Music spelled Hue

What was that?

At that exact moment, the waiter arrived with their food, placing steaming plates and tall glasses onto the table.

Realizing what he’d just done, Henry slowly sank back into his seat. "O-Oops?" he said with an innocent smile, scratching the back of his neck.

The boys looked at each other and all four of them kicked Henry’s legs under the table.

"Yow! That hurt!" Henry hissed in a low voice, jerking his legs away while glaring at them.

Maeve, still attracting curious glances from the other customers, began making her way toward Violet and Layla’s table.

Meanwhile, Layla fidgeted in her seat. She glanced at Violet, then at the group of boys sitting beside their table. Her curiosity was clearly bubbling over. She leaned slightly toward them and asked in a small, hesitant voice,

"U-Um… do you… know us?"

The five boys all froze for a moment. They looked at each other as if silently debating whether to answer or not. Then, almost in sync, they hesitantly nodded.

"I see…!" Layla said with a small smile. "We were just… really startled when you shouted our name earlier."

Henry gave a guilty grin and scratched the back of his neck. "My bad…"

Oliver, trying to smooth things over, leaned forward slightly. "Sorry about our friend," he said with a friendly smile.

Violet waved her hand dismissively, her lips curling into a polite smile. "No problem."

For a brief moment, the boys exchanged glances. In their heads, they all seemed to think the same thing. Huh… They’re actually not as bad as we thought.

By then, Maeve had reached Violet and Layla’s table. Without hesitation, she pulled out the chair across from them and sat down.

"Maeve! You took so long!" Violet whined, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance.

"Sorry about that," Maeve replied with a small smile. "Where are the notes you took?"

Violet immediately reached into her bag and handed her a notebook. "Here ya go."

Layla quickly slid the menu across the table. "Order now," she said brightly.

Maeve took the menu in both hands and began scanning it carefully, her eyes darting from one dish to another. "Hmm… I’ll have… Grilled Liempo with Soy Vinegar Dip, Pork Adobo, and Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet," she said, listing them off without hesitation. Then she flipped the page. "Then, Palabok and Lumpiang Shanghai. For dessert, I’ll take Leche Flan and Halo-Halo. And for beverages… Iced Tea."

Violet blinked at her, mouth slightly open. "Is this your last supper?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

Layla tilted her head, looking just as worried. "Are you dying…?"

The boys, who had been half-listening from their table, all had the exact same thought: What a big eater!

Then, in the middle of their shock, Theron muttered under his breath, “…Pig.”

All four boys turned their heads toward him at the same time, their eyes wide in disbelief.

THEEEEROOOOONNNNN!!!

Maeve slowly turned her head toward them, her eyes locking on Theron.

"Did… you say something?"

Theron didn’t even flinch. "Nothing," he replied flatly, as if the question didn’t concern him at all.

"Don’t pick a fight," Violet said firmly to Maeve as she stood up, grabbing her wallet. "I’ll go order what you said." Without waiting for a reply, she headed toward the counter.

Maeve turned back to Layla as if nothing had happened. "Did you guys already eat?" she asked.

"Yeah," Layla admitted, her voice light but a little guilty. "You were taking so long, and we were famished, so…"

Maeve waved it off. "I guess that’s fine. Why did you guys choose this place, anyway?"

Layla’s face brightened instantly. "Violet heard it’s popular for its delicious meals!" she said proudly.

"Is that so?" Maeve nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

A minute later, Violet returned with a small receipt in hand and sat back down. Maeve, however, had her attention elsewhere—specifically, the table of boys sitting right beside them. Her gaze lingered on their uniforms for a moment before she spoke, loud enough for them to hear. "Judging by their appearance… Mediocres?"

Violet and Layla both froze. Their eyes widened so much they looked like they might pop out. MAEVE?!

"I guess that’s why I was insulted right off the bat," Maeve continued casually.

Violet immediately leaned forward. "What are you doing?! I told you not to pick a fight!"

Maeve smiled sweetly. "I was simply stating a fact."

At the boys’ table, Theron let out a small scoff. The sound was quiet, but the other boys caught it instantly—and they knew it was a bad idea to let him speak. Without hesitation, they all kicked him under the table at the same time and gave him a glare that screamed, SHUT THAT BLUNT MOUTH OF YOURS!

Meanwhile, Layla was shrinking into her seat, feeling embarrassed by Maeve’s behavior. She risked a small peek toward the boys, and that’s when her eyes unexpectedly met Mateo’s. He had been watching her quietly, his expression unreadable.

