Matthew didn't look up as he pulled the last fold of cloth off his bed, smoothing it once before sitting down.
"Which person's house?" he asked,
Felix paused his game, fingers hovering over the keyboard before he glanced down at him.
"Yours," he said simply. "I told you we were coming. Yesterday. You just ignored me Rick is my witness."
Matthew's expression didn't change, but his eyes flicked up briefly—then back down again.
Philip let out a breath from his bunk, rubbing the back of his neck like the stress was still sitting there.
"You can't take it back," he added. "I need somewhere to clear my head. That social art club I joined…" he exhaled again, "…if I knew it would be like that, I wouldn't have bothered."
V shifted slightly on his bed, lowering his phone just enough to look over.
"Social art club?" he repeated, one brow lifting. "What kind of nonsense is that?"
Philip pushed himself up a little, resting his back against the wall.
"It's not nonsense," he said, though his tone carried clear regret. "It's more like… preparing you for future careers. Whatever major you want, they focus on it."
"…and not only that, you also have to learn everyone's major too. Like, I want to learn law—the teachers there are well-known lawyers, judges, and even police officers. They teach real cases and we even do role-play. We act as lawyers to figure things out and win cases and stuff like that. It's helpful but stressful.
Those who joined the Social Art Club are people who want to explore different careers in life, so everyone has to learn what everyone else is learning in case one path doesn't work out. Stuff like that," Philip added as they nodded.
"I still don't see why you guys want to come to my apartment. Go rent one if you like my apartment so much," Matthew said.
"I've been saying it Matthew is learning all our bad habits," Philip sighed.
"My poor heart, only my girlfriend can heal me," V said and went back to texting his girlfriend.
"We are the only ones giving you joy, how can you do this to us?" Rick said dramatically.
"My poor heart only food can heal me," Rick added, fake sobbing as he looked at Jay's bunk bed.
Jay had woken up because of Rick's crying.
"Baby, they're bullying me," Rick said.
Jay rolled his eyes and climbed down from the bed. " So early and you are already acting up, what do you want to eat?"
Rick's tears dried instantly as he rushed to his side. "You'll cook whatever I want?" Rick asked, blinking his long eyelashes slowly, looking cute.
"Me too! Me too! Cook for me too!" Felix said excitedly.
"Sigh… the only reason we're still here is because we're waiting for Jay to cook. We don't want to miss any dishes. We young masters have truly suffered our taste body has been changed by jay," Philip said dramatically.
"Jay, you should just open a restaurant. I swear it would always be full," Derek said while sitting up on the bed as Kai woke up.
"True," Matthew said while lying down.
"Right… Sunday is the end of the beginning of the new month, October, right?" Derek asked.
"Yes," Philip replied. "Which means next month is exam season till November. Then December is holiday—half of December is school, half of January is holiday. Sigh, I hate this school."
Everyone chuckled lightly.
Jay was already in the kitchen cooking, with Rick acting as his "mascot."
"After this new week, next week is exam period, right?" Matthew asked.
"Yes," Philip replied. "Next two weeks are exams. Results come out Saturday after the last exam. Then on Sunday, everyone is ranked based on scores. They add tests, quizzes, everything. Every point matters. One wrong step and you get evaluated. If your scores drop too many times, you're out of the school. As fun as this school is, the main thing is academic."
Kai sat up slightly. "But at least this week is still relaxing. More like a summer class vibe," he added.
"Yes, next two weeks is the exam period, and results will come out on Saturday after the last exam. On Sunday, everyone will be arranged according to their scores. They'll add the tests we've done and the exams together. After that, every test, exam, or quiz—anything that gives points—has to be taken seriously." Derek pause to clear his throat.
One wrong step and you'll be evaluated. If you get low scores too many times, you'll be asked to leave the school. As fun as this school is, the main focus is your score," Derek added
"But at least this week we're about to enter will be more relaxing. It's more like a summer class vibe and stuff," Felix added
The food was served quickly, and everyone sat down to eat. After eating, they all went to school.
Matthew and Rick entered the basketball court. Every gaze immediately turned toward them.
Rick had that cute, sweet, angelic face, yet that delicate handsome look and his lively and chaotic personality made people naturally want to be around him and follow whatever and listen to him and unable to hate or scold him .
As for Matthew, he was the school's number one heartthrob—which already said a lot on its own.
Adrian was sitting in the audience area, wearing his basketball jersey and surrounded by ten other players. Seven more were seated on the bench nearby.
