In the college —
"Hey, did you guys hear? This program is actually for scouting students for companies!"
"What?! Aren't we freshmen? Shouldn't final-year students be the ones getting scouted?"
The classroom quickly filled with buzzing voices, everyone talking over each other.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
By the time Havey walked in—
it had already turned into a full uproar.
"Hey, Ivy, what's going on?" Havey asked, looking confused.
"Well… it seems like there's a rumor going around about the program being a scouting event," she replied.
"Hmm… it's not a rumor though," he said casually, placing his bag on the desk and sitting next to her.
Ivy turned to him.
"…What?"
I don't remember this scouting part in the novel…
Did they just not explain it properly… or is something changing?
"Hey, Havey, does that mean you know something about it?" one of the classmates asked.
More students gathered around him.
"Don't keep it to yourself—just spill it already!"
Havey scratched the back of his head, suddenly the center of attention.
"Uhh… it's not that big of a deal," he said, trying to brush it off.
"Then say it!" someone insisted.
He sighed.
"Okay, fine. My mom mentioned it… some companies are coming to observe this program. Not officially recruit—but yeah… they'll be watching."
The class erupted again.
"What?!"
"So it's real?!"
Ivy stayed silent.
Her eyes lowered slightly.
Observed… not recruited.
So this is an added variable…
Her mind started connecting things.
If Anos planned that trap knowing this…
Her gaze sharpened.
Then this isn't just humiliation anymore.
It's reputation destruction.
The noise in the classroom only grew louder.
Everyone was suddenly more serious.
More competitive.
"Then we have to do well."
"This could change everything."
"What if they notice us?"
Excitement filled the air.
But for Ivy—
It felt different.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
So the stakes are higher now…
If the truth about the real Ivy's cheating came out—
It wouldn't just be embarrassment.
It would follow her.
Everywhere.
Anos…
Her eyes darkened slightly.
You really planned this well.
Beside her, Havey leaned closer.
"You're being too quiet," he whispered. "Don't tell me you're nervous?"
Ivy glanced at him.
Then gave a small, calm smile.
"Why would I be?"
But inside—
This just made things more interesting.
Havey narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it.
"Hmm… whenever you say that, it means something big is going on in your head," he muttered.
Ivy ignored him and looked back at the group list on her phone.
Her gaze lingered on one name.
Anos.
Across the classroom, Anos stood surrounded by a few students.
As if he already owned the outcome.
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
A smirk appeared on his lips.
Challenging.
Provoking.
Ivy didn't look away.
If anything, her expression turned calmer.
Colder.
Go ahead…
She locked her phone and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Havey asked.
"To prepare," she replied simply.
He blinked. "Prepare… for what?"
Ivy paused for a second.
Then glanced back at him.
"For his move."
And without another word—
She walked out of the classroom.
The corridor was quieter than the classroom.
Ivy walked slowly, her thoughts already ahead of her.
If he's going to trap me… then I just need to move before him.
She took out her phone again.
First—information.
What exactly was the task?
Who were the judges?
And most importantly—
Who is he going to use this time?
Meanwhile, inside the classroom—
Havey frowned, watching her leave.
"She's definitely planning something," he muttered.
Lea, who had just returned, looked around. "Where's Ivy?"
Havey sighed.
"Looks like our kitty is planning something," Havey said, leaning back in his chair.
Lea frowned, confused. "What even happened in the span of just one day?"
Back in the corridor—
Ivy stopped.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
At the far end—
Anos stood there.
As if he had been waiting.
"Well," he said, a mocking smile forming, "looks like you're finally taking this seriously."
Ivy didn't react.
"Don't worry," he continued, stepping closer. "I'll make sure you shine… in front of everyone."
A threat.
Hidden beneath politeness.
Ivy met his gaze.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Without a word, Ivy walked past him.
Let's see…
Her lips curved faintly.
A few of their competitors quietly followed Ivy.
"Let's follow her," one of them whispered. "Her team has the highest chance of getting noticed. We need to know what they're working on."
