"That was intense, but it was an amazing game," Kathrine complimented.
Though she was not a fan of basketball games, and this tournament was the first she had watched closely, she felt that the finals were something else.
"Indeed, it didn't even feel like a game that high schoolers played," Beatrice followed.
"Who would have thought that your suggestion would give them the boost to win this game?" Luca said before turning to where Harmony was.
"Huh?" Justin reacted.
They all turned and saw that Harmony was no longer there when she had just been there a few seconds ago.
Beatrice checked her phone and found a message from Harmony.
'I have to go. Congratulate him for me. Thank you.'
"It seems she left," Beatrice said, showing the rest of the message.
"Well, I suppose this was just right. After all, she was unsure when she accepted our invitation," Kathrine commented.
"Where's the real star?"
They turned to see that Kenneth had finally escaped all the fans and reporters who had come to watch.
Beatrice showed him the message, "She said congratulations."
Kenneth frowned and grabbed the hand holding her phone.
"Geez, she should have congratulated me in person."
"She's a busy person. Don't ask for too much," Gabriel rolled his eyes.
Kenneth grumbled about wanting to thank her in person as he let go of Beatrice's hand.
"Should we have a meal instead to celebrate your final championship?" Justin suggested.
"We just ate a feast yesterday," Kathrine grimaced at Justin's words.
"Yesterday's celebration was for the semi-finals. Today's celebration is for the championship," Justin argued in a matter-of-fact tone.
*BEEP*
His attention was caught by the message he received.
He chuckled before showing it to Kenneth.
"My cousin watched the live broadcast of this game on the internet. He congratulated you and complimented your team for your strategy."
"Is that brother Elson?" Kathrine's eyes instantly twinkled upon hearing Justin's words.
She walked over to look at the phone as well.
It was Justin's turn to grimace as he took back his phone.
"He is congratulating Kenneth. What are you doing?"
"Hey!" Kathrine instantly complained.
"Come on, I've been asking for his phone number or Insta account. Why are you not giving it to me?"
Justin kept his phone, "Why would I give it to you?"
Kathrine blinked her eyes beautifully, "Don't you want such a beautiful person to become your cousin-in-law?"
Justin acted like he was about to vomit, "Stop that, will you? With how brusque you move, what do you mean by beautiful?"
Kathrine acted hurt, "How dare you?!? Come and let me introduce you to my fist. Choose, left or right?"
Justin rushed behind Gabriel.
"See that? How can I let my cousin come close to you?"
Kathrine squinted her eyes, but Beatrice finally stepped in and grabbed her by the arm.
"I think we can have some coffee as a celebration this time. What do you guys think?"
They had eaten too much the day before, and to be honest, none of them were craving food again today.
It was only Justin.
Hearing Beatrice's suggestion, Gabriel and Luca readily agreed.
"I'll bid them goodbye first. You guys go ahead and just tell me what coffee shop you'll be at."
"I wonder why Harmony was in such a rush to leave, prompting her to only message us?" Kathrine commented.
"What's wrong?" she asked Beatrice, who continued staring at her phone.
Beatrice shook her head, "Nothing. I am also wondering about that."
She kept her phone and walked alongside the rest.
When Kenneth bid his team goodbye, Leo approached him and spoke in a hushed tone.
"It's fine to be friends with the person named Harmony Thomas, but I suggest that you keep a close eye on her captain," Leo said seriously.
Kenneth, who received Harmony's help and was the one who allowed them to win the game today, frowned at the mention of her name.
"Why?"
Leo thought for a bit before opening his lips.
"Do you have any idea what happened with your class president, Patricia Gardner's family after the bullying?"
Kenneth shook his head. He didn't bother with those types of people.
"Their family went bankrupt within 24 hours," Leo said seriously.
Kenneth was silent for a bit before placing his hand on Leo's shoulder.
"Indeed, as you are thinking, there is a high chance that it was Miss Thomas' family who did it. There could be others, but because of the timing, it's natural to think that way. But thinking about what she had experienced because of Miss Gardner's lies, the family moving was only natural."
He then shrugged, "It's a scary family, thinking how they did it within 24 hours, but I think they won't move unless you do something against Miss Thomas."
Leo chuckled, "I was worried for nothing, I suppose. It's just that encountering those kinds of families who could bring down the Gardner family's business, which was a medium one, I somehow feel that I needed to warn you."
Kenneth smiled.
Their family was the most prominent one in City B, the city that is third in ranking in the country when it came to riches. But he could tell that Leo's worry was sound. City D ranked fifth, and the Gardner family was among those who reigned over the city.
For them to be taken down so easily…
'It seems that Miss Thomas' background is something else,' he thought.
Nevertheless, Kenneth didn't feel anything wrong with befriending Harmony, especially with how she openly helped their team.
"Don't worry. I won't be too lax either. Thanks for watching out for me," he assured Leo.
Leo shrugged and finally let go of his worries.
Kenneth was right.
Harmony Thomas had only gotten involved because Patricia Gardner made a move first.
Kenneth looked at his phone when he received a message from an unknown number.
'This is Beatrice. We are at Grounds & Glory coffee shop.'
He replied, 'Got it. Be there in a bit.'
"I'll get going now. See you at school."
"Take care," Leo waved him goodbye.
Meanwhile, Harmony got on the train bound for City S, the most prominent city in the country.