Later — The Wait-Out
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They returned to thunderous congratulations.
Eyes followed Ivy and Albert everywhere.
Albert was known for holding back unless it was life-or-death.
Today?
He didn't.
And Ivy… no one really knew her yet. All they knew was that she is a top student from Country A.
That was no longer enough.
Renzo was laughing hysterically in front of Group 11's mentor.
"You people get hyped over nothing," he wheezed. "My newbie wiped half your team in seconds!"
He laughed so hard he dropped to the floor, clutching his stomach.
The other mentor scoffed and stormed off with his injured team.
"That was a solid strategy, boss," Lily said, eyes shining. "But why change it?"
"Yeah," Fiona added. "You said Zoe's plan worked."
Zoe didn't speak.
But she was watching George closely.
"It wasn't my idea," George said. "It was Ivy's."
"…What?"
Zoe's head snapped toward her.
Ivy sat calmly, massaging Albert's arm absentmindedly.
Sensing the stare, she looked up.
"What?"
"Why suggest changing the strategy?" Zoe demanded.
Lily instantly clung to Ivy's arm, curious.
Ivy spoke calmly.
"Group 11 only stood a chance because they noticed your pattern. Even when you rotate the order, you always save your strongest for last. I don't know why other teams didn't notice. It was obvious."
Nathan let out a quiet laugh and tapped her shoulder.
"I said the same thing once. They told me to trust Zoe's plan."
He smirked slightly.
"Glad someone else sees it."
"Yeah, yeah," George waved it off. "Gloat later. Good thinking, Ivy. We finished in five minutes forty seconds."
He grinned.
"That puts us at number one."
Zoe stared at Ivy.
"She came up with it…?"
"Yup," Donald said casually, slinging an arm over Ivy's shoulder. "You're not half bad, kid."
Ivy calmly removed his arm.
"What if her plan backfired?" Zoe snapped. "It was reckless."
"Zoe—"
"So now you're calling our top fighters weak?" Ivy stared at Zoe curiously
"That's not what I said."
"That's exactly what you meant."
"Stop twisting my words," Zoe said sharply. "You put yourself among the strongest and removed Nathan. That's selfish."
Ivy tilted her head slightly.
"So I'm the problem."
"You're new. Inexperienced. And you have anger issues."
"What makes you think that?"
"You tried to kill Donald two weeks ago."
George scratched his head, noticing people starting to stare.
"That's enough."
"No," Fiona said calmly. "Let her speak."
"At least not here," George insisted.
Ivy gave a small nod.
Zoe scoffed and walked away.
Then—
The announcement echoed through the building.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the tournament has been cancelled. Last year's lineup will be reused. We sincerely apologize."
The entire building erupted with complaints.
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Back Home
They returned in silence.
Lily bounced between Ivy and Albert, praising them nonstop.
Zoe's expression only darkened.
The moment they stepped inside—
"Enough!" Zoe snapped. "She's not a god. Stop acting pathetic."
"Why are you so mean?" Lily asked. "It's just acknowledgment no need to be rude."
"What did you say?"
Lily shrank back slightly.
Ivy pulled her behind her.
"Zoe," Fiona warned.
"She's fifteen," Donald said coldly. "You're just being a bitch."
Zoe's fists clenched.
Ivy gently rubbed Lily's head and turned to leave.
"It's all your fault!"
Ivy stopped.
Turned with a raised eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Don't act innocent," Zoe snapped. "You're turning everything upside down. And that stunt you pulled two weeks ago? You're a threat to this group."
"…Okay?"
Ivy looked genuinely confused.
Then she turned and left.
Zoe stormed out of the house.
"…What's gotten into her?" George muttered.
No one answered.
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Later
Ivy sat on her bed, headphones on, writing in her notebook.
Completely focused.
She didn't notice the door open.
Donald leaned against the frame, watching her.
His gaze moved around the room.
Two halves.
Zoe's side—dark, sharp...just black. Almost gothic.
Ivy's—soft purple tones.
A white guitar rested on her chair.
Books. Notes. Posters of a girl group: ALLSTARS.
His gaze returned to her.
