Chapter 19 - Let Me Believe You
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The festival hall was buzzing with life. Students in glittering costumes rushed around, fixing their hair, adjusting ribbons, and helping each other with last-minute touches. The sound of the audience cheering faintly drifted through the heavy curtains, and the music from the earlier performances thudded faintly against the walls.
In the middle of this chaos, Save sat on a bench, shoulders hunched, fingers nervously tugging at the hem of his shirt. His heart was pounding so loudly that he swore anyone near him could hear it. He had rehearsed this dance countless times with Aaua, but now that the moment was actually here, his confidence seemed to crumble away.
"Why am I so nervous? I practiced… I know the moves… I should be fine…" he whispered under his breath, trying to convince himself. But the thought of all the people watching, the bright lights, and—most of all—dancing with Aaua in front of everyone made his palms sweat.
Just then, a familiar hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
"Save," Aaua's calm voice broke through his storm of thoughts.
Save looked up and saw him standing there, dressed in his performance outfit. Aaua looked effortlessly composed, his posture straight, his expression steady, but his eyes—soft, brown, and warm—were fixed only on Save.
"You're shaking," Aaua said softly, crouching down so he was level with Save. His lips curved into a gentle smile. "Nervous?"
Save bit his lip, embarrassed. "A little… no… a lot," he admitted, his voice cracking. "What if I mess up in front of everyone? What if I ruin everything for you?"
For a moment, Aaua didn't say anything. Instead, he reached out and took Save's hands into his own, pressing them together firmly. Save froze at the touch, his breath catching in his throat.
"You won't ruin anything," Aaua said in a tone that left no room for doubt. "Because it's not just my performance. It's ours. And even if you trip, or forget a move, I'll be right there beside you. We'll cover for each other. That's what partners do."
Save's chest tightened. The way Aaua said partners—steady, reassuring, as though it was the most natural thing in the world—made his stomach flutter. He looked down at their joined hands, unable to speak.
Seeing his silence, Aaua leaned a little closer. "Save," he whispered, his voice lower now, meant only for him. "When I'm with you, I'm not nervous at all. Because I know I'm dancing with someone I trust. Can you… trust me too?"
Save blinked rapidly, his eyes stinging. He wanted to say yes, but the lump in his throat made it hard. Instead, he nodded quickly.
Aaua chuckled softly and, before Save could react, he pulled him into a quick, warm hug. The world seemed to stop for a moment—the shouting backstage, the music outside, even Save's panicked heartbeat—all melted away as he felt the steady rhythm of Aaua's heartbeat against his cheek.
"We'll be fine," Aaua murmured against his hair. "Just look at me when you're on stage. Forget the rest of the world."
When Aaua pulled back, Save's face was flushed red, but his lips trembled into a tiny smile. "O-okay," he whispered.
Just then, the stage manager's voice boomed, "Next pair, get ready!"
Save startled, but Aaua squeezed his hand again, refusing to let go. "That's us," Aaua said, rising smoothly and pulling Save up with him. "Come on. Let's go show them what we've got."
Save's steps were still shaky, but as long as Aaua's hand stayed in his, he felt like he could walk through anything—even the blinding stage lights waiting just beyond the curtain.
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The curtain lifted slowly, and the bright flood of stage lights spilled across the polished floor. The roar of applause and excited cheers echoed from the packed audience, bouncing off the tall festival hall walls. Save instinctively gripped Aaua's hand tighter, his breath catching in his throat.
For a split second, he wanted to run. The sea of faces, the endless eyes staring at them, made his knees feel weak. But then Aaua turned his head, just slightly, and gave Save the smallest nod—a quiet reassurance only meant for him.
The music began.
It was soft at first, the opening melody floating gently through the speakers like a whisper, and Save moved exactly as they had rehearsed. Step by step, guided by the rhythm, his body obeyed. His mind, however, was still racing.
"Don't mess up. Don't mess up. Please—"
But then it happened. He glanced sideways at Aaua, who was already moving in perfect harmony, his every gesture fluid and confident. Their eyes met for the briefest moment, and something inside Save shifted. The panic in his chest loosened, replaced with a warmth that spread through him like sunlight.
