It was still dark as Sonia, Bonnie, Kenny, Dawn, May, Iris, Cilan, and I stood outside the clock tower. By now, everyone else had left for their dormitories while we waited for my escort. I played with my fingers while Kenny eagerly paced back and forth, Bonnie sat down against the wall, Iris and Cilan stood still, side hugging each other, Dawn and May were tapping their feet impatiently, and Sonia stood again the wall with her arms crossed.

"Ugh, what is taking so long," Bonnie moaned.

"Bonnie, it's only been five minutes," Sonia said.

"Exactly. That's way longer than it should be for one of the hosts to come to Serena," Bonnie said.

"Admittedly, I can testify as a former host that it's not like Satoshi to keep a client waiting," Cilan said.

I frowned as I continued to play with my fingers. As much as part of me agreed with Sonia that five minutes isn't terribly wrong, I was still nervous to the point that I wondered if someone wasn't coming at all. Thankfully, my worries went away when I heard May shout out a name.

"Drew!"

I looked to her to find her smiling brightly before turning to where she was looking to find the green-haired host walking over to us.

"Hey, May," Drew said plainly. "What's up?"

May looked away bashfully before she asked, "I was just wondering; out of all the girls who you danced with tonight, was I the best?"

Drew scoffed and flipped his hair before answering, "Sure. I must admit you were almost as good of a dancer as I am."

May let out a high-pitched giggle and said, "Oh, Drew."

"Hey, Drew," Dawn said, stepping in. "Has Paul said anything about me?"

Drew raised his eyebrow and said, "I can't say he has, but then again, he tends to keep to himself as usual. For all I can tell you, he may be thinking of you in secret."

Dawn giggled and let a blissful sigh before she said, "That would be so like him."

I frowned, worried about how May and Dawn were still giving into their illusions that the hosts they like were truly interested in her. Drew, on the other hand, smirked before turning to me.

"Anyway, I am here to escort you to Satoshi," he said. "He is looking forward to your appointment."

I smiled politely and said, "Thank you. Please lead the way."

Drew nodded and said, "Follow me."

I nodded, and we turned around to head back to the main building while May called out, "I'll be visiting you regularly at the host club, Drew!"

"Sounds good, May," Drew said with a wave, not looking at her.

Drew and I went inside the main building and took a right to an elevator to the other side of the hall. The green-haired host and I went in the elevator and Drew pressed the button to the clock tower before the elevator began going up. The two of us waited in silence until Drew cleared his throat.

"So, you're friends with May?" He asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Hmmm. That's interesting," he said.

I turned to Drew, confused, and asked, "Why?"

Drew shrugged and said, "It's just that May is a nice girl, and she's from a wealthy family and all, but I never pegged you as someone who would befriend her given your reputation."

I frowned at him and said, "Now hold on, I don't know what May has to do with my reputation, but I have no reason to be friends with May or any of my friends in the art program."

Drew's eyes widened, and he fearfully waved his hands defensively.

"Okay, okay. Sorry," he said. "I meant no disrespect. I was just curious about you and my loyal client."

I looked at him, confused, unsure or why he looked so worried. I didn't yell or threaten him at all, and yet he looked at me like I was going to beat him to a pulp. I decided to drop it and turn my head to face the door again. The two of us were silent again until the thought of Drew labeling May as a "loyal client" began to bug me.

"Do you really see May as nothing more than a client?" I asked without looking at him.

Drew turned to me and said, "Professionally, I have to."

I frowned, confused again before I turned to him again.

"And how do you see her unprofessionally?" I asked.

Drew looked at me, dumbfounded that I asked the question.

"You really want to know how I feel outside of being a host?" He asked.

"Yes, I do," I answered.

Drew hesitated and said, "I guess since you're the one asking, I'll tell you. But I request that you do not tell May what your humble servant will confess. I can get into trouble if Jessie found out."

I was perplexed over Drew calling himself my humble servant, but I decide not to ask, figuring its something hosts call themselves to please their clients. I nodded to assure him that I wouldn't tell anyone and Drew sighed before he spoke again.

"Unprofessionally, I have grown...fond of May," he confessed. "She is pretty, and I can't help but find her to be very charming. Sometimes I amuse myself into thinking she has real feelings for me as opposed to just using me as someone to pretend to be something special to her."

I was shocked to hear Drew say those words to me. I was able to tell that there is no lie and his voice, and his eyes looked like he was longing for something. I cleared my throat and gave him a smile before I spoke again.

"Your secret is safe with me," I promised. "But I would be remiss if I didn't ask why can't you secretly admit how you feel to May."

Drew scoffed and said, "That does sound nice, but I can say from witnessing Jessie find out about former hosts gaining feelings for their clients like Cilan and their reputations in the school getting shot as a result. And unlike people like you or Cilan, I happen to value my reputation more than anything else."

I frowned disapprovingly at his excuse. It looked to me that he was holding his feelings as much as Kenny was, but his reason is more out of pride rather than fear of rejection. Finally, we reached the top floor, and the doors opened to reveal a narrow hallway that leads to a door on the other side. We silently walked all the way to the door and Drew opened it for me with a bow. I gave him an appreciative bow before I entered and looked in awe.

