"The first move was risky. Sunoo repeats for the third time, pacing in lines in front of the giant TV.

Sunghoon is currently sitting among three of his mentors, who all decided they would rather be up here with him rather than their own tributes. Sunoo continues pacing in front of the TV, wondering what the Capitol, let alone Bang Sihyuk, would think about his little display in the scoring session.

Sunoo's tributes flat out said they didn't even want him to be there with them. Clearly they did not enjoy him splitting his time between them and Sunghoon. Riki, who is currently laying on the back of the cough, invited Seon to come over closer to the start of the scoring ceremony. He has since been admiring Sunoo since he arrived at the apartment.

Jaeyun has also made his time for Sunghoon, telling his tributes he will be back after the District Seven scoring to talk with them. They are somehow much more understanding than the rest of the tributes combined.

As for Jungwon, he was not interested in watching the scoring with Sunghoon at all. He didn't outwardly say anything rude to him, but there was a small roll of his eyes and a very blunt, "I will be watching with my tributes. Good luck," when he was asked about it.

Jongseong wanted to join in on the watch party, however his tributes wanted him to be there with them while their scores were released.

Truthfully, the only person that Sunghoon really wanted to be there was Heeseung, but he knows that the boy has been keeping a close eye on K lately. He definitely doesn't like Heeseung splitting his time between them.

In the back of his head, the words still linger in his mind, "He knew too much."

He really wants to ask Heeseung, or even the other mentors what he means by that, but he has an inkling of a feeling that they won't answer it even if he were to ask again.

"My tributes think they're going to score really high." Sunoo is mumbling quietly to himself, still pacing in his tracks in front of the TV which is currently playing a bunch of commercials.

"Mine think they'll do okay." Jaeyun shrugs, kicking back on one of the other couches."

Riki, still laying behind Sunghoon on the couch, almost falls over, "My tributes think they'll do fine."

"If the Capitol likes your little show I think you'll get a high score. If they don't they might kill your family." Sunoo continues mumbling to himself, "Discreetly of course, probably a gas leak in your house or something..."

"Sorry what?" Sunghoon barks, turning to give his full attention to the District One mentor.

"Bang Sihyuk was in the audience, he could argue that it was an assassination attempt and that would be seen as treason against the state. However, you also hit your target so that may not be true..." Sunoo stops pacing, "It's only the worst case scenario, Sunghoon. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Sunghoon feels like fuming, but is distracted by Eunbi coming out of Minjeong's room empty-handed, the girl not following her out.

"She doesn't want to watch. She's just going to take a nap." Eunbi explains, sitting down beside Sunghoon on the couch.

"It's also nice to meet all of you. Thank you for taking care of Sunghoon for me." She continues, looking around at the three other boys in the room.

"Our pleasure." Jaeyun replies, smiling.

Sunghoon contemplates the lives of his family until the Capitol theme song begins playing over the speakers, and Sunoo quickly turns the volume up.

Sunghoon prays that he gets a high enough score to attract sponsors, but not high enough that it will get him targeted by the careers even more than he already knows he is.

Everyone else in the room has all their attention set on the screen, where they introduce the District One tributes, Lee Saerom and Lee Geonu. Both of their headshots look deadly, staring down the viewers with a sudden ferocity that Sunghoon doesn't remember seeing before. Honestly, he doesn't even remember taking these photos.

A giant eight flashes beside Saerom's picture, followed by a nine from Geonu. This is to be expected, and even though Sunoo is helping Sunghoon, he also has some loyalty to the two District One trainees, and he lets out a small smile.

The District Two tributes are introduced next, Yoo Karina and Kirishima Kei. To no surprise, Karina scores an impressive nine, but what comes next is something no one expects.

Kirishima Kei. Twelve.

Sunoo audibly gasps, Jaeyun freezes, and Riki actually falls off the back of the couch. Even Eunbi can't help but hide her shocked face with her hand.

Sunghoon freezes as well, more so out of fear than shock. What on earth could K have done to get the first Twelve in Hunger Games history?

Seon, who has snuck up behind the group during the announcement, looks just as puzzled, "Did he like, kill a peacekeeper and get away with it or something?"

Being reminded of his presence, everyone turns to look at him, "Who knows, but we can only hope." Sunoo grumbles.

In the commotion they end up missing some of the districts, but they resume quickly with District Six. Ahn Yujin and Choi Seon. A four and five respectively. The boy can only shrug, "They weren't even paying attention to me, I'm surprised I got higher than a two."

Everyone quiets down once they announce District Seven, where Sunghoon leans in and Riki joins him on the other side of the couch. Kim Minjeong and Park Sunghoon. A giant two pops up beside her face, and no one looks particularly puzzled. Minjeong has not been the same since she came to the Capitol. It's the score next that has everyone up and cheering.

Park Sunghoon, Eleven.

Shocking even himself, the mentors, Eunbi, and Seon are all congratulating him and clapping him on the back, excited for his newfound score and talent.

"What did you even do?" Seon asks half-heartedly, obviously confused as to what he could've done to make the judges pay attention, let alone give him a score that high.

