Chapter 10

After the results were announced, my teammates and I retreated to our room. The buzz of excitement and curiosity from others didn't interest me; my mind was preoccupied with something amiss in the whole situation. Max, who was considered the ace of our team, hadn't even come close to my scores. It just didn't make sense. What were they planning?

Ignoring the commotion around us, I pushed through the crowd and reached our room. The constant questions and queries from fellow students seemed meaningless. I needed clarity, but none was to be found in the chaos. My frustration grew, and I couldn't help but snap at those bombarding me with their inquiries.

I couldn't control my anger any longer and shouted with fierce intent, "If you all don't leave right now, I will make sure you regret it!" The threat in my eyes sent shivers down their spines, and they scattered, leaving me in solitude.

Once the room was empty, silence prevailed. My mind was still racing, trying to piece together the puzzle. Minutes ticked by, and my thoughts slowly settled. I observed the empty room and decided to step outside to check on my teammates. They were there, waiting with my homeroom teacher.

Jenny was the first to speak, asking if I was okay. I didn't answer directly but motioned them to enter the room. As we gathered, I apologized for my outburst earlier. Tom and Karl understood, acknowledging that the others had crossed the line.

"But that wasn't the issue," I clarified, causing confusion among my teammates.

I revealed my suspicions about the competition. It seemed like an elaborate scheme to put me at ease and lower my guard, leading to a sneak attack. Their intention was to exploit my vulnerability and catch me off guard during the upcoming challenges.

My teammates were taken aback by the revelation. I reassured them that we would deal with it later when the time came. For now, we needed to focus on resting and preparing for the marathon event scheduled for tomorrow.

Despite my teammates' concern, I dismissed the idea of informing others about the potential deception. I reasoned that their tricks were directed at me, not them. By sharing our knowledge, we might risk exposing our awareness of the plot. I assured them that I would handle it and asked them to trust me.

My homeroom teacher expressed her concern, but she eventually agreed to trust my judgment. She left, leaving my team behind.

As we sat in the room, I advised my teammates to rest well and conserve their energy for the upcoming challenges. Tomorrow would be a test of endurance, and we needed to be at our best.

Once they were rested, I planned to discuss our strategy for the marathon. The competition was getting intense, but with my team by my side, I knew we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.