Lookism:Legends

The school grounds were unrecognizable.

Booths lined every walkway. Students dashed around in themed uniforms. Music blasted from every direction. The scent of street food hung thick in the air corn dogs, tteokbokki, grilled meat skewers.

The J High Festival had officially begun.

And it was chaos beautiful, loud, organized chaos.

Every department had their own event: carnival games, haunted houses, dance battles, even a maid café from the fashion department (with Jay making a silent appearance that broke a few hearts without a word).

Jalen walked through the crowd, drink in hand, button-down loose over a black tee. He didn't try to draw attention, but attention found him anyway.

"There he is…"

"Jalen Creed. He's like a main character."

"He should be in the show."

He kept walking until he spotted Daniel Park, standing awkwardly near the side of a stage, eyes darting around.

Jalen approached. "You good?"

Daniel turned. "Yeah kinda. They roped me into something last minute."

Jalen raised a brow. "What kind of something?"

Before Daniel could answer, Eli Jang appeared, tugging a half-zipped hoodie over his tank top. "There you are. They want us at the stage. Now."

Jalen blinked. "Us?"

Eli nodded. "Yeah. Fashion department's doing a walk-off event. They needed eye-candy."

Daniel laughed nervously. "I said no at first…"

"They didn't care," Eli smirked.

Just then, a teacher with a clipboard rushed over. "There you three are! You're the final set. You're closing the show Daniel, Eli, and…" she paused, then her eyes lit up at Jalen. "Perfect. You'll kill it."

Jalen raised an eyebrow but followed them anyway. He could already hear the crowd forming in front of the stage.

Backstage.

Quick changes. Last-minute make-up. Designers fussing over collars and sleeves.

Eli looked natural he'd modeled before.

Daniel looked panicked but his second body still made him shine.

And Jalen?

He stood in front of the mirror as a stylist fixed his collar. White shirt. Jet-black blazer. Slim-fit pants.

He didn't need to pose.

He just was the pose.

And then the music hit.

Flashbulbs. Screams. Camera phones everywhere.

Eli stepped out first charming and smooth, flexing his confident aura. Cheers exploded.

Then Daniel nervous, stiff at first, but with every step, the crowd melted at his soft features and natural charm.

And then Jalen.

He walked like a silent thunderstorm.

Smooth. Controlled. Eyes locked on the horizon.

The crowd lost it.

"He's not a student he's a K-drama lead!"

"Who is this guy??"

"Is this even fair??"

Jalen walked past Daniel and Eli, stopping at the end of the stage, hands in his pockets. He gave the crowd a slight smirk and that was all it took.

Backstage, as the event wrapped and the next act was being prepped, the three stood side by side.

Daniel exhaled. "That was insane…"

Eli laughed. "You guys might've upstaged me."

Jalen gave a small shrug. "Not trying to compete."

Daniel nodded. "Still… we made a hell of a trio out there."

The moment passed in quiet respect.

But from a shadowed corner behind the stage, someone watched.

A sharp gaze. Cold. Measuring.

Gun Park.

Festival week wasn't just for fun.

It was for scouting.

And the game had officially begun.