The school field was massive, stretching wide like a small stadium. The grass was freshly cut, the lines on the ground painted bright white, marking out areas for different games. You could hear whistles blowing here and there, coaches shouting, students laughing, and sneakers pounding against the ground.
On one side, students were setting up for soccer, with two big goalposts standing tall. A group of boys were already passing the ball around, warming up.
Not too far from them, another group was preparing for basketball on a concrete court with shiny rims. The sound of the ball bouncing echoed loud.
Across the field, there was a section for track and field, lanes drawn out, students stretching for races, some already sprinting short distances.
At the far end, a group gathered for volleyball, the net pulled tight, players jumping high as they practiced their serves and spikes.
Even smaller games like badminton, dodgeball, and tug of war had their corners and many more. Everywhere you looked, it was packed with activity, energy, and noise.
Some students were just sitting on the bleachers, watching, eating snacks, or gossiping instead of playing. Others were already sweating from the games, jerseys clinging to their bodies.
Athena stepped out onto the field, her ponytail swaying gently as the afternoon sun caught the silver bracelet on her hand. The noise hit her first, then shouts, whistles, balls bouncing.
Beside her, Felicia was practically vibrating with energy. She spread her arms wide like she was about to hug the entire field.
"God, I love sports day!" she shouted, her voice almost drowning in the noise. "Look at this, Athena! Look at it , soccer there, volleyball there, basketball here, even dodgeball! This is heaven!"
Athena glanced at her, unimpressed but amused. "It's just… sports, Felicia."
"Just sports?" Felicia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like Athena just cursed at her family line. "Are you even human? This..." she spun around in a circle, pointing at everything like a tour guide on caffeine, "...is where the magic happens! Friendships, rivalries, drama, sweat, glory! All of it!"
Athena arched a brow, her lips twitching like she was fighting a smile. "Or just where everyone breaks an ankle."
Felicia burst out laughing, her energy infecting even Athena a little. She tugged Athena's arm, practically dragging her forward.
"C'mon, don't be such an ice queen. At least pretend you're excited. Look around, everybody's hyped. The adrenaline, the tension, the smell of sweat..."
Athena gave her a side-eye. "You sound like a pervert."
Felicia grinned wickedly. "Maybe I am. Sports pervert. You'll thank me later when I drag you into the fun."
Athena shook her head, her expression calm but her heart oddly lightened by Felicia's hyperactive joy. She scanned the field again, ignoring the few stares still thrown her way from yesterday's cafeteria chaos. Acting like nothing happened was the best weapon she had.
Felicia had Athena by the wrist, practically dragging her along.
"Come on, Athena! You can't just stand there like a pretty statue. Sports day is about trying everything, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball—look, they even have tug of war! Doesn't that sound fun?" Her words came out quickly, her ponytail bouncing as she pulled Athena forward like an impatient child.
Athena let herself be tugged but her expression stayed calm, unamused. "Felicia, I'm not about to throw myself in the dirt just to prove a point. Sports are your thing, not mine."
Felicia pouted dramatically, but it lasted only two seconds before she lit up again, pointing at another corner of the field.
"Fine, fine, but look over there! Volleyball, do you know how fun it is to smash the ball down and everyone cheers for you? Or basketball, no no, you're too short for that. Ooh, ooh, or dodgeball! That one's ruthless, perfect for someone like you. I swear, Athena, one game and you'll..."
"Pass," Athena cut in, her tone dry but not harsh. She glanced sideways, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she added, "I don't exactly enjoy being used as target practice."
Felicia groaned and threw her hands in the air, still walking. "You're impossible! If you're not going to play, at least let me enjoy this...oh, wait, look!"
They had stopped near the tug of war group just as a loud cheer erupted. The rope shook with force, both teams digging their heels into the ground. On one side, Leo stood at the very back, anchor position, veins pressing against his forearms as he pulled with calm strength. His face was damp with sweat, but his smile was easy, like he wasn't even trying.
Then—he saw them.
His eyes locked onto Athena and Felicia, and he lifted one hand off the rope to wave, grin widening.
The effect was instant.
His team lurched forward, the rope snapping a few inches through the grass as if their foundation had just crumbled. They groan in unison as they tried to stand their ground.
Felicia gasped, covering her mouth in exaggerated shock. Athena arched a brow, but the corners of her mouth twitched.
"Don't you dare wave at girls in the middle of this!" one teammate barked, struggling not to slide.
Leo only laughed, shaking his head as though it was worth it, before gripping the rope again with his other hand. His body leaned back sharply, muscles flexing, and just like that, the momentum swung. His team stabilized, yanking the rope back foot by foot. It was so fast it almost looked like he was dragging them alone.
The crowd went wild.
Felicia burst into laughter, doubling over. "Oh my god, did you see that?! They sounded like they were dying when he let go for two seconds! He's literally carrying the entire team on his back!"
Athena on the other hand looked at him as she furrow her brows harder. She couldn't even understand how he did that. Dragging people like he wasn't even making at effort at all.
The rope tightened again as the struggle resumed, but Leo still had time to glance at them with a lopsided smile, like their amusement was reward enough.
Felicia clapped her hands together, then turned back to Athena, still full of restless energy. "Okay, okay, fine, we won't play tug of war. But I'm not giving up! Come on, there's still baseball, races, tennis something has to get you moving today."
She tugged Athena's arm again, dragging her through the field while Athena let herself be pulled along, half-annoyed, half-entertained by Felicia's refusal to surrender.
The field was still buzzing with games and noise, but Athena didn't look impressed with any of it. She just walked along while Felicia dragged her by the wrist like a stubborn child refusing to join.
Felicia finally stopped, throwing her hands up dramatically.
"Okay! Enough is enough. Clearly you're not impressed by the mortals," she said with a cheeky grin. "So let's go see the elites. That should wake you up."
Athena raised a brow, her voice calm. "Elites?"
Felicia nodded so fast her ponytail bounced. "Yes, my love, the elites. The phantom fours are there too. They don't play like the rest of us. Trust me, it's a whole different vibe."
Athena sighed but let herself be dragged anyway. She didn't even realize when Felicia linked their arms together and pulled her toward the far side of the field.
The noise grew louder the closer they got. This wasn't just a game, it felt like half the school was gathered in one spot. Students were standing, sitting on the grass, even climbing the small fences just to get a view.
Athena's eyes narrowed as she finally saw what was happening. A section of the field looked almost reserved, cleaner, wider, and of course, full of the most good-looking, intimidating, and confident students she'd seen. The elites.
Felicia leaned closer and whispered with excitement, "See? Told you."