That day, the school held its cultural festival. I was assigned to help backstage, while he performed with his club.

Amid the lively music, I busied myself with props, yet my heart was restless. The whispers and rumors still lingered, and I feared they might hurt him.

But when the performance ended, he didn’t leave the stage. Instead, he held the microphone tightly. The entire hall grew silent.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time,” his voice rang out, steady and firm. “The one I like… is none other than them.”

Every gaze turned toward me. I froze, my heart pounding so loudly it echoed in my ears.

He stepped down, walked straight toward me, and held out his hand for everyone to see:

“No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve been… I choose to stay with you.”

The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Tears welled up in my eyes as I finally grasped his hand tightly.

In that moment, I realized: our feelings were no longer a secret. They had become a public promise—sweet and courageous.