“You…want me to retake it?” Hidari stared blankly at Ms. Liang, wondering if this was some kind of nightmare. “The…battle strategy exam?”

Ms. Liang nodded, folding her arms and fixing Hidari in her startling, light-gray stare. “Yes.” She said tersely. “I’d like you to take it later this evening if you have time. Around seven o’clock.”

“Th-That’s after classes end for the day.” Hidari said weakly, blinking uncomprehendingly at the stern-faced woman. Had he really done so badly on it that he needed to take it during remedial hours? Hidari had never failed a test that badly before – not even agricultural planning!

He could feel the color draining from his face as he thought about that. Was he getting this bad with his other subjects? He was going to join the remedial groups? If that kept up, he might get kicked out of the EON program! Him! He was one of the top-ranked candidates right now! How could he have let himself slack off so much that he was about to be kicked out?!

“But I study so hard for all of my worst subjects!” Hidari thought frantically as he continued to stare blankly at Ms. Liang, his outward appearance expressionless. “In all my free time, all I do is study! I try to compensate as best as I can. I’ve worked as hard as any other candidate, and then some, in order to make my worst better and my best unbeatable! Was it not enough? It had to be enough!”

Ms. Liang seemed to take note of the paleness of Hidari’s face as he stared at her, and her eyes widened.

“Oh goodness, you didn’t fail, Hidari!” She said quickly, waving her hands in the air before the shellshocked boy with a concerned look on her face. “No! That’s not why I’m asking you to retake it. You passed! You passed marvelously!”

…What?

“I…passed?” Hidari asked numbly, blinking once at the battle strategy teacher. “I thought so earlier, but you’re having me retake it in the remedial time period.”

There was no other reason for him to be taking the test so late except as a remedial lesson, right?

“I should’ve made this more clear. Oh my goodness.” Ms. Liang looked Hidari up and down nervously, fanning him a little with her hand like she was afraid he was about to pass out.

Truth be told, Hidari felt like he was about to pass out. The rollercoaster of emotions he was rocketing through in his mind was unbelievably draining.

“I failed, so I’m in the remedial slot.” Hidari managed to say aloud, still feeling numb all over his body. “How could I have passed?”

“It’s not a remedial slot!” Ms. Liang promised, placing both hands gently on Hidari’s shoulders and looking him in his eyes with worry. “It’s an exhibition slot.”

“Ex…hibition?” Hidari repeated, the tips of his fingers beginning to tingle as his eyes refocused on the woman before him. “I’ve never heard of that slot before.”

“We don’t usually offer them to first-years.” Ms. Liang explained, smiling a little at Hidari as she noticed him calming down. “And we don’t talk about them as part of general orientation until the second year of study. It’s a very exclusive type of event.”

Ms. Liang pulled her hands away from Hidari’s shoulders, watching him carefully for a few more seconds to make sure the color really was returning to his face before she continued with her speech.

“Essentially, the school holds an exhibition for some of its sponsors, demonstrating the results of our program on a given field of interest to the sponsors. Tonight, we’re showcasing three different performances of the battle strategy sim live for them. Two will be done by second-years, as is typical, but we’d like to choose you to be our third.”

“…Me?” Hidari could feel confusion settling over his mind again now, but for a different reason this time. “For battle strategy? Don’t you mean Migi?”

Ah, maybe they got the wrong twin. That must be it. Perfectly normal mistake – it had definitely happened before. Hidari would just clear that little misunderstanding up right now and-

“No, we want you, Hidari.” Ms. Liang said with a firm smile, crushing that thought before it could spread. “Migi is, of course, an incredibly gifted strategist. She just broke the school’s top score for the unit six battle strategy examination, after all! None of us could believe it when we reviewed her sim recording. We had believed Gen’s score to be unbeatable.”

Hidari felt a rush of pride go through him at hearing of his sister’s success, but it was muted quickly by the continued confusion of the moment.

“Then why me?” He asked, completely baffled as he stared at the woman. “I’m no battle strategy prodigy. She would be the better choice for a first-year exhibition.”

Ms. Liang shook her head, that smile still in place as she looked at Hidari. “We want to demonstrate the diversity of the candidates within our program.” She said determinedly, crossing her arms and straightening up. “We have an exemplary military strategist in the second year that can show a classic, military stance on the sim. We also have a magnificent leader who demonstrates highly innovative battle plans, as well as a charisma that gets people to follow through on them.”

