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THE FOLLOWING DAY, MAX went to school as if nothing happened. He walked up the steps towards the Keep with an expressionless face. Everyone stared at him with shock since no one expected him to show up.

     "He really went to school today."

     "He's got guts, I'll give him that."

     If people think Max will be embarrassed just because his body was defiled and publicly shown for everyone to laugh at, then they're fools. Max is the highest-ranking heir for a reason. Something as petty as that wouldn't faze him.

     "Hey, Sinclaire! I'm feeling kinda horny. Wanna help me out here?" A student shamelessly asks Max while he grabs his crotch. The students around him laugh, but Max ignores them and continues to walk down the hallway.

     Some tried to touch him, while others would even smack his ass, angering him even more. But Max kept his composure to the best of his abilities. The last thing he wants now is to give in and let people break him.

     "Sinclaire!" Someone suddenly calls out, making Max unconsciously flinch. For a second, Max thought that it was Ari, but before he could even turn around to check, the caller appears beside him and pats his back. "It's been a while Sinclaire. How are you holding up?"

     "President Ian," Max greets, bowing his head a little to show his respect.

     The students around them stare at the highest-ranking white uniform with awe. His presence alone is enough for the others to stop picking on Max. And unlike Viktor, the white uniforms looked at Ian respectfully and not fearfully. Being the number one Elite is really an outstanding feat.

     "It seems like I haven't seen you in a while," Max tells him, making Ian chuckle.

     "It seems like I can't say the same to you," he says back. "But don't worry, the Elites are doing everything they can to remove any trace of that horrendous picture."

     "Like that would make any difference. But thanks anyway," Max honestly tells him.

     "You know I could do more if I wanted to, but I don't have enough evidence to suspend the Jokers thanks to the Omega Society. And if I did, their Jacks probably did the act, and unfortunately, I can't do anything to white uniforms." Ian explains to Max even though it's obvious that he can do more but he's restraining himself because these things are part of the school's system, and Max isn't going to be given an exception.

     But honestly, Max didn't expect Ian Rothman to do anything in the first place.

     "You suspending them is the last thing I want you to do. I can't conquer a brotherhood if they're under probation." Max says, and Ian looks at him with a grin.

     "So it's true. You're planning to join the Elites and you're going to use the brotherhoods as quick access." Ian says before crossing his arms as if to show Max he's not so concerned about it, but he's at least a little interested to know his reason.

     "You think I can't do it?" Max asks with his right eyebrow raised.

     "Oh don't get me wrong Sinclaire, anyone can join the Elites, not just you. I welcome competition because that is what this school is about. Everyone, even serfs like you, is a candidate for Elite president. This is why I work thrice as hard to keep my position," Ian explains, and Max didn't see any sarcasm in his words.

     "And even though I believe in everyone, I know that you'll catch up faster than anyone I know, so I'll wait for you Sinclaire. Let's see each other at the top, and then we'll decide who will be number one," Ian adds, not in a threatening way, but in an encouraging way. He said it as if he's accepting the challenge. And the fact that he's acting like Max can really do it made Max realize why he's so respected.

     "I guess that's it. I'll see you around Sinclaire. And good luck. I heard something big is about to go down today so you best be careful." He finishes before walking away.

     "Are you worried about me, Mr. President?" Max asks with a grin, but Ian doesn't answer him anymore and just waves his hand goodbye.

     When he was out of sight, Max went straight to his classroom right after. And like what he already expected, there was once again another Jack-in-the-box waiting for him there. And funny enough, he didn't have a chair this time.

     "They're expecting me to sit on the floor now?" Max asks as he approaches the box, but Ervin stretches his leg out to make him stumble.

     The class laughs, and Max looks back at Ervin who wasn't even looking at him anymore. He continues playing with his phone like he didn't do anything. Max got ready to snatch his phone away, but Ari arrives just in time and pulls Max away from the scene.

     "Let's keep calm about this. You just survived the events that happened yesterday. Let's not make things worse," Ari tells him, and Max sighs and massages his temple.

     "It's kinda hard to keep your cool if people call you a bitch and a public toilet as soon as you step foot on campus," Max answers before placing his bag on top of Ari's desk and kneeling to check the jack-in-the-box.

     "That's the third one this week. That's a new record," Ari points out.

     Max was about to say something back, but Felix arrives just in time and runs towards Max as soon as he spots him.

     "Max! I'm so sorry!" He says, grabbing Max and hugging him.

     Max doesn't say anything and pats Felix's head instead. When Felix pulls away from him, Max covers his mouth and says, "Before you say anything, let me just say that what happened yesterday wasn't your fault, and you shouldn't feel guilty for doing your duties as a member of Omega Society. In fact, I'm proud that you followed our club's motto regardless of your relationship with me."

