Chapter 18 Why Not?
"... What kind of photo should I take..."
Elsword's laying down on his bed while pondering about the kind of photo he should take to win from Chung.
*Ring*
"Mail?"
He got up and opened the mail
Els, are you thinking about the match? Don't mind it, we will have a final exam in 3 weeks.
True, they only got 3 weeks before final exam and they will graduate soon.
Not to mention he needs to deal with his promise.
But, he still will not let Chung have his way on him.
You're right, but I still need to do it.
Sent.
"Hm... I think I might've do some photo session soon, so that I have time to study for the final exam... But, just what will I messed up?"
Elsword scratched his head.
"Guess I'll think about it tomorrow, for now I'll just rest..."
Elsword's about to sleep, but his phone rang.
"What again this time?"
He took the phone, it's a call from an unknown number.
Who might it be...
He picked the phone up.
"Hello."
"Hello, Elsword."
This man knew him.
He think it's Chung.
"Are you Chung?"
"Yes, have you planned on what kind of photo you're taking?"
"Not yet, are you calling me just to say that?"
"Fufufu, how unsightly. By the way, my photo will surely get the most likes no matter what."
"I will need to confirm this, what kind of contest are we having?"
Chung chuckled at the other side.
"We just need to take one photo, and whoever gets the most like, is the winner, the conclusion time is the next week, we'll see who is the winner, and the loser must obey to one of the winners demand, how is it?"
"I see, not a bad idea. Is there anything you want to say again?"
"No, that would be it. Thank you."
*Click*
"... Thank You?"
Elsword tilted his head.
He wonder just what is he planning to do.
Since thinking too much is only will make him more and more confused, he decided to not think about it and went to sleep.
-The Next Day-
"I wonder if Elsword's taking the challenge too seriously..."
Rena said as she get dressed.
Rena's worried that because of that challenge Elsword's study would be disturbed.
He's a prodigy, but Rena's still worried.
Not to mention Chung's the type that loves to flame others.
"This will be a pain if he did something funny to Els..."
Since she still has a little time, she took out her phone to check if Chung've posted his photo or not since the one who post it first has the advantage of getting more likes.
When she opened his profile...
"W-What is this..."
A photo is there.
With likes over 1,000 in just 2 hours.
What's surprising isn't just the likes amount.
But...
"Why... Why did he has this photo..."
It's the photo of Elsword, caressing her head with sunset as its background.
Truly a romantic photograph that anyone would love.
However... Why Chung didn't post his own photo?
Feeling that something's off, Rena called Elsword.
"... Hello!?"
"Hello, what is it, Rena?"
It seems like Elsword hasn't seen that picture yet.
"Chung's using our photo in the contest! Did he said anything about the rule to you?!"
"-! Tsk... So that's why he didn't mention to take a photo of ourselves and that extra rule..."
"Extra rule? What do you mean, Els?"
"He said to me last night, that we need to take one photo and who gets the more likes will win, but he didn't mention that it must be the contestant's photo, so any photo will do, and... The winner can make one demand on the loser."
"What!? Why did you agree to that kind of rule? And... how can you win now? In 2 hours he already got 1,000 likes..."
"... I will think of a way, talk to you later at school, Rena."
*Click*
"Els..."
Rena held her phone on her chest.
Elsword, who's sitting in his class gritted his teeth.
"That guy..."
He looked at the picture of he and Rena that Chung took without them knowing.
Elsword's brain is working very hard to think of a way out, the more time he waste the more likes Chung will get, he can't lose in this match no matter what.
"What kind of photo should I take..."
"Hey, Elsword."
Raven entered the class and approached Elsword.
"You looked like you're in a trouble, can I help you?"
"Well... Things are quite hard."
After hearing the whole story, Raven slammed the desk.
"That motherf***er... Looks like he really wants to win that he doesn't care what trick is he using, fine, let's do it with our way."
"Our way?"
Elsword asked in confusion.
"We'll do a photo session, after school."
-After School-
"So... What are we going to do, senior?"
Rena asked Raven.
"Let's head to the rooftop."
Raven pointed at the ceiling as he take a chair with him.
