The celebration was deafening.

Royal heights high students surged toward the stage like a wave, chanting Zhiyong’s name. Banners flew, phones recorded, and even the teachers clapped with pride. He didn’t even flinch at the attention—just stood there, lollipop back in his mouth, like the whole thing bored him.

Aurelina forced a smile as the cameras turned. She stood beside him, hands neatly clasped, face glowing for the press.

“Brilliant performance from both of you,” one of the organizers said, snapping photos.
“Top two from the same school that’s rare,” another added.

Aurelina nodded graciously. She even gave Zhiyong a pat on the shoulder.

But inside?

She wanted to snap that lollipop in half.

BACKSTAGE

The moment the curtain fell, she slipped out of sight. Away from the crowd. Into the hallway behind the auditorium where the overhead lights flickered and the smell of old wood lingered.

She unclenched her fists.

She hated the way he’d stood like a king. She hated how the audience forgot her three flawless rounds because he’d spoken one beautiful proof. And most of all, she hated how nobody saw it how he'd been holding back all this time.

Letting her think they were on the same level.

He’d tricked her. Not with words but with ease. She’d been climbing a mountain she thought they were climbing together.

Turns out, he was already at the top. Watching her struggle from above.

You were incredible out there.”

His voice. Behind her.

She turned, slow. Cold.

Zhiyong stood there, hands in his pockets, and the lollipop was gone now. He looked relaxed. Calm. Fake.

“Thanks,” she said flatly.

“We make a good team, don’t we?”

She tilted her head.

“Team? We weren’t a team. You just didn’t bother crushing me until it mattered.”

He blinked. No smile now. Just quiet.

“It wasn’t personal.”

“It always is.”

A beat of silence. She stepped closer.

“Here’s the thing, Zhiyong. I don’t want your pity. Or your praise. You played me. That’s fine. But don’t stand here and pretend we’re friends.”

“I thought we were,” he said softly.

She gave a small laugh.

“That’s your mistake.”

Then she turned and walked away heels clicking like daggers on marble.

****

BACK IN THE AUDITORIUM

Zhiyong didn’t follow. Didn’t call out.

But he didn’t smirk either.

Because for the first time… he looked unsettled.

Not because he won.

But because he realized Aurelina hadn’t lost to him.

She was just getting started.

A/N looks like there is trouble in paradise.

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