The night was cool and pleasant. A few clouds were in the sky. Other than that, a creamy full moon was the center of attention with its starry companions.
It all had come to the party just as Alex planned it would. It was now or never.
The hall, where the party was to be held, was decorated extravagantly. Delectable cuisines were prepared, and they even hired professional musicians to come and play. The party was a formal one.
After all, it's not every day a 17-year-old who, despite his age and being in 1st year, in just 4 months not only got promoted to the 2nd year but then got promoted to 3rd year again and topped the entire school.
You all set?
Yes.
Alex texted Jason, who was patiently waiting on the roof. Alex entered the already crowded hall as the main attraction. His friends went up to him, teasing him and playing with him. Teachers took pride in the fact he was their pupil and congratulated him. Amid the crowd, he found the ones he was looking for.
'Congratulations again for getting the highest score, Alex.'
Asuna cheerfully greeted him.
'Thanks, Asuna, and tough luck, Hikaru. The competition was really close.'
He patted Hikaru on the shoulder. Asuna's face brightened when he came while Hikaru had the opposite reaction. It was amazing he even bothered showing up on this occasion.
'There you are, Alexander. Come over here.'
The invitation was from the Principal who was waiting with a group of people who were possibly from other schools. It was natural that he would want to show-off his star student.
'I've gotta go, see you later.'
'Bye, Alex.'
During this time, Hikaru didn't utter a single word. He kept silent and observed; The bright lighting of the hall, the band's classic music, the mouth-watering aroma of the food, the cheerful voice of the people, and his smile. His smile that he always gave. The smile which never faded and would lift other's mood. He wanted to destroy that smile.
'I need to go to the toilet Asuna. I'll be right back.'
'Okay.'
Hikaru quietly exited the hall.
'Now, where will you go?'
Jason watched Hikaru's every step from his mobile.
When Alex patted Hikaru on the shoulder, he placed a small tracker on him. This is no ordinary tracker, it's a WS tracker. Not only does it tell the position of the person whom it's on, but also records sounds and gives 360° rotational footage in high quality. All of this was integrated into the size of a ladybug.
Jason had also hacked all of the school's cameras, just to be safe.
--Prove to me you were right, Alex.
***Final exams were coming in a month. Hikaru was to be put under strict supervision to see if he made any contact with Jira or Dr. Watson. If he did, Jason will arrest them both and try to get hold of the serum, which Hikaru uses to transform.
Even if no contact would be found, there was still a way to remove him from Jira and catch Dr. Watson. Hikaru's main objective was to be the smartest in school. Killing Alex or gaining immense strength was a secondary objective.
Although Hikaru was being manipulated and had given himself up to illegal experiments, there was still some good in him that resisted all of this. Alex would crush that small goodness in him to fully drive Hikaru into insanity. All this just to save him.
The plan was to beat him in the final exams, request a party, taking a gamble that Hikaru would try to transform into the Hairy Hulk. Even if Dr. Watson made no contact with Hikaru, he was sure to make it then, giving them a chance to get ahold of him, and if nothing else, they can at least get the transformation serum. It's was a win-win situation.
When Alex told Jason the plan, he brutally rejected it.
'This is absurd and naïve. Such childish plans cannot save anyone!'
'I'm telling you this is a win-win situation.'
'Alexander, wake up from your delusions. Stop being a brat and be mature. This stupidity will only bring harm to you and others.'
'Stupidity, you say?'
Ever since the procedure, something inside Alex changed. Change might not be the best word to explain his behavior. He behaved like he always had, but the boundary of his actions increased. He had become more daring. He was more reckless than ever before and didn't think about the consequences, following his heart.
He could not argue his plan was childish, but there was no other way to solve this matter peacefully. It wasn't that other plans would be unsuccessful. He just didn't want Hikaru to get hurt. That was his only reason to deny Jason's rational thinking. He denied it on the bases of emotional feelings.
Sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. For the sake of everyone, one must suffer. This is how humans have made it this far. Hikaru made his decision and chose his path, but
--…is this how it's supposed to be?
'Then we'll let fate decide. I challenge you to rock, paper, scissors match. The loser does whatever the winner wants.'
Alex smugly said.
'Alexander, if you refuse to listen, I will take matters in my own hand.'
Jason was furious by Alex's immature behavior. He had expected better from him. He saw there was no use continuing this conversation any longer and again stood up to leave.
'What's the matter? Afraid you'll lose.'
Alex called out to him.
'I am not going to give in to your cheap provocations.'
'A WS agent refusing a challenge? What a coward. Your father would be ashamed of you.'
The words stopped him like ice. Jason preferred Alex would keep his mouth shut and not pry into his life. Only he knew how got here. He is the only one who walked his thorny path alone to become who he is today. He couldn't help himself after hearing that last comment.
'You know nothing about my father.'
'I know he wouldn't want a chicken for a son.'
Alex wore a smile that deserved a good punch. If Jason ignored him here, he would be ignoring himself.
'I accept your challenge. Prepare yourself.'
'Alright, this is a one-round match, no do-overs. We will throw at the count of three.'
'Fine.'
'Okay, here we go, one…'
--Normally women throw scissors, and men throw rock on their first throw, but since Jason's thinking is complex, he will also throw scissors, so my best option is rock. That is what Alexander would be thinking.
'Two…'
--He thinks I do not know this simple psychology. He underestimates WS and me. Children only grow into adults when their dreams have been crushed. I only have to throw paper, and that would be the end of it. You lose Alexander.
'Three.'
Jason stared at Alex as he lost. He threw paper while, for some reason, Alex threw scissors.
'Yay, I won.'
--How?
'You didn't think that I would have thought about what you would be thinking that I would have been thinking.'
Alex answered the question which Jason hadn't asked yet.
'Sometimes, the enemy who is the hardest to defeat is yourself.'
Jason was taken back in astonishment.
'Jason, trust me. This plan is going to work.'
Alex held determination in his voice. Jason was outsmarted by someone who had childish beliefs. Someone who stood there confidently with an annoying smile. He asked himself if he could trust someone like him. The answer he got was that he wanted to.
'Fine, I will honor my word.'
Jason gave in and agreed to the plan, along with the condition of calling him Alex.***
He kept tracking Hikaru's movement when unexpectedly, all connection broke off.
'What happened?'
'It seems there was a bug on you, Hikaru.'
A man in a lab coat came carrying a small brown bag and took the tracker off Hikaru, immediately crushing it.
'Do you have the chemicals?'
'Of course, I do. Remember, these are extremely expensive, so make sure you put them to good use.'
'I will.'
The man handed the bag over to Hikaru. The plan was to immediately capture Hikaru and Dr. Watson as soon as they made contact but seeing how the tracker was instantly destroyed, Jason dared not to make a move as it might make things even worse.