CHAPTER 4

chapter 4

An Unexpected Announcement

The morning after the unexpected encounter...

Life at Titan University returned to normal.

Or at least...

That was what everyone believed.

Inside the Mechanical Engineering building...

The Four Kings had already gathered in their classroom.

Joong lazily spun his pen between his fingers.

"So..."

"...how's everyone's mood today?"

Pond didn't even look up from his notebook.

"The same."

"You say that every day."

"Because it's true."

Joong sighed dramatically.

"I swear talking to you shortens my lifespan."

Perth silently placed an iced Americano on the table in front of Pond.

Pond glanced at him.

"...Thanks."

Aou looked at the three of them before closing his laptop.

"The professor is coming."

As if on cue...

Professor Chanin walked into the classroom.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, Professor."

"The university has finalized this year's annual Innovation Exhibition."

The room instantly became quiet.

"As always..."

"It will be a joint project between Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering."

Small whispers spread through the classroom.

The professor continued.

"Each team will consist of one senior from Mechanical Engineering and one second-year student from Chemical Engineering."

Joong leaned back.

"Looks like we'll have juniors following us around."

Pond replied flatly,

"As long as they don't slow me down."

Aou calmly added,

"Don't judge before meeting them."

Perth remained silent.

Meanwhile...

Inside the Chemical Engineering Department...

Santa had somehow managed to balance a ruler on his nose.

Boom stared at him.

"...How are you doing that?"

"It's talent."

"It's stupidity."

"It's art."

Dunk laughed so hard he almost dropped his notebook.

Phuwin simply continued reading.

The classroom door opened.

Professor Malee entered.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Professor."

She smiled.

"I have exciting news."

Santa immediately sat up.

"Does it involve canceling class?"

"No."

Santa dramatically slumped over his desk.

"I've lost all hope."

The classroom burst into laughter.

Professor Malee shook her head.

"Next month, you'll participate in the annual Innovation Exhibition."

The room filled with excitement.

"You'll be paired with final-year Mechanical Engineering students."

The class erupted.

"The seniors?"

"The famous ones?"

"I heard they're impossible to approach."

"I heard they're all top students."

Someone whispered,

"...The Four Kings are from Mechanical Engineering."

Santa blinked.

"...Wait."

"...Does that mean..."

Boom slowly turned toward him.

"...Don't say it."

Santa gulped dramatically.

"We might get paired with them."

Boom covered his face.

"I'll faint."

Dunk chuckled.

"You're scared after one meeting?"

"I'm not scared."

"...I'm respectfully terrified."

Even Phuwin smiled slightly.

"Let's wait for the pairings first."

Lunch Break...

The campus cafeteria buzzed with conversation.

By coincidence...

Both groups entered from opposite sides.

The Four Kings headed toward their usual quiet corner.

The four juniors searched for an empty table.

Santa looked around.

"Everything's full."

Boom sighed.

"We'll have to wait."

Just then...

A table near the window became vacant.

At the exact same moment...

Pond and Santa stepped toward it.

They stopped.

Both looked at the table.

Then at each other.

Santa smiled awkwardly.

"Senior..."

"You can have it."

Pond stared for a moment before speaking.

"We saw it first."

Santa blinked.

"...Oh."

Before the atmosphere could become awkward...

Aou walked over.

"There are eight seats."

Everyone looked at the table.

Indeed...

It was large enough for eight people.

Joong smiled knowingly.

"Looks like fate wants us to share."

Pond frowned slightly.

Santa whispered to Boom,

"I suddenly don't feel hungry."

Boom nodded.

"Me neither."

Phuwin looked at the seniors calmly.

"We don't mind sharing, if you don't."

For the first time...

Pond looked directly at Phuwin.

Their eyes met for only a second.

"...Sit."

That was all he said.

No one realized...

This ordinary lunch...

Would become the first thread connecting two completely different worlds.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***