The pressure was starting to build up, replacing the previous adrenaline.

Ace Academia and St.Treasure College were tight on each other's end, if it wasn't for Heeseung getting them a one point lead.

One more shot could make the difference, if whether Aces can take the victory, or if the match will be a tie.

15 seconds left.

The crowd's loud cheerings vibrating against Ni-Ki's ears, camera's lights flashing, trying to get every aspect of the match to post for the city's sport's news. He could feel beads of sweats, rolling down both his nape and sides of his face.

His heart was basically beating at his throat, violently from the adrenaline.

For a moment his world stopped, the ball was passed to him, and it was now up to him to make the shot. It wouldn't have been so nerve wrecking if this wasn't the biggest game of the season, even the city judges were here, and the crowd was the largest yet.

Taking a deep breath, he aims for the target, before flickering his wrist at the hoop. The crowd anticipated the shoot, he finally breathed out the moment the ball left his hand, squinting against the bright light to see the ball fall into the hoop.

"And just like that, our MVP of today's match, number 9, Nishimura Riki, leads Ace Academia to city champion!"

"36-34! What a close game!" The commentators cheered, and nothing can describe the feeling of joy for the team. His teammates gather, their basketball coach congratulates them while Heeseung strapped his arms around the younger one and pumping him up and down.

Ni-Ki gasped for air because he was laughing too hard and that Heeseung was squeezing all the oxygen out of him. The team didn't stop celebrating, only laughed even more while Ni-Ki held onto the gold trophy.

Confettis floated around the gymnasium and everyone was cheering for him—his team, because St. Treasure College was one of the most competitive and top team out there. Ace Academia was ranked top 3, and STC was ranked 2nd.

—

"Great match boys," Coach Minhyun enters the locker room with a proud smile on his face. "Great one there, Ni-Ki. You never miss."

The boy's ears turns red. "Thanks, Coach."

"No practice on Monday, take the time off. However, I want to see you all on Tuesday, next match is 2 weeks away" He turned to a stern face, looking at everyone almost angrily before breaking into a smile again "Good game today, everyone. Keep it up!"

Everyone almost choked at his sudden change, all members knew about this bipolar-ness from him. They were quite used to it by now, and they didn't really mind.

They all bowed and thanked him as he left.

—

"You sure you're good here?" Your best friend, Yunjin laughed as you almost nudged over a beaker of liquids.

"Y-yeah" You replied, still startled from the accident.

Since your sophomore year, both you and Yunjin decided to join the science club out of interest. It wasn't until now, in your last year in high school, that you were the president of the club—well, both you and Yunjin. You guys were made co-president, and you liked it that way, 'cause it meant all not all the pressure will be on you.

Today's topic was chemistry, and you guys were ready to lead another experiment. Though Yunjin has to leave early to do a re-quiz for math.

"See you guys next time!" She said happily, waving at the students before leaving. "Don't let her burn the school down!" She yelled, even out of sight, you could still hear her down the hall way.

Which only made you snicker at your friend, "Titration, who knows what that is" You quickly started.

"Art club?" You muttered while reading the blue paper, taped to the wall. It was an advertisement, usually for school events, but it looks like the art club is looking for more members.

Too bad, this school is mainly known for their athletic programs/sport teams, so it was pretty rare to see any art students. They were all either science nerds–like you, musicians, or student athletes.

The Art club was started by Ms. Lim a fews year ago, at first it did pretty well. A good amount of seniors joined it—some because they didn't know what other club to join, and some joined out of pity.

Though the seniors from last year have all graduate, so the club is pretty much empty this year.

You were apart of it during your freshmen year, until you joined the science club. She was sad to see you leave, but she understood you've found something else more suitable to you.

It would be a lie, if you said you liked chem over art. You grew up with your grandma who was a full time artist, you made paintings alongside her growing up. But your parents were both researchers and scientist, so you ought to follow that.

The advertisement was asking for more students to join, and it said "Annual art contest, winner gets the newest apple iPhone."

You had rather thought it was bizarre, they would go this far? Just to get people to join? Even if it means they'll leave after the promotion is over?

"Looks like Ms. Lim is up to something again." A boy spoke from beside you, you hadn't noticed he was standing next to you until he spoke up.

"Oh, Jake"

"Are you interested in art?" He asked after greeting you.

"Used to, maybe still am, what can I say, it's hot and cold over here." You joked, which earned a soft chuckle from him.

Ms. Lim was one of the hardest working teacher you knew. She had helped you adapt to the school when you first moved here, because you weren't originally from around the neighborhood, making friends was hard since everyone had already knew each other since middle school.

"The newest apple iPhone? Sounds kinda tempting." He put a hand to his chin, rubbing it as if he was actually considering it, before breaking into laughters with you. "I'll join if you join." He said.

"Really? Then I'll see you in the art room at lunch tomorrow?" You teased, not really sure why he's only joining if you're joining.

"Alright" He grinned.

—

You weren't the teacher's pet, but everyone who has been here long enough knew you were the ideal student. Smart, honor roll, and was the student's helper.

