"I'm in a pinch right now. I don't know what to pick."
Jude paced the length of his room, phone pressed to his ear. The group call hummed with the ambient noise from the other lines.
"Should I pick option one or option two?" Jude continued. "The option of being alone and having peace, but coming off as a coward. Or the option of going on a date with a girl I have no interest in just to spite another."
"Is he strong?" Anton's voice came through the speaker, flat and direct.
"He's the top student in the ability S-class."
"Oh, a top student." Zeke's voice curled with amusement. "What about you? Why aren't you the top student? Does he have two heads?"
"Urgh. Be serious, Zeke." Jude rubbed his forehead.
"Would you lose, though?" Anton asked again.
"Not necessarily."
"That's your answer." Zeke's tone shifted, the playfulness settling into something more grounded. "Since you're the stronger opponent, you can do whatever you want."
