Rivals In Gold And Red

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CHAPTER 20 — Morning After the Storm

Madrid awoke to a city transformed.

The storm from the previous night had sculpted the streets into sweeping white curves. Rooftops were buried under layers of snow that sparkled beneath the pale morning sun. Icicles hung from balconies like crystal ornaments, and every window glowed with warm yellow light, reminding the world that winter—true winter—had settled into the city.

Inside his hotel room, Jimmy stirred awake earlier than usual. His routine never weakened, but this morning, something made him pause before rolling out of bed. He lay still for a breath, staring at the ceiling, recalling the sharp cold of the wind, the echo of metal wheels skidding across stone… and Jane’s hand brushing his as they both caught the falling cart.

A simple moment, yet it had replayed in his mind like a slow-motion scene. Not because it was dramatic. Not even because it was risky.

But because it forced him to look at her—not as a rival—but as someone whose instincts matched his own.

He exhaled slowly, shaking off the thought. Distraction was dangerous, especially with the Spain competition so close. Still, as he stood and pushed aside the curtains, Madrid’s snow-covered beauty reminded him of the moment again.

Across the city, Jane was awake too.

She sat cross-legged on her bed, wrapped in a thick sweater, brushing out her hair absentmindedly as she replayed the same memory from the night before. She remembered the weight of the cart, the fear of her younger bandmates slipping in the snow, Jimmy appearing from the other side like a mirror reflection of her own instinct.

Irritatingly observant. Calm under pressure. Too calm.

But she couldn’t deny it: they had acted almost in sync.

And that unsettled her more than the storm ever had.

The Bands Regroup

By noon, both bands gathered at the cultural center again.

The streets leading to the building were crowded with locals clearing snow, children tossing snowballs, and tourists admiring the sudden transformation of the city. The air smelled of warm pastries from bakeries and roasted chestnuts from vendors trying to keep fires lit.

Scarlet Echo arrived first, laughter filling the chilly air. Jane watched her members with softened eyes. She had always been proud of how expressive they were—but today she noticed something else: they were watching Starlight Pulse more closely than before.

Not with dislike.

But curiosity.

Starlight Pulse walked up moments later, moving with their usual coordination, their coats neatly buttoned, scarves matching. Jimmy walked slightly ahead as always, composed but visibly alert.

When he passed Jane, their eyes met for a split second.

Just a nod.

Nothing more.

But it was the first time they had acknowledged each other without hostility.

Both bands noticed.

A New Kind of Tension

Inside the hall, practice began.

But the tension wasn’t the same as before the snowstorm.

This time, it wasn’t hostility in the air—

It was awareness.

Starlight Pulse danced with impeccable timing, precision mirrored in every step.

Scarlet Echo danced with dynamic energy, the rhythm flowing freely through their limbs.

Each group kept glancing at the other.

Not to mock, not to criticize—

But to learn.

Jane found herself analyzing Jimmy’s choreography choices, wondering how someone so cold could create something so emotionally subtle.

Jimmy found himself watching how Jane translated intense emotion into movement with such natural ease.

The storm had shaken something loose inside both of them.

And Madrid, with all its winter charm, seemed to be amplifying it.

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CHAPTER 21 — Madrid’s Hidden Corners

After rehearsal, the snow began falling again—but softer this time, like feathers drifting from the sky.

The organizers encouraged the bands to take a break, explore the city, and return refreshed for the evening briefing.

So both groups stepped back into Madrid—

a changed Madrid, sparkling with holiday life.

Scarlet Echo’s Exploration

Jane led her band toward Mercado de San Miguel, a stunning iron-and-glass market glowing like a jewel in the winter light.

Inside, warmth greeted them instantly. The air was filled with the aroma of:

fresh empanadas

sizzling seafood

creamy hot chocolate

Spanish turrón (almond nougat candy)

Her members spread out, fascinated by the colors and the variety of food displays. Jane wandered deeper inside the market, stopping in front of a vendor selling small handcrafted Christmas ornaments shaped like Spanish landmarks.

She picked up one shaped like Puerta de Alcalá, its golden edges shimmering. She smiled softly. She had learned about this monument the day before while exploring with her group—its history, its significance, its symbolism of resilience.

“Beautiful piece, no?” the vendor said with a warm smile.

Jane nodded politely, appreciating the craftsmanship. She didn’t usually buy souvenirs… but for some reason, something about this one made her hesitate.

Across the market, her band members whispered to each other.

“Jane’s been… different since last night.”

“Yeah. Softer.”

“Do you think it has something to do with Starlight Pulse?”

Jane pretended not to hear.

Starlight Pulse’s Exploration

Meanwhile, Jimmy led his group through Barrio de las Letras, Madrid’s literary quarter.

The streets were lined with engraved quotations from Spanish poets. Old lampposts flickered with gentle light. Cafés overflowed with people escaping the cold, their windows fogged from warmth inside.

Jimmy’s members admired the streets, reading quotes aloud, pointing at Christmas decorations and snow sculptures made by local artists.

But Jimmy stopped in front of a stone engraving of a line by Cervantes.

He read it silently.

“He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more.”

Something about it lodged itself in his chest.

He wasn’t sure why.

His bandmates noticed him lingering but didn’t comment.

Two Worlds Slowly Aligning

Later, both groups ended up at the same plaza—Plaza de Oriente—though from opposite sides.

Christmas music floated through the air. Street musicians played classical guitar, their melodies echoing against the walls of the Royal Palace. Families took pictures beside snow-covered statues. Children made snow angels between the trimmed hedges.

Jane spotted Starlight Pulse first.

Jimmy spotted Scarlet Echo a few seconds later.

Neither approached.

Neither walked away.

They simply observed.

Aware.

Silent.

Trying to understand why the storm had shifted something between them.

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CHAPTER 22 — The First Real Conversation (Almost)

The sun dipped behind the palace walls, casting long shadows across the plaza. The cold deepened, but the golden lights across the square made the air feel warmer somehow.

Both bands were preparing to return to the hotel when a sudden announcement echoed through the plaza:

> “ATTENTION TO ALL COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS!

DUE TO THE WEATHER, THE EVENT SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED!

A FULL GROUP BRIEFING WILL BEGIN IN ONE HOUR!”

Both leaders froze.

Jane sighed.

Jimmy blinked.

Their bands stared at each other.

They would have to walk to the briefing…

together.

Through the same snowy streets.

At the same time.

This wasn’t rivalry.

This was forced proximity created by the snowstorm and the city’s abrupt schedule change.

The plaza emptied slowly as both groups began moving.

Jimmy and Jane walked ahead of their bands, several feet apart—but close enough that they could hear each other’s footsteps crunching in the snow.

For a long stretch, neither spoke.

Then—

“Your band moved well today,” Jimmy said, surprising himself.

Jane blinked. She opened her mouth, closed it, then finally managed, “Yours too.”

It wasn’t friendly.

It wasn’t hostile.

It was real.

The closest thing to a genuine exchange they had ever had.

Their footsteps continued, the snow falling gently between them like tiny glowing crystals.

Madrid watched silently.

The storm watched silently.

Only time knew what was coming next.

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