Chapter 4

After the holiday ended, I began preparing to register for the interscholastic debate competition.

In my past life, though Jade and I both lived at the Sterling household, we stayed on different floors.

At school, she was in the gifted program while I was in regular classes.

We were two parallel lines that should never have met.

It was a debate competition that made Jade notice me.

This time, I wanted to stand on that stage even earlier.

However, when I had all my materials ready, I discovered that my small-town high school had no plans to register for the competition at all.

I didn't give up. I brought a sleeping bag and camped out in the hallway outside the principal's office.

Unable to withstand my persistence, the principal finally agreed to let the school enter a team, though we'd have to cover travel expenses ourselves.

Fortunately, there were plenty of interested students at school.

We formed a team, prepared, held practice debates---we were swamped.

Jade occasionally sent me messages.

I always stopped what I was doing and read them several times before finally restraining my emotions and replying briefly with just a few words.

Before the end of first semester, I led our team into the finals.

At the venue before the competition, Jade spotted me immediately.

"Are you working part-time here again?"

I tapped the school name badge on my chest.

"I'm here to compete in the finals."

Jade glanced at the badge, her pupils contracting slightly.

"You're 'that' debater from Oak Ridge High?"

"'That'?"

Jade's expression turned serious, her gaze intent.

"With your school's resources and history, making the finals is nothing short of miraculous."

"Many spectators today came specifically to see your team's legendary captain. Could you introduce me later?"

Just then, my teammate ran over.

"Captain, our seats are over there. We should go get ready!"

Jade froze, and the way she looked at me clearly changed.

I pumped my fist with a confident smile.

"See you on the debate floor, Jade."

Four teams had made the finals.

We faced off against another school first.

Having lived through this once before, I not only remembered the debate topics but knew the opponents' weaknesses.

Without question, we won with a clear advantage.

Throughout the entire process, I could feel that familiar gaze following me, growing more and more focused.

When it was Jade's team's turn to compete, I sat in the audience directly across from them.

Just like in my past life, she was calm and composed, methodically dismantling each of the opposing team's attacks with clear logic.

After her victory, I saw her gaze searching through the crowd, so I immediately pulled my teammates out through the side door.

When it comes to feelings, the more elusive you are, the more unforgettable you become.

When Jade sent me messages, I only replied with [Busy].