Blue was snapped from his shock as his face was replaced with annoyance. Blue's jaw ticked and he threw a sharp glare at Ryzel. "I should be the one telling you that. I haven't been here for a week, but you already violated two major rules, Capt. Ryzel. Is that how a leader should act? You are not setting a good example for your squad," Blue gritted out and his irritation only intensified when Ryzel's lavender eyes danced in amusement, albeit for only an instant.

Ryzel tilted his head and threw the cigarette butt to the nearest bin. Ryzel can't get enough of Blue's flustered expression. It only makes Ryzel want to tease Blue more. "My squad likes me just fine, Winters. It seems like you can't take your eyes off me. Am I that interesting, Winters?"

Blue blinked rapidly and opened his mouth for a very smart comeback but all he could muster was a stuttered "W-what? A-are you out of your mind? Stay away from me!" Blue screamed in a panic when Ryzel stepped forward.

Ryzel stepped closer to Blue, ignoring the former's orders, and stared straight into Blue's eyes. The two are just a foot away from each other. Blue is just two inches taller than Ryzel, and when it comes to build, Ryzel and Blue have similar frames: toned body, broad shoulders, and tall frame.

Ryzel leaned a few inches closer to Blue, causing the latter to step back in a stumble. "What are you doing? Step back!" Blue ordered in what seemed to be a shaky voice that only urged Ryzel to tease the newbie captain. Blue cursed internally at his loss of composure, but Blue is not comfortable when someone invades his personal space. Yeah, that's it. He's invading my space. That's the reason why my nerves are acting up.

Ryzel hummed and a ghost of a smile crossed his lips, but because of the limited illumination, Blue was not able to catch it. "Humor me, Winters. I have been feeling your burning stares wherever I go, and you always intrude into my personal business. You follow me like a mutt. You're even here when it's clearly not allowed according to the rulebook. You are also violating the rules you want to strictly uphold," Ryzel stated in a blank tone and lifted his brow. "Why is that so?"

Blue was left out of words. Usually, he's not like this. Ryzel could do whatever he wants and Blue should not get involved, but Blue could not help but be drawn to Ryzel. The moral spirit in Blue is making him chase the rebel captain so order could be maintained. Blue gulped nervously when Ryzel took another step.

"One more step and I'll punch your face, Thompson," Blue gritted out, his fists clenched tight. When Blue got a whiff of Ryzel's sweet scent, which was quite intriguing considering that Ryzel is a man, Blue's pulse quickened and he almost held his breath. Blue can't pinpoint it, but Ryzel's scent has soft notes of vanilla and summer roses. I don't think that's how a man should smell, but his scent is so pleasant.

Ryzel leaned back and observed Blue's reaction. Knitted brows, lips pressed in a thin line, veins popping on his forehead and neck, tensed shoulders, and a scrunched expression. Not to mention, Blue has been glaring daggers at Ryzel since a while ago. "Blue. Are you interested in me?" Ryzel repeated the question and stared at Blue as if he was figuring out what makes Blue tick.

Blue hitched a breath not because of Ryzel's question but because of the shivers that Blue felt when Ryzel called Blue's name for the very first time. The way it rolled on Ryzel's tongue was very pleasant to the ears that Blue wanted to hear Ryzel call Blue's name again, something that Blue hates to admit. You're delusional, Blue. This is the consequence of staying up late, Blue convinced himself.

Blue caught himself and before he embarrassed himself, he pushed Ryzel away and headed to the elevator, but now without uttering, "Yes. I'm very interested to kick your butt once we win that championship. I can't wait to see your defeated expression," Blue snapped and closed the door, leaving Ryzel smirking in amusement.

"Well... I can't let that happen," Ryzel mumbled and brushed his hair back. Anyone who saw Ryzel would be scared to his or her wits because right after Blue issued the challenge, Ryzel's expression turned dark, deadly, and scary. I won't let anyone fuck up my plan. Especially you, Blue Winters.

The next day,
8 in the morning
Soccer field

Blue sat in front of his new squad. Fifteen members passed the evaluation, including Ken. For Blue, it's just the right number of members. Blue will just announce another selection if he needs more members.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for trusting me to be your squad captain, and I can assure you that we will be part of the elite squads before the quarter ends," Blue promised without any ounce of doubt that got all his members cheering. Ken looked so proud at his captain while clapping hard.

"Before I discuss our team-building activities, I want everyone to know that one of our major goals is for this year is to claim the championship title for this year's sports week," Blue declared enthusiastically and Ken nodded and cheered for his captain, but Blue was met with a dead silence after Ken's applause.

The atmosphere became heavy and gloomy, as if Blue delivered the worst news in the history of mankind. This was the first time Blue observed an instant drop in morale. The captain glanced at Ken who mouthed, Do something, Cap.

"Don't worry, team," Blue assured with a confident smile. "We are going to play smart and win the games that Ryzel's squad won't participate in. We just need to beat the other thirteen teams--" the squad groaned at the impossibility of the task but Blue is not one to give up easily. "A million dollars is on the line, guys," Blue revealed and shocked and dumbfounded faces filled his team. Blue asked the Madam if asking a million dollars for prize money is too much, but the Madam said that Blue's request is still reasonable.

"Seriously?"

"Fuck! That's a huge amount," one gasped out while the others nodded, still shocked. In just a few seconds, the squad's mood was lifted as they talk amongst themselves about what kind of sports they should participate in.

"You should've started with that, Captain," Ken said with a chuckle and a shake of his head. Blue grinned and distributed the printed files to the squad.

"If we win, we can have our own HQ. How it will be designed will be up for discussion once we win, but I hope that this is enough motivation." To be honest, Blue will do everything if it means that Ryzel won't go to the mission alone. Blue is suspicious that this is what Ryzel would request after considering what Ken said, what Blue heard from Seven, and from what Rouge mentioned.

I will defeat him. I won't let him do what he wants. If we win, that's hitting three birds with one stone: we will get the prize money, I will be able to stop Ryzel from his suicide mission, and finally, I will be able to uphold peace and order within the organization.

Blue was looking forward to Ryzel's defeat, but he was not ready for the consequence of that possibility. He was not ready to witness Ryzel's madness.