And so, Raven, Aisha, Elsword, and Rena are heading to the rooftop.
Aisha's following them because she wants to see how the photo will turn out.
"Els, can you really win it?"
"... Let's have faith in how Raven will help us."
"Um..."
Rena nodded as she walks to the rooftop with the rest of them.
Once they reach the rooftop, Raven put the chair he brought near the fence.
"Now, both of you come here."
Raven pointed the place near the fence.
"I'm going to show you, the magic that only photographers know."
Raven smiled.
Rena and Elsword nodded and they stood near the fence.
Raven stood on the chair and adjusted the position of the camera's google.
So that he will get a good photo.
"Sweet, this position's pretty nice, now look over here, you two."
Rena and Elsword don't know what he mean, they just follow what Raven instructed them to do, they look at the google intently.
"Move closer with each other."
They get a little closer.
Aisha's smiling since she knows what's Raven trying to do.
"Closer."
Rena and Elsword are not aware of how close they are.
"Closer, take a far step."
And then-
*Thump*
Rena's cheek is bumping with Elsword's cheek.
They looked like a couple that are taking a photo together.
"-Ah!?"
Rena's flustered and Elsword's surprised.
Not letting this chance slips away, Raven clicks the camera and took the photo.
When he look at the result, he smiled in triumph.
"I get the picture, and it's pretty nice."
"Really?"
"Show me."
Elsword wants to see the picture.
Raven get down from the chair and show them the picture, Aisha also coming to see it.
There, a very magnificent photo is shown.
"This is..."
Rena's speechless.
Elsword also can't say anything.
It's a picture of them, looking like a couple, but what's great is not that, but the background.
From Raven's position, he can take a photo where the city's clearly visible when the sunset's giving a warm orange color over the whole city.
Also, behind the city, there's a hill that enrich the natural feelings of the sunset.
This picture is literally 'Holy'.
"This is just an example of what a photographer can do, do you like it?"
"Yes! This is awesome, senior!"
"... I can't find a word to describe this picture."
Elsword's staring at the picture without blinking, the position and the time's just too perfect, Raven's really a great photographer.
"Good job, Raven."
Aisha smiled as she patted his shoulder.
Raven grinned.
"With this, we will win it!"
Rena said as she raise her hand high in the air.
"I'm sure, we will win."
Elsword said with a grin on his face.
"Let's head back together, we get a great photo already."
Raven said as he took the chair to return it to the class.
"You're right."
Elsword held Rena's hand.
"-Eh?"
Rena's surprised, but she smiles afterward.
Aisha's walking behind Raven, so they don't know that both of them are holding hands.
-At Night-
The photo's uploaded, and the amount of likes are skyrocketing.
Elsword smiles as he watched the amount of likes which seems like it will not stop anytime.
*Ring*
A mail to his phone.
Elsword guessed that it's Chung.
"I wonder what's he trying to say."
Elsword opened the mail.
So much for a modeling partner, don't you think?
Elsword chuckled.
He knew that he will receive such a reply.
So he replied 'So what? Are you jealous?'.
After awhile...
But you will not win no matter how great is your photo.
Elsword's a bit confused of what did he meant, but then, he understood.
It's the time difference, no matter how great the photo is, Elsword's having a 'Late Start' which is a very deadly disadvantage in a race.
When he post the picture, Chung already got 5,000 likes, even though he can get 3,000 likes in 2 hours, he can't be sure that Chung's likes will slow down.
"Tsk...!"
He can only pray that he can surpass Chung in time, but that would be pretty hard.
-One week later, after school-
Elsword, Rena, Raven, and Aisha are waiting in front of the school.
A black car parked in front of the front gate.
Elsword's looking at Chung.
While Chung's also looking at Elsword.
The winner will be decided in 1 minute.
Elsword: 14,678 Likes.
Chung: 14,706 Likes.
There's a gap of 28 likes.
In 1 minute, it's impossible for Elsword to beat him.
Elsword's gritting his teeth.
He just can't accept this fate.
Chung's smiling fearlessly.
5... 4...
Raven's clenching his fists.
Rena's facing the other side.