Aaua's gaze was steady, grounding. "Just look at me," Save remembered his words.
So he did.
From that moment on, Save stopped dancing for the audience. He danced with Aaua. Every movement became easier, every step smoother. When Aaua reached out his hand during a turn, Save's fingers found his without hesitation. When they spun around each other, their eyes locked, and the noise of the crowd seemed to vanish.
The choreography demanded closeness—sometimes their faces were only inches apart, sometimes Aaua's hand rested firmly on Save's waist to guide him through a spin. Each touch sent a shiver down Save's spine, but he forced himself to keep his expression calm, matching Aaua's control. Still, inside, his heart was drumming a wild rhythm, louder than the music.
The audience was captivated. They could see the connection—the unspoken thread—that tied the two dancers together. Their movements weren't just synchronized, they were alive, like two halves of the same song.
At one point, the music swelled, and the choreography led Save to lean back, trusting Aaua to catch him. For a terrifying heartbeat, he felt himself falling, but then Aaua's arm circled firmly around his back, holding him steady. Save gasped softly, staring up at him, and Aaua's lips curved into the faintest smile before he pulled him upright again.
The final sequence arrived. Both boys faced the audience, hands still linked, their breathing heavy but controlled. The music hit its last note, and they froze in their ending pose—Aaua standing tall, Save leaning slightly toward him, their joined hands raised high.
The hall erupted in applause.
Save blinked, dazed. The sound was overwhelming, but it no longer frightened him. Instead, it filled him with something else—pride, relief, and a dizzying joy. They had done it. He had done it—with Aaua.
As the curtain began to fall, Aaua leaned closer and whispered, so softly only Save could hear:
"See? I told you. We're fine."
Save turned his head, his face still flushed, and managed a small, breathless laugh. "Yeah… we're fine."
But what he didn't say—what his pounding heart betrayed—was that dancing with Aaua had been more than fine. It had been unforgettable.
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The performance had ended, the applause still echoing in Save's ears as they hurried offstage with the rest of their class. The backstage area was buzzing—students laughing breathlessly, wiping sweat from their foreheads, fixing costumes that had loosened during the routine. Some were already changing into casual clothes, chattering about how loud the audience had been, or replaying their favorite moments.
Save stood in the corner, clutching his costume jacket against his chest. His heart hadn't stopped racing, not from nerves anymore, but from something else—something that had been burning ever since his eyes met Aaua's under the lights.
He turned his head.
Aaua was across the room, surrounded by a few classmates who were patting him on the back, congratulating him for how steady and flawless he had been on stage. He laughed softly at something they said, but when his gaze lifted, it landed directly on Save. Just that—one glance—and Save felt his knees weaken again.
"No… I can't keep just standing here."
For once, instead of shrinking back, Save's feet moved forward before he even realized what he was doing. He weaved through the groups of students, each step faster than the last. His chest felt like it was going to burst.
Aaua tilted his head, curious, as Save stopped right in front of him.
Save didn't speak. He just reached out, his fingers brushing against Aaua's hand. For half a heartbeat, he hesitated—his skin tingling from the touch—but then he took Aaua's hand firmly in his own and tugged him away.
The chatter around them faded as they slipped past the curtains and down a quieter hallway. Save's hand was clammy, trembling slightly, but he didn't let go.
"What am I doing? What am I doing? This isn't me. I'm not this brave."
But strangely, the warmth of Aaua's palm against his gave him strength.
Aaua followed without resistance, his usual calm smile tugging at his lips. He could feel how urgent Save's grip was, how desperately he wanted privacy. His heart stirred at the sight—Save, the boy who always second-guessed himself, now dragging him with such determination.
Finally, Save stopped near a side door that opened into an empty rehearsal room, the quiet hum of a distant fan filling the silence. He dropped Aaua's hand quickly, his face flaming red.
His chest heaved with nervous breaths, but he couldn't suppress the strange, unfamiliar confidence swirling inside him.
