BACK TO SCHOOL — DURING CLASS
The classroom was quiet again.
Ms. Kareen had just finished explaining the new chapter on the board.
Liana sat neatly in her seat, writing notes like the model student she always was.
Nate and Soren pretended to pay attention while secretly doodling monsters in their notebooks.
Meanwhile…
At the center row, in his seat—
Rayan had already fallen asleep.
Head tilted back.
Cap sliding off.
Mouth slightly open.
Breathing slow and steady.
No one noticed at first.
Until…
Evan slowly raised his hand.
With a calm but too serious voice, he said,
"Ma'am, someone is sleeping."
The entire class turned their heads.
Nate and Soren froze like statues.
Nate's mouth hung open.
"Bro… did he just snitch on Rayan??"
Soren slapped his forehead.
"Oh my god. Rookie mistake. Fastest way to get killed."
Ms. Kareen frowned.
"Who's sleeping? Rayan?!"
She marched toward his desk.
Rayan—still deep asleep—was about to meet his doom.
Liana shook her head softly, covering her mouth with her hand.
She muttered under her breath:
"That boy… always like this…"
She turned slightly, watching Rayan sleep like a tired oversized baby.
Evan added in a firm tone,
"He's been sleeping for a while, Ma'am. I thought… he should be told."
Nate whispered,
"He's a dead man."
Soren nodded.
"Not because of the teacher. Because of Rayan."
Ms. Kareen slammed her palm on Rayan's desk.
"RAYAN!"
Rayan jerked awake like someone shocked him with electricity.
"HUH?! I—I'M NOT CHEATING!!"
The entire class burst into laughter.
Liana covered her face with both hands.
"Oh my goodness…"
Evan sat calmly, pretending he did nothing wrong.
Rayan rubbed his eyes, confused and still half-dazed.
"What? What's going on?"
Ms. Kareen glared.
"You were sleeping in my class."
Rayan blinked, then slowly looked around—
And saw Evan looking at him with that perfectly innocent face.
And Rayan instantly knew.
"…So it was you…"
Tension filled the room quietly.
Ms. Kareen returned to the front.
"Alright, for this next project, I will assign you into groups of four."
The room buzzed with chatter.
"First group—Evan, Liana, Mira, and—"
Before she could finish, Rayan shot his hand up.
"Ma'am! No random groups!
Use roll numbers! Like you did before!"
Nate burst into silent laughter.
He leaned closer and whispered,
"You said that because you want to be with Liana, right?"
Soren hummed dramatically,
"Love makes people stupid."
Rayan jumped in his seat.
"NO! I— I just… respect systems! Yes! S-Y-S-T-E-M!"
Ms. Kareen narrowed her eyes.
"Rayan… this class uses my system. Not yours. Sit down."
"…Yes, Ma'am…"
Liana glanced back, trying not to laugh as she saw Rayan sulking dramatically.
Evan simply smiled—quiet, composed, victorious.
DING—DONG—DING—DONG
The bell rang.
Ms. Kareen left.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open.
FOUR BASKETBALL TEAM SENIORS ENTERED.
Tall.
Sporty.
Intimidating.
"The permanent basketball team members, come to the court now!
Nate! Soren! Rayan!"
Nate raised his hand casually.
"Okay, sir."
Soren stood up, stretching lazily.
Meanwhile…
Rayan slumped over his desk.
"I'm not going. I'm tired. I don't wanna be an athlete…"
The tallest senior glared.
"You're a core player. Tournament next week. No excuses."
Rayan waved dismissively.
"I'm not in the mood…"
And at that EXACT moment—
The back door opened again.
A quiet, composed figure stepped in holding a document folder.
Evan Callister.
The seniors' faces lit up.
"Oh! You're Evan Callister from Aurelia North?!"
"We heard you moved here!"
"You're joining our team, right?!"
"We need a shooter like you!"
The whole class turned.
Rayan slowly lifted his head in disbelief.
"…Shooter?"
Evan nodded politely.
"I played in my previous school. If allowed, I'll join."
The seniors cheered.
"Perfect! Our team just got stronger!"
Nate and Soren stared at Evan with identical welp, we're screwed expressions.
Rayan's jaw dropped.
"You… were a core player? At your old school? A shooter? Seriously?!"
Evan gave a soft, humble smile.
"It's just a hobby."
Rayan shot up from his seat like a firework.
"HEY— I'M JOINING TOO!"
The whole class gasped.
Nate looked at him slowly.
"Bro… you literally refused two minutes ago. Why are you suddenly excited?"
Soren patted Rayan's back.
"Jealousy is renewable energy. It powers the human body."
Rayan scoffed and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I'm just… you know… exercising is good for health!"
The seniors nodded.
"Alright, all basketball members—let's go. Including the suddenly enthusiastic Rayan."
As Evan walked past him, they locked eyes.
Evan said softly, friendly… but with a hidden sharpness:
"I hope we work well together."
Rayan returned a thin smile—
a warning wrapped in politeness.
"Sure.
Just don't take anything that isn't yours."
Nate whispered,
"OHHH, this is war."
Soren nodded.
"A very handsome war."
At the front of the class, Liana massaged her temples.
"I can already tell… this day is going to be exhausting."