The cat-eared volunteer took one look at Ricky's devastated expression and knew she had guessed right. A hint of contempt flashed across her face before she turned toward Aaron with a much warmer smile.
"Hey, freshman. Need a hand with your suitcase? I can take you over to check-in."
"I've got it, thanks. Just show us where freshman registration is."
Aaron gave her a polite smile.
"Oh, a gentleman too?" Her smile brightened. "I like you already. Come on, I'll show you where to go."
As she turned to lead the way, Aaron noticed that the foundation around her cheeks was starting to cake.
He wisely kept that observation to himself.
The volunteer started walking with Aaron, apparently forgetting that Ricky existed.
Ricky stood there alone for several seconds.
"So... I'm just the third wheel now?"
He wiped away an imaginary tear.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Then he hurried after them.
...
With the cat-eared volunteer leading the way, Aaron and Ricky soon reached the freshman registration area.
It was packed.
Several enormous lines stretched across the plaza, all filled with newly arrived students waiting beneath the blazing sun. Aaron felt tired just looking at them.
How long were they supposed to stand there?
"Holy shit..." Ricky stared at the lines in horror. "Are they trying to kill us before classes even start?"
Aaron scanned the area and soon noticed something strange.
There was another station nearby with Freshman Registration displayed above it, but unlike the others, there was almost nobody waiting there.
More importantly, a Pokémon battle court had been set up right beside it.
Aaron glanced at the volunteer.
"What's the deal with that registration desk? Nobody's using it."
She followed his gaze and smiled.
"That's because most freshmen don't have the guts."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"It's a Crown University tradition. Every year, we open a fast-track registration lane. If a freshman challenges one of the sophomores stationed there and wins, they get to skip the regular line and register immediately."
She paused, then added with a playful smile, "You even get some academic credits for winning."
That got Aaron's attention.
The volunteer looked between him and Ricky.
"So? Either of you feel like testing yourselves against a second-year?"
Ricky's entire expression changed.
"If I win, will you give me your number?"
"Sure."
She agreed without hesitation.
Ricky spun toward Aaron.
"Aaron, we're doing this."
Aaron sighed.
"Ricky—"
"Today, Crown University learns the name Ricky!"
Before Aaron could say anything else, Ricky was already charging toward the challenge station.
Aaron watched him go with a helpless expression, then followed.
Not that he particularly wanted to stand in that ridiculous line either.
If all he had to do was beat a sophomore to skip it, the choice seemed obvious.
The cat-eared volunteer smiled to herself and followed behind them.
...
At the fast-track registration station, two sophomores sat around with absolutely nothing to do.
One had a buzz cut and was chewing on a leaf. After another long yawn, he leaned back in his chair.
"This is pathetic. What happened to this year's freshmen? They'd seriously rather roast in that line than challenge us?"
He looked toward the crowded registration area with disdain.
"When we got here last year, everyone was fighting for a chance to battle the older students."
The other sophomore, whose layered hair fell nearly to his shoulders, burst out laughing.
"Yeah, and look how that turned out. Last year got so out of control it trended online. Half our freshman class got beaten into the dirt."
He glanced sideways at his friend.
"You included."
The buzz-cut student's face immediately reddened.
"Shut up. We don't talk about last year."
He clicked his tongue irritably.
"I finally get my turn to mess with the new freshmen, and nobody even shows up. What a waste."
He spat the leaf from his mouth.
"Cowards."
"Hey! I'm here to challenge you!"
The shout came from across the plaza.
Both sophomores immediately straightened.
Finally.
They turned and saw Aaron, Ricky, and the cat-eared volunteer approaching.
Ricky marched right up to the table with all the confidence in the world.
"I'm Ricky, and I'm taking the challenge."
The two sophomores exchanged glances.
Their boredom vanished instantly.
"Well, well. Finally, someone with some guts."
The buzz-cut sophomore stood and gave Ricky an approving look.
"Don't worry, freshman. I'll go easy on you."
Ricky grinned.
Then the sophomore added, "I promise I'll only break one of your legs. Your third one is probably safe."
Ricky's smile disappeared.
The other sophomore slapped his friend on the shoulder.
"Come on, man. Don't scare him off before he even signs up."
Both of them suddenly became almost suspiciously welcoming.
"Come on, you two. Names go right here. Once you're registered, you can challenge us whenever you're ready."
Aaron and Ricky filled out the forms.
The moment the sophomores saw their names written down, their friendly expressions changed.
Slow, malicious grins spread across both their faces.
"Everything we suffered last year..."
"...we're getting it back from this year's freshmen."
They looked at Aaron and Ricky with almost disturbing satisfaction.
"Nothing personal, guys."
"Next year, you'll get to do the same thing to the new class."
The two started laughing.
Ricky stared at them.
His ass clenched involuntarily.
For the first time since deciding to take the challenge, he began to wonder whether skipping the registration line was really worth it.
...