Aisha's keeping her cool and looks at Chung.
3... 2... 1...
0...
"It seems like I won, Elsword."
Chung gave him an applause.
"Tsk..."
Elsword's regretting his 'Late Start'.
If only I took the photo earlier...
He can't stop regretting his foolishness.
That he didn't realize that this small matter like 'time' can be a very crucial matter that decides win or lose like this.
"According to our promise, the winner will make one demand on the loser."
"... What, are you going to ask me to leave Rena alone?"
Chung shook his head.
"My demand is..."
"... Uh..."
Elsword gulped hard.
"... Let's get in the same university after we graduate."
Everyone are dumbfounded.
"-What?"
"I'm also a 3rd year high school student, after I graduate I'm going to move into this city, so let's get in the same university, since I don't know anyone here."
"I-I don't really understand..."
Elsword shook his head in confusion.
Rena, Aisha, and Raven sighed.
It seems like this matter's too obvious for normal human, since Elsword's too logical, he can't understand other people's feeling.
"Literally speaking, he wants you to be his friend, Elsword."
Rena said as she smile.
"Be his friend?"
Elsword looked at Chung.
"I-I didn't say I want you to be my friend! It's just I don't have anyone I know so you need to guide me in this city."
Chung's not being honest, but it seems like he recognized Elsword as his rival and good friend.
Who knows why he became like this but it seems like one week is enough to make someone close to each other.
"... May I ask why you're making this demand?"
Chung sighed and...
"... I did plan to ask you to get away as far as possible from Rena, but the more I look at the picture, the more I think I will never able to sever your bond with her, hence, I no longer felt like that, instead, I want you to protect her in my position, however... Being alone's just too sad, I've been so bad toward many kind of people, so I want to atone for my sins, if it's possible... I would like to join all of you..."
Elsword smiles, even though he is unwilling to accept defeat, he still will accept if someone wanted him to be their friend.
Elsword offer his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Chung. I'm Elsword-"
He think about something for awhile, and then...
"Elsword Sieghart."
The moment he said that name, Raven and Chung were very surprised.
Rena and Aisha just giggles.
"YO-YOU ARE THAT SIEGHART, THE PRODIGY!?"
Raven's very surprised, but Elsword didn't intend to hide anything from his 'friends'.
"I-I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, REALLY!?"
Chung's also at really surprised that he can't believe it.
"Yes, but the prodigy which is nominated as the best student in Elrios was my sister, I'm her little brother."
Elsword said as he smile weakly.
"Wait... 'Was'?"
Chung didn't miss that part.
"Did you mean, she's already passed away...?"
Raven asked him.
Elsword nodded.
"My condolences..."
Raven and Chung lowered their head.
Elsword just laughed.
"It's okay, I've went through it, it's nothing, now."
But of course they're still feeling bad for asking.
"And for your information, back then Elsword's cr- MMF!?"
Just when Rena's about to say something Elsword stuffed her mouth with his hand.
Looks like Rena forgot that the matter of him crossdressing is a secret.
"Well... You have your own trouble, but it's fine, the sky's also quite dark, I will see you all again in 3 weeks after we finished our final exam, let's try our best."
Chung said.
"Yes, you too."
Elsword said.
"Do your best."
Rena said.
"Be careful on your way."
Raven warned him.
"See you again, Chung."
Aisha said.
Before he get in the car, he whispered something to Elsword;
"Are you sure you're not going out with Rena?"
"I'm not, but... I did plan to marry her."
Chung chuckled and he hit his shoulder lightly.
"I see, good luck, Elsword."
"Thank you, Chung."
He smiled and got back into his black car.
Chung's able to drive a car.
But he still haven't got his license due to age's matter.
Since Chung've decided to become their friend, they don't have to hate him anymore.
Anyone has the right to change to better or worse, if he changed to better, why don't they accept him?
That's what they're thinking.
After all the more people there are, the merrier.
"Let's head home."
Elsword suggests.
All of them nodded.
From today on, Chung've become one of them and they will meet again after the final exam.
Chapter 18 Why Not?
I tried my best to do an update, I hope this didn't ruin my story QAQ