Inside was a large room full of paintings and statues of lovers hugging or kissing each other passionately. There was a piano standing against the wall on the right, and on the opposite side is a king-sized bed with a tall bed canopy and red drapes that cover the bed completely. Next to the bed was a large closet full of fancy suits and shoes and on the other side of the bed is a large bathroom. At the center of the room, there is a wooden dining table a bowl full of fruits, a large plate containing a couple of steaks a teapot, and teacups. On the other side of the entire room is a large window, showing a large view of the entire school campus.

"This whole room is under the clock tower?" I asked in shock. "How is this possible?"

Drew chuckled in amusement and said, "Anything is possible if you have the right amount of money and connections. Plus, the walls, ceiling, and the window are soundproof, so you can't hear the clock when it rings at all."

"Incredible," I said. "I've never seen anything like this in my whole life."

"You and every girl who has come here," Drew said. "Anyway, I'll leave you to get comfortable while Satoshi gets ready. I hope you enjoy your appointment, Your Highness."

I kept looking at the room in amazement until I realized what he called me.

"Wait, why did you call m -" I began to ask before I turned around to find that Drew already left, covering the door behind him.

I blinked in confusion, wondering why Drew would go so far as to call me "Your Highness." My first thought was that it was possibly what he calls his clients to make them feel special. It made sense to me since he called himself my humble servant while we were on the elevator. But then again, if Drew always said that, May would have brought it up whenever she was talking about him or when he briefly talked to her when he came to get me. Eventually, I decided to let it go, thinking it wasn't something to worry about, so I decided to wander around to room while I waited for Satoshi.

"Lord, please give the confidence to carry out the plan," I whispered to myself.

No sooner did I say the prayer that the door opened again, and I turned around to find Satoshi entering the room.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long, my sweet," he said with another charming smile.

I took a deep breath to control myself from his flirtatious demeanor and said, "Not at all. I had arrived just a couple of minutes ago."

"Splendid," he said as he walked over to the dining table and said, "Can I interest you in a little supper?"

"Uh, no, thank you," I said politely. "I ate before the ball, not knowing you would be offering."

Satoshi chuckled with his mouth closed and said, "That's quite alright. Leaves more time our little poetry reading."

I smiled and said, "I'm glad to hear you are interested in my poetry."

Satoshi chuckled with his mouth closed again and began stroking my cheek again as he asked, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

My cheeks heated up again, and I nearly got lost into his hazel eyes before I lightly shook my head and cleared my throat.

"Well, my poem is kind of long because it's originally a song," I answered. "But if you're open to it, I think you will enjoy it."

Satoshi raised his eyebrow intrigued and asked, "Originally a song you say? Did you write it yourself?"

"Just the lyrics," I answered. "May wrote the music."

"Ah, May as in one ofDrew's regular clients?" Satoshi asked.

"That's right," I replied, realizing I had an opportunity to talk about the show. "It's from our work-in-progress play called Spectacular, Spectacular. I'm the writer for the show, you see."

Satoshi smirked in amusement and said, "So you can write songs for the art department and use them as poems if you wish on top of writing a play and being an incredible dancer. You are a talented girl."

I smiled while blushing, flattered by Satoshi's compliment. My optimism grew until he asked a question I did not expect him to ask.

"Can you sing your poem, please?"

My pupils shrunk, and I let out a quiet gasp.

"You...you want me to sing it?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, I do," Satoshi said while still caressing my cheek.

"W-w-why?" I stuttered.

Satoshi chuckled a third time and said, "Well, if it's supposed to be a song for a play, it only makes sense that I hear it as one rather than a poem. And besides, I'm willing to bet that your singing voice is as mesmerizing your blue eyes."

I felt my blush covering more of my cheeks. Even though Calem had said something similar about my eyes at the ball, the way Satoshi talked about them felt genuine. I stared into his eyes, and they were sincerely fixed on mine with no intention of looking away. It was at this moment when all of my friends' advice on keeping my guard up slipped away from my mind and was replaced with Satoshi. I felt my heart swelling up as I smiled warmly.

"Okay. I'll sing," I said quietly.

"Wonderful," Satoshi said with a happy grin. "Please begin when you're ready."

With that, he removed his hand from my cheek, took out one of the dining chairs, faced it toward me and sat down. He crossed his legs and rested his arm on the top of the chair, waiting for me. I felt my knees wobble nervously before I ultimately took deep breaths to calm myself. Then, with all the courage I could muster, I began to sing.

​Here comes trouble

No mistaking

I'd know you anywhere

I could sail to the ends of the ocean and

Find you waiting there

I've been searching and searching

Near and far

Searching and searching

And there you are

Our wishes share a star

I choose you

I choose you

What else can I do?

We're just too good together to part

What we've shared from the start

Feels like one beating heart

I choose you

I choose you

I felt ridiculous from standing still and singing the song, but Satoshi was listening intently with a smile. As soon as I finished the chorus, he suddenly stood up and walked over to me. My blush returned as he took my right hand and placed his hand on my waist.

