Chapter 4: Face the Game [2]

The second the words left Mrs. Hara's mouth, the whole class buzzed with excitement. Some girls whispered to each other, some shot glances at the names on the board, while a few were already eyeing their competition.

I, on the other hand, was just sitting here, regretting every life choice that led to this moment.

Mrs. Hara clapped her hands twice, bringing the chatter to a halt. "Alright, settle down. Since we're moving forward with the contest, I'll explain the verification process. This isn't just some popularity vote where you bribe your friends with candy—" she shot a sharp look at some girls in the back, who instantly stopped giggling, "—there are rules, and only those who qualify will proceed."

She turned to the board, tapping the list of names. "These ten candidates will undergo a verification stage. That means we will confirm if each of you meets the baseline requirements to compete. This isn't just about being pretty."

A girl near the front raised her hand. "What are the requirements, Ma'am?"

Mrs. Hara smiled like she'd been waiting for someone to ask. "Good question. To qualify, each of you must pass three criteria: academic standing, attendance record, and overall reputation."

I nearly choked. Reputation? Well, shit.

"That means," she continued, pacing in front of the class, "if you've been skipping classes, failing tests, or constantly getting into trouble—" her eyes flickered toward me, great, thanks, "—you might not even make it past verification."

Some girls sighed in relief, probably thinking they had this in the bag. Others suddenly looked nervous.

"So, if any of you have… let's say, a 'colorful' history," her tone was pointed, "you better hope you've cleaned up your act. Because if you fail verification, your name gets scratched off. No exceptions."

A girl named Keira, one of the obvious front-runners, raised a perfectly manicured hand. "So, who handles the verification?"

Mrs. Hara smirked. "The school administration, of course. They'll check all your records and finalize the list. Results will be out after lunch."

I exhaled slowly. Okay. So maybe, just maybe, I still had a chance to get out of this mess. My grades weren't bad, my attendance… yeah, okay, not perfect, but not horrible. And my reputation? Well. That was debatable.

I just had to wait. And hope.

Because if I got through verification?

Then I was actually in this damn contest.

I leaned back in my seat, tapping my fingers against my desk. This verification thing? Perfect excuse to tank my chances. If I didn't want to get dragged into this circus, all I had to do was fail. Simple.

I could skip a class. Miss a homework submission. Maybe even start a harmless little rumor about myself. Nothing major—just enough to get my name scratched off the list.

No contest, no problem.

But just as I was settling into that plan, a couple of girls two rows over started whispering—loud enough for me to catch a few words.

"You know, the Face of Nexus basically gets VIP treatment, right?" one of them said, twirling a strand of her hair.

"Yeah, I heard last year's winner got a full scholarship. And free access to any school facility. Gym, studios, even the private lounges the seniors use!"

Wait. Hold on. What?

"And don't forget the connections. They get invited to exclusive events, meet top-tier seniors, and even get scouted for modeling gigs. Like, real opportunities."

"Oh, and the shopping credits. God, imagine getting a whole new wardrobe just for winning."

I sat up a little straighter, my plan to fail suddenly not looking so smart. Free access to everything? No more worrying about having to ask permission to use school facilities? And a damn scholarship?

That was serious.

I chewed the inside of my cheek, pretending not to care while my brain went into overdrive.

If I backed out, life would go on as usual. I'd deal with my classes, avoid unnecessary attention, and keep my head down.

But if I played along—if I actually tried—then I might end up with something way bigger than just some dumb title.

Damn it.

I hated that this was starting to sound like a good idea.

I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hand, mind racing. Alright, let's say I actually went for this. How the hell would I win?

From what I gathered, there were three rounds. First, they'd cut the ten down to five. Then, only two would make it to the final. And finally, one would take the crown. Which meant…

It wasn't just about looks. If it were, they could've just picked a winner already. No, there had to be more to it.

I needed to figure out what the hell these challenges would be.

I tapped my fingers against my desk, thinking. Popularity played a role, obviously—this was a voting-based competition, after all. Which meant if I wanted to make it through, I'd need people on my side. Shit. That was already a problem. I wasn't exactly the social butterfly type.

Then there were the actual tests. Miss Hara wouldn't throw us in without some kind of criteria. If it was just about being pretty, they'd have skipped straight to a photo shoot.

Charm? Elegance? Maybe something like a public speaking challenge? I could try to fake that.

Or maybe they'd test how we carried ourselves in different situations. If this was about representing the school, then handling pressure had to be part of it.

I exhaled sharply, glancing at the other contestants. Mira, Keira, Sabrina, and the rest—most of them were built for this kind of thing. I bet they'd been dreaming about this moment for years.

Me? I was just trying to live my damn life.

But if I was going to do this, I wasn't about to lose.

First step? I needed info. I had to find out what the previous winners did, what the judges looked for, and how to control the votes. If it was all about being a crowd favorite, then I needed to make people like me—or at least respect me enough to vote for me.

And if I was playing to win?

Then I was gonna play dirty.

