On the way to the music hall, Mike turned his head to give Jason a suspicious look.
"Jason, seriously… how long's it been since you even showed up to the Piano Club? And now you're acting like a whole new person?" Mike squinted at him. "Plus, the student council is talking about kicking you out, and you're not even a little worried?"
Jason shrugged casually, hands in his pockets.
"Worried? About getting kicked out of the student council?" He smirked. "What's the big deal? Worst case, I just focus on other stuff."
Mike raised a brow.
Jason continued, "I only started learning piano back then because of Emma. Found out she wasn't all that interested, so… yeah, kinda killed my motivation. But now? I figure why not learn for myself? It's not a bad skill to have—adds some class, you know? Plus, it's kinda relaxing."
What Jason didn't say out loud was that his real goal was to boost his reputation on campus. He'd learned the best way to do that wasn't just showing off money—it was improving himself. Sure, cash could handle the easy stuff, but some things—like talent, confidence, and style—had to be earned. Piano was perfect for that. Even if it didn't win points with every one, there were always other girls on campus who might notice.
By the time they reached the music hall, there was already a crowd inside. The Piano Club was usually pretty low-key, but word must have spread—every seat was taken, and people were even standing along the walls.
As soon as Jason walked in, he spotted someone vaguely familiar. The guy hesitated, then awkwardly raised a hand.
"Jason… right?"
Jason blinked, trying to place him. After a moment, it clicked—he remembered seeing the guy at the beach party a few weeks back.
"Uh, yeah. What's up, uh… Will, right?"
The guy—Will Chandler—froze for a second, his smile twitching. Jason had clearly blanked on his name. Well, at least he got the 'W' part right.
Will regretted saying hello instantly. As an introvert, this was the most social courage he'd worked up all month, and now he kinda wished he hadn't bothered.
Before things could get more awkward, a ripple of chatter ran through the crowd. Heads turned as Mia walked in with a couple of friends.
Mia was the kind of girl who looked like she'd stepped right out of a painting—today she wore a flowing vintage-style dress, almost like modernized Hanfu, elegant but not out of place. Her long dark hair swayed behind her as she walked, posture straight, expression calm.
She had this untouchable vibe—beautiful, graceful, but a little distant. Maybe that was why, even though she was practically the campus muse, most guys didn't dare approach her.
The club president came in next, gave a quick speech about today's practice session, then waved for everyone to split up and start playing.
Since this was a regular university, not a full-on music conservatory, the equipment was… decent. There was only one real grand piano in the whole room; the rest were electronic keyboards. Of course, Mia claimed the grand piano right away. Jason, Mike, Will, and a few others were stuck sharing one of the electric ones, waiting their turn.
The room filled with chaotic sounds as everyone practiced at once—half-finished songs, clashing notes, random mistakes.
Then a single melody rose above the noise—smooth, bright, and elegant, like raindrops hitting glass.
Everyone stopped.
Mia sat at the grand piano, her fingers gliding over the keys with effortless grace, her profile calm and focused. She looked like someone from another world—someone born for this.
Mike and the others stared, dumbstruck. Even Jason had to admit—this girl wasn't just good, she was on another level.
When the piece ended and Mia stood up, Jason didn't even hesitate. He dropped the keyboard in his hands, stepped forward, and called out,
"Mia—could you teach me how to play? I've been trying to figure it out on my own, but it's tough to get started."
The room went silent.
The guys all stared like he'd just asked her out on the spot.
Mike gaped. "Bro… what?"
Was this why Jason had been making waves in the student council lately? Was the secret… just not giving a damn?
"But… dude, how do you even have the guts to do that?" Mike leaned closer to Jason, eyes wide. "That's Mia we're talking about. The untouchable queen of campus. You can look, but you don't talk to her. And you went right up to her in front of everyone? What if she just shut you down cold? You know how embarrassing that'd be?"
Chandler, standing nearby, watched with his mouth half-open. Something about this whole scene felt familiar.
Then it hit him—yeah, the beach party a few weeks back. Jason had marched right up to Holly Larson, and asked her to teach him on the spot. Cold as she was, he didn't even flinch.
And now here he was again—walking right up to Mia in the middle of a crowded piano room like it was nothing.
Will shook his head. If it were him, he wouldn't have the guts.
Mia's cool, unreadable eyes met Jason's. Her expression didn't shift an inch as she said flatly,
"I'm not great at teaching people. I don't have the patience for it. You can ask the club president or the vice president."
Rejection.
Right in front of everyone.
But Jason didn't even blink.
"At your level, Mia, I don't think I'd need a full lesson," he said evenly. "Even a quick pointer or two would help a lot. But if it's inconvenient, no worries—I won't force it."
Mia gave a small nod, turned, and walked away without another word.
The system in Jason's mind stayed completely silent. No points, no progress. Mia's attitude was just as cold as her reputation said.
Mike and Will both felt secondhand embarrassment hit like a truck. Getting turned down in front of this many people? If it were them, they'd have run out of the room already.
But Jason just… went back to the electronic keyboard and started practicing like nothing happened. Calm, focused. As if Mia had been any other classmate and not the most intimidating girl on campus.
Even a king of confidence didn't win every time. What mattered was staying steady.
"Bro…" Mike finally whispered, almost in awe. "You're seriously built different. No shame at all. Teach me that. I'm begging you. I'll be your apprentice."
He'd seen Jason casually chatting with people from the big student departments before, but always thought it was because he was rich, good-looking, or both. Something normal guys couldn't copy.
But this? This thick skin? That might actually be learnable.
Will was leaning in too, ears practically twitching. Confidence like that was exactly what he lacked.
Jason just smiled.
"Teach? What's there to teach? I just asked a classmate for some piano help. What's embarrassing about that?"
Mike and Will both stared at him, then at Mia across the room.
Treat her like an ordinary classmate? No way. Couldn't be done.
Jason went right back to practicing, fingers moving over the cheap electronic keys while the others slowly drifted back to their own playing.
When the session ended and the club advisor, Professor Allen, came by to lock up, Jason caught up to her before she left.
"Professor Allen, could I talk to you for a second?"
She smiled warmly. "Sure, Jason. What's on your mind?"
"I was thinking," Jason said, "the sound quality on these electronic keyboards isn't great. And there aren't enough pianos for everyone. I want to buy a real piano to donate to the music hall."
Professor Allen paused. "That's generous of you, but the room isn't very big. If we add another piano, would it be for everyone to use?"
"Of course," Jason said. "As long as people take care of it. I was planning on getting a Steinway."
At the word Steinway, Professor Allen's eyes lit up like Christmas morning.
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