Chapter 1.7

Backstage buzzed with laughter and whispers, a lovely atmosphere blooming in the air. The performance was over, but the adrenaline—the excitement—hadn't worn off yet. Rael glanced at the large mirror. The sight of himself in costume made him quickly avert his eyes, instead scanning the room for a place to change.

With a relaxed posture despite being tired from the performance, Rael stepped behind the cloth-covered screen used for changing. The enclosed space was quiet.

He began removing the fake jewelry, one piece at a time, then carefully took off the braided wig. The heavy gown came off next, and he slipped into his comfortable uniform.

For once, he'd done something he never thought he would. It had been nerve-wracking at first… but now, all that was left was a strange flutter of excitement.

When he stepped out, he accidentally bumped into a senior who was carrying a box filled with mineral water bottles and snacks.

"Careful, princess," the senior joked, steadying him and handing him a bottle.

Rael hesitated. But the senior's kind smile eased his wariness. He accepted the bottle with a quiet, "Thanks."

Another student offered him a pack of snacks. "We wouldn't want our delicate princess getting hurt."

"You really played the part well," someone chimed in.

Rael's ears turned red instantly. Just as he fumbled for a response, someone nudged him playfully.

He turned—Joey.

That warm feeling returned, tangled with something more complicated.

Joey casually took a snack from Rael's hand. "Don't tease our shy princess," he said with a grin. "She might just run away."

Everyone burst into laughter.

But the moment was cut short when Rishi walked in, Maya following close behind. His expression was guilt-ridden, but his eyes held a trace of frustration.

The group went quiet as Rishi stepped forward stiffly.

"Rael… Can I talk to you? Alone," he said, voice hesitant. His eyes flicked toward the others.

The group got the hint. "See you later," one of them said, giving Rael a gentle smile. "We've still got more to pass out," the senior added, shaking the box before walking off with the rest.

Only Joey didn't move. Instead, he stepped closer to Rael, arms folded.

Rishi's gaze flickered toward him. "Can you give us a minute?"

Joey blinked, feigning confusion. "What for? I'm not stopping you from talking."

"It's… personal," Rishi muttered, trying to keep calm.

"Oh? Then why is Maya here?" Joey asked casually, glancing toward her.

Rael tensed. He opened his mouth, but Maya was faster.

"What do you mean, 'why'? I'm their friend."

"Well, that's fine," Joey replied with a light shrug. "I'm also Rael's friend. Right, Rael?"

All eyes turned to him. Rael's shoulders stiffened as the silence grew awkward. He glanced at Joey's smug expression and sighed, his voice small.

"…It's fine. Let him stay."

Rael's eyes shifted uncomfortably, flicking between Joey and Rishi before settling downward.

"Rael… I wanted to apologize," Rishi began, voice low.

Rael didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on the bottle of water in his hands.

But Joey stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Rael stiffened at the touch.

"Apologies work when you make a mistake," Joey said, voice calm but firm. "Not when you deliberately hurt someone."

It was the first time Rael had seen Joey like this—serious, maybe even angry. But more than that… it was the first time someone had ever stood up for him.

That warmth again. Amidst the uneasiness of facing Rishi and Maya, it settled quietly in his chest.

Rishi looked stunned, his mouth opening then closing without a word. His eyes shifted to Rael, searching for something.

Maya stepped forward, her tone soft but reproachful. "Joey… maybe you shouldn't interfere. They're childhood friends, and Rishi already apologized."

Rishi glanced at her, visibly grateful. Maya smiled gently, as if that made everything alright.

While on the other side, Rael's body trembled.

Seeing this, something dark flickered in Joey's eyes. He gently patted Rael's shoulder, voice calm but steady,

"If you don't want to face them, just tell me."

Rael looked up at him for a moment, eyes wide, searching. Then he slowly nodded—not to say yes, but as if grounding himself.

"Thank you, Joey... but I have to face this myself."

He turned toward the other two, his voice firmer than before.

"I agree with Joey. A 'sorry' doesn't fix everything."

The words fell heavy. It was the first time he truly rejected them, and the impact showed—Rishi stiffened, Maya looked taken aback.

Maya stepped forward, her expression soft, but her words cutting.

"But Rael, it was just a small mistake… You used to be understanding. What changed?"

She glanced at Joey meaningfully, as if blaming him for Rael's defiance.

But Rael didn't flinch.

"I'm not the one who changed. I just stopped pretending it didn't hurt."

Rishi's voice cracked slightly as he rushed in,

"Rael… I panicked, okay? You know how fast rumors spread. I didn't want people pointing fingers at me…"

Joey scoffed, stepping forward again.

"All that for a play? Seriously? Even friends flirt with each other for fun—what were you so scared of?"

Silence followed. Thick, uncomfortable.

Rael looked between them—his so-called childhood friends—and then to Joey, who stood beside him like a shield.

He spoke again, quieter this time, but the pain beneath his words lingered.

"You were more worried about your image than about me."