"Competitive!"

"Uhm… Le... Lenoir, what do you mean? I... I don't get it..." Sydney stuttered, nervous about the situation. It's only the two of them in the Music Room, and the sun had already set. She wanted to run away because of embarrassment, but with Lenoir holding her hands and looking at her seriously, she couldn't move an inch.

"I mean it. I like you, Sydney. I really do. Can you be my girlfriend?"

Sydney was thinking of an excuse. In Matt's case, she told him that they have only known each other for a few days, but it wouldn't work on Lenoir because they had already known each other for more than a year. Plus, they had always talked when in Music Club meetings even before.

Lenoir noticed Sydney's eyes darting away from his gaze. Feeling her nervousness, he let go of her hands and said, "I'll wait for your answer, you don't have to answer now," then he gave her a kind smile. "Shall we go home?"

Lenoir walked Sydney home. There was an awkward silence, so he said, "Hey, don't be so shy, now," he ruffled her hair.

"I… I just don't know how to react after being confessed to."

"Why?" Lenoir asked. "Is it your first time?"

"No, but…"

"No? Who confessed to you before?"

"Uhh… It's a secret!" Sydney said, her cheeks red in shyness. "Let's… Let's walk faster!" And she quickly walked forward.

Even though she didn't tell Lenoir, he already had a hunch on who confessed to her. He sighed, thinking about how to win over Sydney when Matt had a lot of advantages to the situation.

Not only that Matt was a VIP, he's also obviously handsome. But although he might look perfect, he's a spoiled brat that would do anything to have what he wanted, and it's one of his flaws.

In contrast to that, Lenoir was confident that he's a more thoughtful and kind person than him. Plus, he has been a very reliable Senior.

He then promised himself that he would do anything to make Sydney realize his strong points.

…

The next day, Sydney went to the bathroom during lunch break. She was about to wash her face when suddenly her older brother called her to ask about her next appointment with the ENT doctor.

"Snider, I am doing well, okay? I am not eating sweet food, and I drink cold beverages less now."

"How about resting your voice? I heard from dad that you practice until midnight at home. I coincidentally met your doctor at the cafe a while ago. She said that I should watch over you because you're at a critical stage. One mistake and you'll lose your voice, Syd."

"Snider… I don't want to lose my voice. I am really trying hard to resist sweets!"

"Alright, alright. As long as you know your limits," Snider replied, "I have to go now. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay. Thank you, bro," then she hung up. She put her phone in her pocket, then finally washed her face. She spent a few seconds staring at herself in the mirror, then walked out of the bathroom to proceed to class.

She didn't know, there was someone in the cubicle who heard her while she was on the phone.

…

Days passed, and it was finally time for the Kasumi Inter-school Concert. They were invited to Jurino, one of the biggest cities in Kasumi Province where the Kasumi Stadium was located.

They arrived a day before the concert. Sydney and Lenoir came, with Miss Elle as their guardian. Matt and Olivet also came as two of the ten representative supporters (cheerers), while Juana went with them as Miss Elle's volunteer assistant.

The fourteen of them comprised the chosen people who would be attending the Kasumi Inter-school Concert. They stayed at a hotel designated for them. Olivet, Sydney, Juana, and Miss Elle stayed in one room, while the other people were divided into separate male and female groups.

Upon arriving in their assigned room in that late afternoon, they conversed while unpacking their stuff. Sydney asked the class President, "Why did you come with us, Juana? Did you come because Matt is coming?"

"Obviously, yes," Juana said, rolling her eyes at her, "It's unfortunate that I'm stuck with you in this room, though."

"Now, now, don't fight," Miss Elle requested, giving them a smile, "We're here to enjoy the event tomorrow, so can you at least try to get along?"

"Yes, Miss Elle…" Sydney and Juana both responded.

"Good," she said, then turned to Olivet who was looking at the brochures that she picked up at the receptionist's area, "Did you see any good restaurants near here?"

"Yes, Miss Elle. Just a block away from here. It's a Sushi and Noodle shop restaurant which has a five-star rating on the internet," Olivet replied and showed them the images of the restaurant on Goople Images.

Miss Elle then remarked, "Alright. I'll call everyone and ask them to meet us in the lobby."

Soon after, the students came to the lobby. As soon as Matt arrived, Juana's sight stuck to him like glue. Unfortunately, he never looked back at her.

Because there was only Sydney in his eyes.

He wasn't the only one who looked at Sydney with affection, though. Lenoir, knowing that Matt had been very vocal and showy on his feelings for Sydney, never left her side, as if guarding her if ever Matt made a move on her.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Miss Elle ordered large plates of sushi and bowls of wonton noodles for everyone. It was like they ate as a family, Miss Elle sat in a lone seat at the end of the long table while the students sat on the benches facing each other with the table in the middle.

"Olivet, come sit beside me," Sydney uttered, and her friend nodded.

And while they sat, Lenoir and Matt were fighting over the vacant seat beside her.