The first step of the contest? Profile photos.

A crew from the school's media club was already setting up a backdrop in the hall. They called each of us one by one, adjusting lighting, angles, and making sure we looked "perfect."

When it was my turn, I stepped up, schooling my face into something that wasn't too inviting but not completely cold either. A look that said, I don't care, but you should.

"Look directly at the camera," the photographer said.

I tilted my head slightly, a hint of a smirk playing at my lips. Confidence, mystery—people loved that shit.

Click.

One shot. I was done. No extra poses, no adjustments. Let them work with what they got.

After the shoot, we were all directed to the canteen. Apparently, they wanted the ten candidates to "get to know each other."

Translation: sizing up the competition.

I grabbed a drink and slid into a seat at the far end of the table. The others trickled in, chatting, laughing—except for a few who, like me, were just watching.

Mira L., the classic ice queen, sat with perfect posture, exuding effortless elegance. Keira V., the social butterfly, was already working the room, flashing a dazzling smile at everyone. Sabrina H., who had a kind of quiet confidence, sipped her tea while observing. Tasha S. and Rika F. were deep in conversation, likely forming an alliance. Lea B. kept glancing around like she was mentally ranking everyone here.

I stayed quiet, listening. Time to see what made these people tick. And, more importantly… how I could break them.

I wasn't stupid. If I didn't want to be part of this, I could've tanked my chances early. But then that little conversation I overheard kept nagging at me—the perks of winning. Connections, status, power. That was something I could use. And if I was going to play, I was going to win.

The canteen was buzzing with students, but our table was the center of attention. The other nine were already slipping into roles—some relaxed, some stiff, some clearly pretending they didn't care while secretly analyzing every move. Me? I was watching them all.

Mira L.—Poised, elegant, but too focused on maintaining a perfect image. She'd crack under pressure.

Hana C.—Friendly, maybe too friendly. People-pleaser type. Easily influenced.

Keira V.—Sharp eyes, sharper words. Competitive. She saw this as a battlefield.

Aria K.—Quiet, observing. Could be a dark horse if underestimated.

Sabrina H.—The classic "too pretty to lose" girl. All confidence, no depth.

Tasha S.—Cheerful, but there was something calculating about her. Dangerous.

Viona A.—The kind who looked harmless but had her own agenda. A wild card.

Rika F.—Genuinely sweet. Too soft for this game.

Lea B.—Already acting like she won. She'd be the first to fall.

I leaned back, playing with my drink. If I was going to win, I needed to start now. Build allies, weaken threats, and make sure when the final vote came, no one even considered another option.

I let my shoulders slump just a little, exhaling softly like I was already bored of this. It was important that they didn't see me as a threat—not yet. If they did, they'd try to push me out early. No, I had to be the quiet storm, the wolf in sheep's clothing.

At first, I considered tanking this competition. If I didn't want to be part of it, all I had to do was fail spectacularly. But then, those gossipy little whispers from earlier wouldn't leave my head. The winner gets perks. Influence. Power.

That was something I could use.

So, if I was going to play? I was going to win.

I hid my smirk behind my drink. This was going to be fun.

Tasha was the first to steer the conversation. "So," she said, voice light, casual. "What made you all join? Fame? Status? Or maybe you just love attention?"

That was a test. A trap, even. She was trying to see who would bite, who would admit they were in it for selfish reasons.

Sabrina laughed, flipping her hair—again. "I mean, who wouldn't want to be the face of the school? It's practically a VIP pass for everything."

Lea snorted. "Yeah, and connections. Imagine being personally invited to every high-end school event."

Mira gave a graceful smile. "For me, it's about representing beauty and elegance. A role model for others to admire."

Keira rolled her eyes. "It's a competition. Winning means proving you're the best. That's it."

They were being honest, but that was their mistake. Me? I had a different strategy.

I sighed dramatically, running a hand through my hair. "Honestly? I'll probably lose in the first round," I muttered with a small, sheepish smile. "I mean, look at you guys. You all seem way more into this than I am."

Hook.

Viona tilted her head, intrigued. "Wait, you're not interested in winning?"

I shrugged, offering a lazy grin. "I got dragged into this. Someone suggested my name, and, well… here I am."

Bait taken.

Rika frowned. "That doesn't seem fair. If you don't want to do it, why not just drop out?"

I gave a helpless chuckle. "And disappoint my 'supporters'? That'd be rude."

Sabrina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Please. If you're not serious, you should just step aside."

Perfect. I just let them assume I was weak. That I wasn't competition. Let them believe I was just another name on the list, someone they didn't have to worry about.

That way, when I did start playing?

They wouldn't see me coming.

The conversation drifted, bouncing between idle chatter and thinly veiled competition. I kept my expression easy, relaxed—playing the role of the indifferent underdog. Every word, every reaction, was carefully calculated.

They weren't my enemies. Not yet. But this wasn't just a simple contest; it was a battlefield in disguise. And the smartest move in a war? Make them underestimate you.

