This was what he had planned — what he had wanted. To ruin Wichian’s perfect moment. And yet… it didn’t feel like victory.

Because Wichian wasn’t just embarrassed. He was broken.

Wit’s smirk faded as he watched the stage. Wichian stood frozen, eyes wide, trying to maintain composure as the crowd stared and whispered. That humiliating smile people gave him — a smile soaked in mockery and pity — hit harder than Wit had expected.

Wichian looked like he was standing on the edge of tears.

And for the first time, Wit couldn’t look away.

His chest tightened. A strange unease settled in. It wasn’t guilt exactly — not yet — but something had shifted. Something in the way Wichian’s expression lingered in his mind, refusing to be dismissed.

The boy he thought he hated so much…

Suddenly didn’t look like an enemy at all.

Wichian stood frozen, stunned by the sabotage of his presentation. He had no idea how it happened or who was behind it.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he quickly turned to the judges and the audience.

“I... I’m really sorry. I don’t know how those images got into my file. Please,” he pleaded, voice trembling yet respectful, “please allow me one more chance to present the correct version.”

Whispers rippled through the crowd as the judges huddled for a brief discussion. After a moment, one of them looked up and gave a small nod. “You may begin again.”

Relief flooded Wichian’s face, but his heart was still pounding. He took a deep breath, walked back to the laptop, and this time opened the file he had mailed directly to the principal.

Though tension still clung to his chest, he masked it well. His voice didn’t shake. His eyes didn’t falter. He dove into his presentation with quiet determination.

And this time, the idea shone.

It was unique, thoughtful, and impactful. As he spoke, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd leaned in. The judges nodded. When he finished, the room erupted in applause.

Even Tor, who had been waiting to see him humiliated, sat in silence—shocked by Wichian’s resilience and confidence.

And Sorawit...

Wit had come to watch him fall.

But as the applause echoed around him, a small, unintentional smile tugged at Wit’s lips.

He didn’t even realize it was there.

Wichian bowed slightly and returned to his seat, heart still heavy. He was grateful the idea had been appreciated — that people had seen the real work behind it. But a mistake was a mistake.

If that sabotage hadn’t happened, he might’ve had the highest chance to win.

But now?

Everything was uncertain.

----------

A short break was announced before the winners would be revealed.

While some students discussed the presentations and tried to guess the results, others were still laughing about the incident.

“Was that really him as a kid? He looked so ugly!”

“Can’t believe someone like him turned out this way.”

Wichian heard it. Every word.

He said nothing.

He simply walked past them, calm on the outside, and found a quiet corner to sit alone. His eyes were blank, thoughts racing as he tried to understand how it had all gone wrong.

From a distance, Sorawit watched him — silent.

He had expected to feel proud. Victorious. But all he felt was… regret.

Wichian looked small sitting there, his shoulders slightly slouched, staring at the floor like he was trying to disappear. Sorawit’s chest tightened. His legs moved on their own — he took a step forward.

But before he could go any closer…

Someone else got there first.

Paul.

He walked up to Wichian with a small smile and handed him a soft drink. “Hey. Don’t overthink it, okay? What happened was just a glitch. But your presentation? It was amazing. I really think you’ve got a shot at winning.”

Wichian looked up, surprised. He gave a faint, grateful smile. “Thanks,” he said softly, accepting the drink.

The two sat there through the break. Paul kept talking gently, trying to lift Wichian’s spirits. And slowly, Wichian seemed to ease up.

Sorawit stood frozen, watching it all — and something inside him burned.

Tor returned from a short walk, casually sipping on a cold drink, and noticed the scene too.

“Oohh, your brother’s fast!” Tor chuckled, nudging Wit. “I’ve never seen Phi Wichian talk to anyone like that before.”

That last part hit hard.

Wit’s jaw clenched.

He didn’t respond.

He just kept staring at them — at Wichian smiling at someone else — and felt something boiling in his chest that he couldn’t name.

----------

It was finally time to announce the winners.

Everyone gathered back inside the hall, tension thick in the air. The murmurs quieted as the emcee stepped up to the microphone, holding the result sheet in hand.

All eyes turned to the stage.

Even Tor and Wit, standing behind a glass window at the back of the hall, leaned in to listen.

Wit folded his arms across his chest, trying to look disinterested. But his eyes betrayed him. There was no smugness, no thrill. Just… guilt. A silent weight in his gaze as he watched Wichian stand among the other participants, still composed, still holding himself together.

He didn’t want Wichian to win — at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

But his heart… wasn’t so sure anymore.

The emcee glanced at the crowd, smiling.

“And now, the moment you've all been waiting for... "

“And the winner of today’s inter-school innovation challenge is…”

The room held its breath. Even Tor went quiet.

Wit’s heart skipped a beat.