For the first time, Save wasn't running away from his feelings. He was running toward them.
And Aaua… simply stood there, watching him with patient eyes that seemed to say, "I'm here. Say what you need to say."
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The rehearsal room was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan. Their footsteps echoed slightly against the wooden floor as Save stopped near the far wall, away from the door. His chest was rising and falling quickly, and for a long moment, he just stood there with his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Aaua tilted his head, waiting. His calm presence made the silence heavier—not uncomfortable, but charged, like the air before a storm.
Finally, Save looked up, his lips parting, words tumbling out before he could stop them.
"I… I want to tell you something." His voice cracked, his throat dry. "Actually, I don't know how, or when, or… or why but…"
He realized he was speaking too fast, not even breathing, his chest tightening.
Aaua chuckled softly, the sound gentle, not mocking. He stepped a little closer and said in a low, steady voice, "Take some breath first, Save. I'm listening."
Save's face flamed. He sucked in a shaky breath and exhaled, his fingers curling nervously into his shirt. His whole body trembled as he finally blurted out:
"I… I have fallen for you."
The words echoed in the room, hanging between them. Save's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe he had actually said it aloud. His heart pounded so fast he thought it would give out. He stumbled over his own words again, whispering, "I mean it. I really, really like you. You don't need to like me back, but… I had to tell you."
Silence.
Save looked up anxiously, his chest tightening again. Aaua's expression wasn't blank—it was soft, unreadable, his eyes shimmering with something Save couldn't name. But the silence stretched too long, and panic clawed at Save's chest.
He dropped his gaze, his voice tumbling out in a rush. "But it doesn't have to do with you anything. It's just me. Just… just my problem, not yours."
That was when Aaua finally moved. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over Save, his voice quiet but firm.
"Why doesn't it have to do with me?"
Save's breath caught. He looked up quickly, his confidence gone, his whole body trembling. "B-because… I like you, but it doesn't mean anything for you. It doesn't have to…"
"That's it?" Aaua interrupted softly, his smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Save blinked, confused. "H-huh?"
Aaua leaned closer, eyes glimmering. "That's it? You like me?" His tone was teasing, but his gaze was so warm it made Save's knees weak.
Then Aaua's smile deepened, and he whispered, "I like you too."
Save froze. His ears rang. "Wait… what?"
"I said," Aaua repeated, his voice gentle, almost playful, "I like you too. And it doesn't 'have nothing to do with me.' It has everything to do with me."
Save's chest tightened so much it almost hurt. He shook his head frantically, blurting, "No, no, you don't have to say that just because I confessed. You don't have to like me back—"
Before he could spiral further, Aaua lifted both hands and cupped Save's cheeks firmly. Save's breath hitched at the sudden closeness, at the warmth of those hands. Aaua tilted his head until Save had no choice but to look into his eyes.
"I've always liked you, Save," Aaua said quietly, sincerely. "From the very first day I transferred here. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid. Afraid I'd scare you. Afraid I'd hurt you somehow. So I kept it inside. But I've always loved you. Always."
Save's vision blurred with sudden tears. His lips trembled as he whispered, "I… I love you too."
Aaua's thumbs brushed away the wetness on Save's cheeks, his expression worried. "Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"
Save shook his head quickly, laughing weakly through the tears. "No… it's just—I can't believe you like me back. I thought I was… nothing. Just someone in the background."
Aaua's voice softened, almost breaking. "Then let me prove it. Let me make you believe me."
His eyes dropped to Save's lips. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth against Save's in the gentlest kiss.
Save's eyes widened at the shock of it—his first kiss—but after a heartbeat, his lids fluttered shut. His whole body melted into the warmth, into the certainty that this was real.
But just as the world seemed to vanish, a voice called from down the hall—someone searching for a ball, their footsteps echoing closer.
Startled, Aaua pulled back, breathless, cheeks pink. Save's own face was wet and burning, his lips tingling, his body too stiff to move.
Save turned quickly, muttering shyly, "L-let's go…" and started to walk away, his ears red.