Adrian was also ridiculously handsome—the kind of "lord of handsomeness" type. If not for his lazy, playful, devilish and dangerous personality and also how he saw everyone as toys and air found interest in their suffering, people would still admire him just for his looks.
Still, they liked him anyway because he had that natural ability to steal anyone's spotlight and become the center of attention without even trying.
But compared to Matthew, it was different. One look at Matthew was like a drug—you couldn't just look once. You kept looking again and again… until you almost forgot to breathe.
"Alright, everyone is here," the coach said, clapping his hands sharply.
The sound echoed across the court.
They were twenty players including Matthew and Aiden and Rick minus the coach Aiden was sitted surrounded by ten players fawning over him,the seven seven people some were were sitting either on the bench or the audience area , Matthew and Rick sat at the empty sit in the audience area straightened slightly. Some were stretching
The coach continued.
"This basketball team represents the school and the city. Any class can form a team, but this one is the real deal."
A few players exchanged glances.
Here, you don't just play for the school in competitions. You represent the entire city."
He paced slowly, scanning them.
"You win by defeating other teams in the city until only us remains to represent Velmora City you also compete with other schools be it university or other highschool or real team to represent our school."
"Velmora City is the heart of this country so you might get the country attention and be able to chase a career in this field you might represent our country Aurelion."
A pause.
"Though we do have competition. The top twenty schools in these country are strong, and our biggest rival will always be the so-called 'Number One Elite School'—or Prestigious High."
A couple of players scoffed quietly at the name, while others stayed serious.
"Just because they have their own university in the capital doesn't make them untouchable," the coach said, voice firm.
"But I won't lie—their basketball team is strong."
Adrian's lips curved slightly at that.
" they are being sponsored and taking care of and all their training and strategy are made by the best coach in the world afforded by their captain Mike knight and assistant captain Daniel Voss which Their family influence stretches across the six nations and country."
The coach's eyes hardened slightly.
Which is why sometimes they can't do without those two and they have bought spot in the country team but don't worry we work hard to represent our nation and be ahead.
The coach paused, letting the words sink in.
"There's a competition in December," he continued. "Teams from different schools will compete for a chance to enter an international tournament and if course how Crownside elite highschool Influence we Definitely Be in the international competition but…"
His expression darkened slightly.
"The competition is being sponsored by the Knight family. So that so-called Prestigious High will definitely have Mike clearing the path for them… and blocking us."
A low murmur spread across the team.
"Damn it," one of the guys clicked his tongue. "But we still have Aiden and Rick."
Rick shrugged lazily, pouting as if the whole thing was just mildly annoying.
"My family only has influence in this country and a few international businesses across our nation," he said casually. "But the Knight family is influence is on another level they have influence world wide and they are competitive, so there's not much I can do."
He then chuckled lightly, like it didn't matter that much anyway.
All eyes shifted to Aiden.
Aiden raised one eyebrow slowly, noticing the attention fm.
"Aiden," another guy said carefully, "your family is also politically strong… and your influence is worldwide too Same as theirs."
Aiden sighed and leaned back slightly.
"You want me to use my family power over a basketball game I'm playing for fun?" he said flatly slightly amused.
"And besides… the Knight family and my family are partners. So what exactly are you expecting me to do?"
He rolled his eyes.
"And don't forget—it's not just the Knights. The Voss family is involved too. They're about as strong as the Knights, it would be two against one life is built on disappointment and acceptance lean to get through it ." he said lazily the topic boring him
A faint smile appeared on Rick face as he looked at everyone's deflated expressions.
"So tell me," he said lightly, "who exactly wants to go against both of them at the same time would your family let you?"
Silence.
Matthew sat silent , calmly fanning himself with his hand completely uninterested in the conversation like it had nothing to do with him at all.
"Though I will help if another family also wants to join," Aiden said with a faint smirk, clearly knowing no one would dare to push further.
The coach coughed lightly.
"No family is as strong or powerful—and willing to take that kind of risk," he said firmly.
"What about Sophia's family?" one of the guys suddenly asked.
Aiden's gaze snapped to him instantly.
The boy immediately stiffened and went silent, a chill running down his spine under that sharp look.
The coach let out a small, helpless smile.
"Sophia's family… they can't help in this matter."
Some of the players looked like they wanted to argue, but no one dared to speak. Not with Aiden there
.
As for Rick, he had already gotten comfortable—resting his head lazily on Matthew's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Matthew didn't react. He just continued fanning himself slowly, expression calm and unreadable.
The coach continued, "The Quinn family is Sophia maternal side and they don't involve theirself these kinds of conflicts. Even Sophia herself can't interfere if she wants to ws her own father side is not strong enough."
