A mysterious game, a piano, and two gazes that could change herworld forever.
One by one, names were called, and Valentine finally understood the cruel game before her.
This wasn't some harmless icebreaker — it was a trap, a test designed to humiliate new students or warn them that Malcolm College wasn't as perfect as it appeared.
Every turn made her pulse race. Each performance ended in laughter or embarrassment. Then a girl with pink hair strode forward, brimming with confidence and pride. Her presence made Valentine uneasy.
The girl sauntered to the stage, handing her card to Lira, the poised Secretary of the Student Council, while shooting the Vice President a daring look.
"Talk about a clout-chaser," Rachel muttered beside Valentine, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.
"Number 435," Lira announced, her calm voice echoing through the hall. She pressed a button, and glowing words appeared on the big screen:
'Dance to the first song that comes to your mind.'
The girl smirked, ready to show off. But before she could move, Lira added smoothly:
"Using these words: Lord, floor, and favor. No music."
The girl froze. Her expression faltered as murmurs and chuckles spread across the crowd.
Valentine watched quietly — it was obvious the girl had planned something else, something flashy.
Now, she looked completely lost.
Valentine's stomach turned. If that was her fate too…
Then it happened.
"Valentine Loraine."
Her heart jumped into her throat.
She hated crowds. Hated being seen. Yet now, all eyes were on her.
Taking a slow breath, she stood, straightening her back the way Rachel had taught her. Chin high. Hands steady. No fear.
She reached the stage and handed her card to Lira.
"465," Lira read aloud, pressing the remote again.
The screen flashed with new words:
'Express how you view yourself since you were born — and the opposite of how you see yourself now.'
Valentine's breath hitched.
That question… she'd spent her whole life avoiding it.
She didn't know who she was. She didn't even know what she felt. She just lived — quietly, carefully, fearing the thoughts of others.
Her fingers trembled as she stared at the crowd. She could almost hear their thoughts:
"She's lucky. That's easy."
They didn't know.
They didn't know how much she'd hidden — how much she'd lost.
Her gaze searched for something, anything to ground her. Then she found Rachel's eyes — warm, encouraging, tearful.
Something inside Valentine softened.
That's when she saw it: an old, forgotten piano sitting in the shadows near the stage curtain.
Her feet moved before she could think. She sat down, her hands hovering above the keys.
The moment her fingers touched them, something inside her broke free.
The melody began soft — gentle, wistful — then grew into something sharp, haunting, and powerful.
Her voice joined the music, trembling but honest.
She sang of identity, of loneliness, of a girl who had forgotten who she was — and a soul struggling to remember.
When the last note faded, silence filled the hall.
Valentine opened her eyes.
Students stared back at her with tearful, stunned expressions. The Student Council, usually unreadable, looked… moved.
André, the President, watched her with quiet danger and fascination.
Louis, the Vice President, smiled — intrigued.
Valentine blinked, confused. Weren't they supposed to mock her?
What changed?
She walked off the stage, dazed, and sat beside Rachel, who instantly hugged her, sobbing.
"You didn't look like you were going through anything," Rachel cried softly.
Valentine froze, unsure how to respond. She simply patted her friend's back, trying to steady her own trembling hands.
Louis cleared his throat, his charming tone filling the hall again.
"It's time to announce the winner of our little game."
Valentine's heart stopped.
"Valentine Loraine," Lira said, her usually cold voice laced with warmth.
"Please step up and receive your badge."
Rachel squealed beside her. "You won! Go!"
Still stunned, Valentine rose and approached the stage again.
André was the one holding her badge.
He stepped forward — tall, composed, dangerous — his presence made her heartbeat race. She couldn't even look him in the eyes.
As he reached her, Valentine realized she had to look up to meet his gaze.
Her breath caught.
Hiccup.
André's eyes softened with amusement as he pinned the badge near her heart.
Valentine could feel the faint pressure of his fingers — and something else she couldn't name.
Flustered, she quickly took the badge from him and pinned it herself.
André's lips curved in a quiet smirk.
"Meet me in my office later," he said smoothly.
"You need to sign your winner's papers."
Valentine nodded awkwardly, bowing before hurrying back to her seat.
Rachel's grin was wide. "You did it! You actually won!"
Valentine pressed a hand over her heart. "I think I've caught some kind of sickness, Rachel."
Rachel blinked. "Sickness?"
Before Valentine could answer, Louis's teasing voice echoed from the stage.
"Valentine Loraine."
She froze mid-step.
Louis smiled — playful, golden-haired, impossible to ignore.
"I'd also like to see you in my office tomorrow," he said lightly.
"Should I be expecting you?"
Valentine blinked, her heart skipping again.
What kind of game was fate playing with her now?