"Let's dance while you sing," he said.

"W-w-what?" I stuttered. "I don't think I can -"

"Don't worry about it, just sing," Satoshi interrupted.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he already began leading the dance with the two of us swaying back and forth. I was once again awestruck by the way he was gracefully dancing with me and took a big sigh before I placed my free hand on his shoulder and continued.

Hello, stranger

Don't I know you?

Nice to see you, my friend,

Did we just scale the top of a mountain, and

Fly back home again?

I've been looking and looking

High and low

Looking and looking

And...what'd'ya know?

Just like long ago

I choose you

I choose you

What else can I do?

We're just too good together to part

What we've shared from the start

Feels like one beating heart

I choose you

I choose you

Satoshi closed his eyes and let out a blissful sigh as we danced.

"Looks like I guessed right," he said. "You truly have a beautiful singing voice."

I looked away shyly as we danced and said, "You are exaggerating."

Satoshi lifted his hand from my waist and used it to gently turn my face to look at him again.

"I'm serious," he said. "Where did you learn to sing?"

"I didn't learn," I answered, honestly.

Satoshi raised his eyebrows and smiled saying, "So, it just comes naturally for you. That's marvelous. You really are a talented person."

I smiled as we continued to dance in silence with his hand placed on my waist again.

"Is there any more of the song?" Satoshi asked.

"Just singing the chorus one more time," I answered.

"Then please carry on, my lady," Satoshi said.

I gave him a small nod before I cleared my throat, and I finished the song.

I choose you

I choose you

On to journeys anew

With the wonderful friends that I've found

As the planet spins around

We're eternally bound

I choose you

I choose you

With the last note, I spun and Satoshi dipped me. But instead of lifting me back up, I continued to lean while he supported me with one arm. We stayed in pose for about a minute as Saroahi stared at me as if I was the most valuable thing I've ever seen in his life.

"Well, what do you know?" He said. "I think I'm falling in love."

My eyes widened, and I felt my blush cover my entire face.

"Y-y-you're what?" I stuttered.

"I've fallen in love," he repeated. "I think I've fallen in love with Princess Miette herself."

My blush instantly disappeared, and I looked at Satoshi, confused.

"What did you call me?" I asked.

Satoshi chuckled and said, "You're right. How rude of me. I shouldn't say your title as if it matters to me."

"But I'm not Princess Miette," I said.

"Oh, you're not?" Satoshi asked, unfazed.

"No, I'm Serena," I replied.

Satoshi smiled and leaned his head to kiss me until my words hit him. His smile disappeared and he looked at me perplexed.

"Serena?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm Serena, the writer from the art department. Sonia made the appointment, remember?" I said, wondering why he was puzzled.

Satoshi kept looking at me, bewildered for a moment until he suddenly looked at me in shock. The next thing I knew, he let go of me and I fell on the floor with a yelp. He stepped away from me as he pieced together what was going on.

"I don't believe it," he said. "You mean to tell me you're one of Sonia's students trying to get your little theater because your a talented, beautiful writer?"

I looked away, bashfully, and said, "Well, you might say that, yes."

"Oh, no!" Satoshi screamed in frustration. "Augh, I'm going to kill that woman!"

He let out an angry scream before he walked over to me, firmly grabbed my arm, forcefully pulled me up and dragged me to the door.

"Satoshi, you're hurting me," I said fearfully. "What is wrong?"

"What's wrong is the head of your department has gone too far and is sabotaging my chance to woo the princess," he snarled. "If she were to find out you were here she would -"

But as he opened the door to force me out of the room, he gasped in horror to see Jessie and Princess Miette talking to each other as they were walking towards us. Satoshi let go of my hand and slammed the door before he turned to me.

"The princess is coming!" He screamed. "Hide!"

"Hide?" I asked, befuddled. "Where?"

"Anywhere!" Satoshi shouted. "Hurry!"

I looked around until I spotted the closet, and I raced towards it. I went inside and closed the doors just in time for Jessie to open the door. I opened the doors slightly to find that Satoshi quickly ran several feet away from the door and turned to face Jessie and Princess Miette with a straight posture and a welcoming smile on his face. Jessie stepped in front of him with a forced smile to hide look of annoyance.

"Satoshi, dearest, I thought you were having someone escort our dear princess to your quarters like she wanted," she said with her teeth clenched.

Satoshi kept smiling as if Jessie didn't say anything.

"A thousand apologies, madame," he said. "I did send Drew for the princess, but it appears he was unable to find the princess before you did."

"Now, how can that be?" Jessie asked. "I told you that Princess Miette is the one with the lovely pink and red dress."

I covered my mouth to muffle a gasp as I put the pieces together in my head. Jessie told Satoshi that the princess was wearing a red and pink dress and so he mistook me for her because I'm wearing a dress with the same colors. That was why he chose me as his dance partner and why Drew was intimidated by me and called me "Your Highness."

"I'm afraid I don't know how he failed to notice her," Satoshi answered. "Regardless, I hope we didn't upset our future queen with our little blunder."