Tasha tapped her nails against her cup, eyes flicking between us. "So, what do you guys think the first round is gonna be?"

Aria, who had barely spoken, finally chimed in. "Something to weed out the weaker ones fast."

Sabrina scoffed. "Weaker ones? Please. They wouldn't make us do something embarrassing on the first day."

Hana giggled. "You sound nervous."

Sabrina's face twitched. Interesting. So, she cared about perception. That meant her confidence had a limit.

Lea smirked. "Well, whatever it is, we just need to make sure we get through. Only five of us will make it, right?"

Right. Five. Then two. Then one.

I feigned a stretch, sighing. "Welp, guess I'll just enjoy my time before I get kicked out first."

Rika, bless her naive little heart, frowned. "You keep saying that. But you got chosen for a reason."

I shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe they just needed to fill up the numbers."

Mira smiled politely. "Or maybe you're pretending to be weaker than you are."

Ah. She's sharp.

I chuckled. "Oh no, you caught me. My evil master plan of… not trying."

They laughed, and the tension in the air loosened just a little. Good. Let them think I'm harmless.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. As we gathered our things, Tasha shot me a sideways glance.

"See you in the first round, Collin," she said smoothly, eyes unreadable.

I smiled back, equally unreadable. "Can't wait."

I wasn't sure what the first challenge would be, but one thing was certain:

I wasn't here to play fair.

When the break ended, we were herded back into the classroom, and the air was thick with tension. Mrs. Hara stood at the front, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she held a clipboard in one hand and tapped her fingers against the desk.

"I hope you've all had time to think, because this is where things get interesting," she announced, her gaze sweeping over us. "As I said before, only five of you will advance to the next round. The voting begins now."

A murmur rippled through the room as students pulled out their phones, scanning the QR code on the board that led to the voting page. The entire first-year student body would be casting their votes, and I knew exactly how this was going to play out. Popularity would carry some, but strategy? That was what would decide the real contenders.

I glanced at the other candidates. Some were trying to look unaffected, while others—like Keira—were openly competitive, sitting up straighter as if that would make her look more appealing. Sabrina tossed her hair, flashing a practiced smile at the students scrolling through their phones. Mira remained composed, her expression unreadable, but I caught the way her fingers drummed against her thigh—nervous.

Then there was me.

I slouched slightly, like I wasn't taking this seriously. Let them think I wasn't a threat. Let them assume I was just another face in the crowd. If they didn't see me coming, they wouldn't know what hit them.

"Voting will close in thirty minutes," Mrs. Hara continued. "In the meantime, I suggest you start thinking ahead. Because if you make it through, the next challenge won't be so easy."

I smirked to myself. Good. I didn't want easy.

The break ended faster than I wanted, and before I knew it, we were all being ushered back to the auditorium. The air felt charged, anticipation thrumming through the crowd as students shuffled into their seats. The ten of us were lined up at the front, facing everyone. It was like standing in a gladiator pit, except instead of swords and shields, we had reputations and popularity at stake.

Mrs. Hara stood at the podium, her expression calm but sharp. "As you all know, the first round of voting has officially closed. The five candidates with the highest votes will move on to the next round."

The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. Some girls looked confident, others nervous. I kept my expression neutral, arms crossed as I watched Mrs. Hara unfold a paper with the results.

"In no particular order, the five candidates moving forward are..."

A pause. A smirk twitched at my lips. Dragging it out, huh? Classic.

"Keira V."

Polite applause. Keira didn't react much, just gave a small nod, but I caught the way her fingers curled slightly—restrained excitement.

"Tasha S."

Another round of claps. Tasha beamed, flashing a grin like she'd expected it. Maybe she had.

"Sabrina H."

Sabrina flipped her hair, looking completely unfazed. Typical.

"Collin K."

Ah, there it was. The mix of reactions. Some surprised, some annoyed, a few expected. I just offered a small, knowing smile and a shrug. Like I hadn't just steamrolled my way into the top five.

"And lastly... Mira L."

Mira exhaled like she'd been holding her breath. Her relief was obvious, which meant she had doubts about making it through. Interesting.

Mrs. Hara clapped her hands once. "Congratulations to our top five. The next round will be even tougher, so be ready. And to those who didn't make it—thank you for participating." That was it. Short, cold, efficient.

"Those of you eliminated, don't take it personally," Mrs. Hara said, but I could already tell they were. "You'll have plenty of other opportunities in the future."

Yeah. That didn't mean they'd let this go.

I could feel their eyes on me, burning holes into my skin. Like this was my fault. Like I was the one who personally kicked them out. I gave them the tiniest, most innocent smile. That only made it worse.

As soon as we were dismissed, Sabrina was the first to storm out, practically slamming the door behind her. Lea wasn't far behind, muttering something under her breath. Viona? She took her time, but when she walked past me, she made sure to give me a look. Not angry. Not sad. Something else. A quiet warning.

Yeah. I made enemies today.

Good.

I didn't need them to like me. I just needed them to watch their backs.

The real game had only just begun.