A knock rang through the door of the director’s office.

“Come in.” Director Kenn commanded as he paused his conversation with his music department director, Arai.

A small, meek young lady passed through the threshold, bowing before the heads of the school in greeting.

“Ah, Xinling. You’re came at just the right time.” Director Kenn said as he motioned for the young lady to take the other vacant seat in front of his desk. “Director Arai and I were discussing about your schedule with the new transfer.”

Director Arai handed Xinling an envelope to which the latter opened and brought out some files to ponder over. The student read one of the sheets while the directors waited for her to take in the new student’s profile.

“So, she’s really a foreigner. Does she know any Chinese?” Xinling remarked, eyes never leaving the paper.

“She knows very basic ones, but I am sure with her stay here, she will improve in time.” Director Arai replied. Xinling looked back up to her teachers and saw their expectant gazes. A part of her was unsure if she would be able to take on this responsibility of helping the new transfer through the school year. She has her own studies and showcases to prepare for.

Nonetheless, she would not bear to see her directors’ disappointed gazes directed towards her should she reject the tasks they bestowed upon her. Turning to the second page, Xinling noticed that she has a schedule of showing the new transfer around the campus today even if classes were to start in two weeks.

“Then, I will try my best to get her to adjust here in the academy. Now, if I may be excused, sirs? I actually have to show her around the campus. Would you happen to tell me which dorm she’s staying at?”

“She’s with Xiaolei.” Director Kenn replied, “You should go ahead, Xinling. Hope you enjoy your day getting to know the new transfer.”

Xinling smiled and bowed before taking her leave.

“Now, let’s discuss how to go about this year’s competition.” Director Kenn continued as he handed a folder of papers to his colleague.

Director Arai opened the folder and read through the contents, “So, we’re finally going for the random selection between the leagues. Were Ning Jing and Na Ying informed of this?”

“They were.” Director Kenn answered, chuckling to himself recalling the other day, “They were livid about this, but this is the only way to make it somehow fair and fun for everyone.”

+++

“Cyndi Wang Xinling!”

Xinling heard her name being called from behind. Turning, she found herself being approached by two girls, one very familiar senior and the other quite a new face.

“Xiaolei jie.” Xinling replied, a smile automatically etched on her face upon seeing the bright and easy-going senior. “I was about to head to your dorm.”

“Were you looking for Xiuyan?” Xiaolei said as soon as she was close enough for Xinling to hear. The latter nodded, eyes landing on the shy person hiding behind the older student.

“H-Hi,” Jessica meekly waved in greeting, “I’m Jessica Zheng Xiuyan, the new transfer.”

Xinling approached the new girl and lent out a hand for a shake while speaking in English, “Nice to meet you, my name’s Cyndi Wang Xinling. I will be your personal guide through the campus. I was going to fetch you at your dorm today but seeing that Xiaolei jie has already brought you here, it just made my task easier.”

“Oh, I had just finished touring her through the dorms, Xinling.” Xiaolei said proudly, “She has met most of the girls.”

Jessica nodded along, remembering how she was just so apprehensive at meeting about twenty or so students.

Xinling noted how exhausted Jessica looked from being introduced to too many people. She knew this change in environment and people was a huge adjustment to the new transfer. Xinling somehow felt the same since she had somewhat of a slow personality. “Jessica, do you still have the energy to walk around campus? I can show you the more commonly used buildings and we can save the other areas for another day.”

“I’m fine, jiejie. I know you have spared your time for me in your schedule to show me around. I would not want to waste it.” Jessica answered thoughtfully.

Xinling nodded in understanding, already liking this new transfer for her considerate attitude.  “Xiaolei jie, you can join us if you want. You can help me with giving Jessica a tour of our campus.”

“Oh, I would love to!”

+++

Their tour started off at the lecture hall, where the campus library and the lecture rooms were situated. They were welcomed and introduced to Zhang Qiang, the happy go-lucky librarian with a charming smile. Jessica was surprised at how well-utilized the library was, despite the academy being an arts and music learning institution.

