"Congrats, bro! I honestly didn't think you'd win, especially with how intense the competition was."A stocky thirteen-year-old boy grinned as he patted the back of a younger boy beside him — twelve years old, lean but balanced in build, with bright, eager eyes.
"Oh, come on, Jean," the younger boy replied with a smile. "It's not like I did the project alone. You came up with a ton of ideas that made us successful. So congrats to you too."
The two laughed together. These were Jean and Shawn — best friends, partners in mischief, and, above all, young inventors. Despite their age, they were geniuses, standing far above their peers in intellect and creativity.
That very morning, they had competed in the finals of a prestigious innovation challenge hosted by Parks Ltd., one of the world's most renowned developer companies. The juniors had been given a simple but daunting task: propose new inventions to solve a real-world problem. The winners would be rewarded handsomely and, more importantly, gain the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shadow one of Parks Ltd.'s senior developers for a whole month.
For students their age, it was a dream. The developers at Parks Ltd. were the brightest of the bright — geniuses with sky-high IQs, visionaries who shaped the future of technology. To the juniors, they were nothing short of rock stars. Jean especially idolized them; his older brother already worked at Parks Ltd., making the opportunity even more personal.
And in the end, against fierce competition, it was Shawn and Jean who came out on top. Their project? An atmospheric water system — a device that tapped into the molecules of air, extracting oxygen and hydrogen to produce clean water. A brilliant solution to drought and water scarcity that had plagued parts of the world for decades.
The applause, the recognition, the shining trophies in their hands… it was more than just victory. It was the first step toward the future they both dreamed of.
"So… what do we do now?" Shawn leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach with a groan. "It's already late in the afternoon, and I'm stuffed. They gave us way too much food. Honestly, I just want to slip out of here. If we stay, they'll drag us into interviews, reporters will swarm us, and we'll probably end up signing autographs for hours. I want to enjoy this win for myself, just for a little while."
Jean smirked knowingly. "I've got the perfect place. Somewhere quiet, where no one will bother us — and it'll help us cool down after all this noise. There's a river about two kilometers north of here. If we sneak out while the teachers and everyone else are busy chatting with the directors, nobody will even notice."
The two boys exchanged a mischievous grin. Without another word, they slipped away from the bustling event, weaving through the side streets until the sound of celebration faded behind them. Ahead lay the open path toward the river, their laughter and footsteps echoing in the late afternoon sun.
As they walked, Shawn glanced at his friend curiously. "Hey, Jean… who do you think we'll get assigned to for the mentorship month? Doctor Stone? Mr. David? Or maybe…" He smirked. "Maybe your brother."
Jean's expression softened at the mention of family. "I'm not sure," he admitted, then added with a proud smile, "But I do hope it's my brother. He might be strict sometimes, but he's the best option for us. We already know him, and he'd definitely treat us better than anyone else."
Shawn chuckled. "Strict but familiar, huh? Well, I guess that beats dealing with someone scary like Doctor Stone."
Jean's grin widened, his chest swelling with pride at the thought of his brother. To him, the man was more than just family — he was a symbol of what they could become one day.
Hey, Jean, why are you still carrying your bag? We're going swimming! What if they planted some tracking chips in there? They could follow us," Shawn complained, giving his friend a side-eye.
Jean only smiled faintly, hugging the bag closer. "There's something important in here. I need it."
Shawn shrugged, letting it slide. The boys eventually arrived at the riverbank, the sunlight shimmering across the flowing water. Excitement buzzed in the air — their secret escape had paid off. Almost as if they had planned it, both of them already had their swimming costumes under their uniforms. They tossed their clothes aside in a hurry, laughing as they stretched and warmed up.
"Wait a second, Shawn," Jean said suddenly, reaching for his bag before his friend could run into the water. "Before you dive in, I've got something for you."
Shawn blinked, curious, as Jean unzipped the bag and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped black package.
"What's this for?" Shawn asked, frowning in confusion.
"Just open it and see," Jean urged with a grin.
Shawn carefully tore through the wrapping — and froze. Nestled inside was a sleek black watch, its golden hands gleaming under the sunlight. The smooth, modern screen glowed faintly, giving it an unmistakably high-class look.
His eyes widened. "No way… This is the latest Dominators series! Jean, are you serious? I can't believe you got me one." His voice cracked slightly, and his eyes grew moist with emotion.
"Happy birthday, bro," Jean said softly, pulling Shawn into a tight hug.
Shawn hugged him back, whispering, "Thanks… I'll cherish it. Always." With trembling hands, he slid the watch onto his right wrist, admiring it as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.
Jean chuckled, trying to lighten the moment. "Alright, enough of the sappy stuff! Let's get in before the water cools down!"
With a playful grin, he sprinted ahead and leapt into the river with a splash, his laughter echoing across the banks as he surfaced and kicked happily in the water.