Chapter 96
During the previous year’s Fall Festival, Yulila had received a disciplinary mark. The entire dance club rallied behind her this year, determined to help her win first place in the bottle–collecting game. The medal prize could be her ticket to clearing that mark. Hot Valila wasn’t the only one
evring the medal
Elsie from the tennis chubs, who had once helped Thana analyze backstage data, wanted the medal, too. Her reason! Her boyfriend needed to clear his disciplinary mark. Having done Eliana a favor in the past. Elsie now approached her, asking her to join the game and collect bottles together The more hands are collecing, the better our chances of victory:
Even if Elsana washi’t swayed by chib loyalty, she felt indebted to Elsie. And so she agreed to join the bottle–collecting game this time. Somehow, the dance club got wind of Eliana’s participation. With hearts ablaze and a fierce rivalry, they vowed to outdo her at any cost
The afternoon activities began in full swing. Downstairs, rows of small booths lined the open space, neatly arranged and inviting. Each booth featured an array of items for trade, creating the feel of a bustling marketplace. Soon enough, a crowd had gathered, some holding books, others holding collectible figurines
As the booths opened, sign–ups for the bottle–collecting game also began. Eluna and Stella headed to the registration area and joined Elsie’s team. Just as they were filling out their forms, a large group from the dance club arrived, a formidable presence that caught everyone’s attention. The student council members organizing the event handed the registration forms, and other students filling out their forms stepped aside, some visibly disheartened.
“Look at all of them. This game’s already decided”
“Yeah, there’s no competing with those numbers. I’ll pass—I’m not here to lose just for the fun of it
“It looks like the first place is theirs this time. Well, we’ll just tag along, maybe pick up a few bottles to exchange for some keychains, one of the dance club members remarked smugly.
“Exactly. With just a few of you, why not save yourselves the trouble? First place is ours, another one added, glancing over at the group of four nearby Eliara, Stella, Elsie, and her boyfriend
Eliana’s group seemed tiny compared to the dance club’s more significant, confident crowd. They barely looked like competition.
Willow and Wendy, also part of the dance club, smirked as they passed Eliana’s group while filling out their forms Wendy let out a soft, mocking laugh.
Yulila rolled her eyes. After what happened at the Fall Festival, no love was lost between then
Seeing the overwhelming odds, Elsie sighed in defeat “Ugh, it seems we don’t stand a chance, Eliana. Maybe we shouldn’t waste our time. Let’s drop
“But we can’t give up!” Stella argued. “Elsic, your boyfriend’s supposed to start his internship this term, right? He’ll have to delay graduation if he doesn’t get that record cleared”
Elve
e hesitated, glancing at her boyfriend’s worried expression before sighing again. “Well, he only has himself to blame for breaking the rules. Forget it–we’ll sit this one out. I’ll come up with another solution”
Stella turned to Eliana. “Eh, what do we do now?
Eliana’s gaze shifted to the dance club members and then to the game rules. A spark of an idea flickered to life–she suddenly had a plan.
“The key to winning this game isn’t about numbers–it’s about collecting the most bottles. As long as we can beat them in numbers, we’ll win?
Elsie hesitated. “But… there are only four of us. How could we possibly keep up with the dance club!*
“Trust me,” Eliana replied with a confident smile. Tve got a plan. Ler’s fill out our forms first–the registration’s about to close
Sensing their lingering hesitation, Stella spoke up. “Come on, Elsie. You can trust Eli. It’s just a game. Even if we lose, at least we’re in it together. What’s the harm?”
“Alright then” They all finished filling out the forms.
From nearby, Willow and the other dance club members noticed that Eliana hadn’t backed down–instead, she’d submitted her form with determination.
Yulila gave a mocking laugh. “Just the four of them! There’s no way they’ll collect more than us. What a joke.”
1/2
Chapter 96
Chapter 96
During the previous year’s Fall Festival, Yulila had received a disciplinary mark. The entire dance club rallied behind her this year, determined help her win first place in the bottle–collecting game. The medal prize could be her ticket to clearing that mark. But Yulila wasn’t the only one eyeing the medal.
Ele from the tennis club, who had once helped Eliana analyze hackstage data, wanted the medal, too. Her reason? Her boyfriend needed to dear. has disciplinary mark. Having done Eliana a favor in the past. Elsie now approached her asking her to join the game and roller bottleser The more hands are collecting, the better our chances of victory
Even if Eliana wasn’t awa
ana wasn’t swayed by club loyalty, she felt indebted to Elsie. And so she agreed to join the bottle–collecting game this time
Somehow, the dance club got wind of Eliana’s participation. With hearts ablaze and a fierce rivalry, they woord to outdo her at any cont
The afternoon activities began in full swing Downstairs, rows of small booths lined the open space, neatly arranged and inviting Each booth featured an array of items for trade, creating the feel of a bustling marketplace. Soon enough, a crowd had gathered, some holding books, others holding collectible figurines.
