By second term of SHS 2, Kingstar had settled into a rhythm.
Every dawn, he checked on cleaning groups as House Work Prefect.
Every evening, he rehearsed with the choir.
And every night, he studied not just for exams, but for his own pride.
One Tuesday after lunch, Mr. Owusu walked into the music room with a folded paper in his hand and a spark in his eyes.
"Boys, get ready we've been selected for the Inter-Catholic Choral Festival. Kumasi Archdiocese level. Two weeks from now."
Cheers filled the room.
This wasn't just any competition. It was a tradition a battle of harmony, discipline, and presence between all Catholic SHSs in Kumasi.
St. Louis, Opoku Ware, St. Monica's, St. Hubert, and more.
The pressure was real.
Mr. Owusu wasn't playing. He introduced new warm-ups.
He printed out classical scores. Latin pieces. Local choral arrangements. And most importantly, he announced:
"There will be a solo in our main piece and I'm giving it to someone who has earned it."
All heads turned.
He looked straight at Kingstar.
"You."
Kingstar froze.
He was honored yes. But he was also afraid. With rehearsals increasing, and house duties piling up, his world tightened.
Some seniors whispered. One of them the Prep Prefect even muttered, "He thinks he's better than everyone now."
Kingstar tried to block the noise.
He woke earlier. Slept later. Even skipped breaktime just to rehearse his part.
And finally, the day came.
They stood backstage at Prempeh College auditorium, heartbeats racing. The crowd was thick teachers, students, even priests.
When St. Hubert was called, the choir marched out in crisp cassocks. Heads high. Feet steady.
The opening piece was smooth. The harmony soared.
Then came the solo.
Kingstar stepped forward.
He closed his eyes.
Took a breath.
And released his voice.
"Laudate Dominum... omnes gentes..."
His pitch was clear. Emotion deep. Not just practice passion.
When it ended, the applause rolled through the hall like thunder.
They didn't win first that went to St. Louis.
But St. Hubert came second, and Kingstar's solo got special mention.
Mr. Owusu patted his shoulder.
"You've found your voice."
And for the first time, Kingstar believed it too.