No one slept properly the night before.
Not because of exams.Not because of romance.Not even because of rumors.
It was anticipation.
The kind that sits in the chest and refuses to let the heart slow down.
By morning, Campus 2 felt louder than usual. Even the concrete seemed to hum with restless energy. Posters were taped crookedly along hallway walls, hastily printed schedules fluttering near classroom doors.
INTER-MAJOR ESPORTS TOURNAMENTHEALTH TRACK vs ALL MAJORS
Someone had circled the words in red marker and written underneath:
"Prove it."
XH stood near the canteen entrance with his backpack slung low, watching students from engineering, business, and computing stream past. Some laughed. Some whispered. Some stared openly.
JP whistled. "We're really the villains today."
TZ cracked his knuckles. "Nah. We're the underdogs they want to see fall."
NS adjusted his hoodie, eyes sharp. "Same thing."
Andrew arrived last, holding a black notebook, already scribbled full. He tapped it against his palm. "Emergency meeting. Now."
They gathered near the side stairwell, half-hidden from the crowd.
Andrew flipped the notebook open. "Headmaster confirmed it this morning. If we lose, the overseas scholarship deal is off."
Silence.
Kitty and June stood a few steps away with the other girls. They were pretending not to listen. They failed.
June folded her arms. "That wasn't the deal."
"It is now," Andrew said calmly. "He wants proof we deserve the favoritism."
JP scoffed. "Three majors against one is proof enough."
"And we still chose this," Kitty said softly.
Everyone looked at her.
She lifted her chin. "So we finish it."
Wings Gaming Is Born
The registration desk buzzed with noise. Team names were being entered into the system, keys clacking loudly.
"Team name?" the staff asked.
JP leaned forward. "Dark Cats Gaming."
Kitty immediately shook her head. "No."
TZ laughed. "She vetoed it instantly."
Kitty met their eyes, calm but firm. "That name turns us into a mascot. Not a statement."
June glanced at XH. "What do you want it to mean?"
XH hesitated, then spoke quietly. "We don't win by overpowering. We win by timing. By hovering. By waiting for the moment."
Andrew's pen paused.
NS snapped his fingers. "Wings."
JP blinked. "That's it?"
"Wings Gaming," NS repeated. "We don't charge blindly. We hover."
Andrew underlined it twice in the notebook.
Motto written beneath in smaller letters:
Hover Your Wings.
The staff typed it in.
Somewhere across the hall, the engineering team laughed loudly.
First Match: Computing Majors
The arena lights were harsh. Rows of seats rose on both sides, already filling with students. Transparent soundproof booths stood face to face, glowing softly.
Casters' desks sat at the front.
Mr. Kim adjusted his headset, smiling far too confidently. "Welcome everyone. I may be biased today."
Laughter erupted.
The computing majors entered first, waving confidently.
Then Wings Gaming stepped in.
Health track students roared.
Kitty and June took their seats with the cheer group, hands clasped tightly together.
Thoon leaned over from the engineering side. "Hope you enjoy this while it lasts."
Kitty smiled sweetly. "I always do."
The game began.
Wings Gaming did not chase kills.
They took turrets.
One by one.
The computing team panicked.
"Why aren't they fighting?" a student yelled.
Mr. Kim laughed. "Because they don't need to."
Rat Dota.
Clean. Efficient.
The throne fell.
2–0.
No deaths celebrated. No shouting. Just calm exits.
June exhaled slowly. "That was… surgical."
Kitty watched XH through the glass booth. "He looks calm."
But she noticed the way his fingers tapped the mouse slightly too fast.
Second Match: Business Majors
Shinso waved exaggeratedly from across the arena, white hair glowing under the lights.
"Try harder this time," he shouted.
TZ rolled his eyes. "He dyes that hair every week, right?"
JP smirked. "Confidence is cheap."
The business majors talked trash early.
They talked less by midgame.
Wings Gaming repeated the strategy.
Push. Pressure. Retreat. Push again.
No ego.
No showboating.
The throne collapsed.
2–0.
Health track students jumped to their feet.
Someone started chanting.
"Wings! Wings! Wings!"
June caught Kitty's wrist without thinking.
They both laughed, breathless.
Across the room, the engineering team did not smile.
Break Time: Girls vs Girls
Between matches, the cheer groups clashed near the refreshment tables.
Thoon crossed her arms. "Eight months. That's how long you've been circling him."
June turned slowly. "And yet, you still haven't reached him."
HTN smirked. "Three days. That's all I need."
June's voice sharpened. "I don't behave like that."
SRM laughed softly at Kitty. "One shy kiss and you froze."
Kitty met her gaze. "I don't chase."
She leaned closer.
"I attract."
The air crackled.
Students nearby pretended not to listen.
They failed.
Engineering's Challenge
The engineering captain stepped forward, smirking.
"If we win," he said loudly, "Kitty and June join us for dinner."
The crowd went silent.
NS stood instantly. "That wasn't agreed."
XH stepped forward too, eyes cold. "They're not wagers."
June felt her stomach twist.
Kitty whispered, "I don't want that."
The headmaster's voice cut through the tension.
"Then do you forfeit?"
Silence.
XH looked at June.
Then at Kitty.
They nodded.
Quiet. Certain.
XH turned back. "We play."
He added calmly, "And when we win, your cheerleaders join us."
Gasps.
Engineering exploded in outrage.
The headmaster laughed. "Game on."
Before the Grand Finals
In the preparation room, Wings Gaming sat in silence.
TZ broke it. "We're outmatched."
Andrew nodded. "Statistically."
NS cracked his neck. "Then we don't play statistics."
XH closed his eyes briefly.
Kitty pressed her palms together outside the booth.
June whispered, "Please."
Across the arena, June's mother watched quietly.
Unseen.
Unsmiling.
End of Chapter
The lights dimmed.
Engineering entered first.
Then Wings Gaming.
The crowd stood.
The headmaster adjusted his mic. "Finals."
XH sat down.
Hands steady.
Heart racing.
Somewhere deep inside him, something fragile began to tremble.
And the storm had not even broken yet.