CHAPTER TEN

“WHAT DO YOU think Miss Engineering’s talent is?” Green asked.

“Singing?” Red guessed.

“Red, didn’t you see the way she walked? Her hips were so smooth, right? I’ll bet my soul—she’s going to dance,” Blue said confidently.

“Enough guessing. She’s up next,” Grey said, clearly excited as well.

“The next to perform is Katleya Yellownora Marie C. Quizo from the College of Engineering!” the emcee announced.

Blue stood from his seat the moment the girl he had been waiting for stepped out. She wore a blue crop top and white denim shorts. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing her deep collarbones that were incredibly attractive. But what truly drew attention was her beautifully shaped body.

Blue accidentally pinched Grey. “Fcksht! She’s unreal, Grey!”

“I got hard, Blue,” Grey admitted.

Blue leaned toward his friend’s ear. “Me too! But don’t be loud, Red might hear us. He’ll scold me. You know I’m trying to stay a virgin. Amen.”

Grey chuckled. “Good son.”

Blue adjusted in his seat. “Good son your face. My ass is heating up.”

Katleya sat on a black chair. Even while sitting, she had no belly fat.

“Sh*t!” Blue groaned, biting his lip and trying to restrain himself. His erection was already painfully hard.

“I’m about to c*m, Blue!” Grey said with desperation.

Blue turned to him and gave a weird look. “Weaksh*t.”

The music started, and Katleya’s supporters screamed. She danced to Jason Derulo’s Swalla. The crowd stood and danced along.

“Sh*t! She’s so smooth!” Blue shouted. Then Katleya dropped to the floor and began grinding her hips up and down. Blue’s eyes widened. “I wish I were the floor.” He secretly slid his hand into his pants to adjust himself. “I wish I were the floor!”

“Watch your mouth,” Red whispered.

“Sorry,” Blue replied.

Blue focused on Katleya’s performance. Awe was written all over his face—she was an exceptional dancer. When she finished, he nudged Grey and blinked repeatedly. Grey knew exactly what that signal meant.

“We’ll go to the CR,” Blue said.

“What are you going to do?” Red asked seriously, staring at his twin.

“I’m just going to pee with dignity.”

“Don’t do anything that will make me angry,” Red warned.

Blue nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Blue dragged Grey and they went to the restroom. The two entered adjacent cubicles.

“Grey, do you have lube?” Blue asked, stepping on the toilet bowl to peek over. “Hey! Give me some. My buddy’s itching already.”

“You’re a disturbance. I’m about to finish,” Grey grumbled.

“Let me go first. Hand me your bag,” Blue demanded.

Grey scratched his head, stood up, and handed over his bag, which had a small bottle of lube disguised in an alcohol container to avoid suspicion from guards.

Blue took some lube and applied it to his palm. He started stroking himself, moving his hand up and down his erection. After a few minutes, he climaxed. He washed himself, then stepped out of the cubicle.

What greeted him was Red’s irritated face.

“W-Why do you look like that?” Blue asked, pouting.

“Was there a girl in there?” Red asked.

“Red, I just did it by myself, okay? The candidates at Miss MU were too hot, so your poor twin couldn’t hold back anymore.”

Grey stepped out of the restroom, his face sweaty. “Success.”

“You two are unbelievable. Let’s go back,” Red said.

“Okay.”

The three of them returned to the gymnasium. The fifth contestant was now performing her talent. The twins received a message from their mother, who was one of the judges.

Crezelda: Red, Blue, come here. ASAP. Bring Grey and Green with you.

The twins looked at each other—they had received the exact same message.

“Why do you think she’s calling us?” Blue asked nervously. He feared he might get scolded again.

Red shrugged. “No idea. Let’s go. Green, Grey, Mom’s calling us.”

“R-Really? I’m nervous,” Grey said.

“Why are you nervous? We didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe she just needs something,” Green said.

“He’s right,” Red agreed.

The four of them went to where Crezelda was seated. Once there, the other three stayed back while Red approached his mother.

“Mom, why?”

Crezelda looked around. “Where’s your twin?”

“He’s over there, Mom.” Red pointed to where Blue was—about ten meters away.

“Call him,” Crezelda ordered.

Red signaled for Blue to come. Blue ran toward them.

“Yes?”

His mother looked at him. “Before the announcement of the top four, you must serenade them.”

“W-What?! I don’t want to. I’m shy.”

Crezelda rolled her eyes. “Were you shy when your scandal went viral?”

Blue had no choice but to nod.

“Good. Then the four of you will also hand out flowers to the winners, okay? Get dressed backstage. I already prepared your outfits,” she said.

The twins went back to their friends and Red explained what their mother wanted. The two grinned when they found out.

“Wow! We’ll be closer to the ladies,” Grey said, laughing when he saw Blue frowning. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Mom’s making him sing. And he couldn’t say no,” Red said, chuckling.

The three burst out laughing. They all knew how much Blue hated singing—not because he was shy about his voice, but because he found it cringey to sing in front of a crowd.

“Let’s go get dressed,” Red said.

The Q and A portion was still ongoing, so the four went backstage. When they arrived, people cheered. Some couldn’t help but take selfies with them.

“Sir Blue, over here please,” a makeup artist called out.

He nodded and approached the woman to get styled. The other three went to their assigned makeup artists. When they were all done, their outfits were handed to them.

They entered a room and changed into white suits with slacks. Each had a different-colored tie that matched their name. Blue sat sulking in a corner.

