With friends. Acquaintances. Schoolmates."

"Whatever you want to call it." Jaehwan smiles widely. "I'll see you?"

"Yeah."

Kyungsoo scurries out of the choir room, quickly heading his way to the gymnasium. The screams and cheers hit him in the face when he arrives. The basketball game has already started, but Sehun is seated on the bench. Poor kid is never on the starting line-up.

"Hyung! Over here!"

In the midst of people in the bleachers, Kyungsoo sees Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Jongin all screaming for him to come over. He goes up the steps, two at a time, until he reaches his friends.

"Did I miss anything important?" Kyungsoo asks, squeezing in between Jongin and Chanyeol.

"Nope," Baekhyun says, mouth full of candy bits. "Where were you? You said you would only take a minute when I left you. You took more than ten!"

Kyungsoo steals a handful of popcorn from Jongin's bucket. "I got held up."

"By what? Who?" Chanyeol inquires.

"This one guy," Kyungsoo mumbles, hoping to be unheard under the loud roaring of students.

Kyungsoo never gets what he wants.

The three friends turn to him, eyes wide. "A guy?" they chorus, mouths curving into mischievous smiles.

Kyungsoo hits the person closest to him -- Jongin, unfortunately -- and barks, "Gossip later. Sehun's about to be put in!"

--

Sehun comes out of the locker room, wiping his forehead with a damp cloth. "Word around the street is you got yourself a boyfriend," he says, smirking.

Kyungsoo punches Baekhyun in the arm. "How did you even!?" he shrieks.

"I texted him during halftime," Baekhyun grumbles. "Why do you have to abuse the ones you love? We should get you some therapy or something..."

"My sister's a therapist," Jongin pipes.

Chanyeol chimes, "My sister's an actress."

Kyungsoo rubs his temples. "Everyone, just shut up for a second." He sighs. "I don't have a boyfriend, Sehun. I just... met a guy. And congrats on your winning shot."

"Thank you," Sehun says. "Shall we start this discussion of Kyungsoo's boy when we get to my house? The weekly sleepover needs some juicy gossip."

"Yes," Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Jongin answer the same time Kyungsoo hisses, "No."

Sehun grabs his duffel bag and whistles, "So this boy..."

--

Baekhyun does not shut up on Tuesday, when the two of them are working on their harmonization. He keeps not-so discreetly staring at Jaehwan, who's across the room with a couple of soprano girls.

"Stop that," Kyungsoo murmurs.

"I'm just inspecting him," Baekhyun says. "Checking if he's a good guy for our dear Soo."

Kyungsoo makes a motion as if he's going to strangle Baekhyun. The elder goes on, rubbing his chin and nodding in approval.

"He looks alright. Acts a little weird, but I guess that's cool. I didn't expect you to go for a giant."

"Jaehwan sunbae isn't that tall," Kyungsoo mumbles.

Baekhyun squints at Kyungsoo. "Why don't you call me sunbae?"

"I call you hyung."

"But sunbae gives me more authority."

Kyungsoo snorts. "Back to work, hyung."

Baekhyun mocks him, which causes Kyungsoo to actually try to strangle him. Mr. Jung has to stop him from succeeding; this kind of thing happens so often that it doesn't even concern him.

"The summer arts festival will be open to all kinds of performances," Mr. Jung announces, at the end of choir practice. "I recommend you enter; the prize is pretty cool."

"What's the prize?" Baekhyun asks, eyes glittering.

"You get a trophy," Mr. Jung starts, "and a surprise."

Baekhyun makes a face. "That's dumb."

"It's exciting," Mr. Jung corrects. "Now, next practice, I hope that some of you will share what you want to present at the festival. I can say whether it sucks or is good. Odds are, it'll probably be good, so don't even sweat it. Now, go away, children. Today's practice is over!"

"He's so positive," Kyungsoo mutters to Baekhyun.

"In a twisted sort of way," adds Baekhyun. "Ah, your boy at 10 o' clock."

"My what?"

"Kyungsoo!" Jaehwan races over, a wide grin on his face. "You ready to get going?"

