The tension was in the air. The final score count was almost done, and teacher Rubi was ready to deliver the big news.
Miyu was extremely nervous, her concern about the result was visible in her expression. Naoko, on the other hand, was calm, she knew she had done her best on the test and now waited attentively for the results. Adonis seemed a bit anxious but didn't show it. To anyone watching, the red-haired boy looked perfectly composed.
Teacher Rubi picked up the microphone, giving her usual mischievous and teasing look, as if she had something huge to reveal. Facing the cheering crowd, she raised her voice and began:
"READY? This year was different from all the others, so we'll start by announcing... the First Place!!"
The students froze in anticipation, and an overwhelming silence filled the gymnasium. Everyone waited to hear who had become the smartest student in the school. After a dramatic pause, Rubi continued:
"In first place in the Questions and Answers competition... NAOKO FROM THE OCEANICS!!"
The news was met with loud cheers from the third-year students. Naoko celebrated modestly, but her happiness was clear. The senior classes began chanting together, "UH! THIRD YEAR! UH! THIRD YEAR!" the familiar cry repeated every year.
But the announcements weren't over yet. Once the excitement settled, teacher Rubi went on:
"That's right! The Third Years celebrate! But the special news is that this year, for the first time ever, we have a tie! Adonis from the Glaciers, Miyu from the Firefighters! Both earned second place!"
The classes erupted in excitement again. The second-place score was worth more than the third, so in a way, both teams were winning.
However, when people looked at the two smartest students in the school, as they were known and whispered about in the hallways, neither of them seemed particularly happy. Miyu was stunned, frozen in place. Adonis frowned, clearly displeased with the result.
After a brief silence, Adonis broke the ice.
"Hey, shorty, looks like we tied." Adonis said, teasing her.
"So what?" Miyu asked, sounding slightly annoyed.
"It means we haven't settled our score yet! But don't worry, I'll come up with something!" he said with a mischievous grin, clearly implying another challenge.
"Drop it already!" Miyu replied, crossing her arms and frowning.
Teacher Rubi waited for the noise to die down again. This time, her cheerful expression turned serious. Everyone could tell she had something important to say, and the room fell silent.
"Now, I have one more announcement! The art contest WILL NOT BE CANCELED! Accept that people develop different skills. If you don't know how to do something and it bothers you that someone else does, then practice and learn it too!"
She paused for a moment to let her words sink in.
"And the winners of the mural contest are the Firefighters!" she announced.
Joy filled Yukino's heart. For the first time, she truly felt like she had achieved something. She gave a shy smile, her cheeks flushing, a rare sight for her.
The School Tournament had finally come to an end! The results were written on a huge sheet of kraft paper that was hung on the courtyard bulletin board for an entire week.
SCHOOL TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
1st – Oceanics
2nd – Glaciers
3rd – Firefighters
Later, whispers began spreading through the hallways. Aino was the first to find out what it was about and ran to tell the group.
"Hey! They said all participants will get one extra point in their grades because of their effort!"
"I told you so!" Yukino teased, well accustomed to how the tournament always worked.
Planet Finalia
That day, on the dense planet Finalia, Ayami's chamber had a visitor. After so many days since the start of the mission, the sovereign was growing impatient.
"Anything to report after a month on Earth?" Ayami asked.
"It's quite a curious planet. It doesn't take long to get used to acting like them. There are many different kinds of people, but I was lucky to be accepted quickly. That made it easier to bring the others to Earth." Itzel replied, sitting on the large, spacious sofa in Ayami's room.
"But why the delay? You're testing my patience. I didn't send you there to play tourist." Ayami said sharply, glaring at him.
Despite her harsh tone, he remained calm as he answered.
"With Adonis already at the school, it should be easier to find them. The problem was Koa's case, so we need to stay discreet."
"Ah, yes... that issue... Well, Itzel, you're the one who adapts best to situations. Handle it. Now leave."
"Thank you very much, Lady Ayami! I appreciate the compliment!"
Ayami stayed in her room, staring out toward the planet Finalia. Meanwhile, Itzel rose from the sofa and walked toward the door to leave.
As he walked down the corridor, he stopped in front of a room with a rose-shaped handle.
"Rose, may I come in?" he asked after knocking.
The door quickly opened. Rosalia appeared, smiling brightly when she heard her beloved's voice.
