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The competition was finally over. After the grand unplanned finale, Neige LeBlanche and his dwarf friends were once again swarmed by a large group of paparazzi and news photographers, fussing on and on about "what a great message Neige was giving them". The last minute Vil-Neige duet had already gone viral on Magicam, the clips from the moment trending way faster than any post Cater could've made.
While the commotion swarmed the rising star and his short companions, the NRC representatives, also known as the students who had competed in this grand championship, had already slipped into the backstage. The first one to run inside was Ace Trappola, saying something about "needing some rest after all this ruckus", followed by his buddy (or maybe something more than that), Deuce Spade. The dark blue haired boy was trying to catch up with the cocky redhead.
Deuce: Ace, stop going so fast! I'm literally out of breath!
Ace: Aww, Deucey. Trying to catch up to your favorite boy, eh? And that's boy is me, obviously.
Deuce: D-don't say it like that!
As the Heartslabyul dynamic duo bickered their way to near changing rooms, Kalim Al Asim followed them, flashing a big toothy grin to everyone looking at his direction. The white haired boy was as cheerful as ever, even though after witnessing yet another overblot beforehand.
Kalim: That was amazing! The way Neige decided to duet with Vil because he believed that they were both true winners! Isn't that right, Jamil?
Jamil Viper, who was obviously trailing behind Kalim with a straight face, just sighed. Even after everything they'd been trough, he can't help but be actually flabbergasted by how unbothered Kalim was from literally everything around him. Jamil blinked, adjusting his hood.
Jamil: You would say everything is awesome as long as it ends somehow happily.
Kalim: Exactly! You know me so well, Jamil!
Jamil: Against my better judgement.
Behind the two Scarabia students, was none other than 3 Pomefiore members. Epel Felimer , though still sniffling from earlier, looked relieved now that everything seemed to be back on track. Next to the lavender haired boy, was Rook Hunt, practically skipping while humming what seems to be a cheerful show tune in French. Which didn't really surprised anyone around because well, that's what Rook mostly does in his free time, or literally anytime.
And finally, next to the hat wearing blonde, stood the star of the show, Vil Schoenheit. His expression was somewhere in between blankness, mesmerization and something that can be only described as "dwelling in denial". He couldn't actually fully process what just happened. Vil? Singing a song alongside with his "rival", Neige LeBlanche? What kind of an alternate universe is this? That was what exactly was on Vil's mind.
From a near corner, a grey, trident shaped tail poofed up, followed by Grim popping out of a stack of crates. He looked quite disappointed and rather angry, his blue flamey ears sizzling, furry face all scrunched up.
Grim: Hey! I thought we had a deal, ya know!
Kalim: Oh- hi Grim! You seem really poofy. Did you get electrocuted?
Jamil: And here we go again.
Grim fully stepped into the view, glaring daggers at the group of NRC boys, specifically Vil. He pointed a small paw at the Pomefiore trio.
Grim: You guys were supposed to win that competition, but nooo! Now I'll never get my ultimate tuna bonanza!
As Grim weeped and Ace laughed at him, Deuce tried to calm the little monster cat down. Kalim was still as obvilious as ever, asking Jamil about post show food options. Epel just sighed, muttering under his breath.
Rook, turned his head to Vil, smiling.
Rook: You know, Roi Du Poison. I thought you'd be sooo mad at me for voting for Neige. But I guess telling the truth really did changes things. Tres maqnifugue!
Vil: Consider yourself lucky. This rivalry isn't over, and won't be until I say so.
Despite saying that, Vil looked pretty thoughtful about the whole situation. Just as he was about tell Epel to stop muttering, Vil felt a tap on his shoulder.
At first, he assumed that it was Rook. However, Rook was right beside him. Curious, Vil turned around. And as he did, his eyes suddenly went wide.
Standing facing him, was a girl. And she looked completely out of place. In contrast of Vil's perfectly styled hair, this young lady had long, spiky ginger hair, her high ponytail sticking into different directions. She had sharp dark teal eyes, lined by black eyeshadow and sharp strokes of slightly smudged eyeliner. Her skin was a nice, light peachy color. She was a bit shorter than Vil, but she was built decently. She was wearing a leather jacket with countless spikes and studs, alongside a layered dark red and black shirt with messy graphics, fitting pants with tons of patches and pins on it, chunky platform boots and too many punk looking accessories. She was holding a dark red rose bouquet, decorated just like her outfit: punk, independent and unique. She was holding the flowers with a small smile on her face. But this girl wasn't any average girl who had snuck into the staff area. She was further than that.
