The streets outside the university buzzed with midday activity as Matthew, Samantha, Saimon, and Leo exited the campus gates, their defense victory fresh in their minds. Leo immediately whipped out his phone, positioning it for a selfie with Saimon.
"Hold up," Saimon said, leaning in as Leo snapped the shot. "Tag me. And don't forget the caption: 'Survived the terror trio. Capstone 1, check!'"
"Yeah, and maybe tag the professors too," Matthew quipped, his grin wide as he adjusted his backpack.
Leo laughed but paused dramatically. "Do you want us to fail Capstone 2 before it even starts? Let me keep my captions tame."
As they walked toward the nearby samgyupsal restaurant, Samantha lagged slightly behind, scrolling through her own notifications. She glanced up as Matthew slowed his pace to match hers.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice low enough that Saimon and Leo wouldn't hear.
"I'm fine," she replied, her tone as composed as ever. But her grip on her phone tightened for a fraction of a second. "It's just... nice to know we're one step closer."
Matthew smiled knowingly. "You're happy. I can tell."
Samantha tilted her head slightly, shooting him a measured look. "Don't read too much into it."
"Sure," he replied with a casual shrug, but his teasing smile lingered. "Just saying, you hid it well in front of the panel, but I know you were relieved."
Samantha didn't respond, but the corners of her lips tugged upward for the briefest moment.
The samgyupsal restaurant was bustling, the aroma of grilled meat and spices wafting through the air as the group entered. They found a booth tucked in the corner, with Saimon and Leo sliding in on one side and Matthew and Samantha taking the seats opposite them.
"I'll handle the first round," Samantha said, signaling the server. "Consider it a treat for not completely embarrassing yourselves today."
"Wow, thanks, boss," Leo said, dramatically clutching his chest. "I feel so validated."
"Let's be real," Saimon added, leaning back in his seat. "Without Matthew pulling out those perfect answers, we'd probably be crying into our milk teas right now."
"Or worse," Leo said, lowering his voice to a mock whisper, "writing apology letters to the panel."
Matthew laughed as he picked up the tongs to start grilling the first batch of meat. "Don't sell yourselves short. You guys handled your parts well."
Samantha raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, her focus seemingly on the sizzling meat on the grill. However, Matthew noticed the slight relaxation in her posture, the way her shoulders weren't as stiff as they'd been in the classroom.
"So," Leo began, snapping another selfie with Saimon as their plates filled with food. "Here's to us, surviving the terror trio and proving we're not just clueless kids."
"Speak for yourself," Saimon said with a grin, pointing his chopsticks at Leo. "You looked like you were about to pass out when Lucena asked about efficiency."
"Details," Leo said dismissively. "The point is, we're here now, eating celebratory meat. Life is good."
Samantha allowed herself a small laugh at their banter, though she kept her gaze on her plate. As Matthew grilled another round of meat, he leaned slightly toward her.
"Relax," he said quietly. "We did well. You don't have to keep up the 'ice queen' act tonight."
"I'm not acting," she replied, her tone neutral. "But thank you... for leading us through that."
"Anytime, Sergeant," he teased, earning an eye roll from her.
As the meal went on, the group's laughter grew louder, their earlier nerves replaced with a growing sense of camaraderie. Samantha listened quietly to Leo and Saimon's jokes but occasionally chimed in with sharp, witty remarks that had even Matthew laughing.
By the time they finished eating, Saimon leaned back in his seat, patting his stomach. "Alright, if we can survive Capstone 2 like this, we'll make it to graduation in one piece."
"Here's hoping," Leo added, raising his glass of iced tea. "To Capstone 2."
"To teamwork," Matthew said, raising his own glass.
Samantha hesitated briefly before joining in. "And to not screw it up."
The four clinked their glasses together.
***
After two hours, the four were already stuffed with pork and beef. Leo and Saimon let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"So, this is where we part?" Leo asked.