"It's a secret." Sunoo winks from beside him, even though almost everyone in the room besides Seon knew what he had done.

No one else's scores were good enough to bring mention, except Taki surprised the rest of the room when he scored a seven compared to the rest of the lower districts average scores of three or four.

"That kid's going somewhere." Seon admits, sitting down on the couch beside Jake, facing everyone else.

"He's really good at climbing. If we're anywhere near a forest I wouldn't be surprised if he could hide out until the end of the games." Sunghoon comments, remembering the time when they eavesdropped on the careers in the training center.

"Well, you two better be sure he doesn't jump down on you from above." Riki jokes.

"Are you ready for the interviews tomorrow night?" Seon eventually asks after a moment of silence.

"Not really, I haven't practiced anything at all. I'm a bit worried actually." Sunghoon admits, looking around the room.

"Don't you worry 'bout a thing, Eunbi and I will help you through everything." Sunoo says, sulking just a little less, a look of excitement etched on his face.

"The interviews are my absolute favorite part of the Hunger Games, aside from the tribute parade of course. So many wonderful outfits and you really get to know the personality of the tributes before they are put in the arena." Eunbi says almost dreamily,

Before they are put in the arena. Sunghoon's stomach does a flip when he remembers the Games— the reason he's even here in the first place, is only two days away. Two days away until his innocence is gone. Two days until he is no longer human.

Seon and Riki eventually say goodnight, leaving back to their apartment. Jaeyun, having forgotten to leave after Sunghoon's score, leaves shortly after, wishing him good luck for tomorrow. Eunbi leaves back to her room for the night, and Sunoo stops with him in front of the elevator.

"Eunbi will go over etiquette with you tomorrow for a few hours, and then I will go over content with you after I finish with my tributes." He says, waiting for the elevator to stop at their floor.

Sunghoon nods, about to bombard him with questions until the elevator door opens to reveal Heeseung in all his glory.

The mentor looks unhappy and Sunoo blinks in surprise before quickly getting out of the way and waving Sunghoon goodnight.

As soon as the elevator doors close and it's just the two of them, Sunghoon instinctively takes his hand and brings him deeper into the apartment. Heeseung complies, following behind him until they're at the sitting room that was earlier full of life and loud conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Sunghoon asks, forgetting that he's still holding onto his hand.

"Came to check on you. Wanted to congratulate you on a good score." A genuine smile makes its way onto Heeseung's face, and just for a moment under the artificial light he looks years younger, happier, even.

"I mean, It's all thanks to you. You had the idea after all." Sunghoon says nonchalantly, feeling the older older stroke his thumb against the back of his hand.

"And you had the skills to achieve it." Heeseung chuckles, leaning back in his seat.

Sunghoon can feel his cheeks reddening but he tries to ignore it, only humming in response.

The two sit in silence for a while, staring into each other's eyes and feeling the comfort it brings. Sunghoon is a bit ashamed to say this is the most content he's felt his whole life.

Having Heeseung in front of him, hand in his, he was likely nothing to the older boy other than a lamb to the slaughter, but here he was fantasizing about a life with him. About times where they weren't under as much pressure as they were in now.

"You know what you have to do tomorrow, right?" Heeseung finally asks, resting the side of his head on the couch.

"Impress the audience and sponsors in hope to get enough supplies to survive in the arena." Sunghoon rattles off the same reasoning Sunoo and Jaeyun have told him before.

"Wrong. Do your best." He corrects, leaning in so no microphones can hear them speaking, "You don't need to worry about anything, put your trust in me."

Sunghoon wants to believe him, he really does, but what can Heeseung do when he isn't directly in the games with him? He needs sponsors, and he doesn't know if his social skills will get him them.

Heeseung sighs at the look on his face, "If you're really that worried about it, Sunoo can just puppeteer you and you can call it a day. I'm sure he's just dying to choreograph a new speech."

"But that doesn't feel authentic..." He grumbles, staring intently at his dress shirt.

"Also, what do you know about K?" Sunghoon finally asks, turning to him.

The question has been lingering in the back of his mind since he started the evening. Most divines only scored an eleven, yet somehow K was able to garner a twelve?

"Truthfully, nothing." Heeseung says bluntly, looking directly at him, "K has shared nothing with me since I started talking with you, and when he's not with you guys he's in the infirmary."

"What could he have done that would give him a twelve?" Sunghoon asks out loud, mostly to himself once again.

"I know one thing and it wouldn't be good. I don't think it's that, though. He is an extremely talented swordsman, though. Maybe he did what you did just a little better?" He questions, and later completely ignores the first half of his sentence.

"I don't know... something's been off with K and I can't put my finger on it." Sunghoon admits, and Heeseung just nods.

"You're smart, Hoon. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually." The older reaches over to ruffle his hair and Sunghoon blushes once again.

"I hope I find out before it's too late." He says absentmindedly, replaying the conversation in his head.

"I should go before curfew. Goodnight, Hoon." Heeseung smiles softly, getting up and seeing himself out.