And his mind drifted—
FLASHBACK
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Donald lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
George didn't even make it—he just dropped to the floor.
"Renzo is a menace… I can't feel my fists… or my soul…"
He rolled over.
"Yo, Rodriguez—Earth to idiot."
Donald didn't respond immediately.
"…Something's off," he muttered.
George sat up slightly.
"What?"
"…There's this pull."
"To?"
"…Ivy."
George blinked.
"Ivy?"
"Yeah. When I threw her… I felt it."
"Felt what?"
"Like I was the one who got slammed."
Silence.
George stared at him.
"…You're joking."
"I'm serious."
"…You're just horny."
Donald glared.
"Shut up."
"And it's not just that. Since the first day I saw her… I almost...growled."
George froze.
"…Maybe she's your mate."
Silence.
Then—
They both burst out laughing.
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Present
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"Would you stop staring? It's creepy."
Donald blinked.
Ivy hadn't even looked up.
"I know I'm pretty," she added calmly, "but relax."
He straightened slightly.
"…Do you want to go out?"
"…Today?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"…To get to know you?"
"That's weird."
"Just come."
"…Fine."
She stood.
Walked to her closet atd without hesitation—
Started changing.
Donald didn't look away.
At all.
His gaze paused on the tattoo on her arm, got lost in thought again.
She changed into Blue cargo jeans, White crop top, Black leather jacket and White sneakers then grabbed her phone.
"You're still in uniform," she said.
He smirked.
"You want me to give you the same show?"
She ignored him and walked out.
Back at Donald and George's room.
George looked up.
"Where are you going?"
Donald quickly changed his clothes to knee length white khaki pants and a blue shirt. He checked his reflection on the mirror and grabbed his shades.
"Getting my game back."
"With who?"
"Ivy."
Silence.
Albert popped up instantly from George's covers.
"Excuse me?!"
"I'm not playing her."
"Oh, so you're serious now? Wow. Pigs must be flying."
"Relax. I'm confirming something."
"…What?"
George sighed.
"He thinks she's his mate."
Albert froze.
"…Oh."
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Ivy and Donald made their way out of the campus.
They walked through a lively park.
Ivy was on her phone which Donald snatched.
"Hey—"
"I'll give it back later. Most girls would be trying to impress me."
Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Well lucky you."
"…Let's start with the ferris wheel."
"No."
"…Haunted house?"
Before she could refuse—
He dragged her along.
Haunted House
At the entrance—
Instant chaos.
Girls surrounded Donald, squealing.
"DONALD!!" "PLEASE A PHOTO!" "I LOVE YOU!"
"Sorry, Ivy—"
She grabbed his hand, dragging him through the crowd, straight inside. The doors shutting behind them.
Security blocked the others.
Inside—
Dark.
Narrow halls.
Fake webs brushed their faces.
Distant growls echoed.
Ivy walked ahead, removing props like they annoyed her personally.
Donald followed, confused.
"…You're not scared?"
No answer.
They reached three doors.
A couple hesitated nearby.
Ivy reached for one—
A boy blocked her.
"Beautiful—"
"Move." Ivy stared at the boy with a scowl.
He didn't care, just grabbed her hand.
Donald moved instantly.
Lifted him.
Set him aside.
"Wrong person."
He pulled Ivy into one of the doors.
Jump scares.
Screams.
Chaos.
He ignored everything.
Pulled her straight to the exit.
Outside, back at the open noisy atmosphere.
"Let's do something else." He suggested
"Food."
"Good."
At the stall—
The waitress smiled too much.
"What can I offer you?" The waitress said coily, attention fixed only on Donald, who unfortunately stared only at Ivy.
"Ivy?" He inquired
"Strawberry juice."
"What about you handsome?"
"Anything."
She left and quickly returned with beer and a tiny box of strawberry juice. Ivy took it with a raised eyebrow but said nothing.
Donald paid, ignoring her flirting.
"Babe, where next?"
Ivy blinked.
"…Me?"
"Who else?"
"Don't call me that."
"Why? We make a perfect couple. I suit you perfectly. Don't you agree?"
"My fists suit your face, don't you agree?"
She walked off.
Donald laughed and followed her.