Ms. Liang gestured towards Hidari, her gray eyes confident as she said, “We’d like to show our sponsors a take on the sim different than anything we or they could’ve predicted. A marker of success that you’ve laid out for us, Hidari, with the performance you gave in your examination just a few hours ago.”

Ms. Liang lowered her hand, a slight apologetic look filtering into her gaze. “I realize we’re asking this of you quite last-minute. To be honest, we weren’t sure what we were looking for in our third performance, but we know that you’re it after seeing it. Your take is fresh, intelligent, and effective. We’d like to share it with our sponsors.”

Ms. Liang’s gray eyes locked with Hidari’s blue ones, the two of them staring at each other for several heart-pounding seconds. “Will you do the exhibition, Hidari?”

…How could Hidari have said no to that?

The time had flown by between that conversation and the seven o’clock hour of doom, and Hidari was now walking nervously towards the auditorium building on the school campus where the exhibition was meant to be held.

Ms. Liang had given him a short crash course on how exhibitions usually worked (a poor substitute for the five-hour lecture that second-years apparently got at orientation to understand all the nuances of them), and he was expected to walk into his first one armed only with that.

“I wish Migi were here. I wish Migi were here. I wish Migi were here.” Hidari chanted over and over to himself as he walked across the stone pathway towards the auditorium, listening to the crickets chirping in the trees surrounding the EON Academy. Moonlight glinted off the wet grass in the fields around the school’s various stone paths, shimmering like a green ocean in Hidari’s vision as he stared at the glowing windows of the auditorium.

It was six forty-five now. He’d walked over from the first-year dorms a little early, hoping to arrive a little bit before the given time in case he needed to prepare anything else. Considering the loud voices he could hear as he neared the auditorium, and the seemingly endless rows of cars and pods he could see parked right outside it, he almost felt like he hadn’t arrived early enough.

“Oh God.” Hidari breathed, wincing at the expensive-looking vehicles as his feet carried him mechanically towards the front of the building. “I hope I don’t mess this up. I hope I don’t mess this up. I’m just a broken record right now. I hope I don’t mess this u-”

“Bunny Boy! You’re here, too!”

Hidari’s head instantly snapped around, his eyes widening in the darkness as they landed on a familiar, cheerful face. The sight of the tall boy waving happily, his red hair glinting in the orange glow of the auditorium windows, immediately deflated some of the tension from Hidari’s shoulders.

“Gen.” Hidari managed to say, smiling in relief as he turned fully to face the older boy. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Hasn’t even been that long since we last saw each other!” Gen laughed, eyes sparkling as he stopped in front of Hidari, planting a friendly hand on his shoulder.

Hidari’s eyes instantly flicked to the hand, his mouth instinctively opening to warn Gen to remove it before Migi did anything. But his voice caught in his throat as he remembered that Migi was still back in their dorm room, fuming over being unable to attend this exhibition with him. She wasn’t anywhere nearby.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

For the first time that night, the thought relaxed Hidari’s lips into a soft smile.

“Even so,” He said aloud, looking away from Gen’s hand to meet the taller boy’s eyes. “I’m happy to see you again. I’m honestly very nervous about this exhibition.”

Gen blinked at that comment, his reddish eyes widening in surprise. “Oh woah! So you’re the first-year that’s performing with us?” He gasped in shocked, fingers falling from Hidari’s shoulder. “I heard a rumor that they picked one, but I didn’t picture it’d be you. I thought Migi was doing it! And you were just here for moral support, or something.”

“Trust me, I think it would’ve been better that way.” Hidari laughed weakly, holding his stomach as butterflies shot through it. “Migi is much better suited to battle strategy sims than I am. And doing one live in front of an entire crowd? I feel…”

Hidari bit his lip a little, allowing some of his inner anxiety to leak over the gentle mask he always wore. “I don’t know. I feel like I’m going to mess this up somehow.” He admitted, shifting from foot to foot. “I barely passed my exam this morning. And now I’m doing it again? Will I be able to pass again? I just don’t know.”

“Well, that’s definitely not the right attitude to go into this with.” A rich voice suddenly broke into their conversation, immediately causing Hidari’s shoulders to stiffen and his mask to reassert itself.

He looked over with a light smile, his blue eyes narrowed slightly at a figure walking up to them from one of the school buildings. Even in the nighttime shadows, where his dark skin and even darker hair seemed to blend so well, Hidari could recognize that figure’s confident stance anywhere. The golden eyes peering out at him from a smirking face only solidified what Hidari already knew in his gut.