Their gazes locked for barely two seconds, but it was enough for both of them to quickly turn away.

Layla felt her cheeks heat up and quickly fanned herself. What was that?!

Just then, the waitress came back, balancing several plates at once. Maeve’s orders, an impressive spread of food were placed neatly in front of her. Without a second thought, Maeve picked up her utensils and began eating.

Violet, still annoyed by Maeve’s earlier comments, decided to take matters into her own hands. She turned toward the boys’ table with a polite smile. "Sorry for our friend’s behavior," she said. "Since we all go to the same school, why don’t you sit with us?"

Both Maeve and Layla snapped their heads toward her in unison. "What?!" they exclaimed.

The boys, too, were stunned into silence for a moment.

Violet ignored their reactions and gestured toward them. "Come on, drag your chairs and table over here."

Oliver started to speak, his tone polite but hesitant. "Um, thank you, but—"

"We would love to!" Henry cut in enthusiastically.

"Henry!" the other boys exclaimed in disbelief.

"Hehe," Henry chuckled sheepishly.

And just like that, the boys had no choice but to awkwardly drag their chairs and push their table closer until it connected with the girls’ side.

Almost instantly, Violet and Layla struck up a conversation with the boys, laughing and chatting as if they had known each other for longer than a few minutes. Names were exchanged, and the mood around them lightened.

Maeve and Theron, however, were the only ones not joining in. Both were focused on their food, eating silently without contributing to the conversation.

"Can I be honest?" Henry suddenly asked after taking a sip of his drink.

"Sure!" Violet said cheerfully.

Lucas sighed heavily, already sensing trouble. "Please, anything that comes out of your mouth always leads us to trouble…"

Henry ignored him completely and beamed. "We thought you guys were arrogant, spoiled rich brats!"

Every single person at the connected tables froze.

HENRYYYY!!!

Violet and Layla were completely flabbergasted, their eyes wide and mouths slightly open. They looked at each other in disbelief, as if silently asking, Did we just hear that right?

"Pfft," Maeve let out a small laugh, unable to hide her amusement.

The boys immediately turned their attention toward her, curious about what she found so funny.

"Wow…" Maeve said with a playful smile, pointing straight at Henry. "I like you."

Henry froze, his face turning a light shade of pink. "Eh…? Me?" he stammered, clearly caught off guard.

"You really speak your mind," Maeve continued. "Not everyone has the guts to do that. But I guess I can’t really blame you all for thinking that way." She casually lifted her glass and took a sip of her iced tea.

She leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table and placing her chin on her palm, her eyes fixed on Henry with playful curiosity. "So… what else did you think about us?"

Henry’s eyes lit up as if he had been waiting for that question. "Oh! Well, aside from what I said earlier, we honestly can’t believe you’re that Tria Stella! I mean, it’s my first time actually seeing you guys in person, and—wow—you’re even prettier up close!" he blurted out all in one breath.

“You guys are hitting it off, eh?” a warm voice suddenly said from the side.

The boys turned their heads and smiled, while the girls blinked in surprise, not knowing who the newcomer was.

“Hello, pretty girls,” Diana greeted with a bright smile. “I’m Diana—these boys’ mother—and the owner of this little restaurant.” She then playfully smacked Theron on the back, making him straighten up with an awkward cough.

“Is that right?” Maeve said politely. “Hello, I’m Maeve. This here is Violet, and this is Layla.”

Both Violet and Layla gave small waves.

“Is this your first time meeting each other?” Diana asked, looking between them with interest.

“Yes!” Violet answered without hesitation.

“In that case…” Diana clasped her hands together with a satisfied nod. “I hope you all can be friends.”

Violet and Layla replied in unison, “Of course!” Their voices cheerful, though Maeve remained silent, only giving a small nod before looking away.

After everyone finished their meals and paid, the girls stepped outside. By then, the sky had already turned dark. The boys followed just a short distance behind them.

“It was nice meeting the Tria Stella,” Oliver said with a friendly smile.

“Same here!” Violet and Layla both nodded, returning the smile.

Maeve, checking something on her phone, glanced up and said, “We’ll be picked up in five minutes.”

“I see,” Lucas nodded. “Get home safely.”

But before anyone could say more, Maeve suddenly turned fully toward the boys, her expression serious. “That conversation was nice,” she began, “but let us not talk to each other again.”