Strings Of Perfection

14

Tch.

Okay?

Hindi ko alam kung anong meron, pero there was something about him looking so... distant, yet so near.

I clicked my tongue. Weirdo. Binalik ko na lang ang tingin sa cellphone ko and tried so hard to distract myself by watching TikTok videos.

Eventually, tumungo na sila sa backstage dahil mag sta-start na rin ang event.

The gym was buzzing with excitement as the music started playing. The crowd began to cheer, signaling the start of the Mr. and Ms. Intrams event.

Kanya-kanyang preparations na. I saw Kyan with Ryu, both adjusting their jerseys like they were preparing for a fashion show. Tsk. Mga pa-cute lang.

But what really caught my attention was when the first batch of candidates started to walk down the ramp. They were all in their jersey attire, looking like they were ready for a game, not some beauty pageant. Some of them were trying to show off their muscles, others just casually strolling down the stage. Pero, when Sylas and Devina stepped onto the ramp, tang ina, ibang level.

Sa harap ng mga tao, Sylas looked like he owned the whole gym. His jersey clung perfectly to his body, showing off his athletic frame, and his signature cool expression was in place. He didn't need to do much, kasi nga, his mere presence commanded attention.

At syempre, there was Devina walking beside him, effortlessly also owning the stage. She wore her jersey like it was haute couture. Her confidence was on full display, and she had that runway vibe---composed, graceful, yet powerful.

Nasa kanila ang atensyon ng buong gym. The crowd went wild, especially the girls from the STEM strand. Alam na, all eyes were on Sylas.

"Gago," I whispered, still looking at Sylas. "Saan kaya galing ang swag na 'yun?"

Aki, who's sitting next to me just snorted, not even bothering to reply. "Tch. Alam na natin kung sino ang may fanbase dito,"

Nag wala ako ng unting tawa.

The music shifted, and the next batch of candidates started walking down the ramp. Pero wala, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang tignan si Eliunous. There was something about him, a certain magnetism.

"Mr. Intrams Sylas Eliunous, folks," I muttered to myself. "Kahit gusto ko sanang hindi, mananalo 'to."

Sports attire na.

Kyan looked like he just finished a grueling race. Cycling ang sport nila.

His jersey slightly unzipped, beads of sweat on his forehead, and he was casually sipping from his water bottle, making it look like the most effortless thing in the world.

He stopped right in front, then, with a sly grin, he slowly unzipped his jersey. Tumulo ang mga patak ng pawis sa katawan niya, at sabay niyang kinuha ang water bottle, tapos binuhusan ng tubig ang mukha niya. After, he casually wiped his face with the back of his hand.

Putangina. Gusto kong tumawa.

Literal na nag wala ang crowd. Lalo na ang taga HUMSS. Hindi ko in-expect yun ah. One point ka sa akin, bro.

Tapos si Ryu naman. Ryu, standing next to him, threw her head back a little, looking like she was catching her breath, and gave the audience a small wink.

Woah.

Ganda.

And then came the other strand reps, ABM at TVL, strutting down the ramp in their jerseys.

The ABM guy, obviously trying hard to impress, flexed his biceps while adjusting his shorts, parang halata na may effort, pero hindi ko alam kung kaya o pilit. Natatawa ako na naman ako.