They spotted Cai Jie and a tall slender woman reading a thick book, Jessica recognizing the latter to be Tan Weiwei, one of the school’s best vocalists and a famed rival of her current tour guide, Xinling.

A few tables down, almost hidden among the shelves, sat Wenwen who was dozing off over a few sheets. Jessica almost headed over to her side when the young musician almost hit her head on the table, but Wenwen managed to wake up and straighten herself out, only to lock eyes with Jessica and her companions. Jessica noted Wenwen’s face turn a shade of red as she swiftly collected her music sheets and stuffed them into her bag before abruptly standing up and quickly heading out of the library, past Jessica, Xinling, and Xiaolei.

Wenwen did not notice a piece of paper falling off her bag as she scurried past the three girls. Jessica bent down to pick up the paper containing scribbles in Chinese characters. It appeared to be a lyric sheet. She was about to hand it back to the owner only to find out that the latter had been long gone. Jessica pocketed the paper instead, keeping in mind to drop by Wenwen’s dorm to return the lyric sheet back to its owner.

“Wenwen’s working too hard.” Jessica heard Xiaolei jie mutter.

“She needs to rest.” Xinling remarked, “It wouldn’t do her well if she exhausts herself before the school starts.”

“I heard Er Jie, Lili, and Cici have been trying their hardest to get her to relax.”

“I hope they succeed.” Xinling then turned back to Jessica, “are you okay to proceed to our next destination?”

“Yes.”

+++

The music hall was lined with practice rooms filled with different musical equipment. There, they met Cici and Zhao Meng playing their bass guitars accompanied by Lili’s keyboard. In another room, Shiyi and Jinyan were tinkering with their guitars, studying simpler tunes under Liu Lian’s tutelage. The other room was occupied by Valen Hsu and Myolie Wu, who were huddled over the piano with Myolie singing to a classic Chinese ballad.

Jessica marveled at the variety of instruments that was being stashed in each room and she wondered how the other training rooms looked like. Xinling then led them to another hallway connected to the music hall and there, she saw two girls dancing to a classical tune. Her eyes landed on the graceful execution of one of the dancer’s movements. It was as if she was watching a story, or a play unfold.

“That’s Zhu Jiejing.” Xinling spoke to her, “She’s one of the two best dancers besides Shiyi.”

“She’s beautiful…” Jessica said, eyes still mesmerized by the way Jiejing danced, only to realize what she had said, shaking her head, “I mean she dances so gracefully!”

Xinling merely chuckled at her unguarded remark, “It’s okay. Everyone gets really enchanted with her and Shiyi’s dancing. So, I’m not surprised if you were.”

Jessica’s gaze then shifted to the other dance whose moves were powerful and quite sharp, “And who is she?”

“That’s Qi Xi.” Xiaolei answered, “She’s one of the few students who delved in theater. She participated in our musical workshop last year too. Right now, she’s being helped by Jiejing on improving her dancing skills.”

“Wow, everyone here is so passionate.”

“You haven’t seen everything yet. We have to go to the recording hall. It’s where everyone practices their singing. I bet you’ll meet some of the best singers there.” Xinling hinted with a smile as she motioned for the two girls to follow her.

+++

A/N: A little nod to Jessica's most low-key ship in SWMW3. lool! This is sort of a nod to Cyndi's low-key helping Jess in the very first ep of SWMW3, if you have eagle eyes, you'd see her gesturing for Jess to go ahead with her solo perf, Jess was also seated beside her during the solo perfs. And how Cyndi also helped Jess find the table for YaoNiGuan before. Not to mention all those secret dinners she had with Jess and Xiaolei that would've escaped people's radars had Xiaolei not posted pics. Oh, and of course, Cyndi streaming Jess' weibo stream with Kelly. :3