A sports festival was held after the first semester ended. It is a month-long festival celebrated in between the first and second semesters.
Each department would send a representative to compete in sports. And though it isn't compulsory, even departments that are not fans of sports would still send their representatives to compete—mainly because of the pot prize.
The champion for each competition would receive one silver coin, which is equivalent to 40 thousand copper coins. The second-place winner gets 80 bronze coins, and the third-place winner gets 60 bronze coins. Furthermore, the overall champion department during the event would be awarded 3 gold coins, and their representative teams that championed certain events would get invited to a banquet in the Gourmet Palace.
The prizes didn't tempt me, though. I mean not to brag, but with how much I earn while working in the Dragon Tower, I can actually afford to eat in the Gourmet Palace. Plus, my special access card gives me a 50% discount if I choose to eat there. Besides that, a group of scientists becoming overall champions in a sports festival? An atom would probably be bigger than their chances.
Genevieve, on the other hand, was so excited about it. She practically drag me out of bed just so we can watch their basketball team play… was what I thought at first. But when I took a glance at the enemy team, there I found the real reason behind my dear guardians' eagerness to come here.
I was a bit surprised. I thought since he's an actor, he'd be taking theater arts or any other courses connected to acting. Yet he's there fighting for the business department.
Another familiar face appeared on the other team.
"Is that the school president?" I saw Leandro walk out of the locker room wearing a basketball jersey with a number 3. "He's playing?"
"Of course. That cunning kid is actually pretty good at sports as well. He's even their captain! I don't really know what's with him and his leading. Anyway, he's not important. What's important is Clint Devon over there!" Genevieve squealed.
The game today is between the engineering and business departments. We are supposed to be here to cheer for the former, but Genevieve looked about to run to the other side.
Leandro approached Clint with his standard 'I'm your friendly president smile.' The two stood close to each other and began casually talking. Leandro, as usual, looked approachable, while Clint is like a cold prince who doesn't know how to smile. They look like two opposite energies coming together in harmony and balance.
That same harmonious meeting between two absolutely gorgeous beings caused an uproar within the audience area. If this were a cartoon, the eyes of the women inside the gym would be filled with hearts.
It's still an hour before the game, but the place is already packed with people, the majority of whom are female. This is referred to as the power of extreme beauty.
"Come, let's go talk to the president," Genevieve said, and she began pulling me.
I pulled back and said, "Why? I thought you said he's not important."
"Well, he isn't."
"..."
Genevieve is probably the only person who could have casually said that.
"But he's talking to Clint," she reasoned. "If we talk to him, then we can get close to Clint, so let's go!"
I groaned. "Ugh!" I don't really understand why he's so obsessed with that guy!
On the other hand, I'm also curious about Genevieve's relationship to Leandro. I mean, though Leandro looked seemingly friendly, I don't see anyone else attempting what we are doing right now, which is approaching him. After all, he's still the academy president.
"Yow! Leandro, my boy!" At this point, I just want to dig a hole and bury myself in it. Genevieve is simply mental. How does she get the guy to yell someone's name in a room full of people? Not to mention how those people are swooning over that person as if it were a tasty treat!
A frown automatically appeared on Leandro's face when he saw Genevieve. I could imagine him thinking about the kind of destruction Genevieve is bringing today and the ways he can mitigate it. The thought made me smile. Well, as long as Erin does not appear, there won't be anyone who can fuel her fire.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Clint looking away when he saw us approaching. I knew he saw me, but he acted like he didn't. I thought he might be angry with me over something, but I couldn't think of any.
The last time we talked was when he asked me to paint a picture of him. After that, he became extremely busy, and we never got the chance to talk again. I always see him on TV promoting his series and doing interviews.
Is it because of the painting? But it's not like I didn't want to give it to him; it's just that I never got the chance to.
"Why are you here?" Leandro asked Genevieve, pulling me out of my train of thought.
"I'm here to cheer you on! Duh!" Genevieve rolled her eyes.
Leandro crossed his arms. "We're fighting against your department."
"So what? I choose who I support."
"..."
Props to Genevieve; she even made the school president speechless.
Leandro shook his head as he turned his attention on me. "We meet again," he said with a smile and a pat on the head. I glared at him. He seems fond of treating me like a child.
"Hello, Mr. President." My voice was dry.
Leandro frowned and bent down. I leaned back when his face appeared extremely close to mine. "Say that again?" He teased.
"Leandro."
He nodded approvingly and gave me another head pat.
"Hey, stop bullying my daughter!" Too late for that, Genevieve. He already did while you stood there gawking over your idol!
"The academy's water suits you well!" He completely ignored my guardian. "I simply didn't see you for a couple of months, but you've already grown this beautiful!"
I blushed. This man and his habit of suddenly complimenting people will surely give someone a heart attack someday.
"I know, right! "I kept telling her, but she doesn't believe me!" Genevieve joined, looking like a pleased mother when a person complimented her child. I'm so used to it now that I no longer react to it. "I'm actually beginning to get worried. A lot of guys are beginning to ask her out and hmmp~!"
I clamped Genevieve's mouth shut with my hands, trying to stop her from spouting any more nonsense. I was too embarrassed to look Leandro in the eyes.
Why is Genevieve even telling the school president that?! And it's not a lot; it was just two guys!
Leandro let out an amused laugh. "Anyways, since you two are here, why don't I introduce you to one of my teammates."
Until that point, I had completely forgotten about Clint still standing beside him.Now I'm even more embarrassed!
I'm pretty sure Leandro isn't really planning to introduce us to Clint. But Genevieve secretly nudged him on the side. Knowing Genevieve, Leandro could only helplessly comply. Well, it was better that Leandro officiated the introduction, because who knows what Genevieve would do just to get her idol's attention?
"Clint, let me introduce you to my older sister, Genevieve." I couldn't hide the surprise in my eyes as I looked back and forth between Leandro and Genevieve.
I don't see any resemblance between the two. How are they siblings? I wanted to confront Genevieve about it, but I don't want to ruin her fan moment.
"Hi! I'm a big fan! I've watched all your series and movies and collected all your merchandise! I've also been to your fan meetings several times," Genevieve blabbed.
"I'm grateful for your support," Clint said politely as they shook hands. Leandro had to intervene afterwards because Genevieve looked like she wouldn't let go of the former's hand.
Despite that, Clint was extremely cool throughout the interaction. He acted like a true gentleman and was really patient with Genevieve. It was completely opposite from how he acted when we first met in the tower. That guy was extremely arrogant and short-tempered. But the guy in front of me is like Mr. President 2.0.
"And this here is a student under her guardianship, Lizelle." Leandro said, pulling me from my musing.
Our eyes met. But I was taken aback by what I saw. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Lizelle." My eyes traveled from Clint's eyes to his outstretched hand. I had a complicated expression looking at it. There were a lot of questions running through my head. Not wanting to make things awkward, I stretched my hand out, and we shook. I couldn't help but notice how soft his hand is.
When I looked up at him again, I finally confirmed that I wasn't just hallucinating. "It's also a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Devon," I said with a smile. We let go of each other's hands and stepped back, as if we were strangers meeting for the first time.
I felt bitter in my heart. Not gonna lie, the way he acted like he didn't know me hurt a bit. His indifference made my chest tighten, and it felt like I couldn't breathe for a moment.
That day... when that woman left, I had a similar feeling, though this was not as extreme as that one. But it's still an uncomfortable feeling to experience, and I hate it.