Chapter 8 : Smoke and Mirrors

Jax was still chuckling, shaking his head like I was the most amusing thing he'd seen all day. I should've walked away. Should've ignored him and let him drown in his own bullshit. But my body stayed rooted to the spot, my fingers twitching from the way he'd grabbed my wrist earlier.

He stretched, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the punch. His uniform shirt lifted just enough to flash more of his abs, and—fuck—he knew exactly what he was doing. I looked away before he could catch me slipping.

"Still mad at me, sweetheart?" His voice was all honey and sin.

I scoffed. "Why would I be mad? This is just how you are. An annoying little shit who doesn't know when to quit."

Jax clicked his tongue, stepping in again—too damn close. He leaned down slightly, his breath fanning against my ear. "You sure that's all I am to you?"

A chill ran down my spine. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my face blank. "Yes."

His smirk deepened. "Mmm. That was a little too fast, Collie. Almost like you're trying to convince yourself."

I whipped my head toward him, fully ready to shut him down, but the bastard didn't move back. No, he stayed right there, his lips damn near close enough to brush against my temple. My pulse jumped.

"Cat got your tongue?" he murmured.

I forced myself to glare at him, but he only grinned wider.

"Y'know," Jax continued, voice dropping lower, rougher, "for someone so tough, you sure get flustered easy."

I wanted to punch him again, but that would just give him another excuse to go on about how much I liked touching him. Instead, I shoved at his chest—hard.

He staggered back half a step, laughing like I was the best entertainment he'd had all week. "Damn, Collie. I like it when you get rough, but at least buy me dinner first."

I nearly choked. "What?!"

Jax just winked. "What? You wanna skip to dessert?"

"Oh my fucking God—"

I turned on my heel, done. Absolutely done. I needed to get out of here before I actually murdered him.

"Hey, hey, don't run now!" he called after me, still laughing. "I thought we were having a moment!"

"Go fuck yourself, Jax!"

His laughter followed me down the hallway. "Aw, but that wouldn't be as fun as teasing you, sweetheart!"

Mrs. Hara's office door creaked open.

I barely had time to put some distance between me and Jax before her sharp eyes landed on us. Arms crossed, expression unreadable, she stepped out like a warden surveying her prison yard.

Jax, the bastard, didn't even have the decency to look guilty. He just stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels, his usual smirk still in place. "Afternoon, Mrs. Hara," he drawled, like he hadn't just spent the last five minutes being the biggest pain in my ass.

Mrs. Hara arched a brow. "Miller." Her gaze flicked to me, then back to him. "Is there a reason you're hovering around my student?"

"Hovering?" Jax echoed, feigning offense. "I was just having a friendly chat with Collie here."

I shot him a look. I will end you.

Mrs. Hara was unimpressed. "From what I saw, it looked more like you were annoying her."

Jax placed a hand over his chest like she'd wounded him. "You wound me, miss. Can't a guy show support for his—"

She held up a hand. "Enough. Find someone else to bother, Miller."

Jax grinned but didn't argue. "Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted." He turned to me, voice dropping just for my ears. "We'll finish our little moment later, sweetheart."

I wanted to punch him. Instead, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus as he sauntered off, his laughter fading into the hallway.

Mrs. Hara sighed, rubbing her temple like just existing in the same space as Jax had given her a headache. "That boy is insufferable."

Tell me about it.

"Come with me," she said,

I frowned. "Where?"

"The second contest is starting. I assume you still want to compete?"

I straightened. "Of course."

"Good. Then let's go."

I followed her down the hall, shaking off the irritation Jax had left behind. I needed to focus. The first contest had been rough, but this one—skin care and makeup—was my real battlefield.

The second contest was about to begin, and the air in the room felt thick with tension. Five of us stood in a sleek, modern-looking studio, bright lights reflecting off polished mirrors. Rows of high-end skincare and makeup products were neatly arranged on the tables in front of us, like weapons waiting for battle.

