At Odds

Everyone from the cafe went outside to see the participants. The Circa did the same. They all look at the way the bunny was mentioning as a holographic arrow points to that direction.

"the defending champion...the home of talents in the east...they are one of a kind school where most programmers from the OLYMPIANS came from and are now working in prestigious companies with great discoveries and innovation...including the GS Tech companies." Drum rolls even louder and the band rejoices "Let's give a hand for the students of the Queen Aurora Technology and Science University!" applause held in every corner.

They saw the team of 8 walking towards their way wearing their smug but composed face that irritates Alex the most. They waved their hands to the bunny and all of the people who are staring at them in complement to the praises they've received.

"So, you came huh?" Alex exclaimed stepping forward to meet his old acquaintance. "I thought of you backing out.."

"You too... I thought you chickened out from last year's defeat, Alexander..." he stepped forward as well. He is the same height as Alex and almost the same built as well. He wore a thick pair of eyeglasses and his uniform had a pin of their logo on the collar.

"Why should I run from you, Michael?" Alex glared with threatening eyes. "I'm here to settle last year's fight.." he took a step a little closer.

"Bring it on!" said Mike who is also willing to aggravate the fire.

People around started to stare at them. Jayson knew what is going to happen so he pulled Alex from the back collar of his polo shirt and stood in the middle to stop the commotion.

"I'm sorry about that.." Jayson said, "He's just impulsive sometimes.." his eyes did not waver from another man's sight. "Nice meeting you again, QATSU."

"My apologies as well.... Ours is also an airhead and all.." dragging Mike from the center of the burning psy-war. He is a small-built teen who had a scar on his left eye. His black hair shimmers in the noon light of the city. He wore a vest over his uniform having a big print on the back saying, President. "Nice to meet you here, too. GSSTI."

"Yuri..." Michael whined, grinning in disappointment. "But, I tell you, Jay, last year's gonna happen again." Pointing a finger at Jayson. "But I'm looking forward to a good fight..."

"Bring it on!" Alex exclaimed. Jayson threw his hand on Alex's mouth to shut him up.

"We'll stand against you and steal the Crown this time, Yuri... remember that.." Jayson glared at him in return. "We didn't come empty-handed."

"I'll wait for you in the battlefield, Jay. We need to settle last year's conflict." Yuri replied. He looked in Tori's way and said, "Good luck on your new team, Tori.."

Tori looked surprised as well as frightened. She never heard his big brother complement her nor talk to her without a hidden agenda.

"You too, Yuri..." she barely replied.

It was the first time Sandra saw Jayson in serious mode for a long time. Seeing the students of the QATSU, she remembered their overwhelming defeat at the last year's convention.

"Ne, Sandra-chan... what happened between the two schools?" Michiyo asked. Her curly bangs bounced as she leaned towards Sandra.

"It was... well, something happened in the final battle at Aquarius last year."

"Ahh, it pissed me off just thinking about it," Andra added. "That was a close call. If only they didn't cheat."

"They did a dirty trick baiting Alex's pride and compulsiveness before that we lost the game when he charged haphazardly. We got the upper hand but in an instant, the table turned." Sandra said.

"That's why he's so hot-headed just by seeing them." Andra muttered.

"He always is like that though. But you know, they took advantage of the fact about his mom that time." Sandra said.

"What?!" Michiyo exclaimed. She immediately looked around as she covered her mouth to see if somebody saw her scream.

"It was this same time of the year when they held the convention at Aquarius...two weeks after the Flight Loki happened." Sandra's eyes held up and saw the nice weather of the city, clear blue in the summer sky; the wind blew from the ocean giving them dry feels. "...they provoked him and things happened. Jayson regretted what happened that he swore we'll win this time. He blamed himself for not stopping Alex before, but now, he will surely use his skill wisely."

"But this time is different..."

"Uhh" she disagreed "it's the same, at least for the two. Anyway, I never knew you had a brother, Tori.." Sandra said. "Not to mention it was QATSU's captain."

"He's not the type you want to show the world...if you knew him from last year, you know the reason why I don't wanna talk about him.." Tori said looking away from them.

"I'm sorry... let's just forget what happened and start anew.."

"Ma.. na..." Andra said. "Anyway, you know that Hachiro guy, I think he is a bit weird, right?"

The dry air felt cold in Sandra's nape. "What's weird with him?" she thought. She didn't want to feel irritated or mad but she felt her blood boil. "Why did you say so?" Sandra replied hesitantly, trying to cover her real feelings.

"I mean, we saw him talking to himself in the AR in the ship before, but, I also saw him talking to himself a while ago.." Andra grabbed a box of pretzels from her pocket.

"I saw it too!" Michiyo added, "He's mumbling to himself.., kinda scary.." she reached Andra's box and grabbed a piece of snack.

"We should consider space from him, I bet he's dangerous."

"Don't judge him!" Sandra exclaimed. She's angry but more likely she was hurt. She was hurt by just hearing them saying bad things about her friend; they don't even know a thing about him. She wanted to defend him, she wanted to say he's not a bad guy, that he's her friend; but she couldn't. All she did was look down to hold her breath and maintain her composure. She remembered her promise to him.

"What's wrong with you, Sandra?!" Andra asked, surprised by her reaction.

"Nothing.." She turned away and saw her friend standing away from them, alone. "I just don't want to hear insulting words. I mean, I guess he's not a bad guy or something... we should not judge him by that." Her voice turned cold.

"And there she goes with her philanthropism...." Andra said "Well, if that's what you say, we'll consider it somehow. But, I'm making my distance from him no matter what. I mean, it's better to be precautious, you know.."

"I will as well!" Tori said raising her hand.

"Sa.." the bunny said "All participants are requested to go on your respective rides to go on your venues for today's event. We have divided you into 5 groups who will explore the different places in the city as per scheduled. The assigned numbers are found in your watches, I hope you've activated it already."

"Activated? What does she mean?"

"I dunno..." they all looked confused.

"Won't we activate it when we are on the site?" Andi asked.

"The first event for this 3-day convention is the exhibit and will start at noon. You will venture to each location and clear events in the AR. The game will commence at 1500 hours. The goal of each place will be revealed once you reach the destination. Skill up and gear up. That's all I can say to conquer each place. The second event will happen tomorrow, team battles at the arena in the Scorpio building will commence at the same time. The third day will be a team quest where you will clear dungeons and mazes to get equipment and prizes. These events will all happen around the city so you should look forward to it! The overall winner will be awarded at the closing event. Anyway, I hope you will enjoy this year's convention participants, and may the power of the programming god be in your favor."

They all looked surprised by the fast-paced things they encounter. Hearing those words from the bunny, Qatsu leader Yuri turn to Jayson's way and said,

"Let's just settle stuff in the AR later... I'll wait for the Circa, Jay.. come with you all."

"Ahh, and we'll definitely win this time. No more of your shady tricks, Yuri.."

"Let's just see who falls from who.."

"Ahh.."

They turn from each other and went to their respective buses for the tour in their respective areas.

"Let's just meet up at the rendezvous point later, Circa.." Jayson said.

"Where was that again?" Andi asked.

"You aren't listening to the meeting, are you?" Andra replied.

"Sorry, I was a bit sleepy..."

"It's in front of the Scorpio building, Andi.." Jayson replied, "We'll stay at the hotel near it as Mr. Louige said.."

"Oh,, there... okay. I got it.."

"Saa... let's go there and have some fun!"

"Hai!"