The game had started!
The ball was in Iris's hand. She stood at the center of the ground. In front of her was the opposing team, ready to face off.
"Even though they are our friends, they are now our enemies," said Fin with a mischievous grin.
Iris looked at all of them with sharp eyes. Her focus was strong.
The rule of the game was simple: anyone who got hit by the ball thrown by the opposite team was out. Players could take the ball from anywhere, but they had to avoid getting hit.
Iris narrowed her eyes at Nyx and clearly aimed at him.
Everyone around laughed.
Fin, standing beside her, shouted loudly, "Ohh Iris! You've got guts! You're openly targeting Nyx?" She laughed hard.
Iris threw the ball fast, but Nyx moved quickly—the target was missed.
Nyx smiled, picked up the ball, and smoothly aimed it toward Fin.
The game continued with energy.
One by one, classmates got hit and were out. Fin, Eira, and Juno were all hit and sat to the side, cheering for their teammates.
Yuna also got hit by one of the classmates and walked to the side, laughing.
Nyx looked at her and offered a hand. "Need help, yuna?"
Yuna rolled her eyes and smiled. "Maybe just this once."
As he helped her up, their hands lingered a little longer than needed. Their eyes met. For a moment, the game faded in the background.
"Try not to get out next time," Yuna said, smirking.
"Oh, I'm still in," Nyx replied.
Now, only a few players remained.
Team 1: Nyx and Kris
Team 2: Ren and Iris
The ball was with Kris.
Silence settled across the field.
Kris locked his eyes on Ren, ready to throw. He laughed, "You're going to lose, my enemy!"
Just as Kris was about to throw, Iris suddenly grabbed Ren's hand and pulled him close to her—like a dramatic movie moment.
Everyone gasped. It happened so fast.
Ren was frozen, his face turning red. "I-Iris?" he said softly.
She looked up at him and smiled. "Just saving you."
Ren's heart thumped louder. For a second, it wasn't a game anymore—it felt like time stopped.
Nyx and Kris burst out laughing.
"Is this a sports game or a love story?" Kris shouted while still laughing.
Taking the opportunity, Iris grabbed the ball and quickly threw it at Nyx. The ball hit him cleanly.
"Ahhh! I'm hit!" Nyx laughed and sat on the ground. "Well played!"
The ball rolled far, but the moment stayed with everyone. Even after getting hit, Nyx was laughing, though trying to keep it cool.
On the other side, Kris kept laughing harder and louder.
Iris frowned. She was annoyed now. "You think this is funny, Kris?" she mumbled.
She walked over to retrieve the ball, her eyes burning with determination.
Ren followed her and smiled. "Relax. He's just enjoying the chaos."
"Yeah, but now he's my next target," Iris replied, gripping the ball tightly.
From the side, Nyx was still on the ground when Yuna walked over again and asked
Nyx, are you ok ..?
"Still laughing?" she asked with a playful smirk.
Nyx looked at her and smiled. "That moment was too dramatic. I wasn't ready."
Yuna giggled. "You weren't the only one surprised."
Meanwhile, Iris stood far from Kris and threw the ball with full force—fast and filled with irritation.
But she missed.
The ball flew to the seniors' corner, where Ken and his friends were sitting.
It hit Ken's back—hard.
He stood up instantly, angry. "What the hell is this?!" he shouted.
Iris froze. Her eyes widened in shock. Everyone on the field stopped. The laughter disappeared.
The entire class gathered now—seniors and juniors.
Nyx stood up quickly. Ren stepped forward beside Iris.
Both boys stood in front of her protectively, facing Ken.
Iris, still holding onto Ren's sleeve, whispered, "I didn't mean to… it was a mistake."
Ren turned to her gently. "Don't worry. We've got this."
Nyx, with his usual calm and sarcastic tone, said to Ken, "Maybe don't sit so close to an active game next time."
Ken looked around and saw everyone watching him. He gave them a sharp look but didn't say more.
He walked away, muttering under his breath.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Iris looked at Ren. "Thank you...
Ren smiled. "Always. I'll protect you—even during war, or dodgeball."
She blushed and looked away, but her smile stayed.
The game was over—but something had changed.
Not just the score.
Feelings were growing. Smiles were warmer. Hearts were beating louder.