The principal let the silence stretch after his last words, long enough for all five of them to feel it settle in their chests.
"Now," he said, adjusting his glasses, "listen carefully. This celebration will span five days. Each day has a purpose. A theme. And expectations."
Ion groaned softly. "I already don't like the tone of that sentence."
Jessica shot her a look. "Focus."
The principal continued, unfazed.
"Day One will be a fashion show. Cultural, creative, representative. Each section must send two girls to walk. Traditional wear, fusion wear—your choice, but it must reflect your assigned countries."
Michael raised a hand. "Sir… define 'walk.'"
The principal smiled thinly. "Confidently."
Michael lowered his hand.
"Day Two will be dance," the principal went on. "This is mandatory. Every section will participate. Group performances only. No solo excuses."
Ion mouthed, we're dead.
"Day Three will be singing. This one is optional, but participation is encouraged. Solo or group—again, reflecting your section's countries."
Lia nodded slowly, already organizing it in her head.
"Day Four," the principal said, tapping the desk, "will be instrumental. Any instrument. Traditional or modern. If it makes music and you can carry it, it's allowed."
Vishal finally spoke. "Even… electric?"
"Yes," the principal replied. "But no explosions."
Ion sighed in relief. "Good. There goes my plan."
"And Day Five," the principal finished, his voice shifting just slightly, "will be the grand party. A full-school celebration. Decorations, music, food stalls, performances—everything. This day is about unity."
He leaned back.
"Each section will also be assigned two countries. Your costumes, music, performances—everything must be inspired by those cultures across all five days."
That got their attention.
The principal glanced at a file and began reading.
"Section E will represent India and the Philippines."
Lia's expression didn't change, but something lit quietly behind her eyes.
Ion muttered, "That explains a lot, actually."
"Section A will represent Mexico and Brazil."
Ion blinked. "Why does that feel dangerously accurate?"
"Because you're loud," Jessica said without looking at her.
"Section B will represent America and Korea."
Vishal nodded thoughtfully. "That's… workable."
"Section C will represent Japan and China."
Jessica straightened immediately. "Understood."
"And Section D will represent Russia and Spain."
Michael stared at the ceiling. "So we're either dramatic or terrifying. Or both."
"Yes," the principal said. "Exactly."
He folded his hands. "You will return to your sections and inform them. Planning begins immediately. I expect discipline, cooperation, and results."
Ion snorted. "You invited the wrong sections for discipline."
The principal looked directly at her. "Which is why I invited you."
That shut her up.
"Meeting adjourned," he said. "And… good luck."
They filed out of the office into the hallway, the weight of it finally hitting all at once.
Ion was the first to speak. "Five days. Five whole days. We're not surviving this."
Lia glanced at her. "You will."
Jessica exhaled. "I'm going to need charts. And lists. And possibly a strong beverage."
Vishal smiled faintly. "I'll handle coordination on my end."
Ion cracked her neck. "I'm going to regret being born into Section A."
Back in the classroom, the second Lia stepped in, every conversation cut off like someone hit mute.
Jay was on her feet instantly. "Well?"
Percy leaned forward. "How bad is it?"
Eren bounced in his seat. "Are we famous now?"
Lia didn't raise her voice. She didn't need to.
"Five days," she said.
The room exploded.
"YES."
"NO WAY."
"I KNEW IT."
"I'M NOT DANCING."
"You ARE dancing."
"WHO'S WALKING?"
"Quiet," Lia said.
They quieted. Not completely—but enough.
She continued, "Day one: fashion show. At least two girls are required per section."
A pause.
Lia added calmly, "In Section E, there are only two girls."
She looked directly at Jay.
"Jay and me. Everyone else is a boy."
Silence hit harder this time.
Then—
"That's it?" "So it's decided?" "No auditions??" "This is discrimination."
Jay blinked once. Then laughed. "Wow.
Biology really said you're up."
Percy smirked. "You didn't even get a choice."
Jay leaned toward Lia. "You better not make me wear something boring."
Lia replied evenly, "I won't."
That shut everyone up.
She went on, "Day two: dance. Everyone."
Groans—loud and dramatic.
"Day three: singing. Volunteers."
Hunter raised a brow slightly but stayed quiet.
"Day four: instruments."
Someone yelled, "DOES BEATBOXING COUNT?"
"We'll discuss," Lia said.
"And day five is a full-school party."
That one landed differently.
Jay grinned slowly. "Oh, we're going to own that."
"And our countries," Lia finished, "are India and the Philippines."
The room went silent.
Then—
"That's perfect."
"That's dangerous."
"That's personal."
"That explains our energy."
Jay stepped closer to Lia, voice low but electric. "You realize what this means, right?"
"Yes," Lia said. "We can't half-do any of it."
Jay smiled wide. "Good. Because Section E doesn't do half."
Across the room, Ion was already being mobbed by Section A.
"Mexico and Brazil?!"
"WE'RE DOING CARNIVAL."
"WHO CAN DANCE SAMBA?"
"WHY IS EVERYONE YELLING?"
Jessica was calmly briefing Section C, already assigning roles.
Michael looked like Section D had declared war on him.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, the school buzzed with the kind of energy that only came when something big—something unforgettable—was about to happen.
Five days.
Five themes.
Five chances for chaos.
And none of them had any idea just how wild it was about to get.