CHAPTER 24 — DAY 2 PART 1
Badminton • Chess
Morning sunlight spilled across the school sports ground.
The second day of Sports Week had begun.
Students filled the stands, shouting, laughing, waving their house flags. The air buzzed with excitement.
But the group was already gathered near the badminton court.
Ben stretched dramatically.
"Alright," he said, cracking his neck, "if I lose today, I blame the racket."
Ash rolled her eyes.
"You blame everything except your own playing."
Nova smirked.
"Honestly, that racket deserves an apology."
Care laughed quietly while tying her hair into a ponytail.
"Stop bullying him before the match even starts."
Joong leaned lazily against the fence.
"Too late. Psychological damage already done."
Ben pointed at them all.
"You people are terrible friends."
"Correct," Kevin said calmly.
The Badminton Matches
The whistle blew.
Ash stepped onto the court first.
She spun the racket once in her hand, eyes sharp.
Across the court stood her opponent.
The game began.
Smash.
The shuttle cut through the air.
Ash moved quickly, light on her feet.
Another smash.
Point.
The crowd cheered loudly.
"DAMN," Nova muttered. "She's destroying them."
Care nodded proudly.
"That's our Ash."
Joong crossed his arms.
"She's scary when she focuses."
Within minutes Ash dominated the match.
Final point.
SMASH.
The shuttle hit the floor.
The referee blew the whistle.
"Winner — ASH!"
The group exploded in cheers.
Nova shouted dramatically,
"OUR QUEEN!"
Ash walked back, breathing hard but grinning.
Ben looked nervous.
"Now I have to play."
Kevin patted his shoulder.
"Don't embarrass us."
"Very supportive," Ben muttered.
Ben's Match
Ben stepped onto the court.
His opponent looked strong.
The game started.
Immediately Ben missed the first shot.
Nova buried her face in her hands.
"Oh my god."
Care tried to stay positive.
"It's okay! First points don't matter!"
Second rally.
Ben ran hard and managed a return.
The match grew intense.
He struggled.
But he didn't give up.
Joong watched carefully.
"Not bad," he said. "He's fighting."
Ben lost the first set.
But the second set was close.
Really close.
He dived for one last shot.
The shuttle barely crossed the net.
The crowd gasped.
But his opponent smashed it down.
Match over.
Ben lost.
He walked back, exhausted but smiling.
"Well," he said, breathing heavily, "I survived."
Ash clapped his shoulder.
"You did good."
Nova added,
"You only embarrassed yourself a little."
Ben glared at her.
"Thank you."
The Chess Competition
Later that morning the group moved inside the auditorium where the chess competition was being held.
The atmosphere was completely different.
Quiet.
Focused.
Serious.
Rows of chess boards filled the hall.
Alex sat calmly across from his opponent.
He looked completely relaxed.
Lyra stood near the door watching.
Nova whispered,
"Why does he look like a movie genius?"
Kevin chuckled.
"Because he kind of is."
The game began.
Alex moved his first piece.
Slow.
Calculated.
His opponent frowned.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The tension built silently.
Joong leaned closer.
"He's trapping him."
Care blinked.
"What?"
"Watch."
Alex sacrificed a knight.
His opponent took it immediately.
Ben whispered,
"That was dumb."
Kevin shook his head slowly.
"No."
Three moves later—
"Check."
The opponent froze.
Another move.
"Check."
Another.
"Checkmate."
The referee confirmed it.
Alex won.
Just like that.
The group stared.
Nova whispered dramatically,
"I would never argue with him again."
Kevin smirked.
"Good decision."
Alex stood and walked toward them.
Lyra was still watching him.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment everything around them faded.
Alex smiled slightly.
Lyra quickly looked away.
Nova noticed immediately.
"Oh ho…"
Care elbowed her.
"Shh."
But Nova grinned like a villain.
Outside the Auditorium
The group walked back toward the sports ground.
The sun was higher now.
Students were gathering near the track.
Announcements echoed through the speakers.
"Attention students! The afternoon events will begin shortly!"
Ben stretched again.
"What's next?"
A voice came from the speakers.
"Running events will start after lunch."
Care froze slightly.
"Running?"
The announcement continued.
"Important update: The 500 meter race has been changed to a 1 kilometer race."
The group looked at Daisy.
Nova blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Daisy looked surprised too.
"1 kilometer?"
Ben whistled.
"That's brutal."
Joong looked at her seriously.
"You okay with that?"
Daisy smiled confidently.
"Of course."
Care looked a little worried.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
Daisy nudged her.
"I'll be fine."
But Kevin watched quietly.
Something about the change made the atmosphere feel… heavier.
The whistle blew again.
Students started gathering near the running track.
The next event was approaching.
And no one knew that the race later that day would change everything.