Chapter 137: Festival (2)

 

“Wow…”

 

My face was still on the large screen above the stage.  

 

Even I could tell my expression looked half out of it, but there was no way I could escape.  

 

In the end, I couldn’t ignore the expectant gazes of the students, so I reluctantly stepped onto the stage.

 

“Please give her a big round of applause!”

 

“Wooooooahhh!!”

 

I’d never had so many eyes on me in my life.  

 

The camera followed me as I walked toward the stage, and before I knew it, I was standing right in the middle of it.

 

My eyes caught sight of the countless audience members in front of me—and in the distance, I spotted Han-gyeol with his mouth wide open in shock.  

 

I felt like I might faint at any moment.

 

“Ah~ nice to meet you! Please introduce yourself first!”  

 

One of the festival staff kindly handed me a microphone.  

 

It was my first time speaking in front of such a huge crowd.

 

“Uh… I’m Shin Eun-ha, a freshman in the Department of Film Studies…”  

 

My voice echoed through the large speakers, reaching the audience.

 

“Wooooooah!”

 

“She’s so pretty!”

 

“Noona, you’re beautiful!”

 

Although I was grateful for the cheers, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly embarrassed.

 

“So you’re Eun-ha, huh~ Eun-ha! I saw you waving your hand so energetically from the back earlier. What kind of talent are you going to show us today? Singing? Dancing?”

 

At the host’s question, I hesitated for a moment before answering.

 

“Actually, I wasn’t raising my hand for the talent show…”

 

“Ah~ so you weren’t raising your hand for the talent show?! Then why were you waving so brightly?”

 

“I was just happy to see my boyfriend, so I waved…”

 

At that moment, a collective groan of disappointment erupted from the audience.

 

“Wait~ a second! You have a boyfriend?!”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Is he from your university?”

 

I nodded and said, “He’s in the Business Department…”

 

“Hey everyone! She has a boyfriend! And he’s here with her today, so calm down, okay?”

 

All I could think about was when I’d finally be able to get off this stage.  

 

But the host kept asking questions.

 

“Did you meet your boyfriend after you started university?”  

 

“No, we’ve been dating since high school, and we came to the same university together.”  

 

“Wow…! So how long have you been together?”

 

I cautiously held up one finger and answered, “Over a year…”

 

“Got it! Well, even though it was a mistake coming up here, could you still show us a little something for the talent show before you go?”

 

“Ah… but I don’t really have any talents…”

 

“Then how about naming three great things about your boyfriend?!”

 

“He’s handsome, kind, and smart!”

 

“Are you sure?!”  

 

“Yes!”  

 

“Really?! He’s handsome, kind, ‘and smart’?!”  

 

“Yes!”

 

I nodded confidently.

 

“No way~”

 

“But it’s true…”

 

It seemed the crowd still couldn’t believe what I’d said about Han-gyeol.

 

“Eun-ha, the audience doesn’t seem to believe you.”  

 

“I’m really upset about that.”  

 

“Pfft! Oh, are you really upset?!”

 

How could they not believe how handsome Han-gyeol is?

 

“I don’t think anyone will believe it until they see for themselves… Where is he now? Let’s find him—Eun-ha’s handsome, kind, and smart boyfriend! Where are you?”  

 

“Ahh! Han-gyeol doesn’t like being the center of attention—!”  

 

“Han-gyeol?! His name is Han-gyeol?! Then ask him if he could come up for a moment!”

 

I carefully turned toward where Han-gyeol was standing.

 

“Han-gyeol… You don’t have to come up if you don’t want to, but… if it’s okay, would you?”

 

The moment I finished speaking, cheers erupted from the crowd.

 

“Okay! Boyfriend?! You don’t have to come up, but at least answer loudly! Are you still here, or did you leave?!”

 

The host and the crowd were all looking around, searching for Han-gyeol. And then, locking eyes with me, Han-gyeol cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted:

 

“Just wait a minute!!!”

 

“There! Over there! Camera, catch him at the far end of the square! Eun-ha’s boyfriend, who is handsome, kind, and smart, is now walking up to the stage! Let’s give him a big round of applause!”

 

Han-gyeol was making his way toward the stage, step by step.  

 

I felt a mix of gratitude and guilt, a rush of emotions all at once.  

 

As soon as Han-gyeol got the microphone and stepped onto the stage, I quickly moved to his side.

 

“Han-gyeol…! I’m sorry.”  