Jessie gave Satoshi a hard glare through her fake smile and said, "Yes, well, in any case, the important thing is that you are ready to meet her, correct?"

"Oh yes, I am perfectly ready," Satoshi replied.

"Good," Jessie said before turning to Princess Miette and said, "Your Majesty, may I present to you Galar Academy's best host, Satoshi?"

Satoshi looked at Princess Miette and gave her a humble bow.

"My dearest princess, I am forever humbled that you would take the time to grace your servant with your presence," he said.

All eyes were on Princess Miette, who remained silent. I watched her closely through the small opening on the doors and I grew uneasy. I could tell from the way her eyes were looking up and down at Satoshi that she was having indecent thoughts revolving around the handsome, raven-haired host. If was all too clear that she was hoping for something more than to have Satoshi amuse her with his charm. She wanted to possess the handsome boy as a means for physical pleasure.

"I'm afraid the pleasure will be entirely mine, Satoshi," she said with a pleased smirk.

Jessie's forced smile turned into a sincere smirk as Princess Miette walked over to Satoshi, and he kissed her hand.

"I'll leave you two alone to get to know each other," Jessie said as she left the room and closed the door behind her.

For half a moment, I watched Satoshi, and Princess Miette stare at each other. Satoshi was giving Princess Miette a welcoming smile and the princess gave him a coquettish look. Thankfully, the moment was broken when the princess finally glanced away from Satoshi to notice the food on the dining table.

"Ah, I see you have dinner ready for the two of us," she said.

"But of course. I wanted you to be comfortable," Satoshi said with a soothing tone. "I personally ordered the Kuding cha tea myself."

"Hmmm, my favorite," the princess said. "How did you know I love tea that's very bitter?"

"I didn't. I simply did what my heart was telling me to do," Satoshi said.

I frowned at his response, quickly figuring out that Satoshi was completely lying. The princess, on the other hand, gave a pleased hum, believing what he said without hesitation. The raven-haired host gently took Princess Miette's hand and led her to the dining table where he pulled up a chair for her and she placed her purse on the table. My frown grew as I watched Satoshi pour the tea and placed a piece of steak on the plate in front of the princess before sitting down on the opposite side of the table. The two of them ate quietly with Princess Miette's eyes fixed on Satoshi while Satoshi occasionally looked at her back with a flirtatious smile.

"So tell me, Satoshi, what is your favorite color?" The princess asked.

I looked at her dumbfounded that she asked such a question out of nowhere, but Satoshi just looked up from his supper and smiled.

"Whatever color makes me think of you, my dear," he said.

I made a sour face, repulsed by such a lousy answer while Princess Miette let out another pleased hum.

"Did you enjoy the ball, Your Highness?" Satoshi asked.

Princess Miette frowned and snarled, "Never call me that again. I want you to always refer to me as simply Miette."

Satoshi was taken aback and had a look of fear as if she threatened to have someone cut off his head. He quickly shook it off and gave the princess another charming smile.

"I'm so sorry," he said soothingly. "That was inconsiderate of me, Miette."

Princess Miette's frown turned into a pleased smile, and she let out a blissful sigh through her nose as if the host said the sweetest thing to her.

"That's better," she said calmly. "And I wish I did enjoy the ball, but it made me anxious to see your striking face, Satoshi."

Satoshi's smile grew and he took Princess Miette's hand to softly kiss it again.

"I know what you mean," he said. "I've been looking forward to our meeting for days - no, weeks on end."

"Oh, Satoshi," Princess Miette sighed, looking away as if she was blushing hard.

"Oh, come on," I muttered as quietly as I could.

The longer their supper went on, the more I wanted to get out of there. On and on, they said all sorts of corny compliments to each other while staring at each other as if they were in love. Half the time Princess Miette paid no attention to their food. I constantly prayed to The Lord that it would end so that I could run straight to my dorm. I hated that I would be failing my friends that way, but at least I wouldn't be forced to watch the two of them say such hollow compliments to each other.

And yet I couldn't help but feel jealous that Satoshi's attention was no longer on me.

Finally, after over half an hour, the two of them finished their meals, and the princess announced that she "sadly" must be off. I muffled a long sigh of relief with my hand as Satoshi offered to walk her to the door to his room.

"I dare not deny it, Satoshi, this is a night I will not forget," Princess Miette said, giving Satoshi with a dreamy look as they walked.

"You don't know how happy I am to hear that, sweet Miette," he replied. "It's heartbreaking that we must part."

"I agree," Princess Miette said as they stop and face each other in front of the door. "I do plan to stay here in Galar Academy, though, so we will have many more chances to spend together."

"I'll be counting the moments until our next meeting," Satoshi said as he gently stroked her cheek. "Until then, dear Miette, I bid you goodnight."

"Goodnight, Satoshi," Princess Miette said before Satoshi opens the door, and she finally leaves the room.

When Satoshi closes the door, he holds his ear against the door to make sure that the princess is completely gone before he lets out a long sigh. I share his relief until his head snapped toward the closest, and I grow nervous as he storms over it and fiercely opened the doors.

