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墨書 Inktalez
The day of the artistic performance had finally arrived. The school auditorium was bustling with people, and the backstage was in chaos, with everyone running around in a frenzy.
Lu Yu's performance was scheduled for later in the program. As a "family member and support staff," I naturally blended into the backstage crowd, always ready to hand him water or tissues.
The dressing room was a bit cramped. I held Lu Yu's guitar while he adjusted his hair in front of the mirror, which had been styled with hairspray by the makeup artist.
"How do I look? Am I more handsome now?" He raised an eyebrow at me through the mirror.
"Not bad," I replied, though my words didn't match my thoughts. In reality, dressed in his performance outfit and slightly groomed, Lu Yu did look more dazzling than usual.
At that moment, Meng Jia came over, also dressed for the performance. She wore a light blue dress, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, looking very gentle. "Lu Yu, it's almost our turn. Shall we go over the harmony part again?"
"Sure," Lu Yu nodded.
They stood not far away, quietly humming together while looking at their sheet music. Meng Jia's sweet voice blended well with Lu Yu's deep tone.
I stood to the side, watching them focus on each other, and an inexplicable pang of jealousy stirred within me. I knew they were just partners, but still... it felt uncomfortable.
Just then, Meng Jia seemed to glance at me unintentionally and then smiled at Lu Yu, her voice just loud enough for me to hear: "Lu Yu, look at your little green plum; she's been here waiting for you. I'm really envious of your good relationship."
Lu Yu paused for a moment but didn’t respond.
Meng Jia continued, "About that novel by Higashino Keigo we discussed last time—I still don’t quite understand the ending. Can you explain it to me when you have time? It feels like you're the only one I can talk to about this."
Her words felt somewhat deliberate. Was she saying this for my benefit? Hinting that she and Lu Yu had many common topics?
I tightened my grip on the guitar strap but tried to appear nonchalant as I looked down and pretended to adjust my clothes.
Lu Yu seemed to sense something was off; he frowned and interrupted Meng Jia: "The harmony is fine now. Lin Wan, come here."
He waved me over.
I walked up to him. "What’s up?"
He didn’t answer but took the guitar from my hands and then, to Meng Jia's slight surprise, grabbed my wrist.
"Let’s go; you’re coming to watch my performance." His tone left no room for argument.
"Wait? Where are we going?" I asked as he pulled me forward.
"Front row," he said without looking back.
He led me all the way to the first row of seats in the auditorium, precisely finding two empty spots in the center before sitting me down.
"Stay here and don’t wander off," he instructed before turning back toward backstage.
As he ascended the steps, he turned back and cast a deep glance in my direction from a distance that wasn't too far. That look seemed to contain so much—reassurance, focus, and a kind of intense heat that I dared not explore further.
In that moment, it felt as if I suddenly understood. He had brought me here, seated me in the most prominent spot, perhaps to make me realize for whom he was performing.
The shadow cast by Meng Jia's earlier words was instantly dispelled by that gaze. My heart began to race irregularly once more.
The spotlight illuminated the stage as Lu Yu stepped into the center, guitar in hand. He adjusted the microphone and strummed the strings, a clear melody flowing forth immediately.
He began to sing—a love song I had never heard before, but its melody was gentle and soothing. His gaze seemed to linger in my direction, almost imperceptibly.
The auditorium was quiet, filled only with his voice and the sound of his guitar echoing through the air. I watched the dazzling young man on stage, my childhood neighbor who had grown up alongside me, and I felt my heart completely filled with an emotion called "liking."
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