     Felix removes Max's hand from his mouth and grabs Max to hug him for the second time. "I don't care what people say or think about you. You're seriously the nicest person I know."

     "Aww, what a sweet boyfriend," one of their classmates suddenly comments with a mocking tone, making the entire class laugh again.

     "What the fuck did you say small dick?" Ari immediately defends, shifting the laughter towards the guy who tried to make fun of Felix and Max.

     Everyone went back to whatever they were doing. Ari then looks back at his friends and opens his mouth to say something, but then the sound of music, when you turn the handle of a Jack-in-the-box, was suddenly heard throughout the speakers around campus, surprising Ari, Felix, and the rest of Class II-A.

     Ervin, who was busy with his phone, immediately stands from his seat and runs out of the room, joining other students who were running down the hallway as well.

     "What's going on?" Max asks in confusion.

     "That's a signal. Master Joker is calling all his Jacks," Felix answers.

     "Is it a bad thing?"

     "Oh, I don't know, yes!?" Ari then answers.

     "Is this even allowed? Shouldn't the vice president be doing something at this point?" Max asks next, making Ari move close to Max so he can whisper, "He's not here. Hopefully, he's already talking with your brother."

     The students of Class II-A were standing beside the door and windows, watching the Jacks run towards Joker's base to address the call of their masters. Everyone was talking over each other, but in an instant, everyone, even the people outside, becomes silent.

     A figure appears in the doorframe of their classroom, instantly making everyone in the class bow. Even Felix and Ari bowed from shock.

     "Why am I suddenly meeting all these people today?" Max thought to himself before bowing his head as well to greet the charming prince, Ren Adachi.

     "All of you may leave. We'll be chatting with this little toy for a while." Ren commands while looking at Max, immediately making everyone run out of the room.

    Felix and Ari look at Max, and Max nods his head as a sign that he'll be alright. So the two follow their classmates out of the room, and as soon as Max was left alone with Ren, the other member of PHD's Pretty Duo - Akihiko Sakuraii - arrives in the room and locks the door.

     "How may I help you, my prince?" Max asks, almost making Ren laugh.

     "It hasn't been a while since you acted arrogantly around me during the morning assembly, and now you address me as prince. Has being Jokers' toy humbled you a little white uniform?" Ren asks, but Max doesn't answer.

     "I'm impressed Sinclaire. You haven't even done anything but our Master Joker is already fired up. Our mornings have been exciting so we wanted to thank you personally." Ren tells him with a smile.

     Max looks at Ren with a serious expression and corrects him, "He's not fired up over me. Rather, he's fired up over your king, Viktor."

     "Well, we can't blame the barons. Our king has always made it clear that he's dirt compared to his diamonds. Even I would be filled with hatred if I was him," Aki answers. He then approaches Max and grabs his hand before kissing the back of it all of a sudden. "Don't you agree?"

     Max immediately pulls his hand away from the prince and takes a step back. "If you do not have anything else to say, then I'll—"

     "We were sent as a messenger by the king himself. He wanted to inform you about what Jokers's next move will be." Ren immediately says, surprising Max.

     And before Max could even question it, Ren grabs the buckle of Max's belt and pulls Max towards him so he can whisper in his ear, "Let me give you a hint. Do you know what prisoners do to pretty boys like you?"

     Max's eyes widened from the shock upon hearing what the prince had to say. And out of instinct, he pushes Ren away.

    Ren gathers his composure and dusts off the area where Max touched him. "It's going to be broadcast live. It seems like it's Master Joker's ultimate prank."

     Max was frozen in his place. He's heard of similar threats before. Some even planned to assassinate him during his childhood years. But this? This was something else.

     "What will they even get from that?" Max asks, confusion and frustration present on his face for the first time.

     Ren chuckles, and Aki leans on a desk before crossing his arm. "Don't ask us, we don't know either. And I know you think we might be making this up, but our king only told us to warn you so that's what we're doing." Aki explains, confusing Max even more.

     "Why on earth would a Stepanov help me?" Max asks next, and the two princes look at each other and grin.

     "He's not helping you if that's what you're wondering. But he believes this too is already over the top. Of course, this comes with a price, but we'll discuss that in the future." Ren explains, making Max clench his fist in anger.

     Krist Hyusen was losing it. He's willing to do a serious crime just to prove to Viktor that he's a worthy opponent. Max was aware that if he pushes through with this, then there's no way that Max is going to keep silent about it anymore. He'll no doubt send him to jail and—

     "Wait a minute..."

