Chapter 16: Echoes of the Spark
The studio was quieter than usual the next morning, but Lin Yue's mind was far from calm. The first kiss replayed endlessly in his thoughts — soft, restrained, yet charged with everything he hadn't said.
He tried to focus on the new photoshoot, but every glance at Krit, who stood nearby adjusting lighting and scanning the set, sent his chest fluttering. That golden gaze, calm yet piercing, was impossible to ignore.
Mei Lin, ever the observant one, bounced in cheerfully. "Lin Yue! You look different today… brighter! Did something happen?"
Lin Yue froze, heart racing. "N-Nothing," he muttered, trying to sound casual.
Wei Jun, standing beside him, smirked knowingly. "Sure, nothing. Fans are probably going to have a field day today." He tapped his tablet, showing trending posts already buzzing about the #KritYueShip from yesterday's livestream and the unexpected moments captured in behind-the-scenes clips.
Lin Yue groaned, burying his face in his hands. "They… they're relentless."
"Let them be," Krit murmured from nearby, not looking directly at him but speaking low enough for only Lin Yue to hear. "They can't change what's real."
Lin Yue's heartbeat skipped. The weight of those words, calm and unassuming, settled in his chest in a way that made the world feel smaller — as if Krit's presence alone could shield him from all chaos.
The rival, of course, wasn't idle. A new post appeared online, insinuating that Lin Yue's "focus on certain relationships" was affecting his professionalism. Comments poured in, some critical, some teasing, some outright shipping. Fans dissected every glance, every gesture, fueling the fire of speculation.
Mei Lin nudged Lin Yue playfully. "See? You've got everyone talking. Even I can't keep up with all the comments!"
Lin Yue sighed, flustered, but also strangely exhilarated. The first kiss hadn't changed anything outwardly, but inside, everything had shifted. That spark — the one that had been growing quietly — had become something more tangible.
Krit remained quietly observant, occasionally glancing at Lin Yue with subtle awareness, a gentle reminder that he was always there, silently protective. Their private moments were still fleeting, restrained, but the emotional intensity between them was undeniable.
During a break, Lin Yue found himself alone with Krit for a few steps along the corridor. The air between them was thick, charged with the unspoken weight of their first kiss.
"You… seem distracted," Krit remarked softly, golden eyes meeting his.
Lin Yue swallowed, cheeks burning. "I… I just… have a lot on my mind."
Krit's lips curved slightly, faintly, almost imperceptibly. "I understand. Just… remember, focus on what matters. Everything else is noise."
Lin Yue nodded, heart racing, and for a moment, the world narrowed to the quiet space between them. The unspoken tension lingered, restrained but potent. That spark — personal, emotional, and intimate — had grown into something undeniable, threading through every glance, every gesture, every shared silence.
By the end of the day, Lin Yue realized something: the kiss hadn't changed reality outwardly, but it had changed him. And Krit, subtle and restrained, had changed too — their connection now something they both quietly acknowledged, a tether that neither could ignore.
Even as the rival plotted, the fans buzzed, and the studio hummed with activity, Lin Yue felt a sense of calm he hadn't expected. The spark had grown into something tangible, and for the first time, he felt it might be strong enough to withstand everything — criticism, rivalry, and chaos alike.