Mira, stood with her usual ice-queen posture, arms crossed and gaze distant, as if this whole thing was beneath her. Keira, tapped her fingers on the table, sharp-eyed and calculating. Sabrina, adjusted her hair for the tenth time, looking in the mirror more than at the judges. Tasha, all sugar and smiles, turned to me with that same wide-eyed innocence she had been radiating since the start.

And then there was me—Collin Kiryuu, the underdog playing dumb while trying to win.

"Alright, ladies," one of the judges, a woman with perfect skin and a no-nonsense voice, announced. "Your challenge today is simple: a full skincare routine followed by a natural, everyday makeup look. You'll be judged on technique, product knowledge, and the final result. Understood?"

A chorus of nods followed.

I rolled my shoulders, already feeling the pressure. Makeup wasn't my thing—I knew that. But I wasn't here to play by their rules.

Tasha, standing beside me, nudged my elbow slightly. "Hey, if you need help with anything, just ask me, okay?" Her voice was gentle, almost too kind. "I know this isn't really your thing, so... I got you."

I blinked at her. "Uh, thanks?" Weird.

"Begin!"

I immediately got to work, starting with the skincare part. This was where I had to shine. The others moved with practiced ease, their hands flying across their faces with confidence, but I wasn't gonna be left in the dust.

I cleansed, exfoliated, toned—going through every step that I had drilled into my head. I could feel the judges watching, but I didn't look up. The pressure was there, but I pushed it aside.

Then it happened.

I reached for my moisturizer—except it wasn't there.

What?

I froze, my eyes scanning the table. I knew I had placed it right there.

My heartbeat picked up, but I forced my face to stay neutral. I grabbed a different one from the selection provided, pretending like nothing was wrong.

From the corner of my eye, Tasha gave me a small, apologetic smile. "Oh no, did you lose something?"

I clenched my jaw.

It wasn't just the moisturizer. A few other key products had mysteriously vanished from my setup, things I had memorized and planned to use.

The realization hit me like a punch. This girl.

She had been playing sweet the whole time, setting me up from the start.

But I couldn't prove anything.

So I kept going.

I switched up my routine, adapting on the fly, using what I had.

When it was time to move on to the makeup, I focused harder, my hands steady despite the frustration bubbling underneath. The judges walked around, observing.

Then came the second hit.

As I applied foundation, a judge suddenly stopped in front of me, frowning. "Collin, did you mix something into your foundation?"

Huh?

"No?" I said slowly, my stomach twisting.

The judge lifted my bottle and held it up to the light. The liquid inside looked... off. Almost separated.

A hushed murmur spread through the room.

Another judge stepped in, took the bottle, and examined it. "It looks tampered with."

My hands curled into fists.

No.

No way.

I could see it—the way Keira's eyes narrowed, how Mira shifted slightly like she had already made up her mind.

They thought I cheated.

My heart pounded as I struggled to keep my expression neutral. If I reacted too strongly, it would look worse. But if I stayed quiet, I looked guilty.

Tasha's voice suddenly rang out, soft but concerned. "Oh no... Collin, did you—?" She hesitated, her big eyes filled with fake worry. "Maybe you grabbed the wrong product?"

A perfect performance.

The judges exchanged looks.

I forced myself to stay calm. I knew what this was. She had done something to my foundation, and now I was about to take the fall.

One of the judges turned to the head judge. "Should we disqualify her?"

My breath hitched.

No.

Not like this.

The room felt suffocating. I could feel their stares digging into me, the judgment already forming.

A slow, deliberate voice cut through the tension.

"I think we should take a closer look before making any decisions."

Mrs. Hara.

She stepped forward, arms crossed, eyes sharp. The room quieted instantly.

She walked over to my table, picking up the foundation bottle. Then she turned to the other products. Slowly, methodically, she checked them one by one.

Seconds stretched.

Then, her lips curved—not into a smile, but something dangerous.

She picked up another foundation bottle.

Tasha's.

The same brand, same shade.

She held them up side by side, then unscrewed both lids. Swiping a small amount from each onto her wrist, she rubbed them in.

And there it was.

A difference.

Subtle, but undeniable.

The color was slightly off.

Mrs. Hara's eyes flickered toward Tasha. "Interesting."