"Do you have any idea what would have happened if the princess found you here?!" He barked.

"I didn't know she was coming here," I protested as I came out of the closet. "I swear, Sonia made an appointment to meet you here."

"Oh, yeah, sure," Satoshi said sarcastically. "And by made an appointment, you mean trick me by wearing the same colored dress as her, right?"

"No, I don't," I answered. "Sonia and I didn't know that the princess was going to be here. I never even heard of her until tonight. I'm from a small town in Kalos."

Satoshi looked at me suspiciously until he put the pieces together in his mind.

"I see. You're the girl who won that scholarship," he said.

"Yes, I am," I said.

"Alright then, let me make this clear," Satoshi snarled. "I've been waiting for years for a chance to court someone as powerful as the princess and get the recognition I deserve. I will be dead before one of your annoying, desperate friends do anything that will get me disowned and left begging in the streets."

"Disowned and left begging in the streets? What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

Before Satoshi could answer, however, we hear the sound of the doorknob turning and we turn to the door just in time to see Princess Miette reentering the room.

"Excuse me, Satoshi, but I left my purse in your -" Princess Miette began before she spotted me.

Satoshi and I looked at the princess with looks of horror in our eyes. I turn to the dining table to see that her purse is still there. I turned back to the princess, whose look of surprise turned into a look of fury.

"Satoshi, what is that peasant doing in your chamber?" She snarled with her teeth clenched.

Satoshi tried to say something, but his voice failed him. The princess's anger rose until I said the first thing that came into mind.

"I apologize, Your Majesty," I said with a calm demeanor. "We just thought Satoshi's room was a good place to rehearse our play."

Satoshi turned to me with a look that said, "Are you out of your mind?" Princess Miette scoffed and marched toward me with a threatening glare.

"Rehearsing a play?" She rebuked. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you are in Satoshi's chambers in the middle of the night, mere minutes after I had supper with him just to work on some play?"

I silently gulped in fear before I answered, "Yes, I do."

Satoshi's eyes widen, afraid of what I'm doing. Princess Miette's anger was rising, clearly not believing a single word I was saying. I tried to keep a calm face as I looked back at the princess, but on the inside, I was terrified that she was going to have me locked up just for lying and being in the room of the host she had a lewd interest in. I was getting ready to face the worst until the door suddenly flung open and Sonia, Bonnie, May, Dawn, Kenny, Iris, and Cilan burst right in.

"Serena, Satoshi, how's the rehearsal going?" Sonia asked with a cheerful smile.

"Did you come up with any new songs yet?" May asked.

"Yes, May and I were hoping we could compose more while we're here," Cilan said, carrying a folder of blank sheet music.

"Dawn and I are ready to start going through whatever scene you're on, you two," Kenny said.

"Yep, just walk us through it," Dawn said with a smile.

"I know we don't have a space for me to do any tech stuff, but I hope I can help May and Cilan with the music," Iris said.

Satoshi, Princess Miette, and I looked at everyone, completely befuddled. I turned to Bonnie, who is standing behind me, and I leaned into her ear.

"What in the world are you all doing here?" I whispered.

"We snuck in here when we learned that the princess was coming and planned to get you out of here as soon as she left," Bonnie replied quietly. "When she came back, Sonia leaned against the door and overheard you claiming you and Satoshi were working on a play. So we knew we had to step in and help you."

"But we don't have a play yet," I said. "If the princess finds out we are lying, we could all be in trouble."

"Then, we'll just have to improvise," Bonnie said. "Think of it this way. If we pull this off, we'll save you and Satoshi and maybe get our theater."

I hesitated with her logic before I hissed, "You better be right about this."

Princess Miette, meanwhile, looked around with everyone talking to each about the play before shouting, "Enough!"

The room instantly became quiet, and the impatient princess turned to Satoshi.

"Satoshi, what's going on? Are you really rehearsing a play?" She demanded.

Satoshi looked at her nervously before turning to me for help. I gave him a look as a way of saying, "Play along," before he sighed and gave the princess a smile.

"Yes, we are, Miette," he lied. "Sonia and her students came to me a while back to help them create a play that will impress the school board so that they will finally build a theater for them. But when you said all of those beautiful words when we had our supper, it filled me with so much inspiration that I realized that we still have so much work left to do, so I called everyone here for an emergency rehearsal."

"And everyone here just came up to the clock tower mere minutes after I left?" Princess Miette asked. "For that matter, how did the peasant get where without me noticing? I was out in the hall leading to your room the whole time, and that's the only way in."

"Actually, there's a secret entrance to my room by the window," Satoshi claimed, pointing at the wall beside the large window.

"And the peasant just happened to be close by to get into your room through this secret passage?" Princess Miette challenged.

Everyone turned to me, expecting an answer. I became uncomfortable with how our lies were building up by the second, but I knew that one wrong move could be it for us.

"Uh, yes, I was, Your Highness," I fibbed. "I was so close to Satoshi's room that when I got the call on my cell phone, I got here as fast as I could. As the writer of our play, I don't want to waste time when I need to tinker with my work."

