The next day, Ammy woke up feeling unwell. Her body ached, and she realized she had caught a fever. Deciding it was best to rest, she messaged Kiddy, letting him know she wouldn't be able to make it to school. "Hey Kiddy, I'm not feeling well today. Can you catch me up on everything after school?" she wrote. Kiddy, always ready to help his friend, quickly replied, "Of course, Ammy. Get some rest, and I'll make sure you don't miss anything."
At school, Kiddy noticed that Ammy's absence didn't go unnoticed. Throughout the day, their friends kept asking him where she was. Lily was the first to inquire, her concern evident. "Is Ammy okay? She never misses school." Kiddy explained that Ammy had a fever and was resting at home, which seemed to ease their worries a bit. Sam, Mando, and the others also expressed their concern, and Kiddy reassured them that he'd be helping Ammy catch up on everything.
The morning passed uneventfully, but during the third period, the school PA system crackled to life. The principal's voice echoed through the hallways, announcing that all students were to gather in the school ground after lunch for a special assembly. Curious whispers spread through the classrooms as everyone wondered what was going on.
When the students gathered on the school ground, they were met with a surprise. Standing alongside the principal was a guest speaker—a army veteran, dressed in his crisp uniform, his medals gleaming in the sunlight. The principal introduced him to the students, explaining that the veteran had come to teach them about the importance of teamwork, particularly in high-pressure situations like those faced by soldiers.
The veteran stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. He spoke with authority and warmth, sharing stories from his career and emphasizing how essential teamwork had been in every mission he undertook. The students listened intently, captivated by his experiences.
After his talk, the veteran introduced a special partner game designed to build teamwork among the students. Each class was divided into pairs, and the students were given different tasks that required them to work together to complete. The activities ranged from simple problem-solving exercises to more physical challenges, all aimed at fostering communication and cooperation.
As the students began pairing up, Kiddy couldn't help but think about Ammy. He knew she would've enjoyed this kind of challenge, and it made him even more determined to help her feel included when she returned to school.
As Kiddy looked around the school ground, he began to wonder who his partner should be for the game. He spotted Sam and Lily already teaming up, their heads close together as they planned their strategy. Nearby, Mando and Harry were doing the same, leaving Kiddy on his own. He couldn't help but chuckle and mutter to himself, "That lucky bastard," as he watched Sam and Lily with a hint of envy.
Kiddy scanned the area, searching for someone else who might need a partner. That's when he noticed Felia, standing off to the side, also looking around for someone to pair up with. A memory of their last encounter flashed in his mind, making him smile. Felia had been shy but sweet, and he remembered how she had called him caring. Deciding to seize the opportunity, Kiddy walked over to her.
As he approached, Felia noticed him coming and immediately blushed, recalling the awkward yet endearing moment they had shared. Kiddy stopped in front of her, his usual confident smile in place. "Hey, Felia," he began, "I see you're looking for a partner. Want to team up with me?"
Felia hesitated for a moment, She thought about their last encounter and how kind Kiddy had been. After a few seconds of contemplation, she nodded and answered, "Yes, I'd like that."
With their partnership settled, they both turned their attention to the game. As the army veteran gave the signal to start, Kiddy and Felia exchanged a determined glance, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
The veteran introduces a challenge of tug of war with 6 players on each side, the air was filled with excitement. As he explained the rules, Kiddy quickly assembled his team: Sam, Lily, Harry, Mando, and Felia. Each member brought their unique strengths, and Kiddy knew they could win if they worked together.
Across the field, Kiddy's rival, Eric, was forming his own team. The tension between them was undeniable as they prepared for the match(kiddy's match was with Eric's team). When the whistle blew, both teams pulled with all their might. For several intense minutes, it was an even battle. The rope swayed back and forth, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.
As fatigue set in, Kiddy's team began to struggle. But Kiddy, always the motivator, urged them on with shouts of encouragement. His words reignited their determination, and they found a burst of strength. On the other side, Eric did the same, trying to rally his team. The rope inched back and forth, the outcome still uncertain.
