Chapter-1

“Omg, are you team Theo or team Jin?”

The girls giggled excitedly to each other while fanning themselves as they sat in the auditorium

“Theo totally look so fine today, have you seen his Instagram post ? He’s so hot!”

“And Jin? Hello? Can we talk about how Jin looked while representing the school last month in that quiz competition?”

“Anyways, have you heard, Jin and Theo are competing this time as well for the 1st title”

“Who doesn’t know that? They’ve been competing for years now”

A girl from the bench squeals, “There they are!!”

Every eyes in the audience fell on both Jin and Theo as they walked in, As expected they both didn’t even bother looking at one another.

The teacher and other judges sighed sensing the tension among them, it was reasonable cause the last time Jin and Theo shared a stage together they got into a messy fight, grabbing each other’s collar and shoving until some of the students dragged both of them away.

Both of them were seated opposite to each other on the stage, but however it didn’t stop them from glaring at each other and the worst part was neither of them refused to back off.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

The Principal of Whitmore Academy, Paul Carter, (a 53 years old man with strict rules and a dedicated teacher who is known for his well disciplinary practices and skills in the entire school) stepped up on the stage to give his opening speech.

“Okay students, welcome to the annual debate competition of Whitmore’s Academy, as we all know the last year’s debate didn’t end so smoothly since….uh, some disappointing conflicts” the principal says glancing at both Jin and Theo with a look that says “behave”

Theo rolls his eyes when the principal brought up what happened last year in this exact same place. Jin clenched his fist trying and failing to stay calm and collected.

Principal Paul continued with his opening speech and all the students and teachers listened attentively in the auditorium but…

Jin and Theo were busy glaring at one another, not paying even half of their attention to the speech.

“Tsk, those two look like they’d actually kill each other” a girl from the seating row whispered to her friends

“Seriously. I just don’t get it, they used to be pretty close in high school”

“Right. Rumors says something bad happened between them, no one knows what”

“Who do y’all think will win this time?”

“Does it matter? Pray they don’t start a fight again this time too”

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Principal Paul finally finished with his speech and looks towards Jin, “Okay, now without delaying another second, let’s welcome to the stage, the brilliant student of Whitmore Academy and the winner of all the recent debate competition, the debate king, Jin Ashworth!”

[Debate topic: Vulnerability in Leadership]

The crowds, all the 120 peoples erupted into cheers and applause as Jin stood up and head towards the podium

He was neatly dressed, in complete school’s Uniform, the neatly ironed pants and blazer with the school’s logo and calm posture.

He lean to speak into the mic,

“First of all, good morning to all the respected judges, Mr Chairman, Principal Paul and all the peoples present here today, I’m Jin Ashworth, and I’d be speaking by first for the government”

The crowds clapped, and the Chairman and the judges looked impressed by Jin’s confident tone,

Jin took a deep breathe before starting,

“Mr Chairman. We affirm: vulnerability is a weakness in leadership.

Define terms quickly. Vulnerability means public emotional exposure without a plan. Leadership means making calls under pressure. Weakness is anything that costs clarity”

The judges nodded, everyone in the auditorium was stunned by how Jin can be a totally different person once he goes up on the stage, his body language, way of expressing was on another level.

Jin continued,

“One: Command needs certainty. Gene Kranz didn’t tell Mission Control he was scared. He said, ‘Let’s work the problem.’ Fear in private, direction in public. Doubt freezes teams.

Two: Exposure invites attack. Admitting cracks tells rivals where to hit. In here, in politics, in markets — you don’t lead by bleeding first.”

Another short pause, then

“We’re not saying leaders don’t feel. We’re saying the bridge isn’t the place to do it. Government is proud to propose.”

He gave a slight bow to the judges and went back to his chair and sat down.

He sits. Pen parallel to his notebook. Doesn’t glance at Theo.

The crowd burst into another applause and cheers, the judges seemed truly impressed and delighted with his point and facts, the judges talk among each other, and nodded as they talked.

Principal Paul patted Jin on his back once and gave him a thumbs up before going over to the mic again,

“Wow, Just Wow, That was so impressive Jin, I mean we didn’t expect anything less from you ofcourse, now let us welcome our other student, who is as talented and brilliant as well, who have achieved great academic achievements and also the star of Whitmore’s study council team! It’s none other than..Theo Hayes!”

“Whooo!!! Go! Theo!!!”

“Give it your best!!”

“I LOVE YOU THEO!!”

As Theo got up from his seat everyone cheered..well everyone except Jin, he looked away completely and simply looked back down on his notebook.

Deepdown Jin cursed his luck,

Why does he have to be my opponent ?

Of all the peoples, him.

Reluctantly Jin looked up from his notebook but paused when he saw Theo looking at him from the stage, like directly looking at him

Then…Theo smirks

...End of Chapter 1\~...

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