Baekhyun snaps his head to look at Kyungsoo, "Ready for what?" he asks cheekily.

"We're going to the movies," Jaehwan says. "And then ice cream."

"Ice cream," Baekhyun deadpans.

Jaehwan chuckles. "Hopefully. We should be going now if we want to make it on time."

"Yeah," Kyungsoo agrees. "Baekhyun hyung, tell the others that I left with my friend, okay?"

"Friend," Baekhyun drawls, and Kyungsoo punches his stomach when Jaehwan isn't looking.

--

The movie is a horror-romance combination, something that Kyungsoo is both anxious and excited for. He's shaking for two different reasons, and Jaehwan looks genuinely concerned for his wellbeing.

"Will you be alright with this movie? We can go to a different one," Jaehwan says.

Kyungsoo shakes his head, smiling. "No, I'm good. I think it'll be... interesting? Yeah."

"Awesome."

It's a terrible movie, but Jaehwan is with him the entire time, making comments that have Kyungsoo trying not to burst into laughter. Jaehwan is delighted at Kyungsoo's reactions and even tries to sneak a few photos of him. Kyungsoo threatens, as quietly as he can, to break his phone. It doesn't stop Jaehwan.

"I have no idea what that was about," Kyungsoo chuckles as they head out of the theater. "And it's all thanks to you."

Jaehwan takes a bow. "My pleasure." He looks up and laughs. "If you were to ask me, I would say that there was a possessed baby that the parents were trying to do a DIY exorcism to. That's what I got from that."

Kyungsoo snorts. "Can we jump to ice cream? I'm in the mood for sweets."

"Then, away we go!"

The ice cream place is cozy. Jaehwan orders a complicated make-your-own sundae, complete with M&Ms, hot fudge, nuts, rainbow sprinkles, and mini marshmallows. Kyungsoo is content with a two scoop chocolate cup. When they've sat down, Jaehwan puts the two desserts next to each other and snaps a photo with his phone.

"I'm sending it to Hongbin," Jaehwan explains. "Wonshik's boyfriend. You'd probably like him; he sings, too, but just isn't in choir. We do this thing where we send each other pictures of food and complain about not having that food."

"Huh," Kyungsoo says. "That's... cool."

Jaehwan takes a spoon of ice cream into his mouth. "You can tell me the truth, Kyungsoo. I mean, I won't mind. This is a get-together for us to become friends. Friends can be harsh with one another, yes?"

"That's weird," Kyungsoo says. "Even though I've seen weirder."

Jaehwan hums, "Do tell."

Time flies for the next hour. Kyungsoo talks avidly with Jaehwan; the conversation never seems to stop. They blast through topics -- music, TV shows, animals, and so much more. When Jaehwan and Kyungsoo are at Kyungsoo's front door, that's when the talking ceases.

Surprising himself, Kyungsoo speaks up first. "Aside from the most likely mediocre film, this was fun."

"I'm glad," Jaehwan says. "We can do it again, maybe?"

"Mm." Kyungsoo grins. "Have a safe trip home, sunbae."

"Goodnight!"

When Kyungsoo is snug in his bed, ready to fall asleep, he realizes that the topic of the festival hadn't even come up at all.

--

"Why is everyone looking at me like that?"

"Like what?" Sehun leers.

"Like I'm a toy poodle or something," Kyungsoo mumbles. He throws a piece of rice at Chanyeol, just because.

"You're hanging out with Jaehwan a lot," Chanyeol remarks while evading another rice bomb.

Kyungsoo stabs at a piece of shrimp in his lunchbox. "And?"

"Nothing," Chanyeol says.

"Are you going to go on another date with him?" Baekhyun asks smugly. Kyungsoo glares at him, and Baekhyun sniffs. "Oh, sorry, another outing."

"Yes," Kyungsoo answers begrudgingly.

"What are you going to do for your da-- outing?" Jongin asks.

Kyungsoo blinks. "Well, I hope we're going to talk about the arts festival. We keep forgetting to... talk about it."

Sehun slurps down some noodles. "Isn't this going to be your, like, sixth da-- outing with him?"