 

“It’s fine~ It’s a festival, let’s have fun.”

 

I walked with Han-gyeol back toward the host. The screen now displayed the two of us, and the MC immediately started asking Han-gyeol questions, but not before offering a compliment.

 

“Wow… everyone, Eun-ha didn’t lie at all. Wow… he really is handsome! Please introduce yourself.”

 

Even though Han-gyeol hates situations like this, he responded smoothly.

 

“Hello, I’m Lee Han-gyeol, a freshman in the Business Department.”

 

“Wooooooah!!”

 

“Hyung!! Pay more taxes!!”

 

“Everyone, do you know what surprised me the most? The moment Han-gyeol stepped up, Eun-ha immediately moved to his side. Eun-ha, when did you get over there?”

 

At this point, I’d resigned myself to the situation and answered honestly.

 

“This was my spot from the start…”

 

“Wow~ I’ve been to many university festivals and seen a lot of couples, but… I’ve never been so jealous of one before. This is what youth looks like! This is what a campus couple should be! Don’t you all agree?!”

 

“Yesss!!!”

 

“Now, Han-gyeol, what are three great things about your girlfriend?”

 

“She’s beautiful, kind, smart, and she’s a great cook.”

 

“You answered that so effortlessly!”  

 

“That was easy.”  

 

“Wow~ I don’t know if I should ask this, but… are you super popular?”  

 

“No, I don’t have many friends.”  

 

“But you’re so witty!”  

 

“Thank you.”

 

Han-gyeol’s cool responses made both the host and the audience burst into laughter.

 

“Well~ since the two of you came up here, would you mind giving us a short talent show before you go?”  

 

“Ah… I have to help out at the pub soon, so I should get going.”

 

Han-gyeol was trying to use the perfect excuse to escape, but neither the crowd nor the host was going to let us off that easily.

 

“Awww~~~”

 

Realizing what was happening, Han-gyeol quickly added another comment.

 

“Well… I could sing the first verse of a song at least.”

 

“A song?! Will you sing it with Eun-ha?”  

 

“If she’s okay with it…”

 

The host’s gaze shifted from Han-gyeol to me.  

 

Since this was all my fault, and Han-gyeol had stepped up so bravely…

 

“What do you say, Eun-ha?!”  

 

“Yes! I’ll sing with him!”  

 

“Great! Let’s hear a classic couple duet! A big round of applause, please!!!”

 

“Wooooooahhh!!!”

 

As the music started, I found myself just looking into Han-gyeol’s eyes while singing. A moment ago, I was terrified to even speak in front of the crowd, but now that I was looking at Han-gyeol, everything seemed fine. 

 

This moment was just too fun and enjoyable.

 

Han-gyeol’s voice began the song, and soon it was my turn. Somewhere along the way, the stiffness in my expression melted away, replaced by a smile, and the tremble in my voice faded. 

 

I never thought I could sing so confidently with so many people watching. It was all thanks to Han-gyeol.

 

I wasn’t even thinking; the lyrics just flowed out, and before I knew it, we had finished the first verse. 

 

As the song ended, I walked over to Han-gyeol with a big smile. Holding the microphone shyly, we were approached by the host again.

 

“Wow~ That was a stage overflowing with sweetness. Not once! Not even once! Did either of you look at the audience. Anyway! Let’s give a big round of applause to this beautiful couple for such a lovely performance!”

 

As soon as the host finished speaking, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Feeling both amused and embarrassed, I quickly hid behind Han-gyeol.

 

“Now—before you go, if there’s anything you’d like to say, please do! Let’s start with Han-gyeol. Just step forward a little. Yes, that’s perfect.”

 

Han-gyeol took a small step forward.

 

“Uh... Enjoy the festival, and make sure to get home safely.”

 

“How about saying something to your girlfriend, too?”

 

“Uh…”

 

Han-gyeol glanced at me before hesitantly speaking.

 

“I… love you.”

 

“Woooooaaah!!!” 

 

“Is this real life?!”

 

“Wonderful~ Now let’s hear from Eun-ha. Come on, step forward! How about you say something to your boyfriend who just said he loves you?”

 

I took a step forward and stood beside Han-gyeol. It was nerve-wracking to speak in front of everyone, but...!  

 

Gathering all my courage, I spoke.

 

“I love you too.”

 

Another wave of cheers exploded from the crowd.  

 

Right now, in this moment, I felt overwhelmingly happy.  

 

This is so much fun.

--- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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