But before he could escape, Aaua reached out and caught his wrist.
Save turned back, startled. "W-what is it?"
Aaua's eyes softened, and with a small smile, he asked, almost playfully, "So… are we lovers now?"
Save froze, heat rushing all the way to his neck. His lips parted, but no words came at first. Then, slowly, he nodded, blushing furiously.
"Yes," he whispered.
And Aaua's smile, bright and full, was the only answer needed.
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The room was quiet, only the faint ticking of the clock on the wall breaking the silence. The textbooks lay closed on the desk, notes scattered across the pages, the ink of his pen smudged from hours of writing. Save leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head as a yawn escaped his lips. His eyes were heavy, but his heart felt restless.
On the edge of the desk sat the small black cat doll, its round button eyes glinting under the soft glow of the desk lamp. Save reached out almost absentmindedly, his fingers brushing over the plush fabric. He smiled faintly as he lifted it into his arms, resting his chin on its head like it was something alive, someone listening. Slowly, he began stroking its ears, the repetitive motion calming his mind after hours of memorizing and reading.
Just then, his phone buzzed against the wooden surface. Save glanced at the screen, and the corners of his lips curved upward instantly. The name glowing there made his chest warm. Without hesitation, he picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear.
For a moment, there was only silence on the other side. Save tilted his head slightly, smiling softly.
"Are you tired?" he asked gently, his voice low, as if he didn't want to disturb the night.
There was a pause, then Aaua's voice came through — groggy, quiet, almost like a sigh.
"Very…"
Save chuckled softly, the sound tender. "Hang on a little longer, okay? The final exams are almost over. Just a few more days, and—"
But before he could finish, Aaua cut in, his voice carrying a weight of longing.
"But I miss you so much."
Save froze for a heartbeat, then let out another soft laugh, full of affection. "We literally saw each other today," he reminded, his tone teasing. "And don't forget, we just had our one-month anniversary together."
"I know," Aaua complained, his words half-whining, half-sincere. "But I still miss you…"
Save's smile deepened, though his heart tightened in that gentle way love often does. He leaned back in his chair, holding the cat doll closer as he spoke softly.
"Okay, okay. No more complaining. Go to sleep, hmm? You need to wake up early tomorrow."
He imagined Aaua's sulky expression on the other side of the call, and warmth filled his chest. So before Aaua could pout any further, Save lifted the phone a little closer to his lips and whispered playfully,
"You know, I just gave you a kiss right now. Listen carefully—mwah~"
There was silence for a beat. On the other end, Aaua sucked in a tiny breath, and when he spoke, his voice was softer, almost flustered.
"...You… you just kissed me?"
Save chuckled, his own cheeks turning red. "Mm-hmm. A real kiss. Did you hear it?"
Aaua hesitated, then let out a shy laugh, his tone warming. "I… I heard it. And… I liked it."
The shyness in his voice quickly melted into something brighter, full of joy.
"Good night, babe!" he suddenly added, his tiredness forgotten, the words spilling out with happiness.
Save's cheeks flushed instantly, the word "babe" making his heart flutter. He quickly ended the call before his smile grew too wide, his ears burning red. Putting the phone down, he hugged the black cat doll close again, burying his face in its soft fur.
"I always thought…" he whispered to the doll, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "…that I was just a side character. Someone no one would ever notice… someone no one would ever love."
The doll sat silently in his arms, as if listening with its stitched-on smile. Save looked into its button eyes and continued softly, "But Aaua… he believed in me. He loves me so much."
His lips curved upward, a faint blush lingering on his cheeks as he added, "And I love him too."
Carefully, he set the doll back on the desk, adjusting its tiny bow as if tucking it into bed. Then, switching off the lamp, he slid under his blanket. The room was swallowed in darkness, the world quiet once more.
With one last thought of Aaua's voice calling him babe, Save's heart skipped a beat. His lips curved into a smile as his eyes drifted shut, carrying that warmth with him into sleep.
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— End of Chapter 19 —