     Max pauses his thoughts and looks at the two with complete realization. "You're right. Viktor's not helping me, he's making sure the system doesn't break. He's making sure Krist doesn't get in any serious trouble." Max concludes. Because if Krist is gone, Jokers will no doubt fall, and the ranking system inside the House of Kings will crumble.

     "We don't know what you're talking about," Aki says with a playful grin. He's not even trying to hide the fact that Max got it right.

     Max takes a deep breath and tries to retract everything that has happened. He doesn't entirely know Krist's relationship with Viktor, but it's quite obvious that compared to the other brotherhoods, Viktor targets Jokers the most, building up Krist's inferiority complex.

     Krist wants to break the system. And without a proper system, there's no point in having a king. Anyone could just fight their way to the top. No one would listen to Viktor anymore.

     Max realized that Victor's only saving himself. He's trying to fix what he started, and he wants Max to do it for him.

     "Why is Master Joker doing all this? Does he hate Viktor that much and he's even using me for revenge? All I wanted was to face him heads on. He was in the lowest rank. I thought for sure he'll see me as an equal and would want to side with me." Max says out loud, making the two princes laugh almost hysterically.

    "What's so fucking funny?"

    Ren looks straight at Max's eyes, moving close to him and touching his chin. "You really are just a boy. I'm surprised you've come this far with that arrogance of yours."

     Max angrily pushes Ren's hand away, but Ren doesn't find it disrespectful. He actually found it amusing how someone could act that way towards him.

     "He'll never face you. Master Joker I mean." Aki suddenly tells Max. Then Ren crosses his arms and continues, "You'll never have a chance to face him as an opponent, especially as a possible ally. Do you know why Sinclaire?"

     Max doesn't ask him why, but it was already obvious that he wanted to know the answer.

     Ren, who has been looking sly since earlier, suddenly changes his expression to a serious one. "Because you treat him like dirt like how everyone else treats them," Ren finally reveals, and something inside Max suddenly sparks the moment he heard those words.

    "You look at him as if he's too easy. You're mocking him and that's what he hates the most. He doesn't see you as a worthy opponent because you don't see him as such, and the bet you paid fuelled his fire. That's the reason why he gave you the box. That's the reason why he's doing this." Ren explains further, and everything he said hits right at Max's chest.

    "Like everyone in the House of Kings, you don't see Jokers as a fearsome brotherhood, let alone a baron. The fact that a mere white uniform like yourself acts that way makes this entire situation hilarious. You treat him like how Viktor treats him. If it was me, I'd hate you too." Aki finishes, and their claims about everything made Max unable to oppose it.

     Max always expected Master Joker to see him as an equal, but he never saw him as an equal himself. All he did was look down on him when in reality, he should have looked at him as a strong brotherhood leader. All he's ever done is consider everything as some kind of joke that he can easily maneuver.

    What Krist...what Master Joker wanted, was for someone to look at him like how president Ian looked at Max. Ian treated Max like he's a worthy opponent that he has to look out for. He knew Max was lacking with the rank and position that he was in now, but he didn't look down at him like how Viktor would.

     At the end of it all, it was Max who wasn't playing fair.

     "I have to—"

     Max was cut short when a siren sound was suddenly heard throughout the campus. Aki and Ren look at each other with their eyebrow raised. The siren was familiar. It was a signal that meant someone pulled down a banner. It meant that there would be a brotherhood battle.

     "Marcus did it. He actually convinced BND," Max mumbles to himself before looking back at the confused princes.

     "This is unexpected. What did you do this time Sinclaire?" Ren asks as he takes out his phone. The two looks at the screen together, and slowly, a grin appears on their faces.

     "You're good Sinclaire. You're really good. It seems like you already planned something out. There was no reason for us to warn you after all." Ren says with an impressed smile.

     "Well, what did we even expect from the most respected heir?" Aki adds.

     Ren then shows Max his screen and says, "An exclusive battle between Jokers and BND, and there's a note from Vice President Gavriil Alexeev that states that students who attend the battle will face suspension. That's clever Sinclaire," Ren says as he claps his hands for Max afterward.

     Max was about to say something when he suddenly had an idea. An idea that might just change the game for both him and for the Jokers.

     "You said Jokers was supposed to broadcast me live right? Where was the location going to be exactly?" Max bravely asks the two princes.

     "Why do you think we'll answer you that for free?" Aki says with a smirk before placing his elbow on Aki's shoulder.

     Max takes a deep breath and weighs everything down. This was an obvious checkmate, but he knew that there was nothing else that he could do. If he wants to make Jokers stop giving him a jack-in-the-box every morning, then he has no other choice.

     "Alright then. What's your price?"

- END -