29

"But, he's just a second year!" Seth shrieks.

"Sorry to say, but bro... Have you see his profile?" asks Cherry.

With that inquiry, Seth smucks.

No one.

Literally no one in this room dare to question Aye Yi's capability.

Although he's just a second year student, his grade, his participant and his ability is far from being questionable. He's a black sheep of the BBA, but it doesn't mean he will have a bad reputation.

"His grade is much better than you, even better than any of us in this room. Aside from Zee, Ta and Lau..."

"And Kim. Don't tarnish my bro's reputation..." Seth reminds Cherry. Kim is among the best student in final year. Although he's not a valedictorian candidate, he is indeed in his own level.

"Can't believe Lauring is among the best student!" Kitty teases her friend. The petite senior glares at her, lowering her thick black frame glasses.

"I might be short, but my mind is brighter than Seth's future," Lauring's reply makes the whole room shakes with laughter.

"Did you check the list? Who's gonna be under his wing?" Bear asks.

"There's some changes, that's for sure. So, here is the final list from the dean's office..." Cherry hands the list to Bear. The man gathers with Ta and Zee, study the list of the new group.

"Oh God..." Ta exclaims in silent.

Zee feels like his heart beats like crazy. It's somehow different from the previous list. Before, Pan is supposed to be under Ta's watch. But now, the girl, along with her bestfriend, the cutesy, has been added into the new group under Aye Yi.

She's gonna be his mentee.

Which means, he might uses the opportunity to get close to her.

"Are you okay, Zee?" Ta asks silently. Zee stares at him, but somehow ignores his question. He grabs his bag and suddenly leaves the room.

"I swear to God, Zee is getting weirder everyday..." says Kitty.

"He's being too hard to himself!" Seth answers.

Ta looks at Bear. The two exchange glares before taking a leave as well.

"You guys are leaving?"

"We'll be back!" Ta replies to Cherry before following Bear from behind.

***

Ta is trying to get to Zee, but he stops at the midway.

"Ter... What's wrong?" Bear asks from behind. From his position, Ta can see that Zee is talking to someone. They look quite serious.

"Is that...?"

"Yeah, that's the new mentor, Aye Yi..."

"I think I remember this boy. He used to rebel against the seniors during the orientation!"

Ta nods. He remembers Aye Yi all too well. Who would forget how he bashes the previous seniors during the orientation? The whole institute knows about him!

"Why do you think he suddenly wants to join the mentorship?" asks Bear.

"Perhaps, someone told him about it. And, it happens that Zee is the one who initiates it. He can't lost to Zee. They have reputation to keep and hold. Both of them," says Ta.

Bear frowns. To be honest, he knows very little information about Zee. Bear is the one who is closed to the man. It's all because of the mentorship program as well. Ta used to be Zee's mentor. But, when he realizes that Zee is an outstanding student, he recommended him to carry some of his credit so he can leap one semester ahead from his classmates. That's how he ended up becoming Zee's roommate and classmate until the present day.

"Looks like it's more than just a competition..." Bear's sharp observation makes Ta smiles in awe. His boyfriend has a sharp mind and easily catching up with his environment. He can read the room fast, that's why he's an easy going person.

"Yeah, you can say that..." Ta glares at Bear. "They used to be classmates. And quite close to each other..."

***

"I can't help but thinking maybe you intentionally asking to be a part of this program," says Zee. Aye Yi chuckles as he fixes his bag at his side.

"Hmm... That maybe partially true. But, I know my capabilities. So, I think it shouldn't be a problem..."

"You do know Pan is one of your mentee," Aye Yi laughs a bit when Zee mentioned the name.

"Now I remember her when you mentioned the name! Gosh, no wonder why she looks so familiar!" Aye Yi smirks.

"Just one question... Did you purposely..?"

"Choose her?"

"I know who you are, Aye. You and your sneaky moves..."

"At least I'm not betraying my own friend. Unlike someone who used my head as a step stone for his own good..."

"It was The Dean who chose me instead of you! We fought in fair play. There is no way I will betray you!" Zee gushes.

"Just because you have a good relationship with the seniors, you have all the back up that you need. But, compare to you, I'm better in almost everything. You become who you are today, thanks to your beloved mentor who sneak the questions paper so you can cheat during exam!"

"It's all happened by coincidence! Ta is not someone who has no integrity!"

"Yeah yeah, suck his dick whatever you want! For me, there is no one to be trust! Especially those seniors!" says Aye Yi in cynical voice.

Zee grits his teeth silently.

"If you have no trust on them, why are you joining this mentorship program?" asks Zee.

Aye Yi smirks. He leans closer to Zee.

"I'm kinda having interest in your past..." Aye Yi softly whispers to Zee.

Zee holds his anger inside. If he is the younger version of him, Aye Yi might see the afterlife by now. Right now, violence is not the answer of everything. His past taught him self control.

He has so many things on his plate now for him to risk it all.

"Consider this as a payment for your betrayal, best friend..."

Aye Yi softly taps Zee's shoulder before walk away, leaving the man sinks into his frustration.