Finally, with one powerful pull, Kiddy's team gained the upper hand and dragged Eric's team across the line. The whistle blew, and the match ended with Kiddy's team victorious. They celebrated with cheers, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
Kiddy approached Eric and offered a handshake. "Good match," he said sincerely. Eric, though disappointed, shook his hand with a nod of respect. The rivalry remained, but there was mutual acknowledgment of each other's efforts.
As they caught their breath and waited for the next event, Kiddy and his team felt a sense of pride in their teamwork. The match had been a challenge, but they had proven their strength and unity.
After four teams advanced past the first match, the second game was announced as a 2-player relay. Kiddy and Felia were paired up against Harry and Mando for the next round. As they got ready, Felia turned to Kiddy, her voice filled with concern. "I can't run that fast," she admitted, feeling the pressure. Kiddy gave her a reassuring smile. "Just run as fast as you can. I'll handle the rest."
With a sharp whistle, the match began. Felia and Mando took off first, and Mando quickly pulled ahead, his longer strides giving him an advantage. Felia tried to keep up, but the gap between them widened. She pushed herself harder, her breath becoming labored as the strain of the race started to wear on her. Kiddy, watching from his spot, shouted encouragement, "Just a few more steps, Felia, you've got this!"
Mando handed the relay stick to Harry, who bolted off in full sprint. A couple of seconds later, Felia reached Kiddy, handing him the stick and breathlessly saying, "WIN." Her words sparked something inside Kiddy, and he dashed forward, his focus razor-sharp as he closed the distance between himself and Harry in a matter of seconds.
Kiddy glanced over at Harry as he caught up. "Let's give everything we've got," he said, his competitive spirit flaring up. Both Kiddy and Harry pushed themselves to their limits, racing neck and neck as the finish line approached.
But as they neared the end, Kiddy tapped into his full speed, leaving Harry trailing behind. With a final burst of energy, Kiddy crossed the finish line first, securing the win for his team. Breathless but triumphant, Kiddy and Felia celebrated their victory, sharing a quick smile as they recovered.
After shaking hands with Harry and Mando in good sportsmanship, Kiddy and Felia took a break, grabbing some water as they waited for their third match, their excitement and adrenaline still buzzing from the thrilling relay.
The third match was team chess, a complete shift from the physical challenges of the previous rounds. Now, everyone would have to rely on their brains. Only six teams had made it past the second round, and it was clear that this stage of the competition would test a whole different set of skills.
Before the match began, everyone was given a short break. Kiddy, Felia, Harry, and Mando sat together, catching their breath and discussing what lay ahead. They chatted about their upcoming opponents—students from another class. Kiddy, ever cautious, mentioned, "I've heard they're really smart. They get top grades in their class."
Felia, however, didn't seem concerned. Leaning back, she gave Kiddy a confident look. "Don't worry, I've got this. Just trust me."
Kiddy glanced at her and nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Felia had already proven herself to be quick-thinking and sharp in previous interactions. They rested quietly, mentally preparing for what was about to come.
Their break was soon interrupted by their opponents, who approached them with a smug air, clearly trying to intimidate Kiddy and Felia. One of the opponents made a few snide remarks, trying to assert dominance before the match even started. However, Kiddy remained calm, giving them a uninterested side-eye, showing he wasn't the least bit rattled.
Just when the atmosphere felt tense, Felia broke the silence with a witty comment, something sharp and perfectly timed that immediately shut down the opposing team's attempt at intimidation. Caught off guard, their opponents quickly backed off, retreating with embarrassed looks on their faces.
Kiddy couldn't help but smirk as they walked away. "Nice one," he muttered to Felia. She just shrugged, a slight smile playing on her lips as they both prepared for the upcoming match.
Now, with the break over and their confidence intact, they were ready to face the next challenge. They knew this round would require strategy and patience, but with Felia's sharp mind and Kiddy's cool-headed approach, they were determined to win.
The match began with Kiddy and Felia seated side by side, quietly observing their opponents, waiting for them to make the first move. Their opponents, still trying to maintain an air of confidence, opened with a classic e4 move. Felia, quick on her feet, responded with d5, confidently initiating an aggressive counter.