Vil: Aster..?
Epel: Vil, can you- ohh.
Aster Xiang, the rising fashionista sensation. Her avant garde punk designs swarm the fashion Magicam pages 24/7. She's effortlessly chaotic, carefree, and super iconic. Starting her own fashion critique journey at only 18 years old, Aster was extremely well known among teenagers all around the world. Her styling was just as magical as NRC itself, attracting millions of alternative folks.
Aster: There you are, Schoenheit. I was looking for you everywhere. Even had to go trough a crowd of RSA freshmen just to get in here.
Deuce: Wait wait wait- Aster? As in, Aster Xiang?? Is that really you?
Deuce looked like he saw a ghost, at least a every fashionable one. Kalim's eyes sparkled at the sight, and he missed no time in chiming in.
Kalim: Oh my god! It's Aster Xiang! The punk designer from Magicam! I heard she even designed outfits for famous movies! Jamil, let's get her autograph!
Jamil: Kalim. Read the room.
All eyes were now on the ginger girl, who was quite unbothered by all the commotion she had gathered. Even Grim stopped fussing about "unlimited tuna" and was staring wide eyed at the new comer.
Aster: So these are the "spudlings" you were training with. There are more than I expected.
Rook instantly perked up, swaying his way over to Aster.
Rook: Ah, what a surprise, madamosille Xiang! Vil was just about to text you to check whether you were here or not.
Everyone turned to Vil, who seemed speechless and utterly stunned. Thankfully, he was quick to regain his composure. Clearing his throat, Vil finally spoke up.
Vil: Everyone... This is Aster Xiang... She's my girlfriend.
Ace and Deuce: GIRLFRIEND!?
And that was it. It took only one single word to left everyone utterly stunned. Except for Rook, obviously. He knew. He always knew.
Grim: Girlfriend, huh? Hey, Vil's girlfriend! Tell him to get me at least a can of tuna, because I ain't gonna drop this until I got my hands on some!
Jamil: It's not the time for that, Grim.
Aster looked around the several boys, some flabbergasted, some bouncing up and down, Kalim, obviously. She snorted, raising an eyebrow.
Aster: You never told them about me? Wow, and here I thought I was the secretive one about this relationship.
Deuce: A secret relationship?
Ace: HAH! So that's why he took those phone breaks during the training sessions! He was attempting to text her!
Vil sighed, looking rather defeated, but also somewhat relieved. He took a deep breath, looked at Aster, and slowly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her a bit closer.
Vil: It's hard being with another teen celebrity prodigy when people won't leave you alone for even 5 minutes in public places. We had to keep it under wraps for security and privacy issues, that's all.
Aster's sharp eyes softened a bit as she leaned over Vil's shoulder.
Aster: He's right. We won't wanna be the next hot topic of "Hottest Celebrity Couples Of Magicam" fanpages.
A small silence occurred, followed by a fair understanding. Anyone with a functioning brain could understand that, after all. Even Kalim, who's usually known to be "dense", noded, looking thoughtful.
Ace: Well... When you say it like that, it does make a lot of sense.
Aster turned to Vil, handing him the flowers.
Aster: There. You and your squad might've placed second, but that doesn't mean that you tried. Seriously. All of you guys were incredible out there.
She turned to Vil, her smile now even more softer than before.
Aster: You did a good job training them.
Vil's cheeks turned a faint, almost invisible pink, before he quickly regained his composure as his "spudlings" were watching him, and Grim was probably already thinking of making a deal with him to keep quiet, involving a year long tuna supply. Vil cleared his throat, his tight yet genuine smile still on display.
Vil: You're full of surprises, Xiang.
Aster: And that's why you like me.
Silence. Epel coughed. Rook grinned. Jamil gulped. Kalim was still thinking of food.
And that's how the NRC Music and Dance Championship boys learned about Vil's little secret. At first glance, they were complete opposites. But that's what makes a relationship unique, am I right?