*Still in flashback*

Taehyung POV

I strided towards the school auditorium nestled in the heart of the school grounds, secluded from the other school building. But as I reached the grand entrance, my steps faltered, uncertainty casting a shadow over my intentions.

"Is it really okay if I go in? Will I be bothering her? But I really want to see her singing again," I pondered, recalling the image of the girl singing happily while sitting on a stone bench in the park yesterday. A smile tugged at my lips.

Eventually, I made up my mind to step inside, settling into an audience seat in the farthest reaches of the back row. Surrounded by dimness and empty seats, I was certain she wouldn't even notice my presence.

Before long, she made her entrance, igniting the vast and tranquil space with her captivating voice. Each high note was a testament to her undeniable talent, and her performance exuded a vibrant energy. It was evident to me that she possessed all the qualities of a promising singer.

As she concluded her song, I began to rise from my seat. However, a clumsy misstep caused my foot to stumble on the neighboring seat, creating an unwelcome noise. Caught off guard, I noticed her gaze directed towards me. Panic surged within me, prompting a swift attempt to disguise the mishap with an impromptu round of applause.

In an unexpected turn of events, the spotlight suddenly bathed me in its luminous glow, casting me into the center of attention. I stood frozen for a moment, then surrendered to the rhythm of the light, descending the stairs towards the stage. My heart began to race with an anticipation and excitement as I saw her stood there, waiting for me. Yet, I made a silent vow to hide this heartbeats from her. For if she were to discover my feelings, I would find myself at a loss, unsure of how to face it.

Taehyung Pov end

__________

Thump! thump! thump! thump! thump!

The sound didn't seem like it will slow down. Why is that? I then locked my eyes with his, searching for answers.

'His heartbeat, racing like this, is it because of me?'

"Heavy," he suddenly murmured, his voice a whisper in the stillness.

"Huh?" I'm perplexed. Heavy? What's heavy?

"You," came his reply, answering my inner thought.

Me? Was I heavy? How did he know? But then, the realization hitting me like a bolt of lightning— I AM STILL ON TOP OF HIM! In embarrassment, I scrambled to rise, releasing him from the weight of my body.

He then also rose from his lying position. His gaze briefly meeting mine as he finally handed over my hair tie. I accepted it without a single word, the tension palpable between us.

An awkward silence settled, thick as fog, as I twirled the hair tie in my fingers while he glanced around, his eyes seemed searching for an escape from this situation.

But after a few moments, I instinctively turned towards him, beside me. My gaze traveled the length of his figure, from head to toe. It was then that I noticed, with a jolt of realization, that he was wearing the student uniform of my school.

"Are you a student here too?" I asked, anticipation evident in my voice as I awaited his response. He slowly nodded, but his eyes reflecting a mix of uncertainty and lostness that I can't comprehend.

Still, I asked again. "So, which grade are you in?" For some reason, I became more curious about him.

"First grade," he answered softly.

"Oh, me too! I'm in first grade, class 3," I exclaimed, feeling a sudden connection forming between us. But he just nodded his head a few times without saying anything anymore.

And silence enveloped us once again.

By the way, why has he suddenly become so quiet and anxious like I discovered his secret or something? Wasn't he the one who caught me off guard with a 'grand' surprise, suddenly appearing in front of me, in my hidden haven out of other places?

Ah! Right! I didn't ask him yet about that.

"How did you find your way into this auditorium? And how did you know I was here?" I inquire, my gaze fixed on him.

"Oh, about that!" His face suddenly brightens when that topic is brought up. "Actually, I've been wanting to see you sing for quite some time now." He said earnestly.

I furrowed my brow, skepticism painting my features. 'We just met yesterday, and now he's suddenly keen to see me sing? Where's the logic? And one more thing, how did he even know I could sing?' My inner monologue raced as I unconsciously biting my lower lip.

"We did just meet yesterday, but I've been listening to you sing in this auditorium for almost a month now since I moved to this school. Before, your voice was just a melody I embraced from outside. Until yesterday, when I stumbled upon you singing in the park, and I instantly recognized the familiar voice I've been listening to all this time." He replied to my monologue.

Ah! I remember now! I was indeed leisurely singing while keeping Mochi company during our park outing yesterday. I nodded as I found the truth in his words. But...

"But how did you know this is my usual spot for singing? I'm sure all the students have gone home every time I come to this auditorium." I raise unresolved question in my mind.

"On my first day here, I got lost, and there was no one around to seek guidance from at that time. The school grounds seemed deserted, echoing with emptiness. It was then that I realized all the students had gone home, leaving me behind as I had some transferring school-related business to attend to in the teachers' room.

Then, as I wandered around looking for a way out, I heard a distant voice coming from the direction of the huge door just a few steps ahead of me. I approached the door and found you, singing. Your singing at that moment was like a beacon, dissipating the fog of my anxiety about being lost, for which I am truly grateful. Since then, I've been coming to this auditorium every day before heading home to hear you sing, and from there, I knew you only come to sing here every Monday and Wednesday." He explained, weaving his story with meticulous details.

As I listened, a warm amusement bubbled within me, culminating in a hearty chuckle. Sensing his curious gaze, I could almost heard his silent query—what prompted my sudden laughter?

"Was there something funny in my story earlier?" he asked, puzzled.

"No. I don't find it funny. How should I put it? Perhaps, cute?" I said, glancing at him. His eyes met mine, a shy smile playing on his lips, as if he understood that the 'cute' I referred to was him.

"So, you won't run away from me again, will you?" he asked.

"Hmmm..." I feigned contemplation. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't run away from you."

"Because I'm your fan," he proclaimed with unwavering confidence, his words echoing with conviction.

"Fan?" Oh my, I have a fan. Is this real? Am I dreaming? All this time, I wasn't singing alone... but for him, my first fan.

A surge of joy swept over me, reflected in his smile. From that moment on, Taehyung and I grew inseparable. We became good friends and he emerged as my loyal audience, faithfully listening everytime I sang.

Every weekend, we met outside of school to bring Mochi for leisurely strolls and play in the park. There was one weekend, we'd even lose ourselves together in the whimsy of amusement parks, where our laughter echoed against the backdrop of thrilling rides. It's really exciting! And I'm realized it's more exciting because I didn't do it alone, but with him, my true friend.

Even my mother warmed to him, charmed by his intelligence and kindness. Taehyung effortlessly became part of our routine, often visiting to lend a hand with my studies, particularly in math – a subject where I struggled but he excelled, as expected from class 1's student, much to my relief.

Yes, that's how our friendship blossomed... until that day where everything gone.

Quotes for this chapter:

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."
- Elisabeth Foley -

To be continued...

Total: 1418 words