Tasha froze. "What—"

"Your foundation and Collin's are the same brand and shade, correct?" Mrs. Hara asked smoothly.

Tasha hesitated. "Y-Yeah?"

Mrs. Hara's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Then why does yours look different?"

Silence.

A heavy, suffocating silence.

The realization crashed over the room.

The judges looked at each other, murmurs breaking out.

Tasha's mask cracked, just a little. "I—I don't know! Maybe it's—"

Mrs. Hara didn't give her the chance.

She turned to the head judge. "I suggest checking the cameras. If someone tampered with a product, we'll find out soon enough."

Tasha's face drained of color.

Checkmate.

It didn't take long. The footage revealed everything—Tasha switching my foundation earlier, making it look sabotaged.

The gasps that followed were delicious.

Keira looked like she had been hit with a brick. Mira's perfect mask slipped. Sabrina just muttered, "Damn..."

And Tasha?

Gone was the innocent act. Her lips pressed together, fists clenched.

"Miss Tasha," the head judge finally said, voice ice cold, "you are disqualified."

Just like that.

Tasha looked like she wanted to argue, but it was over. She had played the perfect game, and still—she lost.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

And then, just for a second, my eyes met Mrs. Hara's. She didn't say anything. Didn't give me a reassuring smile or some dramatic speech.

But I knew. She had saved me. She was on my side. And damn, that felt better than winning.

With Tasha gone, the tension in the room shifted. It wasn't just relief—it was something sharper. No one said it out loud, but I could feel it. The others were watching me differently now.

Keira's eyes held something calculating, like she was reevaluating me. Mira, ever the ice queen, barely reacted, but I caught the way her fingers tapped against the table—a sign of impatience. Sabrina looked a little shaken, like she was just realizing how serious this contest actually was.

I rolled my shoulders, exhaling slowly.

I wasn't out of the woods yet.

The judges let the chaos settle for a moment before the head judge cleared her throat. "Now that we've handled that... let's continue."

No distractions. No more games. This was it.

Step 1: Base Makeup

With fresh foundation—one that wasn't tampered with—I focused on blending. Most of the others moved fast, working with confidence, but I took my time. I wasn't the most experienced, but I wasn't going to rush and mess up.

Mira's technique was flawless, almost robotic in precision. Keira worked like she was in a high-stakes negotiation—quick, efficient, and looking for any edge. Sabrina relied on instinct, but I noticed she didn't blend well near her jawline.

I wasn't the best, but I knew what I was doing. And now? I knew exactly what mistakes to look out for.

Step 2: Eyes

This was where things got serious.

The challenge was a natural look, which meant subtlety. No bold colors, no heavy eyeliner. Just enhancing what was already there.

Keira was the first to finish her eyes—soft brown tones that blended well. Mira followed, her look technically perfect but almost... too perfect. Like something from a magazine, but lacking warmth.

Sabrina struggled a little, adjusting her mascara a few times, her expression twitching in frustration.

I kept my strokes even, focusing on the small details. A little shadow to enhance depth, careful mascara to avoid clumps.

Then, Mira did something that made my stomach tighten.

She smiled.

Not at me. Not at anyone.

Just to herself.

Like she had already won.

Step 3: Lips & Final Touches

This was it. The last step.

I moved with precision, carefully applying a nude lipstick that suited my tone. Across from me, Keira went for a soft pink, giving her a fresh, youthful look. Sabrina chose something slightly glossy, while Mira's was a matte shade that screamed flawless model.

The judges observed every movement. They weren't just looking at our faces—they were reading us.

And then... time was up.

The head judge clapped her hands. "Hands off your tools. Step back."

A beat of silence passed.

Then, one by one, the judges walked forward.

They examined every detail—skin texture, blending, evenness. The way the makeup enhanced rather than masked.

I stood still, forcing myself to breathe evenly.

The whispers between them were quiet, but the tension in the room was loud.

Mira looked completely relaxed. Keira kept her chin high, confident. Sabrina fidgeted slightly.

"The winner of this round is..."

My heartbeat slammed against my ribs.

