The class moved swiftly, and the lesson was soon over. Neo walked to the general cafeteria with his bag, not daring to return to his hostel, fearing that Alexandra—Alex, as he now called her—might be there. He hadn't eaten anything all day, and the realization made him rush to the cafeteria.
The place was filled with grand tables and chairs, each with two seats. The café was lively, as students gathered there for lunch every day. Neo found a spot in the corner, bought some food, and began to eat.
He reminded himself that he needed to contact his adoptive parents to let them know he was alive and also ask for pocket money, which they happily sent him. Neo sat and ate peacefully. After finishing his meal, he hesitantly made his way back to his residence.
*"What if she's at the residence? Damn, this is so scary…"* he thought.
As he walked, he suddenly saw Alexandra approaching him. His heart skipped a beat, and he tried to compose himself.
*'Maybe I should apologize. This might be the only chance to be on good terms with her,'* Neo thought.
But as soon as Alex saw him, she flinched and turned to walk away. *'Oh, hell no…'* Neo thought.
"Hey…" he called out, walking up to her, but this only made her quicken her pace.
Neo noticed and stopped. "What? She can't be that angry," he murmured.
Deciding to avoid further awkwardness, he chose to explore the school instead.
Neo wandered through the sprawling campus, his eyes wide with awe as he took in everything the college had to offer. The grounds were immaculate, with perfectly manicured lawns and towering trees that provided shade and a sense of tranquility. But it was the facilities that truly amazed him.
First, he stumbled upon the swimming pool, a vast expanse of crystal-clear water that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Students lounged by the poolside, while others practiced their strokes with impressive skill. The sound of splashing water and laughter filled the air, creating an atmosphere of both relaxation and energy.
Next, Neo found himself near the cinema, a modern building with sleek lines and a welcoming entrance. Posters of the latest educational films adorned the walls, and he could hear the faint echoes of dialogue and music from within. The idea of a cinema on campus was mind-blowing to him—a place where students could unwind and enjoy a movie after a long day of classes, with the added benefit of educational value.
As he continued his exploration, Neo came across the huge tennis court, where students were engaged in intense matches. The court was a flurry of movement, with players darting back and forth, their rackets slicing through the air with precision. Neo hadn't grown up playing tennis—he knew how to play table tennis, but not tennis. Still, there was something captivating about watching the players battle it out, their competitive spirits shining through every swing.
Despite his lack of experience, Neo couldn't help but feel a thrill as he took in the sights and sounds of the college. It was a place brimming with opportunities and activities, a world of its own where every corner held something new to discover.
As Neo continued exploring, he was drawn to a large crowd gathered around the table tennis courts. The energy was palpable, and he could hear the rhythmic sound of a ping pong ball being fiercely hit back and forth. Curiosity piqued, he pushed through the crowd to get a better view.
At the center of the attention were two female seniors locked in an intense match. The first was a striking beauty with long, flowing black hair that framed her slender physique perfectly. Her purple eyes were sharp and focused, every movement precise as she expertly returned each shot. Her presence was commanding, and Neo found himself mesmerized by her grace and agility.
Her opponent was equally captivating—a blonde with sharp pink eyes that seemed to burn with determination. Her curvy physique was emphasized by the way she moved—powerful and swift, each swing of the paddle executed with skill. Sweat glistened on her brow as she matched her opponent's intensity, her focus unwavering.
The crowd, mostly juniors, watched in awe, captivated by the display of athleticism and skill. Neo could feel the excitement in the air, the way everyone was completely absorbed in the match. He was amazed not just by their beauty, but by the sheer talent and competitive spirit on display. It was a spectacle unlike anything he had expected to see, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from the two seniors as they continued to battle it out on the court.
"Wow, such a display of skill and agility. No wonder most juniors gather here," he said as he watched.
"Bro, did you just see that thing move?"
Neo looked back to see a student chatting with his friend, his attention focused on the match.
"Yeah, bro. Damn, coming here was not in vain after all," the friend in glasses said as he licked his lips.
Neo raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Just look at that thing bounce…"
*'What the…?'* Neo was perplexed. As he looked at the players again, it all started to make sense—the way they sweated, their clothes sticking to their bodies, and the way their chests swayed… *bruh.*
These two seniors were beautiful in their own right, and Neo came to a conclusion: the students weren't just watching a table tennis match; they were watching the seniors' bodies.
Somehow, Neo wasn't irritated; he just shook his head and continued watching. Both players moved fast, smashing left and right. Neo remembered his glory days when he played table tennis with his buddies at the orphanage.
The black-haired girl, who had held the upper hand for much of the match, suddenly faltered. With a final, decisive rally, the blonde senior claimed victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, but the black-haired girl only smiled, her expression one of gracious defeat. The victorious blonde laughed and said,
"I told you I was the boss!" She then looked at the crowd. "Whoever can defeat me, I'll call them 'big bro' for the rest of my life," she laughed loudly, puffing out her chest.
The bold declaration sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Neo felt his heart race, but this time it wasn't just from watching the match. The thought of stepping into the ring and testing himself against someone so skilled was both terrifying and exhilarating. He didn't want to draw attention to himself—he never did. But something inside him urged him forward, compelling him to step up and take the challenge.
With a deep breath, Neo slowly made his way through the crowd, his nerves on edge but his resolve firm. The spectators parted as Neo stepped through.
"Who's this idiot?"
"Does he want to challenge a senior?"
"Damn, he's getting a front-row view of that nice chest!"
The crowd began to murmur.