"Only our fourth," Kyungsoo mutters. "We're going to the beach."

"Ah, the beach," Chanyeol sighs dreamily. "That's the perfect date spot. Oops, I meant outing."

"Are you doing that on purpose," Kyungsoo asks sternly.

Baekhyun ignores the question."Send us pictures," he says. "No lovey-dovey ones, please. Sehun is still innocent."

This time, Sehun's the one to hit him.

--

"It smells like fish," Kyungsoo states bluntly as he scrunches up his nose.

Jaehwan laughs loudly from a few feet away, where he has his bare feet buried in the cool sand. "You have to get past that to actually smell the sea," he says cheerily.

"But it smells like fish."

"Aw, come on, Kyungsoo! At least it's cool out! Hey! Join me while I bask in the sunset!"

Kyungsoo makes a distressed noise, staring at his gym shoes. "But my Vans..." he whimpers.

"Take 'em off!"

"My socks..."

"Take those off, too!"

Sighing, Kyungsoo slips off his shoes and socks and heads towards Jaehwan. "Happy?"

"Extremely." Jaehwan grins. "Isn't it pretty?"

Kyungsoo stares at the horizon, bathed in streaks of orange and pink. "It's like... It's like something out of a picture. Yeah, beautiful." He looks over at his senior and remembers to ask, "Are we going to talk about the festival yet?"

Oh, that." Jaehwan wets his bottom lip with a quick swipe of his tongue. "Do you have any ideas for a song to sing?"

"Actually..." Kyungsoo pauses to let the wind blow through his hair. "I was thinking that we can do an English song. We could be killing two birds with one stone, working on our voices while also working on our pronunciation."

The way Jaehwan's face lights up makes Kyungsoo flush.

"Well, that's done," Jaehwan hums. "Want to go run into the water with me?"

"Um, no."

That answer doesn't stop Jaehwan from taking Kyungsoo's hand and dragging him to the shoreline, laughing while Kyungsoo screams hysteric complaints. Just before they reach the tide, Kyungsoo is able to trip Jaehwan, causing him to fall into the shallow part of the water. The younger boy smiles evilly, satisfied, until Jaehwan reaches out and pulls him under, too.

--

"Did you take couple photos?"

Kyungsoo tries to explain to Ms. Kwon that the headlock he had put Jongin in is justified.

--

Jaehwan and Kyungsoo don't reveal what they're performing in front of the choir, even though nearly everyone else does. Kyungsoo is confused so Jaehwan, sitting next to him, tells him why, when Baekhyun is singing a snippet of his act.

"People will be more impressed! Two of the best singers in choir, doing an English duet? People need to expect the unexpected."

"They can't expect it if they don't even know we're performing," Kyungsoo points out. Jaehwan merely shrugs at him as he takes one of Kyungsoo's notebooks and begins to doodle.

--

Practicing with Jaehwan is easier than Kyungsoo had expected. Time goes quickly, but also is prolonged. The two are great partners in work, and it's... odd. For someone who can't stand the idea of possibly messing up in front of someone, Kyungsoo seems strangely comfortable singing for Jaehwan.

Maybe it's because Jaehwan gives him truly earnest tips to make him a better, stronger singer. Maybe it's because Jaehwan doesn't force him to sing in the silence, but fills the gaps in the air with his own soulful voice. Maybe it's because Jaehwan always strives to make him laugh, or smile, or roll his eyes, or do anything. Maybe it's because Kyungsoo might be falling a tiny bit in love.

--

"I can't believe the festival is tomorrow," Jaehwan marvels as he rummages through Kyungsoo's closet.

"Well, it is, and that's why you're trying to find me something to wear."

Jaehwan whistles a tune before turning around to look at Kyungsoo sitting on his bed. "Did you just invite me here to pick out clothes for you? Do I get to be your stylist now?"

With an unamused look on his face, Kyungsoo flings a pillow at Jaehwan, narrowly missing his head. "I don't have a fashion sense," he barks. "I would wear my pajamas if I could, but I can't, since Mr. Jung forbade me from doing that ever again. So I need help."

