At New York
Sun: Wow! The Great Woods School! So cool!
Jay was standing beside Sun. The others were getting down from the bus.
Suzanna: Ugh! It took sooo long! If I knew the journey would be this long, I would never come. After all, my parents treat me like a princess. So I can't tolerate hardship at all. And they made me travel for six hours! I'll definitely complain to Papa. Then Papa will destroy this school!
Fumi: Disgusting weather! Maybe there'll be a storm.
Xavier was standing behind them. Hearing their conversation, he gave a sarcastic smile and walked past.
Xavier came and stood beside Sun and Jay.
Sun: Hey bro!
Xavier shook hands with him.
Sun: What are they doing over there?
Xavier: Maybe practicing acting. They're doing pretty well.
Xavier laughed mockingly and started walking away.
Sun and Jay looked at each other and followed.
---
Sun's team was seated inside a classroom. A simple IQ test was about to begin.
A total of 537 schools had come for this competition. Only 50 schools would be selected.
A teacher entered the room. The chatter disappeared instantly.
Teacher: Each group will receive one question paper. One hundred IQ-based questions. Time-thirty minutes. All the best, students.
The papers were distributed. After fifteen minutes, Sun's team had answered only thirty questions.
Sun: Damn it. It feels like we'll be out even before the competition starts.
Suzanna: You're the one not writing properly! How will we get selected then?
Sun: Can you shut up for a moment?! (angrily)
Fumi: Shouting at her won't help. You're the one creating trouble.
Xavier was sitting silently. He had no interest in these arguments.
Jay had been observing everything quietly. She looked at her watch-only ten minutes left.
Jay (thinking): Jay! You have to do something! We can't disgrace our school like this!
Jay: Sun! Give the paper to Suzanna, quickly.
Sun: What are you saying? I'm the leader.
Jay: Give it to her now. Suzanna was selected for IQ, not you. Let her show her talent.
Jay snatched the paper from him and handed it to Suzanna.
Tick... tick... tick...
One minute left. No more, no less.
Suzanna was trying desperately to finish the questions.
Ten... nine... five... four... three... two... one.
Suzanna stood up.
Suzanna: Finished! (shouting)
Jay smiled.
Xavier, who had been looking away, glanced at Jay and unknowingly smiled.
Xavier (thinking): This girl is crazy!
All the papers were collected. One by one, forty-nine schools were announced.
Teacher: And the last one...
Jay nervously grabbed Sun's hand tightly. Sun looked at her, startled, but Jay didn't notice.
Teacher: Star Value High School!
Jay and her team shouted together in joy-except Xavier, who remained silent.
Jay suddenly realized she was holding Sun's hand and quickly let go.
Jay: S-sorry.
Sun said nothing, just smiled at her.
---
The selected 250 students were taken to a large hall. A teacher entered.
Joseph: Congratulations, students. I am Michael Joseph, Principal of Woods International School. From today, your three-month journey begins. Fifty rooms have been arranged for your fifty teams. And to guide you, we have Robin Knight-Captain of Woods School, tenth grade.
Robin Knight entered through the door. A murmur spread among the students, especially the girls-because Robin was very handsome.
He walked confidently to the mic.
Robin: I'm Robin Knight. At your service, twenty-four hours.
Everyone applauded. The girls couldn't take their eyes off him.
Robin's eyes landed on Jay-sitting in the third row, fourth chair, asleep. Completely unaware of what was happening. Robin smiled softly.
---
Sun's team was walking through the school.
Fumi: Wow, such a huge school! Even if we combine our school ten times, it won't be this spacious.
Suzanna: My Papa can buy five schools like this.
Xavier laughed out loud. Everyone looked at him. He immediately became serious again.
Sun and Jay were walking a bit behind.
Sun: Jay! Thanks to you, we can attend the competition.
Jay: Don't thank me. Thank Suzanna. She worked really hard.
Sun: You're such an idiot.
Sun tapped her forehead and walked away. Jay stood there, watching him leave.
---
Everyone went to their rooms and started unpacking.
Sun's team was on the eighth floor.
Jay came out of the room and walked outside. She wasn't feeling good. Suzanna's words were eating her up.
She stood near the railing. It felt like a storm was coming. The wind blew her hair-it felt nice. She opened her hair and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She loved stormy weather.
Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her and turned around. It was Robin-but Jay didn't recognize him, since she had been asleep earlier.
Robin: Are you thinking of doing something dangerous, miss?
Jay: A-actually, I was just looking around the school. (nervously)
Robin: Do you know me?
Jay: N-no.
Robin: Good. I'm your guide. Captain of Woods International School, tenth grade.
However... what's your name, Miss Sleepy?
Jay froze, unsure what to say.
Jay (thinking): Ugh, Jay. You've definitely messed up. Maybe going out at this time is forbidden. I shouldn't tell my name.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on Robin's watch-beautifully crafted with a red gem embedded.Jay thought something.
Jay: Red... I'm Red.
Robin smiled.
Robin: Wow! Nice name.
He stood beside her, resting his hand on the railing. His hair fluttered in the wind.
Robin: You like stormy weather?
Jay nodded.
Robin: Me too.
Then he walked away.
Behind them, Xavier was standing quietly-unnoticed by anyone.