"Collin K."

Silence. Pure, absolute silence. I blinked.

Wait. What?

Mira's lips parted slightly, the first sign of a crack in her perfect demeanor. Keira's brows lifted, like she hadn't seen that coming.

Even I hadn't seen that coming.

But as the words sank in, I saw it—the slight nod from Mrs. Hara.

She knew. She had known from the start. And just like that, I realized something. I wasn't the underdog anymore.

The judges took a moment before speaking again. The tension in the air was thick—everyone was still recovering from the shock of my win. But there was still one more spot left.

"And…"

A pause.

"Mira L."

This time, there was no silence.

Mira exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. But I caught it—the way her shoulders stiffened for just a second before she schooled her face back into calm perfection.

Keira's lips pressed into a thin line, her jaw tight. Sabrina barely hid her disappointment, her fingers twitching against her skirt.

Mira didn't look at me. Didn't acknowledge me. But I knew.

She hadn't expected to lose to me. And just like that, the real game had begun.

I let out a slow breath, keeping my face blank even though my chest was tight as hell. The crowd? Loud. Applauding, cheering, whispering—all of it blending into this overwhelming buzz in the air. Every major, every year was watching.

And I—Collin Kiryuu—just passed the second round.

Tasha was gone. That snake thought she had me cornered, thought she was gonna slither her way past me, but nah—she got torched instead. My lips twitched, but I held back a smirk. No need to rub salt in the wound.

Still, I couldn't shake off the fact that I'd almost lost. The idea of getting kicked out, just like that, left a bad taste in my mouth. I clenched my fists. I gotta be sharper next time.

"Well done, everyone."

Mrs. Hara's voice cut through the noise like a blade. Cold, sharp, commanding attention without trying. The claps started dying down as she stepped forward, scanning the remaining contestants like she was sizing up a battlefield.

"You've proven yourselves worthy of advancing to the third round," she continued, her hands clasped behind her back.

The murmurs kicked up again.

"When is it?"

"What's the next challenge?"

"That was intense—what could be harder than this?"

I stayed quiet, still catching my breath. I could feel eyes on me—some impressed, some irritated, some still wondering how the hell I was still here. Whatever. Let them talk.

Mrs. Hara raised a hand, silencing the noise instantly. Damn, this woman had presence.

"The third round will take place next week," she announced. "Due to a tight schedule, we'll be postponing it to make room for two major upcoming events."

She paused, letting that sink in before continuing.

"First, the introduction ceremony for the Nexus Senior Faces—our top-ranked students. This is a significant tradition, as it showcases those who have excelled in their respective fields and will soon graduate."

More whispers. That was a big deal. The best of the best were gonna be put on display. I wasn't all that interested, but I knew some of these competitors probably idolized those seniors.

"Second," Mrs. Hara continued, her gaze flickering toward the crowd, "the upcoming Fighter Class Tournament."

My head snapped up at that.

Now that got the room exploding again. Fighter class students—especially the ones who actually trained for this—were buzzing.

"Wait, already?"

"Who's representing Nexus?"

"Is Jax in? What about Felix? Rio's a given, right?"

I knew what this meant. The real monsters were about to step into the ring.

Mrs. Hara let the noise ride for a moment before speaking again.

"This tournament is an interschool competition, meaning Nexus will be going up against other top-ranked academies. It is one of the most intense combat events of the year. Only the strongest will be chosen to represent our school."

That's when it hit me.

Felix. Jax. Rio. They were in this.

I glanced toward where the Fighter Class students usually sat during events. I couldn't see Felix—that bastard was probably hiding somewhere—but I spotted Jax, leaning back with that signature lazy smirk, like he already knew he'd make it to the top. Rio, on the other hand, sat stiff, arms crossed, eyes sharp—like he was already strategizing.

I exhaled slowly. This was gonna be big.

Mrs. Hara's gaze briefly flickered toward me before continuing.

"For now, rest. Next week will be a battlefield. Whether you're in the Beauty or Fighter Class, remember—Nexus only keeps the strong."

And with that, the second contest was over.