You've helped to be the volleyball's team manager for a week, just before they could find a new manager. You've helped with school's funding events, blood donations, and helped with afterschool tutoring program.

All of those big achievements, but here you are, struggling to fulfill the job you signed yourself up to. The principal owned a pet cat, and he's one of those chill ones that keeps his pet around the school, letting it wander to god knows where.

Until it goes missing, so one of the teacher had asked you to go look for it. You couldn't even tell her 'no' because she already looked like she hasn't slept in 3 days.

So you swallowed away your allergy and fears for cats, and started searching away at the school. For the past few years, you've seen it around quite a lot.

You would've never thought it would go missing, after so many years.

It was a ragdoll breed, and if you could remember right—it was a girl. It had parts of its face covered in brownish-black fur and the rest were cloudy white, puffy and cuddly.

"Coco~" You called out, looking for places with no students around. Because the cat would cause quite an attention to itself whenever a student sees it, they would stop to play with the cat, and slowly a circle would be made around it.

You first checked the janitor's room, it was a supply room and probably one of the more quieter place—a place where the cat might like.

Ms. Yoon from earlier also mentioned Coco likes to stay in the sunlight, to bathe in vitamin D. So you tried to look for places with windows, and where the sun would shine through the transparent glass.

Even as far as looking at the sport's storage room, because you remembered they had windows in there.

Coco wasn't there, wasn't in the washroom, wasn't wandering the school yard—and you really were about to loose your sanity.

"Y/n!" Someone called out to you, it was Jay, one of the guys in your class—and one of the basketball players.

"Jay" It wasn't intentional, but you accidentally greeted him with a frown, almost too pouty for him to not notice.

"What's wrong? Did Yunjin eat the last bungeoppang again?" He teased, Jay was probably one of the first friend you made during freshmen, and thankfully you guys still talk until now.

"No, I wish it was that" You smiled, it was funny to you how he stills remembers the fight you had with her 3 years ago. "I'm looking for Coco."

"The principal's cat? Why?"

"It went missing, and I've been looking for 20 minutes." You sighed.

"Have you checked the roof? I heard from a friend that he sometimes sees it up there" He suggested, and your face quickly lit up with appreciation.

"I didn't think about that! Thank you, thank you!" You replied, jumping up and down until you realized and your smile slowly faded into a confused one "But isn't the rooftop prohibited?" You smiled strangely at him, whoever that was up there, probably shouldn't be up there in the first place.

"Do you want the find the cat or not" He awkwardly laughed, and you too joined him.

"You're right, thanks again."

—

It wasn't called the rooftop for nothing, you hated overexerting your heart rate, and it didn't help that the rooftop was 5 flights of stairs.

Just as you expected, the door was pried open. The lock was on the ground and it looks like no authority ever goes up here often enough to realize.

You pushed it open a little bit to peek outside, and sure enough, Coco was there. Happily meowing and running towards something, or someone, that was blocked behind the door.

Finally stepping to the otherside, and that's when you noticed. Nishimura Riki, playing wholeheartedly with the cat.

His smile was so lively, the sound of his chuckle rang in the air when the cat's tongue tickled his hand as he fed it some food.

You stared at the sight, only to be caught by him.

"O-oh, sorry. The door was already opened when I got here, so I just—I wanted some fresh air" He started to reason, awkwardly stuttering as he saw you.

Did he think he was in trouble?

You only smiled at him, telling him he was fine, and that you were only here for the cat. (And that you've been looking for him all over the place for 20 minutes)

He nodded slowly, sighing out of relieve "He's always here, the next time he's missing, come here" Smiling at you even wider, like a little boy scout after discovering a new species of rock.

"So this isn't your first time." You pointed out, teasing the boy a little more. His ears quickly flushed red, and it was your cue to laugh it off with him. "I'll get going now,"

—

You fought the urge to sneeze the moment you picked it up—but failed miserably, holding it in your arms while you walked down the stairs. Thankfully the cat was calm, so it let you, and didn't try to scratch you.

But you didn't realize Ni-Ki was walking right behind you, witnessing you sneezing the soul out of you. He didn't know you had a cat allergy, and he almost offered to hold it, but he decided to just let you.

Just as you were nearing the front office, the art door unexpected opened. The student was holding a tray of dirty water—from all the rinsing of paint brushes. The cat was violently startled and so were you, causing it to jump out of your arms, it sent you stumbling backward into someone's chest.

But it didn't help that the cat knock over all of the glass cups filled with paint water, all over the floor.

The girl screamed out of the sudden jump scared and the cat ran away again, right into the office that was a few doors down.

Ms. Lim noticed the accident and quickly ran to the scene, the student's clothes were wet and stained, the floor had water flood its tiles and she looked at you up and down.

"I—" You opened your mouth to speak but Ni-Ki soon spoke for you.

"I'm sorry Miss, I wasn't paying attention and accidentally bumped into her" He quickly said, even though he was behind you when Ms. Lim came out, he moved to your side and faced the floor to apology.