"Itzel! You're back..." she said excitedly, but her words soon trailed off.
She looked him up and down, her expression shifting to one of surprise and mild disapproval.
"Hm? What are those clothes, Itzel?" she asked.
"Do you like them? I bought them to blend in with the humans! They've got all sorts of styles, and I liked this one!" he said proudly, showing off his black knit jacket.
Itzel looked quite cheerful talking about his new outfit, which was much more polished than the style he usually wore back on Finalia. Rosalia didn't like it at first, but she decided to let it go after seeing how happy he was.
"Well, come in!" she invited.
She hurried inside, took off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed. Then she patted the blanket lightly, inviting Itzel to join her.
"Why didn't you come visit me? It's been almost a month since we last saw each other," she said with a smile.
"I've been busy with the mission. Once it's over, I'll come for you, I promise." said Itzel as he took off his jacket.
He sat on the edge of the bed, placing the jacket beside him. Rosalia moved closer and began to massage his shoulders. Surprised by what he said, she asked:
"Come for me?"
"I'm making arrangements. Soon I'll have a place for us both! It'll be small. I'd need another job to afford a bigger one." he explained, sharing his plans.
"Itzel, my love! Did someone brainwash you?" Rosalia asked, shocked.
"Haha! I'm fine! It's just that the humans I met are really nice!" he laughed.
"But who in their right mind would want to live on Earth?" she asked, annoyed.
"Well, the air there is better than here." he explained. "Besides... Finalia is dying."
"But... Ayami promised us a new home if we conquered Earth for her." Rosalia argued, hugging him tightly.
"But what if that's not true? Haven't you heard the rumors that she destroyed another planet?" he asked, holding her hand gently.
"If that were true, I think she would've been punished. Those must just be rumors." she replied.
Rosalia released her embrace and placed her hands on his face, kissing him softly.
"I just want the two of us to be together, happy, with two children running around our backyard." Rosalia confessed, sharing her dreams.
"Two children?" he asked, startled for a moment. Guess I'll need to work harder, he thought, but didn't say it aloud, he didn't want to dampen her mood.
"Itzel... don't leave..." she whispered.
"I can only stay for tonight." he said.
They kissed passionately. Itzel laid her gently on the bed. Rosalia felt that something was different about him that night. Her heart was racing. His touch was softer, more loving. She couldn't tell if it was just the longing or if he was truly changing.
They spent the night together. The next morning, they said goodbye, and he returned to Earth with no idea when he would see her again.
April 5 – Morning – School
It was Monday morning, the first regular school day after the week of the tournament. The students were sluggish, not very motivated for classes.
"All right, first years! Outdoor math today, so it hurts less." the teacher joked.
The math teacher had decided to try something different and took the students outside for class. The chosen spot was the open basketball court next to the covered soccer court.
"Sounds like... a ball?" one student asked.
"The second years are in P.E.." another explained.
"If we were in the classroom, it'd be you guys yelling." another student teased.
They could hear the sound of a ball being kicked and students cheering. The teacher didn't seem to mind much; the noise from the game was less irritating than the usual classroom chatter.
Class went on normally. Students worked in small groups when suddenly a loud, sharp sound pierced the air, a whistle. It was Adonis. No one knew who he was whistling at until he called out:
"MIYU!"
Miyu jumped in surprise as her classmates turned to look at her. She wanted to disappear out of embarrassment.
"ARE YOU DEAF, MIYU? COME HERE!" Adonis shouted again.
After being called twice, there was no ignoring him. Miyu turned and saw the boy shouting for everyone to hear. She stood up abruptly, visibly irritated, something rare for her. No one had ever tested her patience like Adonis had in less than a month.
She marched toward him, her classmates watching curiously. With clenched fists and stiff posture, everything about her screamed annoyance.
"Hey! You heard me!" Adonis said cheerfully.
He didn't even seem to notice that Miyu, walking straight toward him, was angry. It was as if he was completely oblivious to body language, his goal had been to call her, and he had succeeded.
Standing before him, Miyu, at 1.50 meters tall, had to look up to meet the eyes of the 1.75-meter-tall Adonis. She frowned, her green eyes locking onto his blue ones.
"What are you doing?" Miyu demanded indignantly.
"What? I just wanna make you a proposal!" Adonis replied casually.
His carefree tone completely clashed with her irritation. What kind of proposal could be so urgent?