Princess Miette looked at me suspiciously before she turned to Satoshi and asked, "And where do you fall into this, Satoshi?"

The raven-haired host nervously tried to say something, but the words died in his throat. The rest of us were afraid that this was going to be the moment where we were finally going to be found out. But then I came up with the idea that would both help my friends and me and help Satoshi with impressing the princess.

"He's our leading actor," I said.

Everyone turned to me again, surprised by my claim. Princess Miette blinked before she turned to Satoshi with an intrigued smile.

"Oh, is he now?" She asked.

"Yes, he's the star of our show," I lied. "With someone as handsome and talented as him, not one soul in Galar Academy would fail to see him perform in our show."

Princess Miette turned to Satoshi and gave him a coquettish looked.

"Is that so?" She said. "Why didn't you tell me this, Satoshi?"

Satoshi started stuttering incoherent words, wanting to protest against my claim that he is the star. But then he realizes that the princess was lookinh at him flirtatiously again, clearly interested that he is believed in our so claimed play. A small smile grew on his face as he saw his opportunity to impress the princess so that he could get what he wanted from her. He cleared his throat and gave Princess Miette a charming smile.

"I wanted to tell you many times during supper, my precious Miette, but I had to keep it a secret," he said as he got down on one knee in front of her. "I wanted you to be surprised if we got our theater and our play. I also was worried that if I told you now, you would have been excited for nothing if the school board denied Sonia's request to build the theater."

I frowned sadly, regretting my idea to help Satoshi with his goal and wishing he wouldn't keep acting that way toward the princess. I realized that I was feeling jealous again and tried to shake it off while Princess Miette spoke.

"Mmmm. Well, consider me pleasantly surprised, Satoshi," she said, pleased. "I would very much like to see you perform in a play. I might even invest in building the theater for you."

Sonia, Bonnie, Iris, Cilan, Kenny, Dawn, May, and my eyes widen, and we looked at each other excitedly while Satoshi grinned, knowing that he has the princess right where he wants her again. The next thing either of us knew, however, we heard a knock and the door opened to reveal Jessie coming in.

"Satoshi, have you seen the princess?" She asked. "I didn't see her leave the -"

As soon as she entered the room, she looks at all of us and standing in place in confusion. Sonia, Bonnie, Dawn, Kenny, Iris, Cilan, May, and I were worried about what Jesse was about to say or do until Satoshi stepped in.

"Ah, Jessie, you're just in time," he said. "We just told the princess everything about the emergency rehearsal."

Jessie blinked in confusion until she frowned and asked, "Satoshi, what on earth are you talking about?"

Sonia decided to step in and said, "Sorry, Jessie. Satoshi and my new writer, Serena, tried to keep it a secret, but Princess Miette saw them already rehearsing before the rest of us got here."

Jessie turned to Sonia even more confused than before. She opened her mouth to ask what Sonia and the rest of us from the art program were doing in Satoshi's room before Satoshi stepped in front of her.

"It's okay, Jessie. The cat's out of the bag," he said. "The princess knows all about our show. In fact, she just said she's interested in investing after finding out I am the lead."

Jessie was even more confused than before until Satoshi quickly leaned into her ear and whispered something that made her eyes light up.

"Oh, invest," she said gleefully before turning to Princess Miette. "Oh, Your Majesty, is this true?"

"It certainly is, Jessie," Princess Miette said with a smirk. "After having a lovely supper with Satoshi and finding out he's the lead in a play, I find it hard to not consider investing in both him and the play."

I frowned again, both curious and uneasy about what the princess could possibly mean about investing in Satoshi. Everyone else, on the other hand, was excited by her declaration.

"Wonderful," Jessie said. "Why don't you, Sonia, and I discuss the details in my office. Perhaps we can talk about a meeting with the board tomorrow. "

"That sounds great, but I would like to know the title and the story first," Princess Miette said.

Jessie looked at the blue-haired princess and asked, "You want to know the title and story, Your Highness?"

"Of course," Princess Miette said. "If I'm hoping to speak to the board about this and ultimately invest, it only makes sense to know the title and the story."

Everyone looked at the princess in speechless. Even though we were prepared for our title, we did not expect her to ask what the story is. Jessie stood in place motionless before she gulped nervously.

"Uh, yes, well, the show is called...um...uh..." she said before turning to Sonia. "Sonia, I seem to have forgotten. Could you remind me, please?"

Sonia cleared her throat and said, "Certainly. The play is called Spectacular, Spectacular, and the story is about..."

Sonia started speaking incoherent words, completely lost with what to say next. Everyone else apart from the princess became worried that this will finally be the moment when we were caught. But then I realized that I could step in and claim what the story is since I'm the writer of the show. I grew excited when it also hit me that I could use this opportunity to finally write about what I value most of all in the world.

"It's about love," I said.

Everyone turned to me with Sonia, Bonnie, Iris, Cilan, Kenny, Dawn, and May realizing what I'm doing while Satoshi and Jessie looked at me strangely and Princess Miette giving me a face as if I said something childish.