It made the student look at him with wide eyes, because even she knew that wasn't what happened.

"Mr. Nishimura..." She started, not sure if she should be confused, disappointed, or both.

"I'll clean it—" He offered, but the janitor was already right behind him.

"Ahh, I knew the cat was up to something when it walked in the office with dirty paws." He sighed, a mop already in his hand. "Sorry Chungha, I'll take care of this for you" He said to Ms. Lim and everyone backed away, so he could mop the floor.

Everyone stared at the situation in shocked, no one saying anything, until she let the student go clean up and pulled the two of you inside.

"So, uh" She started, speaking out of awkwardness as you two sat on the stool. "What happened?"

"Ms. Lim, it was my fault, I was taking Coco back to the office but it was startled, and I let it jumped out of my grip—and it made Yoona drop the cups" You confessed, you weren't just gonna let Ni-Ki take all the blame, because he didn't do anything. He just popped out of nowhere and decided to take the blame.

"No! Ms. Lim, It's my fault, I wasn't—"

"That's quite alright darling." She held up a hand, stopping Ni-Ki from talking any further. "Mr. Nishimura...Ni-Ki, I appreciate that you tried to take the blame for Ms. Y/l/n, but it's really alright." She smiled, already sensing his flushed cheeks.

"It's the cat's fault, we can just buy new cups, the floor will dry at some point, and I'm sure Yoona won't mind too much, everyone's harmless." She faced her palms in the air, as if to say 'problem solved.'

And you finally relaxed your shoulders, you didn't even know you were tensed up until you finally breathed out. But you were scared now, how would Ms. Lim think of you now.

"Ms. Lim?"

She hummed as a reply.

"I'm sorry, again" You didn't dare to look at her, facing the black surface of the table.

"Oh sweetheart, don't be so hard on yourself." She came over and embraced you in a hug, "But I mean, if you still feel bad" She quickly pulled out something from her pocket, unfolding the piece of paper before showing it to you "Join the art club again?" She smiled sheepishly at you, knowing her dearest student can never say no.

—

"You took the blame for her?" Jay broke to laughters.

A whistle was heard from Heeseung, which made Ni-Ki immediately send glares to him.

"Look at you, lover boy." Heeseung teased.

"Hee," Ni-Ki warned.

"Riki's got a little crushie" Ni-Ki quickled slaps a hand over Jungwon's mouth.

"I don't have a little crush on anybody," He groans, embarrassed as Jungwon smirks at him.

"Yeah, 'cause it's a phat one" Heeseung joined in, which made everyone bust out in laughters.

"Right Riki?" Jay winked, which only made the taller boy shake his head slowly.

—

"Ah!" You yelped, colliding with a hard chest. Your papers flew everywhere and you sigh. "I'm sorry."

"You're good. I didn't see where I was going," The boy bends down to help you pick your papers up. "Here."

"Thank you," You murmured, but loud enough for him to hear. He stood up first, then reaching out a hand to offer you.

Ni-Ki, you realized. Seems like this time, he really bumped into you.

You nibbled on your bottom lip to prevent a smile, thanking him.

Ni-Ki's heart stopped. His breath hitches the moment your soft hand came in contact with his.

You were, indeed an angel. To his eyes, you were a goddess of modern time.

After Ms. Lim dismissed you both, you quickly left to go meet Yunjin. So you didn't exchange any words, until now.

To be fair, Ni-Ki and you had only two classes together (in total, ever), and it was last year's chemistry and sophomore year's math class.

He wasn't the type of person you could see yourself hanging with, and it simply's because he had a reputation. Of being the popular guy, basketball player, tall, handsome, and clever. Almost the opposite of you—you were anything but athletic, average height, average looking, well known but not considered popular like he was, though you were smart, but that's basically it.

Being talentedly attractive also brought along the public eyes, everywhere he went, there were people watching him, being fanatics over him.

Just the look of him was intimidating, his title as the captain of the basketball team was already enough to make you pee your pants, let alone his deep voice.

For the lack of better word, he just wasn't someone you wanted to cross path with.

"Y/n" Ni-Ki whispers, "O-Oh, I mean uh, great to see you again, Y/n."

"You too, Ni-Ki." You give him a small smile, "C-Congratulations on the game, by the way." You took the chance to congratulate him, since you weren't able to do it last time.

"Thank you," He scratches the back of his neck, "Sorry about that. I was rushing to find Jake."

"Jake's in the art room, I think he's starting a project" You nodded in awkwardness, "Thank you for last time, you didn't have to take the blame for me"

"N-no, don't worry about it. I know you value your reputation." He added, which only made you surprised at his words, since when did he pay attention to you.

"Ah, but it would've been worse for you, you're the basketball's team captain"

He only shook his head, keeping himself humbled.

"Sorry for bumping into you again" You apologized.

"It's nothing. Catch you around?" His soft voice sent you to daze, it didn't help that his scent was filling up your senses.

"Sure."

Though you wish you won't.