ss 12A started to jeer, "It''s just a game. So what if you won? it''s not big deal.


    "If you''re so tough, beat us in grades."


    Susanne shot a mocking look at L.


    L sneered back.


    Susanne frowned. "What''s so funny?"


    L leaned against theputer desk, nced at the ss 12A students, and locked eyes with Susanne. "It''s just a game, a simple one, and you still lost. You''re worse than losers. "Indeed, it''s just a game. Nothing to fuss about.


    "But this is just the start.


    "Today, ss 12J beat ss 12A. Soon, we''ll beat you in everything.


    "Get lost."


    L turned away from Susanne and her group.


    Susanne sneered at L''s back. "In two weeks, the SATs areing. Let''s see if anyone from ss 12J can outscore us."


    She walked off.


    Theputer room was left with only ss 12J students.


    They were happy about the win but L''s words brought them back down.


    When it came to grades, they couldn''tpete with ss 12A.


    "L, about the grades..."


    L stood up, signaled for silence.


    Everyone quieted down.


    L stroked theputer screen and finally said, "This game is based on a true story."


    No one understood what she meant.


    "A little girl was captured for experiments, enduring electric shocks, chemicals, drugs, insect bites, cuts, crushing, falls, freezing, and more..." L''s voice lowered as she recalled past pains. Charley looked at L, lips pressed.


    "That''s impossible," someone said.


    L''s eyes reddened. "The world is so vast, what''s impossible? At first, didn''t you all think I couldn''t y this game? But I''ve cleared all the levels."


    The ssmate fell silent.


    L stared at the screen. "In the story, the little girl escaped because she believed in hope."


    She met the man she loved.


    "I would have to endure the darkness if I hadn''t encountered the light.," L murmured, smiling. "The little girl escaped, so what''s impossible? "You''re smart and proud. Would you really let ss 12A bully you?


    "No! That''s not right." L shook her head, fists clenching. "What does ss 12A even amount to? But giving everything to seize beautiful things, experiencing that feeling of joy. Wouldn''t you want to try it?"" ss 12J was fired up.


    They exchanged nces. "Alright, let''s give it our all."


    "ss 12A is nothing."


    Everyone got excited!


    L smiled at them.


    Whether the story behind the game was real or not didn''t matter; no one would believe it anyway.


    Around Aurora Isle, jungle tribe inds, arge ship approached the yellow beach. On the deck, a tall man in a trench coat and sunsses looked at the overgrown, dpidated jungle tribe ind, a trace of gloom in his eyes. This was where L grew up!