Kenox.

“I would’ve thought you’d be all over this sort of thing, Hidari.” Kenox said casually, sauntering up to them with that confident smirk planted firmly on his lips. “You know, showing off for everybody. Getting the chance to make more people fall in love with you and all that.”

“Unlike you, Kenox,” Hidari responded sweetly, irritation blazing in his chest as he smiled at the older boy. “I don’t really need more people to fall in love with me. I have a decent amount of followers already. Ones I didn’t scare or trample into submission.”

“Of course. Just the ones you batted those pretty eyelashes at or waved a few economics scores in front of.” Kenox replied in just as sweet a tone, fluttering his own dark eyelashes mockingly for emphasis.

How Hidari wished he could deck this jerk in the face.

Why did he always look down on Hidari like this? Why did he look down on everybody like this? Just because he was naturally gifted at every single, stupid subject, it gave him the right to traipse around mocking other’s strong suits? Mocking their efforts and talents?

A jerk. A completely egotistical, self-righteous butt-hat.

“How was your last economics score, by the way?” Hidari asked kindly, deciding to stab back at Kenox with the only weapon he had. “I hope it wasn’t as disappointing as your last. I’d prefer a challenge the next time I take a sim to beat it.”

Kenox’s smirk twitched slightly, and a surge of triumph flooded through Hidari’s chest at the sight. Served him right.

Before the pompous second-year could say anything, Hidari pointedly turned away from him, focusing on Gen instead.

The tall redhead was laughing uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head like he wasn’t sure how to resolve the situation.

Gen was so nice. How was he even friends with a jerk like Kenox?

“I’m sure I’ll be fine in the exhibition.” He said firmly, giving the tall boy a bright smile. “I assume you two are the second-years going before me?”

“Yep!” Gen happily jumped on the chance to change the subject, wrapping an arm around Kenox and grinning at Hidari. “I’m going first to show off the normal military standpoint, and Kenox is after me to demonstrate whatever fancy crud he usually pulls.”

“Then there’s little, old you.” Kenox cut in, that stupid smirk back on his face as he looked Hidari up and down. “Demonstrating…what do you bring to the table, exactly? A financial consultation for the breakdown of the war?”

Hidari’s fists clenched at his sides, his heart pounding uncomfortably fast at the snide comment. He managed to keep his smile on his face, only laughing off Kenox’s remark, but the hurtful words were bringing back the panic and doubt he’d been trying to push down all evening.

What did he bring to this exhibition? What use was he when compared with the two boys before him?

Hidari had watched simulation recordings of both of these second-years’ examinations, when studying for past battle strategy simulations and other classes in general. Gen was a militaristic genius, with a coolheaded aptitude for war that only Migi could rival. He was powerful and impressive on the battlefield, a figure any person would gladly look up to. Kenox was a charismatic mastermind, with a flair to all of his actions that left everyone around him awestruck. Everything seemed to fall into place for him, and just by existing, he made everyone around him seem so small.

And Hidari? He shouldn’t be here. He should’ve turned down Ms. Liang that morning. Hidari had nothing to offer for a battle strategy simulation. He’d barely passed his examination before – what had made him think he should do it in front of sponsors?

“Hey. That’s kind of low, Ken.” Gen’s voice, unusually gentle in its tone, brought Hidari back to reality. The redhead was giving his friend a pointed frown, arms folded over his chest now instead of looped over Kenox’s shoulders. “We both know how nerve-racking an exhibition can be.” He said firmly, reddish eyes locked with Kenox’s golden ones. “Hidari hasn’t even been trained for them yet. Plus, battle strategy isn’t his strongest suit. In fact, it’s probably his worst subject.”

Gen turned to Hidari next, an easy smile on his face as his eyes twinkled kindly. “Which makes it all the more impressive that you were selected.” He said lightly. “Only students that the admins think can truly demonstrate the best of the EON program are picked. Hidari, if you were asked to do this, you can do it. And you’ll be amazing.”

Hidari’s eyes widened slightly, his hands trembling at his sides as he stared at Gen.

The older boy looked so confident, so supportive. There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his face over what he’d just said. He looked like a proud parent, bringing his kid to an award ceremony. All the hard work was over, and he knew his kid deserved the reward coming his way. He was such a caring person.