"But she used to help in serious matter before," another guy finally said, breaking the silence.
"cant yyou thinking this through properly?" Aiden said cooly. "Luis is Sophia cousin and attend the Prestigious High School. Sophia is from Crownside. If she helps, it creates a bridge between siblings and cause conflicts."
He leaned back slightly, eyes sharp.
his lackey look at who had asked the question earlier, silently noting his face—memorizing it. Not for now… but for later to deal with him for life .
The boy quickly looked away, swallowing hard, already regretting speaking.
At that moment, the door opened.
Ava walked in, pushing a cart of food.
The room went quiet.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her instantly.
Aiden glanced at her.
Then at Matthew.
Then back at Ava.
Then at the strict coach.
Something clicked in his mind.
He tilted his head slightly and leaned further back into his chair, a faint smirk forming.
This is interesting, he thought.
"Why is she here?" one of the guys asked.
A few others shrugged, equally confused.
The coach cleared his throat. "Ava will be the assistant coach."
Silence.
Then
"The hell? Why?" someone blurted out.
"Do we even need an assistant coach right now? Instead of thinking about what we should actually do?" another added, frustration rising as murmurs spread across the team.
Aiden exhaled softly, almost amused.
"These guys are indeed foolish," Rick said, shaking his head as he looked at the noisy teammates like they were watching a bad performance.
Matthew's expression remained completely calm, unreadable as always.
"What a lack of reaction… slow brain," she muttered.
Then she straightened.
"My family is going to help." so you guys don't have to worry.
One of the guys immediately scoffed. "Your family? What family? Please. We're talking about big families here, not some middle-class—"
Before he could finish—
Adrian burst out laughing.
"Ha… so dumb," he said, shaking his head like he couldn't believe it. "They really prove it to me every time."
The coach's eyes twitched.
"Stand up. Get out," he pointed at the guy instantly.
The room went still.
"The Quinn family is willing to help because of Ava, and you're still acting like this?" the coach snapped.
Adrian was still laughing under his breath, clearly entertained, while most of the team was now realizing something was very wrong about the situation.
The guy frowned, still confused. "Why should I leave? You just said the Quinn family wouldn't help and Sophia can't do anything—now you're saying they will?"
Some of the teammates who had already understood the situation looked away in embarrassment. They had caught on. This guy clearly hadn't.
Rick sighed.
"Because she's a direct descendant," he said casually. "The daughter of the family heir
Ava tilted her head slightly, her expression sharp now.
"And for the record," she continued, "you all act like you don't know who I am am I that irrelavant you think if Sophia and I'm Sophia cousin do who told you my family would be mid that means Sophia is also mid you praise Sophia more when her father side can't even compare let us forget about the quinn family built by my grandfather my dad own business the nathan Enterprise is enough to rival my grandparents bussiness so what are you in ."
"Maybe cause you lack the elegant air lean from Sophia "adiran said mockingly ignoring Ava galre .
The atmosphere shifted.
Her gaze swept across the team.
" Sophia mother is my aunt my dad sister but she is married of she has little say unlike me ".
She stepped forward slightly.
"I use my mother's family name—the Haye family—which can rival the Voss. And I also use my father's side—the Quinn family."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"As for neutrality with my brother in the other school? I already handled that. He's been… convinced."
A few players stiffened.
"I'm also indirectly giving you sponsorship through my father's company—the Nathan Enterprises."
Her voice stayed calm, almost bored.
"So when you call my family 'mid-level'… compared to yours, you're not even compared to a dirty rat in the mountains . You're nothing."
Silence.
Ava turned slightly toward the coach.
"And you seriously w to kick him out he is too dumb"
The coach exhaled slowly.
"Ava and her family have agreed to help," he said firmly. "In return, she will be assistant coach."
Murmurs spread.
"She won't interfere in training. She'll handle schedules, health management, and also assist with cheer coordination."
His eyes hardened slightly.
"So don't offend her."
A faint pause.
"She won't need to use her influence to remove you—she has a thousand ways to do that already."
Then, more bluntly:
"But honestly, she's right. A single dumb person can destroy an entire team."
His gaze shifted back to the guy.
"You're not essential. You're just extra—waiting for a backup in case the second lineup fails. So leave."
The guy clenched his jaw, face red, then finally turned and walked out without another word.
I'm back from now on this novel would be updated every Friday and Thursday thanks for being patient as for the first oops we sent our parents to high school would resume on the 15 of June thanks