Ch. 31 - The Competition Results

I turned my head just in time to catch the smile lingering at the corner of the girl's mouth. She was staring intently at the stage. Her eyes were fixed on Bai Lu's position, and the expression on her face looked unnatural no matter how I examined it. Could the problem with Bai Lu's costume have something to do with this girl? The thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

"What is it?"

Tang Xin tilted her head and asked. She had noticed the brief change in Bai Lu's expression as well.

"Look at Bai Lu's waist."

I turned back toward the stage and spoke in a serious tone. The issue with the costume wasn't particularly obvious, but because our seats were relatively close to the stage, anyone paying attention could spot the finger-length tear along the fabric at Bai Lu's waist. 

The six girls continued dancing to the piano accompaniment. Their movements remained as graceful as ever. Bai Lu's expression had already returned to normal, perfectly matching the mood of the performance. At least the wardrobe malfunction hadn't caused any major mistakes. That allowed me to relax slightly.

"...Why would such a basic mistake happen?"

After following Bai Lu's movements for about ten seconds, Tang Xin finally noticed the tear. I didn't answer her. Instead, my attention drifted toward the judges' table. Several judges were quietly discussing something among themselves.

So it really was affecting the competition...

The piano melody gradually softened. The six girls, moving like elegant swans, slowed their steps as the music eased. They gathered together, then struck the final pose of the performance. Like the departing reflection of noble swans across the broken ice of a winter lake. The music stopped. The lights dimmed. Bai Lu's performance was over.

It's finished... My heart settled a little. If the performance had continued and another problem appeared, any chance at placing well would have vanished completely.

The lights brightened again. The host returned to the stage and began introducing the next group. Another piece of music started and another team took the stage, but I no longer had the mood to watch. The uneasiness inside me scratched relentlessly at my heart like a cat's claws. It felt like a pile of damp firewood weighing heavily on my chest. I looked away from the stage. Tang Xin sat beside me, seemingly lost in thought. Noticing my gaze, she returned a look that mirrored my own confusion. We were probably thinking the same thing; with the quality and durability of ballet costumes, a horizontal tear like that shouldn't appear without some kind of external force.

Time always seemed to pass quickly when your mind was occupied. As I occasionally glanced toward the curtains while worrying about Bai Lu backstage, the final team eventually completed their performance and exited. The host stepped onto the stage once more. She began saying the usual things meant to liven up the atmosphere. Whenever hosts did that, it usually meant they were waiting for something to be prepared behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the judges were busily discussing and finalizing the rankings.

Eventually, someone handed the host a card. She immediately dropped her cheerful demeanor. Her voice became solemn.

"And now!"

She raised her voice dramatically.

"The moment everyone here has been waiting for!"

The previously noisy theater instantly fell silent, like a flock of startled birds. The host looked around the venue. Satisfied with the effect she'd achieved, she nodded slightly.

"The winners have already been decided!"

She held up the card in her hand.

"The results are written right here."

From my seat, I could see the card itself, but not the words on it. The audience farther back probably couldn't even tell what she was holding.

"Next, I will announce the top three winners of this competition."

She paused dramatically.

"We'll begin with third place."

"Third place goes to..."

The pause stretched endlessly. The entire audience waited. Not a single sound could be heard. Even I found myself clenching my fists, forcing my racing heartbeat under control as I stared at the host's mouth. The atmosphere gradually tightened everyone's nerves.

"Third place goes to..."

The host smiled.

"Y City No. 2 High School Ballet Club!"

The moment she finished speaking, cheers erupted from one section of the audience. Their supporters, no doubt. The winning team came onstage and received certificates and medals personally presented by the judges. Judging by their excited expressions, they were more than satisfied with achieving such a result in a competition of this caliber.

I glanced behind me. Among the audience, I spotted a large group wearing Xingzhihua Middle School uniforms. Looks like Bai Lu's club had plenty of supporters too.

"Next comes second place..."

The host returned after the award ceremony.

"Who could it possibly be...?"

She repeated the same suspenseful routine, once again pulling the audience into anticipation. If this were television, they'd probably insert several minutes of advertisements here.

"It is..."

The host looked down at the card.

"M City's Yingzi Ballet Club!"

The back rows erupted into cheers again. Hearing the announcement, my excitement visibly deflated. Anxiety filled my chest, because of Bai Lu's mistake earlier, it would be difficult for her team to take first place. I knew that perfectly well. And yet...Until the champion was announced, a strange hope stubbornly remained in my heart.

The second-place team came up, accepted their awards, delivered their speeches, then left the stage. The host once again reclaimed the spotlight. Her voice softened. Almost deliberately pulling everyone's nerves tighter and tighter.

"And now...The moment everyone has been waiting for. The champion of today's competition..."

Listening to her intentionally slowed speech, I swallowed nervously. Despite the cool temperature inside the theater, sweat trickled down my forehead. My fingers trembled as I squeezed my hands tightly. The tension I felt was like combining two hundred childhood memories of watching a nurse prepare a needle before an injection.

Tang Xin noticed my awkwardly tense expression. She reached out and lightly touched my arm, silently telling me to relax. But it didn't help. Not even a little. This competition was the highest-level stage Bai Lu had ever stood on after years of practicing ballet. There was no way I could stay calm.

The Xingzhihua girl sitting on my left was no different. Her fists were clenched tightly. Her eyes were locked onto the host. Sweat poured down her face.

The lights around the theater dimmed slightly. Onstage, the host took a deep breath. Then slowly opened her mouth.

"First place goes to..."

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