"My help specifically?" Jaehwan asks with a sly smile. He barely manages to dodge the stuffed penguin Kyungsoo launches at him. "Okay, fine, no more teasing. Hm... Do you want to match with me?"

"What are you going to wear?"

Jaehwan primly tugs at the collar of his shirt, grinning smugly. "A lovely red bowtie. And my hipster glasses that are really my glasses. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Oh, I think I have a blue bowtie somewhere," Kyungsoo says, getting up and rummaging through some of his drawers. Jaehwan moves over to help and stumbles upon something magnificent.

"Kyungsoo, are these Pororo boxers?"

"Gah! Get out, get out!"

"But it's a legitimate question!"

--

The festival is open to the public, so it really shouldn't surprise Kyungsoo that the entire auditorium is packed with people. He's still allowed to be nervous for his and Jaehwan's performance, however, as he waits for their turn to come up. Backstage, along with some of the other participants, Kyungsoo paces back and forth, fiddling with the fabric of his bowtie.

"Chill," Jaehwan says softly, putting a soothing hand on Kyungsoo's shoulder. "We're going to do fine. We practiced nearly every day, and we both look pretty spiffy. Right?"

"You look like you just walked out of a school girl anime," Kyungsoo states frankly.

"And you look like a boy who has the voice of an angel," Jaehwan replies playfully. Kyungsoo glares at him. "It's true, you know. I already told you your voice is beautiful."

"Why do you do that," Kyungsoo murmurs, feeling his cheeks warm.

Jaehwan gives him an innocent look, blinking cutely. "Do what? Act like a fine gentleman? Become the most charming man in the room? Compliment your everything?"

"That! That last one!" Kyungsoo shrieks.

"I like you," Jaehwan confesses easily.

Kyungsoo sputters, "You like me?"

"Yeah. It wasn't obvious? Was I not forward enough?" Kyungsoo blinks at him dumbly, and Jaehwan offers a small smile. "Um, I'm sorry if that weirds you out. I just-- I thought you kind of-- Never mind, it's cool." He looks away from Kyungsoo and says, "I... have to go talk to Wonshik. I'll, uh, meet back when we're close."

It takes another minute for Kyungsoo to process the declaration, and by then he's left with no Jaehwan to respond to and an even more anxious feeling in his chest.

"Hey, hyung!"

Kyungsoo whirls around and nearly collides with Jongin's nose. "Sorry," he mumbles.

Jongin stares at him with kohl-lined eyes. "You okay? You don't look so hot."

"You're one to talk, No-Sleeves."

Jongin rubs at his bare arms, pouting. "Hyung."

Kyungsoo sighs loudly. "I'm alright," he insists. "Jaehwan sunbae just... left me for a bit, so."

"Why? Did you reject him or something?" Jongin laughs. After watching Kyungsoo's face morph into something akin to horror, Jongin stops. "Oh, wait, did you actually reject him?"

"I didn't--" Kyungsoo cuts himself off. "Did... Did you know? That he...?"

"Oh my god, hyung, everyone knows." Jongin makes to run his hand through his hair, but, remembering it's styled, curls his fingers into a fist. "Everyone and their mothers, basically. At one point, Chanyeol hyung might've spilled it to yours."

Kyungsoo whimpers, "Am I that dense?"

"Hyung, it took you a month to realize your turtle didn't really run away from home."

"Urgh," Kyungsoo grumbles. "What am I supposed to do? I might have just let the sweetest guy in the world slip through my fingers."

"Ah, if only you had 'fessed up to your true feelings sooner." Shaking his head, Jongin pats the elder's cheek. "Clearly, the best thing to do is--"

The stage director, a volunteer that goes by Suho, runs up to them, panting heavily. "Number 12, Kim Jongin, you're next! Hurry and come with me!" While Suho is tugging him away, Jongin gives the distressed Kyungsoo one last piece of advice:

"Don't act weird!"

There needs to be a time where Jongin can give good advice, Kyungsoo thinks hopelessly.