"Yup," Matthew simply confirmed. "Be prepared for our next meeting alright? We are going to gather the materials needed for our project."
"Don't worry boss, I will take care of my part," Saimon assured.
"Good…have a safe trip back home you guys," Matthew said.
"You got it boss. Let's go together Leo."
"Right."
Leo and Saimon pushed back their chairs and stood, stretching after the feast. Leo patted his stomach dramatically, grinning.
"Man, I might just skip dinner after this."
"I have booked a grab," Samantha said.
Matthew took a cursory glance at her phone and saw that she already booked a grab.
"You usually use a grab to get to your home?" Matthew asked.
Samantha simply nodded.
"That's quite an expensive method of going to and fro," Matthew remarked.
Samantha nodded again.
"Well, how about I wait for you until your car arrives?" Matthew offered, his tone casual but sincere.
Samantha hesitated for a brief moment, glancing at him with a slightly raised eyebrow. "You don't have to."
"I know," Matthew said with a small grin, "but I don't mind."
She nodded silently, not saying another word, and Matthew took it as her way of agreeing. They stood side by side near the curb, watching cars and jeeps passed by.
Matthew leaned back slightly, his hands in his pockets, sneaking a glance at Samantha. She stood composed, her eyes fixed on her phone, but there was a subtle air of exhaustion about her, as though the weight of the day had caught up with her.
"You know," Matthew started, breaking the silence, "today was a win. No matter how tough Capstone 2 might be, we proved we can handle the pressure."
Samantha didn't look up but responded softly, "It's just one step. There's a lot more to do."
"True," Matthew replied, nodding. "But you should let yourself enjoy this step. You earned it."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but Matthew caught a brief flicker of appreciation in her expression. Before either of them could say more, a black Toyota Vios pulled up to the curb.
"That's me," Samantha said, straightening her posture.
Matthew stepped forward and opened the door for her. "Get home safe, Sergeant."
She gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.
The ride to Forbes Park was smooth, the city lights casting a faint glow on the car's interior. Samantha rested her head lightly against the window, her mind drifting to the defense, the professors' praise, and the camaraderie she had felt with her group. It was a rare, fleeting moment of satisfaction.
The car pulled into the gated community of Forbes Park, the well-manicured streets lined with sprawling mansions. As they approached her home, a grand estate with towering gates and a pristine driveway, Samantha spotted her father near the entrance, speaking to a staff member as he adjusted his tie.
The car came to a stop, and Samantha stepped out, her heels clicking softly against the polished stone driveway.
She approached her father and spoke. "Papa, I passed the defense today. Our group did really well."
Her father barely glanced at her, his focus still on the staff member handing him a briefcase. "Good. About time you started taking things seriously."
Samantha blinked, the brief flicker of pride she had felt quickly fading. "I've been taking it seriously. We worked hard—"
"And yet you're only passing now?" he interrupted, his tone cold and dismissive. "You wouldn't need to celebrate something so trivial if you had done it right the first time."
Her words caught in her throat as he turned away, heading toward his car, a white BMW 7, without so much as a second glance.
"Focus on what matters, Samantha. There's no room for mediocrity in this family."
She stood there, rooted to the spot, her chest tightening. The grand mansion behind her, the silent staff around her, and the world her father expected her to live up to—all of it felt stifling. The pride she had felt just hours ago evaporated, leaving a hollow ache in its place.
Without a word, Samantha turned and entered the house, her movements mechanical as she made her way to her room. Once inside, she sat on the edge of her bed, her hands resting on her lap as she stared at the floor.
She had worked hard. She had achieved something worth celebrating. But in her father's eyes, it wasn't enough.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, a message from Matthew lighting up the screen.
Matthew: "Got home safe?"
Samantha stared at the message for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, for the first time that evening, a small, bittersweet smile broke through the sadness. She typed a quick reply before setting the phone aside.
Samantha: "Safe and sound. Thanks, Matthew."
She lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Whatever her father thought, she knew she wouldn't let his indifference define her.