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Chapter 31 - Rehearsal Ruckus

Thursday Morning – Class 1-A Warzone

By the time I walked in, the classroom had transformed into what looked like a medieval-themed café exploded across five desks and three walls.

Banners, fake vines, paint, sequins.

And glitter.

So Much. Glitter.

"Who authorized glitter bombs?" Emma demanded.

Tyler: "Freedom of expression."

Sofia: "Freedom to sparkle."

Noah walked past with a cape that had actual LED lights. "My power levels are off the charts."

Miles ducked under a table muttering, "I swear I'm transferring next semester."

I just smiled. This chaos? It was kind of beautiful.

The First Rehearsal Begins

Emma clapped her hands at the front of the room. "Okay! Scene walkthrough. Everyone in character."

The class theme: A Royal Café set in a fantasy kingdom. Each server had a noble background. There was even a story: I, the prince, had returned from exile to host a secret café to reconnect with the people.

Noah: "This is anime. This is so anime."

Luna: "I made concept art for the background set."

She handed me a sketch: A soft-lit, ivy-covered wall with our crest above the entrance.

"You're seriously talented," I said.

Luna blinked slowly. "And you're seriously charming."

Emma: "Focus."

The Physical Scene

The "opening interaction" had me arriving, cape swirling, being greeted by the attendants. Sofia insisted we act it out dramatically.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing so low it felt like a trap. "Will you allow me to be your personal server?"

"I don't think the prince chooses by seduction," Emma said flatly.

"Jealousy is so unbecoming," Sofia replied, still not standing.

Behind them, Amaya fiddled with her notepad quietly.

Then She Walked In

A second-year girl peeked in.

Tall. Curvy. Confident.

She wore a prep team badge from Class 2-B.

"Is this Class 1-A?" she asked sweetly.

Emma nodded. "Yes. We're rehearsing."

The girl smiled, walked over—to me.

"Oh. You must be Prince Jay," she said, her tone playful.

I blinked. "Uh, yeah—"

She stepped very close.

Too close.

Brushed imaginary lint from my sleeve.

"You're even better looking in person. I saw the flyer you guys posted outside."

I cleared my throat. "Thanks, I guess…"

She leaned in, voice dropping. "Do you mind if I take measurements? Our class wanted to borrow this cloak design for one of our booths. I'll be gentle."

My back hit the chalkboard.

Her hands were already at my shoulder, "measuring" across my chest.

Emma: frozen.

Sofia: stunned.

Amaya: mouth slightly open, face red.

"Seriously," the girl purred, "this fabric is amazing. So soft…"

Sofia suddenly appeared between us like a hurricane in a corset.

"Hi. Can I help you?"

Second-Year: "Oh? I was just checking this design—"

Emma: "We'll send you the details later."

Amaya: "…You should probably go now."

The girl blinked at the sudden formation of the anti-harem Défense squad, then bowed politely and exited.

I stood there, shell-shocked.

"Did I just get… costume assaulted?"

Tyler from the back: "Bro, I felt that second-hand."

Later – Decorating Chaos

I was painting wooden signs with Amaya, our hands brushing occasionally.

She wasn't speaking much, but her face stayed pink for at least ten more minutes.

Sofia passed by. "You good, Jay?"

"Yeah."

"You sure? You look like you need a leash."

"That's not reassuring."

Emma sat on the other side, organizing tags by table number.

She didn't say anything about the second-year incident.

But she definitely stabbed a pencil into the paper harder than necessary.

Evening – Unexpected Moment

As I helped close up, Emma stayed behind to gather her planner and supply box.

"You handled that well today," I said, approaching the desk.

Her expression was unreadable. "Define 'well.'"

"You didn't explode."

"I wanted to."

"I could tell."

She looked at me finally.

"Jay?"

"Yeah?"

"Stop being everyone's prince."

That caught me off guard.

"I didn't ask to be."

"I know," she said. "But people don't need to ask to want something."

Then she stood on tiptoe, kissed my cheek—soft, quick, shocking.

"Just… don't forget who pushed for this café in the first place."

And then she walked out.

Leaving me staring at the door like it had answers.

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