Mona's knock reverberated through the apartment, sharp and insistent. "Levi! Open up, now! I'll come in myself if you don't! You have only two minutes!"
Levi's body tensed instantly, a rare edge of nervousness creeping into his usually calm demeanor. He turned toward Eren, eyes glimmering with mischief and authority.
"Mom…" he muttered, his voice tight.
Eren's panic reached its peak. His chest heaved, heart hammering violently. "Levi, please… tell me the third condition quickly!"
Levi's lips curved into a slow, meaningful smile, eyes twinkling with both playfulness and dominance. "You… have to be my girlfriend."
Eren's jaw nearly dropped. "Levi! You're crazy!" he shouted, a mix of anger and disbelief flashing across his face.
Levi's voice softened, yet each word carried weight and controlled authority. "Yes, I'm crazy. And if you don't comply with these three conditions… I will tell everyone what happened last night."
The door rattled under another knock, Mona's voice now rising sharply. "Levi!"
Eren froze, panic-stricken. Helplessly, he pressed a timid kiss against Levi's lips. The act, small yet loaded with surrender, earned Levi a triumphant smile. "So… I guess that means yes?"
At that precise moment, Mona burst into the room. Levi ducked smoothly into the washroom, calling out softly, "Mom, I'll be there in two minutes!"
Mona's voice sharpened. "Levi, you're late for university! It's already half past six!"
Levi pressed a firm hand over Eren's mouth. "Don't make a sound," he whispered.
Eren nodded rapidly, eyes wide with fear. "Yes…"
Mona continued, oblivious to the tension. "Okay, come out quickly! I have to go to the office, and I'll wake Eren too."
Eren's heart raced. "Do something! If you don't… Mom will find out! Please, Levi!"
Levi leaned closer, his grin mischievous, voice low and commanding. "Then say it with your mouth. Say you agree to my three conditions."
Eren hesitated, caught between humiliation and helplessness, before blurting out, "Okay! I'll be your girlfriend!"
Levi's smirk deepened as he leaned in, lightly biting Eren's lips in a playful yet possessive gesture. "Okay… then I'll come."
Moments later, Levi emerged, skillfully blocking Mona from reaching Eren's room.
"What's going on?" Mona asked, suspicion flickering across her sharp eyes.
Levi took a deep breath, controlling his nerves, voice steady and commanding. "Mom… lie down."
Mona frowned but began to retreat. "I'm going to the office, but—"
Levi cut her off firmly. "Don't worry, I'll take care of Eren."
Mona's brow furrowed, hesitant. "No, I'll wake Eren myself."
"No! Mom, I will pick up Eren! You just leave for the office!" Levi insisted, tone sharp and unyielding.
Exhausted by his stubbornness, Mona finally relented. "Okay, Levi… but don't bother Eren," she said, retreating to the office.
Levi exhaled, a mischievous gleam lighting his eyes. "Eren… now you're officially my girlfriend."
Eren, still in shock, shouted from the bathroom in frustration, "Ahahaha!"
Morning Ride – A Breath of Freedom
Later, Levi and Eren sped through the streets on Levi's motorbike, the wind whipping hair and clothes as the sun painted long shadows across the road. Eren's mind raced faster than the passing scenery, still tangled in the chaos of the morning.
At the university entrance, Eren leaped off the bike. "Levi! I'll go from the other side. You come later!"
Levi opened his mouth to protest but stopped when War appeared, stepping in front of Eren with a teasing, knowing smile. "I've been waiting for you, Eren. Come with me."
Levi shot War a sharp glance, irritation flashing across his eyes, but said nothing.
War led Eren into the classroom, speaking quietly. "Eren… today is sports day. Every year, the university holds a competition where three players from one section compete against three from the other. The section with the most victories wins."
Eren frowned, bewildered. "Okay… but how is this game played?"
War's lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile. "It's like football, but with three special conditions. First: fair play—no cheating. Second: the position of the person stopping the ball can be changed. Third… the third has no rules."
Eren's brow furrowed. "The third… has no rules?"
War nodded slowly, eyes serious. "The first two are just for show. The third… is what truly matters. Anything can happen to win."
Eren's voice rose in disbelief, echoing across the hall. "This is completely unfair! Who made these rules?"
War's expression softened, though firm. "Every school has secrets, Eren… rules that can't be broken. Some traditions are stronger than fairness."
Before Eren could respond, the door burst open. The Grade B section entered in full force, tension thickening the air.
Nova led them, radiating pride and arrogance, each step deliberate. "Ready, A Grade? Looks like you'll be losing another valuable companion today," she sneered.
Eren turned to War, panic etched deep in his features. "What… what kind of game is this?"
War exhaled slowly. "B Grade usually wins. It's tradition. Likely will be the same today."
One by one, the Grade B students revealed themselves:
Seo – quiet, sharp-eyed, like a shadow lurking in darkness.
Brade – tall, imposing, serious, unreadable.
Xu Jang – confident, authority radiating with every glance.
Ming – silent but dangerous, aura alone enough to intimidate.
Finally, Tang Sun Moon entered, steps deliberate, confident, eyes locking on Levi with a mysterious smile. "Levi… today, we wear our lucky color—black."
Levi's voice cracked with irritation. "What is all this? Are you mocking us again?"
Tang Sun Moon's laugh was soft, almost teasing. "No, Levi. The magician has come to perform… and today, he'll take your victory."
War instinctively hid behind Levi, tension and fear evident. "I don't want to go to B Grade… they harass everyone."
Tang Sun Moon's smile deepened. "Look, Levi… see how weak your A Grade companions are? Fear is written on their faces."
Levi's hand rested on War's shoulder, steadying him. "As long as I'm here, no one can touch you."
Tang Sun Moon's gaze flicked to Eren, slow, deliberate, and lingering. He paused, bowing slightly as if sealing a silent decision.
The Teams and The Match
The VIP class voted, selecting three key players for each section:
Grade A:
Levi (Leader)
Rong
Ren
Eren & War (Guides)
Eren panicked. "No! I can't be a guide! I don't know the game!"
Tang Sun Moon's icy smile didn't waver. "Don't worry… you'll lose anyway."
Grade B:
Tang Sun Moon (Leader)
Seo
Brade
Nova & Nin (Guides)
The match began. Tang Sun Moon scored three goals rapidly. Grade B surged ahead: six to zero. Grade A struggled, barely managing two goals.
Levi, Rong, and Ren exchanged worried glances. "We have to act… or we'll lose completely," Ren muttered.
Levi looked at War, who masked fear with a small, encouraging smile. "Even if we lose… we'll still be friends. You're like a brother to me, Levi."
War stepped forward, hugging Levi tightly, lending courage and determination.
Levi's jaw tightened, eyes narrowing with resolve. "Then we fight. We win—not just for the points, but for everyone in A Grade."
Tang Sun Moon's gaze flicked toward Eren, sharp and calculating. A plan was already forming in his mind, one that could shift everything… if Eren made a single mistake.
The tension crackled across the hall. Every pass, every goal, every move had consequences far beyond the scoreboard.
The stage was set, alliances were fragile, and the air bristled with anticipation. Victory, pride, and secrets all hung in the balance.