“…Thank you, Gen.” Hidari whispered softly, a genuine smile crossing his face as he looked up at the boy. “I appreciate that.”

Gen grinned at Hidari’s response, clapping the smaller boy on the shoulder. “Great! Well, we’ll be late soon if we keep jabbering like this. Let’s head inside the auditorium. Don’t worry – we’ll be directed to where we need to go.”

Hidari nodded, letting the redhead take the lead down the stone pathway and simply following him the rest of the way to the building. Kenox walked behind him, unusually quiet as he walked over the stone.

Gen reached the doors to the building and yanked one open, sweeping in without a second thought. Hidari reached for a handle to hold the swinging door open and follow him, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“I go in second.” Kenox’s dark voice rang through the air, freezing Hidari in place. “Since I’m performing second.”

Kenox walked by Hidari, grabbing the door handle himself and glancing over his shoulder at the smaller boy.

Hidari just shot the golden-eyed jerk a glare, the tips of his ears burning as Kenox simply stared back.

They stood there for a few seconds that felt achingly long, Hidari shifting in place as Kenox waited by the doors. Neither one of them spoke, silence simply crushing down on their shoulders.

“W-Well?” Hidari eventually demanded, hating the stutter in his voice as he gestured at the door. “Aren’t you going inside?”

“I’m waiting for Gen’s intro to finish.” Kenox said immediately, jabbing a finger over his shoulder at the glowing door just behind him. “We’re going to be directed to a stage as soon as we enter, then we state our name, grade, and candidate rank. An admin will read off some of our accomplishments after that and we just wait until they’re finished before walking off.”

“O-Oh.” Hidari said in a quiet voice, thinking furiously back to Ms. Liang’s crash course about whether or not she had mentioned that. He was pretty sure she’d just told him to walk in and that everything would be fine.

This was not fine, Ms. Liang! He was not fine!

Kenox sighed, running a hand through his thick black hair and eyeing Hidari in the moonlight. “You really didn’t get much prep, did you?” He asked in a lower voice, as though he wanted to make sure no one but them could hear.

Hidari shook his head, biting his lip as the butterflies returned.

Kenox sighed again, glancing over his shoulder and pausing to listen to the speech inside. “It’s not that hard.” He finally said, looking back at Hidari and pulling open the door slightly. “When I’m in there, peek through the door crack like this. I’ll speak a little slowly so you can catch all the specific phrases we have to use. Just copy what I do when it’s your turn.”

Hidari blinked at that, peering at the older boy a little suspiciously. “You…want to help me?” He asked slowly, not quite trusting the idea. “You don’t even think I deserve to be here.”

“I never said that.” Kenox said instantly, golden eyes locked on Hidari. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, Hidari. I do think that if the admins picked you, you’re gonna show us all something absolutely incredible.”

Kenox glared firmly at Hidari, his eyes flashing a little as he continued to speak. “The fact that you were picked as a first-year is something even I can’t say I’ve done.” He admitted, glare still strong. “And the fact that your weakest subject is what you’re demonstrating is beyond astonishing already. It means you’ve taken some strength of yours and applied it in a way no one could’ve predicted. I’m looking forward to your performance.”

Hidari stared at Kenox in pure shock, replaying those words in his mind.

He wasn’t sure if hearing Kenox say that made him less nervous to perform or whether it exponentially worsened the pressure bearing down on him.

He was fairly certain it was the latter.

But…it still felt nice.

“Thank you.” He managed to get out, face going numb for the second time that day. “I look forward to seeing yours.”

Kenox laughed a little at that, giving Hidari a wry smile. “I think that just made me more nervous about how I’m going to perform.” He joked, punching Hidari lightly in the shoulder. “I’m now paranoid that I’ll mess up, live, in front of my rival.”

Kenox cocked his head curiously at Hidari, that smile still quirked on his face. “Is this how you feel knowing I’m looking forward to yours?” He asked, golden eyes glinting.

Hidari could only laugh at that, giving Kenox a knowing look.

Kenox laughed in response, the tension between the two of them melting just the slightest bit for the first time.

“Right. Well, good to know I screwed up that pep talk.” Kenox grinned, ruffling Hidari’s hair like Gen sometimes did. “Feel free to ignore whatever I said that wasn’t helpful. And watch me carefully, okay? I’m going in.”

Hidari nodded once before Kenox’s hand slipped from his head and the boy himself disappeared inside, vanishing into the orange glow of the auditorium lights.