Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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"Eysee, watch out!"

Heejun's voice had echoed all throughout the gym. My eyes could only stay as wide as he ran towards my spot. Most of the students had turned their attention to us, immediately panicking as soon as the paint was about to fall on my head.

I stood there frozen, not knowing what to do. My feet won't move an inch, as if something had put it into ice. This was it, I'm going to have a screwed uniform this time.

Though, I felt a heavy hand pushing me out of the way. We almost stumble and fall to the ground but we were lucky to balance ourselves right before we got hit by the paint can up above.

"Sorry vice! I didn't notice!" A voice rang out from above, a boy looking down with a worried glance. I could see that the wooden stand only had limited space so it was explainable that the can could fall anytime.

But I guess I had the perfect timing to be the one in that position.

Heejun gave a serious look at the person up above and they only apologized immediately after he received Heejun's gaze - hanging their head low as we both gained back our composure. I could already tell that it was just an accident but Heejun didn't seem to mind as he then sighed and nods — letting the person go back to work.

"Are you alright?" Heejun then started off, his eyes turned to me as I tried to massage my shoulder because of his sudden push. It had hurt a bit but I decided to only nod and thanked him. If it wasn't for him, I would've been drenched in white paint by now.

I noticed how he didn't have a clipboard anymore and noticed it being picked up by one of the council members

As soon as my shoulder relaxed again, I looked around once again. Most of the banners had already been done and hung up. Some of the council members were already done decorating so I noticed that they had been the ones helping the others out.

I guess there's really nothing that I can help with.

Heejun probably saw the frown on my face as he then proceeds to tap me on the shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"I just feel bad for not helping you with anything," I answered, my head hung low as Heejun chuckled.

"No, no, it's fine. You can---" he then paused to look for something but then he noticed that everything had already been done. "Cheer for us on the competitions then."

There, I remember that they were included in the contests. I was about to ask Heejun what his contest was and if he was in the same team as Naehyun but a loud cheer came right outside.

Heejun smiled, clapping and telling everyone to have their breaks. "Oh, it seems that the soccer game already started."

Most of the other students had already hurried to watch the game. Some even went running to make sure not to miss any second of it. Heejun couldn't help but smile as he looked at his watch.

"Do you want to watch Gunyeo?" he suddenly asked me as I blinked. Wait, Gunyeo joined the match? I thought that he already got on the quiz.

Heejun noticed how surprised I was, my eyes probably wide at this point. "What's wrong?"

"You can join two matches?" I asked him, confused. He then gave out a nod before wondering why I had it in mind. To be honest, I wanted to join the chess team.

Chess was like a game of survival in real life. In a life of royalty, the pawns are the most powerful. They can be anyone. Yet, those in the higher-ups are the ones most recognized.

And that was my favorite theme.

Even if you're thought of as being the one with the smallest role, never be afraid to show the flaming spirit inside of you.

I may not be good at the other sports but mind games had already been my forte.

And the game of chess is one of them.

He noticed the expression on my face and immediately chuckled. To be honest, I could already tell that he knew what I was thinking. It was almost like he was a mind reader.

"Let me guess, you want to join a sport?"

I gave him a nod before sighing. "Well, I do. But, I think it's too late since the matches are already ongoing."

"Chess and the Battle of the Brains start later in the afternoon. The match in the morning is the Soccer and Swimming Teams," Heejun stated as I thought about it more.

Though, before I could make a decision, he told me to follow him. So, we both walked through the corridors — the loud cheers coming from left to right, echoing around and stopped until we had finally reached the field.

Heejun came back to look at me and then gave a raised eyebrow. "Well? Do you still want to?"

"I want to know if it's still alright to join..." I trailed off soon after as Heejun waved his hand to me as if he was saying not to worry.

"I'll talk to the president and the others about it. But if you really want to get in, I can list you myself," he replied before giving me a grin.

Now, we all know that Heejun was never the mischievous type. Yet, here we are.

"That's probably the first time I've seen you grin like that," I pointed out before chuckling myself. I could already tell that Heejun wanted me to battle someone so he kept insisting for me to join anyway.

Please don't tell me it's gonna be Jihun.

"Alright, spill it out. Who's gonna be the master of the throne this time?" I asked him but he didn't seem to budge. He just gave me that smug grin before shrugging — even deciding to walk away as I stood there confused.

"Heejun—" he then cuts me off by looking back at me with a side turn and winked.

"I'm pretty sure you already know who it is."