fifty-six

—

so hee.

Won Shik-ssi apparently participated in the contest. Hong Bin-ssi, who was standing next to me, kept on covering his mouth, trying not to let his laugh escape from his lips. He told me that he found it weird and funny that Won Shik-ssi would rap on in front of everyone else because he thought that he might be the only one who would do so. And Hong Bin-ssi was right. He was the only one who rapped on the spotlight.

He kept on saying "I’m a gho gho gho gho ghost ghost" on top of his lungs whilst roaming around the stage full of confidence. Everyone were fist pumping in mid-air and having fun like they were in a party or something during the performance while I was standing on my spot confused since I couldn't understand what he was saying. He kept on spouting words one after another. "Are you enjoying it?" Hong Bin-ssi suddenly asked, "I don't know... I don't understand a single thing. Is he saying tongue twisters or what!?" I said loudly because he might not hear me. 

"Too fast for your liking?" Hong Bin smiled. Won Shik-ssi finished performing. Hong Bin-ssi patted me on the shoulder, telling me that he'll be back in a minute because he'll go see how his friend was doing after that amazing and mind-blowing stage. 

The last performance was up, and a tanned sophomore came up on stage. He was bowing at everyone with a bright grin on his face. I didn't know that Hak Yeon-ssi joined as well. I wonder what he'll do... I'm getting so hyped up that I can't stop a small smile from appearing in my face. He was holding some sort of cloth in his hand. Is he about to do some kind of magic trick or something?

The announcer introduced Hak Yeon-ssi and the people all around me cheered. Seconds later, he blindfolded himself with the cloth he was holding a few nanoseconds prior and stood still at the very center of the platform. Music started playing, and Hak Yeon-ssi started moving. He was performing this sort of contemporary dance. The guy was so smooth and so defined with his moves. The way his head arches back, the way his toe touches the ground ever so slowly, his posture, his detailed movements and steps, his wacking, isolation, turns and spins! They were breathtaking... Captivating. He looked like a professional out there. His extentions, style, and manner of dancing made everyone on edge.

"Now that's refreshing." Hong Bin popped out from nowhere and gasped at what he was seeing. "Wah~ Won Shik's undoubtedly gonna lose to this!" He clapped.

"He... He's blindfolded! Whi-While dancing!!!" I shook Hong Bin's body over and over. "It's a surprise he still hasn't fallen off yet. I mean, his balancing is off the roof!" He sounded excited as I nodded in response. "And everyone thinks that Won Shik's rapping is cool. Psh." 

I don't know why Hong Bin-ssi kept picking on Won Shik even though he did an awesome job. "But there were others that danced too you know." I said. "Yeah, but not like this though." He replied immediately. Our little debate finished when Hak Yeon-ssi did another nerve-wracking step that made everyone go "Ohh~!".

However, Hong Bin-ssi's absolutely right. 

I gazed in awe at the man who finished his stage and smiled at the spectators before him, the aura around him was contrasting the intense tune he danced along to a little while earlier. 

"He's just, so, mesmerizing..." Hong Bin raised an eyebrow at me. I blushed, realizing that I said my thoughts out loud. What an idiot!!!

—

leo.

"I can't believe the person who won the contest was the guy who did "stuff" with his hands!" 

"You mean the person who twisted his arms and got his whole body in and out of the space left with it?"

"Yeah! That... That flexible dude!!!" 

"The guy with no bones? I think he's a senior."

"Give him a break, he's already embarrassed himself." 

"I think he won because it's his last year here. They're just being considerate." 

"I wonder where the school got all that money."

It's the last day of the school festival and everyone is preparing for the campfire that will take place at 6 pm. The contest happened yesterday and everyone was sulking at how some strange senior got the 350,000 won all to himself. Jae Hwan and I didn't pay much attention to it since winning wasn't really our goal. We just wanted to have fun, you know, gain some experience. Well, it wasn't much of a "we" per se. I was just forced into it. It was Hak Yeon who wanted the money and thought that the more people, the more chances of winning. But it didn't happen. So too bad for him.

Now that the world finally knew that I could sing, people didn't stop pestering me about it, saying things like "Omo~ I didn't know you could sing!" again and again. Every once in a while someone would approach me and try to have a conversation with me. They were all short-lived, though. So too bad for them, too. 

Hak Yeon wanted to spend the night at our place once all of this is over. By the time Jae Hwan heard of it, he wanted to do so as well, saying "It's been a long time since I last saw your place! The last time was when we were in middle school~". I tried to say no, but in the end I couldn't convince them to not sleep at our house even with all of the excuses I've made. So too bad for me. 

"Congrats." Ji Eun poked my shoulder and grinned. I blinked at her in utter confusion. "But I didn't win..." I spoke under my breath. "It's just an expression." She smiled again, "But you did win something." "What?" I asked, more confused than ever. "Soo Ah's heart, for a number of times already. Wow. I'm impressed." The girl snickered. "Oh, so then I guess Jae Hwan won your number too?" I rebutted sarcastically so that what she said wouldn't get over my head. Ji Eun gasped. It seems like I struck a nerve. "How dare you - " 

"Yah, yah! Jung Taek Woon! I told you that you're on cleaning duty!" Hak Yeon interfered our little "quarrel", if one might say. "Yeah Taek Woon, go do your cleaning!" Ji Eun stuck her tongue out. While the elder was shooing me away, I sent another blow at the girl, "Hey, I heard you like fish jokes." I ran away hurriedly before she could even get to me. 

It's getting pretty dark, so I guess the campfire's going to start soon. The closing ceremony consists of us singing our school hymn around the campfire and maybe some little chats here and there before we say our farewells to each other. Like a ritual or something. "I even heard that there's going to be a short fireworks show... Oh! Hey Taek Woon!" I saw some of my classmates leave our classroom. Around three or four of them I think. I nodded at them as a greeting. "Dude, congrats! It was too bad you didn't win the money, huh? If you did we could go eat sometime~" They grinned and punched my shoulder playfully. "Hak Yeon deserved it more." I responded. "Oh yeah! He's the best! Like, how could you dance blindfolded and not fall off the stage!? What kind of sorcery is that!?" One beamed, "Where is he anyway? I have to talk to him!" Another joined in the conversation. "He's down near the campfire." I smiled and they all rushed downstairs. The silence came right after. "Weird how people are actually talking to me. In clumps." I tilted my head.