Their opponents took the pawn, and without missing a beat, Kiddy brought out the queen early, increasing their attack potential. However, their opponents countered swiftly by bringing out the knight to c3. Felia was sharp and immediately defended their queen, placing the opponent in check on e6.
The game progressed evenly for a while, with both teams exchanging material and shuffling pieces across the board. It was a tense back-and-forth battle as each side calculated their next move carefully, knowing one mistake could cost them the game.
Then, with a sudden burst of tactical brilliance, Felia spotted an opening. She forked the opponent's king and queen, placing them in a difficult position. The move was a game-changer, and within seconds, their opponent realized they were about to lose their queen.
From that point on, the match was practically over. Their opponents, now deflated, accepted their fate and resigned the game. With humbled expressions, they apologized to Kiddy and Felia for their earlier overconfidence. Kiddy, ever gracious, simply smiled and said, "It's okay," as if their victory was all part of the plan.
Felia and Kiddy exchanged a victorious high-five, celebrating their teamwork and strategy. The tension melted away, and they both felt the thrill of their well-earned win. Soon after, the round was over, with only three teams left to advance to the next stage.
As the day drew closer to its end, there was just one final game left. Before the game, the students were given another short break. Kiddy, feeling slightly withdrawn, found a quiet spot under a tree and sat alone, his thoughts far from the noise of the day's events.
Felia, noticing Kiddy's absence from the group, came looking for him. She approached him with a curious look on her face and asked, "Why do you look like me, all quiet and thoughtful?"
Kiddy, caught off guard, chuckled. "I'm just thinking about Ammy," he admitted. "If she were here, it would've been so much more fun."
Felia raised an eyebrow, feeling a pang of concern. "Was it not fun with me?" she teased, though there was a hint of sincerity in her question.
Kiddy quickly reassured her. "No, it was fun, Felia! I'm just used to talking freely with Ammy. She gets me in a way that's different, you know?"
Felia understood and smiled softly. "Don't worry, Kiddy. She'll be back tomorrow."
Kiddy nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Yeah, thanks. You're right. Let's just focus on the game for now."
Satisfied, Felia sat down beside him under the shade of the tree. After a brief pause, she broke the silence. "Thanks for letting me join your group, Kiddy," she said, her voice carrying a touch of emotion. "And thanks for making me your friend."
Kiddy, touched by her words, grinned. "Don't mention it. You're part of the group now, and I'm glad you're here."
They sat there for a while, enjoying a quiet moment of togetherness, no words needed to express the growing bond between them. There was something comforting in the silence as they both shared a simple yet significant moment.
Just then, their friends came calling. "Hey! The last match is about to start!" Sam shouted, waving them over.
Kiddy and Felia stood up, sharing one last smile before joining their friends for the final game of the day.
They made their way to the school ground, where they were informed about the final game of the day. To their utter shock, the game was a bizarre combination of both intelligence and strength. One member of each team had to physically carry the other, while the person being held answered a series of questions.
Kiddy and Felia exchanged wide-eyed looks, both utterly taken aback. "What kind of game is this?" Kiddy muttered, unsure whether to laugh or be horrified.
Just then, the veteran leading the activities pointed toward the screen and said, "Hey, don't look at me—I didn't create the game; that guy did!" he chuckled, gesturing toward a digital figure on the screen. The students couldn't help but laugh.
Despite the strange situation, Sam was gleeful, ready to give it his all. "This is going to be fun!" he exclaimed, clearly excited by the unusual challenge.
Kiddy, though thoroughly embarrassed, knew there was no backing out now. Trying to hide the redness in his face, he bent down and picked Felia up in his arms. Felia, equally flustered but determined, said nothing, though her face turned bright red. They both did their best to ignore their embarrassment and focus on the task ahead.Harry and Mando ,looking from the audience, giggling from what was going on.
As the game commenced, the teams were asked a series of questions, ranging from history to simple math. Each team answered most of the questions correctly, but whenever a team got one wrong, they were punished by having to balance on one leg for five seconds. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Kiddy and Felia worked well together, with Felia quickly answering the questions and Kiddy managing to hold her steadily.
However, things began to get more intense. The added pressure of holding someone for so long, combined with the heat and sweat, was taking its toll on everyone. One of the other teams eventually lost their balance and fell, leaving only Kiddy and Felia, and Sam and Lily's team still standing.