As the booths opened sign–ups for the bottle–collecting game also began. Elana and Stella hraded to the registration area and joined Elie’s team Just as they were filling out their forms, a large group from the dance club arrived, a formidabile presence that caught everyones attention. The student council members organizing the event handled the registration forms, and other students filling out their forms stepped aside, some vinbly disheartenedl
Look at all of them. This game’s already decided”
“Yeah, there’s no competing with those numbers. Il pass–I’m not here to lose just for the fun of it”
“It looks like the first place is theirs this time. Well, we’ll just tag along, maybe pick up a few bottles to exchange for some keychains,” one of the dance club members remarked smugly.
Exactly With just a few of you, why not save yourselves the trouble! First place is our” another one added, glancing over at the group of four nearby – Eliana Stella, Elsie, and her boyfriend.
Eliana’s group seemed tiny compared to the dance club’s more significant, confident crowd. They barely looked like competition
and as they passed Eliana’s group while filling out their forms. Wendy let out a soft mocking
Willow and Wendy, also part of the dance club, smirked as Luci
Vulila rolled h
1 her eyes. After what happened at the Fall Festival, no love was lost between them.
Sering the overwhelming odds. Flur sighed in defeat. “Ugh, it seems we don’t stand a chance. Eliara. Maybe we shouldn’t waste our time. Let’s drop
QUE
“But we can’t give up” Stella argued. “Elsie, your boyfriend’s supposed to start his internship this term right! He’ll have to delay graduation if he doesn’t get that record cleared.”
Else hesitated, glancing at her boyfriend’s worried expression before sighing again. “Well, he only has himself to blame for breaking the rules. Forget it—we sit this one outcome up with another solution”
Stella turned to Eliana. “Ell what do we do now?”
Eliana’s gaze shifted to the dance club members and then to the game rules. A spark of an idea flickered to Efe–she suddenly had a plan.
“The key to winning this game isn’t about numbers–it’s about collecting the most bottles. As long as we can beat them in numbers, we’ll win
Elsie beutated. “But… there are only four of us. How could we possibly keep up with the dance club?”
“Trust me,” Eliana replied with a con5dent smile. “I’ve got a plan. Let’s fill out our forms first—the registration’s about to close”
Sensing their lingering hesitation. Stella spoke up, “Come on, Flur. You can trust Eli. It’s just a game. Even if we lose, at least we’re in it together.
“Alright then.” They all finished filling out the forms.
From nearby. Willow and the other dance club members noticed that Eliana hadn’t backed down–instead, she’d submitted her form with determination
ata joke
anus. What a
Yulila gave a mocking Laugh. “Just the four of them? There’s no way they’ll collect more than us
Chapter 96
“Rishiculous” Wendy snerred.
Once registration closed, there were nearly fifty participants, twenty of whom were from the Dance Club. Many other contestants had already resigned to picking up a few bottles for the minor prizes.
“Alright, it’s six o’clock,” the student council member said. “The bottle–collecting game officially begins now! You have two hours–until eight o’clock. Bring all your collected bottles back here by then. Ready! Go!”
At the signal, everyone scattered. The Dance Chib members spread out in all directions while Eliana remained where she was, her teammates ready to head off in different directions to collect bottles.
Elsie suggested, “How about my boyfriend and I head to the dorms, and Stella and Eli can go to the cafeteria! We’ll meet back here in an hour.”
Stella nodded. “Alright”
Hat Eliana’s clear voice interrupted “There’s no need to split up. Let’s head to the school gate instead”
The school gate?” Stella looked at her, puzzled. “What are we going to do at the school gate!”
Eliana’s lips curved into a confident smile. “There are plenty of bottles over there. Let’s go.”
The other three exchanged confused glances but followed her lead.
When they reached the school gate, they were stunned to see two makeshift barbecue stands set up across the street.
“Wait… why are there two barbecue stands here?” The three of them gasped in disbelief.
“Must have set up not too long ago.” Eliana replied, pointing to the sign. “Look at what it says
They squinted at the sign, “Get a free water bottle with every 30 cents purchase”
The stands weren’t fully set up yet, but stacks of free water bottles were already waiting behind them.
Elsie’s face lit up. “So, we just wait here for people to finish their drinks and collect the bottles? Genius“
Stella glanced at the two people bustling behind the barbecue stands and suddenly frore. “Eliana, isn’t that Mr. and Mrs. Morris? Oh my gosh, you arrange for them to be here!”
Exactly right Eliana had asked them to se
to set up the barbecue stands for this occasion. The “Sunset Cafe & BBQ signs were quickly pulled from their shop, making the pop–up look like an official extension of their business. Not only did this promote the cafe, but it gave them a massive edge in the bottle–collecting game–a win–win.
Since it was dinnertime, students flocked out of the school, immediately noticing the barbecue stands across the street. With the sign offering a free water boule for just 30 cents. Eliana knew not every student would go for it, but she figured at least seventy percent would.
All they needed to do was wait and collect
Stella’s face lit up “This is amazing”
ng With th
this setup, we re going to win!
Elie looked at Eliana gratefully. “Thank you so much. Eli hn’t this a bit much, though I feel like
Elana reassured her, “Don’t worry, Elsie. Think of it as free advertising“
Selling just one more barbecue skewer could easily cover the cost of a single bottle. It was well worth it.
