The campus fair had reached its chaotic peak. Music from the band mixed with laughter, screams, and the occasional shouts from the game stalls. Leon followed Maya's lead, trying to stay composed, though his chest still throbbed from the relay race and the confrontation with Richard. He had thought the tension had simmered down, but apparently, he had been wrong.
Ahead, Tunde was already at the dunk tank, grinning like he owned the entire fair. "Come on, everyone! Don't just watch! Step right up! Try to dunk the champions!"
Leon's stomach sank as he realized what Tunde meant by "champions." He glanced at Richard, who was casually leaning against the dunk tank frame, arms crossed, observing the crowd with his usual calm, infuriating composure.
Maya's eyes widened. "Richard, you're not going in there, are you?"
Richard smirked faintly. "Why not? It's all in good fun."
Leon blinked. "Good fun? You mean humiliating yourself in front of everyone while I—"
Richard's gaze met Leon's, steady and piercing. "—watch?" he finished for him, his voice calm.
Leon's cheeks heated. Why does he make everything sound like a challenge?
Before he could respond, Tunde clapped his hands dramatically. "First up, the daredevil duo! Who's ready to dunk Richard—or Leon?"
Leon's heart skipped. "Daredevil duo? Who—why?"
Maya stepped forward, hands raised. "Stop it, Tunde! You're not—"
But Tunde was already egging on the crowd. "Come on! The champions! Let's see who cracks first!"
Leon's stomach twisted. He didn't want to participate in this ridiculous prank, but he also couldn't back down—not with Richard standing there, calm and composed, ready to face the challenge. And somehow, he knew Richard expected him to participate.
Richard stepped onto the platform first, hands in his pockets, his expression infuriatingly relaxed. The crowd cheered, some whistling, and Leon felt his teeth grit.
"You're ridiculous," Leon muttered under his breath.
Richard's head tilted slightly, lips curling into a small smirk. "Maybe. But so are you."
Leon groaned. He's impossible.
Maya watched nervously from below, hands gripping the strap of her bag. "Don't… don't get wet, Richard!"
Richard's calm gaze swept over her. "I'll survive."
Then it was Leon's turn. Tunde handed him the soft ball, winking at him. "Ready? Try not to embarrass yourself in front of the beautiful Maya."
Leon's stomach sank. Of course he's teasing me. Of course.
He gritted his teeth, tossing the ball carefully. It barely hit Richard's target, and Richard didn't even flinch, maintaining his composed smirk.
Leon scowled. "Not fair! You're too steady!"
Richard shrugged, calm as ever. "And you're too… predictable."
Maya groaned. "Both of you, stop it! Just have fun!"
The next round began, and Leon aimed more carefully. This time, the ball hit the target, and Richard yelped slightly as the trapdoor gave way, sending him splashing into the water below.
The crowd erupted into laughter and cheers. Leon felt a brief surge of triumph—but it was immediately complicated when he noticed Richard climbing out, dripping wet yet still smirking at him.
"See? That wasn't so bad," Richard said, water dripping from his hair.
Leon's chest tightened. "You… you're laughing at me!"
Richard's smirk softened into something unreadable. "I'm impressed you hit the target. That was… good."
Leon's heart skipped a beat. Good? He said I was good?
Maya's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You two… are insane."
Before Leon could retort, Tunde stepped forward again. "Alright! Time for round two! Let's see if Leon can handle getting dunked too!"
Leon's stomach dropped. No. Absolutely not.
Richard stepped closer, voice calm but firm. "Go ahead. I'll stand here."
Leon froze. "You… you'll—wait, why are you—"
Richard's eyes met his, steady and unwavering. "I said I'll stand here. Don't overthink it."
Leon realized, with a strange jolt in his chest, that Richard wasn't just letting him go first. He was… protecting him.
Maya gasped. "Wait! Leon, are you going in?"
Leon took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform, gripping the ball. His gaze flicked to Richard, who gave the faintest nod of encouragement.
Leon threw, aiming carefully—and hit the target. The trapdoor gave way, sending him splashing into the water below.
Maya laughed, covering her mouth. "Oh no! Leon!"
Richard's laughter, warm and teasing, rang out. "Not bad. You improved."
Leon's face burned, not from the water, but from the realization that Richard's calm presence—and his subtle approval—had shaken him more than Tunde's teasing ever could.
As Leon climbed out, dripping and irritated, he caught Richard's gaze again. For the first time, the rivalry didn't feel simple.
Because the real challenge wasn't the dunk tank.
It was each other.
And Leon couldn't decide whether he hated it—or was terrified he might like it.