The competition was neck and neck, but Kiddy was struggling. The sweat on his hands made it harder to hold Felia securely, and she noticed. Blushing even more, Felia looked at Kiddy with a cute, embarrassed smile and asked, "Am I heavy?"
Her innocent question sent Kiddy's mind spiraling in embarrassment. The mere thought of answering made him lose his focus, and in a flustered panic, he lost his grip and fell, sending both him and Felia to the ground.
Sam's team erupted in celebration, having won the final game. Kiddy, lying on the ground, groaned as Felia looked at him, her face still flushed. "Sorry!" she whispered, equally mortified.
Kiddy shook his head, giving her an awkward smile. "No, it's not your fault. I just... got distracted," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
As they got up, their friends rushed over to tease them mercilessly. Sam, in particular, couldn't stop laughing. "You two looked way too close during that game! What's going on?" he teased, winking at Kiddy.
Felia, trying to hide her embarrassment, playfully punched Sam on the arm. "Don't get any ideas!" she muttered.
The teasing continued, but Kiddy and Felia just laughed it off. Despite the embarrassment, it had been a fun day, and the bond between them had only grown stronger. As the final game came to an end, they all left the field with tired bodies and light hearts, ready for what the next day would bring.
After the long and eventful day at school, Kiddy waved goodbye to his friends and headed home. Once he was back, he freshened up, exchanged a few words with his mother and then made his way to Ammy's house. Ammy had been unwell with a fever and couldn't make it to school, so Kiddy promised to help her catch up with everything.
When Kiddy arrived, Ammy welcomed him with a tired but happy smile. She led him to her room, where Kiddy immediately asked how she was feeling. "I'm doing better," Ammy assured him, though her face still looked a bit pale. Kiddy then filled her in on everything that had happened that day—schoolwork, the funny games, and the partner challenges. He shared all the notes she missed, making sure she didn't fall behind in class. As Kiddy recounted the tug-of-war and relay race, Ammy listened intently, a small flicker of jealousy crossing her mind, though she kept it hidden behind her smile.
After discussing the day's events, Ammy began jotting down the notes Kiddy brought for her. They both quickly wrapped up the schoolwork, and soon, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They joked about the ridiculous games at school and laughed about how Kiddy got teased for the final game where he had to carry Felia. Ammy playfully nudged him. "Did you drop her because she's heavy or because you were embarrassed?" she teased.
Kiddy groaned, rubbing his face. "I told you! I got distracted," he laughed, shaking his head. Their laughter filled the room, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed between them, despite Ammy's absence from school that day.
Just then, Ammy's mother entered the room, carrying a tray with drinks and snacks. She smiled warmly at Kiddy. "Here, you must be tired from all that running around today," she said, handing him a glass. She sat down with them, chatting casually and asking about their day. After a few minutes of conversation, Ammy's mom suggested, "Why don't you stay for dinner with us, Kiddy?"
Kiddy, feeling welcome and at ease, decided to call his mom to ask if he could stay. When his mother gave her approval, Kiddy agreed to stay for dinner, much to Ammy's delight. Ammy, who had been feeling a bit left out earlier, now felt happy that Kiddy was with her, catching up and spending time together like usual.
Dinner was a cozy, relaxed affair, filled with light-hearted conversation. Ammy's father asked Kiddy about school, and her mother made sure he had plenty to eat. Ammy, feeling more comfortable, was glad to have Kiddy stay a little longer. After dinner, they spent some more time together playing a few simple games, laughing and enjoying the evening as if they had no worries in the world.
As the evening grew late, Kiddy finally said goodbye. "Thanks for having me over," he said to Ammy's parents as he stood at the door. Turning to Ammy, he added with a smile, "Get well soon. We need you back in class."
Ammy nodded, smiling back. "I'll be back tomorrow. Don't worry."
As Kiddy walked back home, Ammy felt relieved. Even though she had missed school, Kiddy's visit had reassured her that their friendship was still as strong as ever. With her heart light, she went to bed that night, feeling content and happy. She slept peacefully, knowing that Kiddy had made her day better.