"Don't follow Anos," another warned. "He'll catch us. It's safer to follow her and figure out their topic."
Ivy walked straight into the library.
She picked a book from the shelf, flipped through it briefly, then took it to the counter.
After issuing it, she neatly covered it and slipped it into her bag.
The students exchanged glances and quickly moved to the register.
They checked the entry.
"WHAT?!"
They stared at each other in disbelief.
"Is she serious?"
"That topic…does it even make any sense?"
Meanwhile—
Ivy had already left.
She walked back into the classroom and sat with her friends.
"Oh, Lea—you're back," she said .
Lea nodded, still a little concerned. "Yeah… where did you go?"
"Library," Ivy replied simply, placing her bag down.
Havey leaned forward immediately. "What did you get?"
Ivy glanced at him.
"Something ....that entertains me."
He narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't tell me anything."
"It's not supposed to."
Lea blinked. "Ivy… you're acting mysterious."
Ivy gave a faint smile.
"Am I?"
"Hey… Ivy, don't tell me you got… that kind of book," Havey whispered.
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "What type of book are you talking about?"
"…Something that's popular among youngsters… I don't even know if girls would like to read it," he muttered.
"Don't beat around the bush. Get to the point, Mr. Havey."
"Well… that book… the one with pictures in it… something like—nude—"
Before he could finish, Ivy slammed his head onto the desk.
"Are you out of your mind?" Ivy snapped, glaring at him.
Havey groaned, rubbing his head. "I was just asking!"
Lea blinked in shock, then burst out laughing. "Havey, what even goes on in your head?"
"I was concerned!" he defended weakly. "She's acting suspicious!"
Ivy sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"You really think I'd pick that kind of book… in a library… and that too in the college, does they even have them?"
Havey paused.
"…When you say it like that, I sound stupid."
"You don't sound stupid," Ivy said flatly. "You are stupid."
Lea laughed even harder.
Havey slumped onto the desk dramatically. "Wow… I'm being bullied in broad daylight."
Ivy ignored him and pulled out the book from her bag.
Both of them leaned closer.
"What is it then?" Lea asked curiously.
She unwrapped the book.
It was an encyclopedia.
"What?!" Havey blinked. "How is that supposed to help your work?" he asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Lea leaned in, curious. "Yeah… what are you planning, Ivy?"
Ivy flipped a page calmly.
Ivy glanced at them calmly.
"Just when did I say it was for my work?"
Havey blinked.
"…Then why did you even get it?"
"Won't you prepare for the program?" Havey asked.
"Well, I will," Ivy replied casually. "But the book is just for my own interest. Look—they have so many different kinds of reptiles." Her eyes lit up.
Havey stared at her like she had just said the most ridiculous thing ever.
"Are you serious? You find that interesting?"
Ivy looked up at him, completely unfazed.
"Yes."
Havey shuddered. "They're… slimy."
"They're not slimy," Ivy corrected calmly. "Most of them have dry, scaly skin."
Lea tilted her head, curious now. "Really?"
Ivy nodded, flipping a page. "Snakes, lizards, crocodiles—they all fall under reptiles. And each of them has different adaptations."
Havey leaned back, still unconvinced. "Yeah… no. Still creepy."
Ivy gave him a look. "You're just uneducated."
"Excuse me?!"
Lea laughed, watching the two of them.
Havey crossed his arms. "Fine. If you like them so much, don't come running to me when one shows up."
Ivy smirked slightly.
"I'd probably be more comfortable with it than with you."
Havey clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow… that hurt."
Lea burst out laughing. "You walked right into that one."
"I was attacked," Havey protested. "Unprovoked."
Ivy flipped another page, completely unbothered. "You started it."
Havey leaned closer again, squinting at the book. "What even is that?"
"A chameleon," Ivy replied. "It can change its color depending on its surroundings."
Lea's eyes lit up. "That's actually cool."
Havey nodded slowly. "…Okay, that's kinda impressive."
Ivy glanced at them briefly, a faint smile forming.
Soon a group of students suddenly entered the classroom, whispering among themselves.