"Love? Really?" She asked skeptically.

"Yes, love," I claimed with a smile on my face. "The show is about love overcoming all obstacles."

Bonnie grinned excitedly and stepped in, saying, "And it's set in Hoenn."

Princess Miette frowned and said, "Hoenn? That sounds a little too vague."

Bonnie and I grew uneasy, afraid that the princess will shoot down our show with our original location for it. I racked my brain to think of a better location and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Dahara! Dahara! It's set in the kingdom of Dahara!" I spat out. "We changed the location from Hoenn to Dahara because Hoenn was too vague like you said, Your Highness."

Sonia, Bonnie, Iris, Cilan, Dawn, Kenny, May, Jessie, and Satoshi were taken aback by my outburst. Princess Miette, however, raised her eyebrow, looking interested.

"Alright, Dahara. That's a much more interesting location," she said. "What else?"

I took a moment to think before I smiled and turned to Satoshi.

"And Satoshi plays a prince," I said. "The most handsome and beloved prince in all of the world. Girls dream of becoming his wife while guys want to switch lives with him. And though the king and queen of Dahara passed away years ago, the prince has to wait until he is of age to take the throne."

Princess Miette smirked and gave Satoshi a look that made my heart sink. Satoshi smiled back to continue acting like he was interested in her. Jessie grinned, pleased that the princess's interest in Satoshi grew. Everyone in the art program smiled, thrilled that I'm stepping in and catching the princess's attention to our show. I smiled at them before I continued to improvise.

"But then his kingdom is invaded by an evil maharani. She decimates his army and takes over the kingdom with a desire to make the prince her husband," I said.

"Mmmm. I like her already," Princess Miette said, not realizing that I just based the character off of her on the spot. "What else?"

"Uh, well, in order to save his subjects, the prince has to woo the maharani," I answered before I try to think of something similar to Satoshi mistaking me for the princess. "But on the night where he is supposed to meet her, he mistakes a penniless...um...sitar player who is dressed as the maharani for a costume party and he mistakes the sitar player for the maharani ends up falling in love with her."

I turned to Satoshi and looked at him deep in his eyes as I said, "You see, she wasn't trying to trick the prince or anything. It was just a big misunderstanding."

Satoshi looked at me, confused before he realized that I was secretly explaining our own mixup, and he smiled and nodded in understanding. The room was quiet as Satoshi and I stared at each other until Dawn decided to step in.

"And I'm playing the sitar player," she declared. "My character is kind, gentle, and doesn't let her poor life get her down."

Princess Miette politely nodded at Dawn while Kenny smiled at his crush, glad that she took the opportunity to be the second lead in the play.

"And what happens next?" the princess asked.

I began thinking again until I smiled and said, "Well, in order to hide their love, the prince and the sitar player have to meet in secret. Every day, the prince pretends to woo the maharani, but at night he sneaks out of his palace to be with the person he loves."

Sonia, Bonnie, Iris, Cilan, Dawn, Kenny, and May nodded before Kenny decided to step in.

"But the sitar player doesn't have any ordinary sitar," he said. "It's actually a magical sitar."

"Magical?" Princess Miette asked, intrigued.

"Yes, magical," May intervened. "It's a talking sitar that can only speak the truth."

Bonnie smiled brightly, seeing this as her chance to say, "And I'm playing the talking sitar."

"Hmmm. That makes sense given your short size," Princess Miette said. "But if the sitar can speak the truth, does that mean it reveals the prince and the sitar player's secret relationship?"

Bonnie glared at the princess for her rude comment while the rest of us exclaimed, and Jessie said, "Excellent guess, Your Highness."

"Yes, you're as perceptive as you are beautiful, dear Miette," Satoshi praised.

The princess smiled at the raven-haired host, pleased to hear his praise.

"Thank you, Satoshi," she said with another coquettish look that made my heartache. "So how does the maharani learn about the secret relationship when the magic sitar belongs to the penniless sitar woman?"

Cilan immediately jumped in and said, "Well, you see, Your Highness, the maharani's royal vizier takes an immoral liking to the sitar woman, and so one night he sneaks into her home to woo her only to find her not there because she's out with the prince."

Iris' eyes lit up at her boyfriend's idea and said, "That's right. So while he's in her home, he finds the magical sitar who tells him about their romance. So in act to separate the lovers and make the sitar woman his, he brings it to the maharani to exploit their secret."

Cilan turned to Iris and smiled at how his girlfriend added to his idea.

"Ah, so this story is a love square. How interesting," Princess Miette said amused. "So, what happens at the end?"

I decided to jump in again and answered, "The maharani threatens the prince to marry her, or she will have the sitar player killed. So to save her life, the prince tricks the sitar player into thinking he never loved her, thus breaking her heart."

"I see. And then?" The princess asked.