--

Jaehwan and Kyungsoo are number 19. Kyungsoo knows that Wonshik is number 16, according to his brief talk with Hongbin earlier.

Number 17 is on their way up, and Jaehwan still is nowhere to be seen.

Suho walks up to him with a frown on his face. "Kyungsoo? Aren't you supposed to be performing with Jaehwan? The two of you are going to be on in less than ten minutes!"

"He's coming," Kyungsoo says. (It's an assurance more for himself.)

"If he's not here in two minutes, I swear to God, I'm going to call Taekwoon to drag--"

"Here! Here! I'm here!" Jaehwan comes dashing in, moving to stand beside Kyungsoo. He flashes Suho a bright grin, not even glancing at his singing partner. "I'm not late, am I?" he asks childishly.

"No, you're right on time," Suho huffs. He walks past them and announces, "You're on standby."

Jaehwan turns to Kyungsoo, still smiling. "Were you lonely without me?" he jokes.

"Yes," Kyungsoo answers automatically. "I really was."

Eyes going wide, Jaehwan opens his mouth but doesn't respond right away. "Really now?" he asks, voice pitched high. "Kyungsoo, are you trying to be more charming than me?"

"Never," Kyungsoo says. His cheeks are probably on fire right now, but Jaehwan won't get it if he doesn't say it. "Jaehwan sunbae, apparently I'm dense. I thought you were being extremely friendly, okay. I didn't think that you... You could like me, too."

"Too?" Jaehwan beams. "So you do like me?"

Kyungsoo looks down at his shoes. "Probably."

Jaehwan takes a step towards Kyungsoo and tilts his head up. "I think that's good enough," he whispers. "May I have the pleasure of charming the life out of you right now?"

"By doing what?" Kyungsoo breathes, his eyes already on Jaehwan's lips.

Thankfully, Jaehwan gets the hint and ducks his head down to press his lips against Kyungsoo's. It's so charming, somehow, the way he moves his mouth to fit Kyungsoo's pace, making him light-headed and weak in the knees. Jaehwan seems so pleased at what he's doing, barely suppressing his grin throughout the entire kiss. Kyungsoo wouldn't say that his life has been charmed out of him, but maybe it's close.

"Number 19! To the stage!" Suho yells, motioning for the couple to follow him. "Cut the make-out session short!"

Kyungsoo might have accidentally bitten Jaehwan's tongue. On accident.

"I swear it won't affect my singing," Jaehwan assures him. "But after our performance, you have to make it up to me."

(The redness on Kyungsoo's face will later be blamed on the harsh lighting and the countless number of strangers' stares.)

Their act goes by smoothly, neither of them faltering with their voices or words. Every time Kyungsoo meets Jaehwan's eyes, the corners of his mouth threaten to tug upwards. That's bad, since they're singing a song about broken hearts and lost souls. Jaehwan is much better at keeping a straight face, so he continues to gaze at Kyungsoo without hesitation, aiding to Kyungsoo's mortification. Once the song ends and the two are led backstage, Kyungsoo covers his face with his hands while Jaehwan wraps his arms around him.

"I think we won," Jaehwan declares confidently, squeezing Kyungsoo's side.

Kyungsoo sighs heavily. "Shouldn't we expect the worst?"

"Nah," Jaehwan says. "We should expect the best."

--

They don't end up winning. They don't even end up placing. Out of twenty-five, Jaehwan and Kyungsoo make seventh place -- three above Wonshik, five above Baekhyun, and two below Jongin. The actual winner is a trio of girls who danced with their string instruments while singing drama OSTs. The grand prize, oddly enough, is revealed to be unlimited free passes to a local drama hosting site.

"I'm happy for them," Jaehwan hums as he walks Kyungsoo home. "The best things in life are free, no?"

Kyungsoo gives him a playful shove. "If I had known the prize was that, I wouldn't have even entered."

Jaehwan gasps dramatically, clutching at his chest. "Then you never would have fallen for me!"

"I would have," Kyungsoo retorts, "eventually. Your charms would find their way into my heart somehow."

"You're just asking for me to pinch your cheeks and kiss you, aren't you," Jaehwan laughs.