Red approached him. “Psst. What’s wrong?”

“Let’s switch,” Blue said firmly.

“What do you mean by that?” Red asked.

“Change identity again?” Grey guessed—he had apparently been listening to the twins’ conversation.

“Exactly! Knowing Blue,” Green chimed in with a smirk.

“Grey is right. I’ll still be the one singing, Red. I just want you to take the credit, please. I don’t want anyone to know that I can sing,” Blue said.

“Alright,” Red replied. He took off his red tie and handed it to Blue.

Blue grinned widely, his energy returning. “Thank you, Red. I love you.” He also removed his blue tie and gave it to Red. “Let’s go.”

Once they stepped out of the room, they went straight to the makeup artist to cover Blue’s mole and draw a fake one on Red’s face. When they both stood in front of the mirror, they smiled at their reflections.

“You are me. I am you,” the twins said in unison.

Just as they were about to leave, they were met by the pageant candidates. Blue was about to react, but he remembered he was pretending to be Red, so he stayed silent and wore a grumpy look—just like his twin always did.

When Katleya's eyes met his, she felt something unfamiliar stir inside her. The way she looked at him said it all. But Blue didn’t return the gaze, keeping his face stern, so Katleya looked down. She walked past him, but when Blue noticed her earring fall, he bent down and picked it up.

“Blu— I mean, Red. Let’s go,” Red said.

“You guys go ahead. I just need to return something,” Blue replied.

He approached Katleya, who was adjusting her appearance in front of a mirror. Her hair rested over her left shoulder, its curled ends adding even more charm to her already captivating aura.

Katleya paused when she saw him behind her. He said nothing—just stared seriously. When she turned and saw him holding something out, her eyes widened in surprise. She reached for her ear instinctively.

He handed her the earring, and when their hands touched, both of them felt a spark—like a small jolt of electricity.

“Ouch,” they said at the same time.

Katleya took the earring and smiled. “Thank you, Red.”

The young man said nothing and walked away, searching for his friends. When he found them, he quickly approached his twin.

“Did you already tell the emcee you’re singing?” Blue whispered.

“Yes.”

“What song did you say?”

“At Your Glance by 1:43. You’re really good with that song,” Red answered.

“Okay. Thanks,” Blue said and hugged his twin.

Red gently pushed away from the hug and placed his hands on both of Blue’s shoulders. “You’ve done this so many times. You did well, but I always get the credit. Remember that quiz bee? You were the one who actually won, but my name’s on the certificate.”

“You had a fever. But even if you were healthy then, you would’ve still won.”

“And during the debate competition, you took over for me.”

“You had diarrhea. But if you hadn’t, you would’ve taken the mic and nailed it anyway.”

“But in everyone’s eyes, I’m the amazing one. What they don’t know is that it was actually you who did those things for me.”

“I don’t really care about their praise. I still can’t bring myself to be happy—not when our parents still see me as the lesser twin.”

Red embraced his saddened brother again. “Stay strong. There are people who truly love you.”

The emcee began calling out the candidates again. Cheers erupted throughout the gymnasium as students screamed for their respective representatives.

“Before we announce the top four finalists,” the emcee said, “Our campus prince will serenade us!”

The crowd cheered louder.

“Brace yourselves! Inhale… exhale! Are you ready?!”

“Yes!” everyone screamed in unison.

“I guess everyone’s ready. So let us welcome, Mr. Redrigo McArthur X. Montenegro! A big round of applause!”

Crezelda raised an eyebrow upon hearing Red’s name. She was confused—she didn’t know her son could sing. She let out a deep sigh. Once again, she thought Blue had failed her.

Blue stepped onto the stage, carrying his twin’s name. As the music started, the crowd went wild. When he looked at his mother, he smiled at her.

“Do your best, son!” Crezelda yelled.

His heart beat faster upon hearing her words. It was the first time his mother ever supported him—though unknowingly, believing it was Red.

Blue brought the mic close to his lips and began to walk toward the stunning candidates.

“Why does my heart melt whenever you look at me?” he sang, winking at the first girl.

To the second, “Why does my heart pound whenever you come near?”

To the third, “Why does my day brighten up just because you’re around?”

To the fourth, “Everything in this world suddenly feels peaceful.”

He winked again before turning to the next girl. “Why does it feel like I’m floating in the clouds whenever I see you?”

He gently tapped her shoulder and moved on. “Why do I stutter every time I talk to you?” He winked again.

Then he made his way to Katleya. Their eyes met. He took her hand gently.

“Why do I go crazy when you’re around?” he sang, and smiled as he saw her visibly blushing. “Crazy with joy.”

He couldn’t finish the next line. He burst into laughter and covered his face. “Sorry,” he said, trying to calm down.

When the chorus played, he regained composure and sang along.

He looked at Katleya again.

“With just one glance, you captured me.

It felt like a miracle, all of this.

With just one glance, I was enchanted—

My heart filled with hope.”

He turned back to the audience and raised his left hand, waving it in rhythm.

“With just one glance, I learned the truth.

Life became so colorful and bright.

With just one glance, I was alright.

With just one glance…”

He looked at Katleya again and winked.

“I fell in love.”

The crowd erupted in squeals and applause. Everyone could feel the chemistry between Katleya and who they believed to be Red. No one expected the usually reserved Red to have such a beautiful voice. But what they didn’t know was that the one singing on stage… was actually Blue.