I turned to Satoshi and, with a fond smile, said, "During the wedding, the magical sitar that is being held by the vizier tells the entire kingdom that there is no greater blessing The Lord gave us than the ability to love. With his spirits uplifted by the sitar's words, the prince goes back to the sitar player and reveals that he was lying the whole time. The maharani and her vizier are enraged and order to have them both killed, but the people from both kingdoms become so touched by the lovers' reunion that they overthrow the maharani and have her and the vizier driven out of the kingdom. Thus, the prince's kingdom is saved, and the prince and the sitar player marry and live happily ever after."

For a moment, the room is completely silent. Princess Miette looked at me skeptically until she considered what I said carefully.

"So basically Satoshi's character is going to win in the end," she said.

I pause for a moment, noticing that the princess is only asking because of her improper interest in Satoshi. I held my feelings back before I answered.

"Yes, that's correct," I said.

Princess Miette smirked, satisfied with my answer before turning to May, Kenny, Iris, and Cilan.

"And what are your parts in this production?" She asked. "I recall you talking about music and tech."

"You remember, right, Your Highness. You see the play is a musical," May said with a smile. "I'm the pianist and Cilan and I are co-composers."

"And I'm the music conductor for the orchestra," Cilan said.

"And I'm the tech director," Iris claimed proudly

Princess Miette nodded and turned to Kenny.

"And you?" She asked.

Kenny looked away nervously before he spat out, "I'm the sitar player's best friend. I aid her and the prince with keeping their love a secret."

Dawn smiled, clearly happy that her childhood friend took the opportunity to claim a role that allows them to act together. I, on the other hand, smile, knowing that Kenny said that to be closer to the girl he wants to be with.

"I see," the princess said. "And who is playing the maharani?"

Jessie grinned and announced, "I am, Your Majesty. I'm going to show off my radiant beauty and my ability to command the host club to my will to bring a maharani you won't forget."

Satoshi smirked and said, "Yeah, no one could play a commanding, self-absorbed woman like you could, Jessie."

"Oh, thank you, Satoshi," Jessie said cheerfully, not realizing she was being insulted.

Princess Miette and I both giggled before the former asked, "And what about everything else? Dancers? Extras? Set design? Costumes?"

Sonia smiled brightly, happy that the princess just allowed her to advertise the rest of her students in the art program."

"Oh, yes. All of the above are accounted for, Your Highness," she said. "The school's tailor, Harley, comes from a wealthy family of costume designers and dressmakers and has agreed to be the costume designer and maker for our show. As for everything else, all of my other students in the art program have that covered. I have painters, sculptors, and designers for the sets, two dozen tech people to work with Iris backstage, dancers, and other actors for the majority of the class. We can even record the play with our film students. Bottom line, dear princess, we have nearly everything we need to have the art program make its mark on Galar Academy with Spectacular, Spectacular. All we need is a theater to give the most stupendous show that this school, no, all of Galar has ever seen."

All eyes were on Princess Miette, wondering what she was going to say. The blue-haired princess of Galar kept a serious face, taking all of the information in. Finally, she gave a smile that made us hopeful.

"A play starring Satoshi with an interesting story and a cast and crew already arranged," she said. "I like it."

Our hopes grew as Sonia asked, "My dear princess, does that mean...?"

Princess Miette nodded and said, "I will arrange a meeting with the school board for tomorrow and see to it that you all get your theater for this intriguing production. I expect you to be there, Sonia and Jessie."

Everyone in the art program struggled to contain shouts of joy while Satoshi and Jessie looked at each other and grinned.

"You will not regret this, your majesty," Sonia said. "We will give you a show you will never forget. I swear it."

"With Satoshi as the lead, I'm counting on it," Princess Miette said while giving the raven-haired host a suggestive glance. "Until then, I bid you all a good night."

"Good night, Your Highness," we all said simultaneously said as the princess left the room.

We waited for half a minute before we were sure that the princess was gone before everyone, but Satoshi and Jessie screamed at the top of their lungs.

"We're getting our theater! We're getting our theater!" Bonnie squealed while jumping up and down.

Iris jumped into Cilan's arms and said, "I'm going to be a tech director, and you're going to conduct the orchestra in a real theater!"

Cilan smiled and nodded before firmly pressing his lips against Iris'. Meanwhile, Kenny and Dawn danced with glee.

"We're going to finally act on a stage, and I'm going to be one of the lead characters!" Dawn shouts.

"I know!" Kenny said, happy for his crush. "And you're going to be great, Dawn! I know it!"

Dawn smiled kindly, appreciative of her friend's encouragement.

"I'm co-composing a musical!" May said before turning to me. "And you're going to write it!"

"I know!" I shouted excitedly.

"Yes, yes, congratulations," Jessie said uncaringly. "Now get out of here already! You've intruded long enough!"

Sonia smiled, despite knowing that Jessie is still upset that we interfered with whatever she and Satoshi were attempting to do with the princess.

"Of course. You're right, Jessie," she said calmly. "We better get going and spread the news to the rest of my students. Come on, everyone."

Bonnie, Iris, Cilan, May, Dawn, Kenny, and I all nodded and started leaving the room. But before I left, I stopped to turn to Satoshi. He realized that I was looking at him, and politely smiled and nodded. I warmly smiled back before I followed my friends to the elevator, thrilled that we've achieved our goal.