"Emma, twelve votes."
Mr. Ellis noted it down. That was actually a decent number.
But Emma wasn't feeling relieved. She knew she had one nearly unbeatable rival.
"All those who support Rhett Pierce for class president, please raise your hand."
A few hands went up—no more than five.
"Rhett Pierce, five votes."
Then came the final name.
"All those who support Barlon Oga for class president, please raise your hand."
As soon as Mr. Ellis spoke, nearly everyone in the room shot up their hands, shouting in unison—
"Barlon for president!"
"He's the one everyone wants!"
"Barlon! Barlon!"
The result was overwhelming. Barlon won by a landslide.
Under the gaze of one particularly jealous person, he stood up to give his acceptance speech.
"Thank you all for your trust. I'll do my best to be a good class president—to fulfill my duty and help everyone study harder… and together, we'll become stronger."
The class erupted in cheers—and even a few tears.
The students' enthusiasm was as wild as ever.
During break, Barlon took out his backpack and began handing out fancy candies and chocolates to all his supporters.
Pretty soon, everyone in class had received some—everyone except Emma. Her pride wouldn't let her accept her rival's "kindness."
After refusing him with righteous indignation, she began to look around thoughtfully. Having failed several times before, Emma felt she'd grown a lot wiser lately.
And within moments, she had an idea.
Such an open display of generosity—this had to be *bribery*!
Emma was convinced she had uncovered something big.
Ten seconds later, she called Barlon out to the hallway, away from the classroom.
"Barlon," she said quietly, "you wouldn't want Mr. Ellis to find out you bribed your classmates with candy for votes, would you?"
Barlon's face went pale. He glanced around nervously, terrified someone might have overheard.
"H-how did you find out? They promised me it'd stay secret! That no one would ever talk about the deal!"
His panicked reaction was so satisfying that Emma almost purred.
But she wasn't done. No, she was going to milk this secret for life.
"Barlon, if you don't want your dirty little secret getting to Mr. Ellis, you'll do exactly what I say."
"No, Emma! Please don't tell! I'll do anything!"
Emma's grin stretched wide—she couldn't hold back her laughter. Finally, she had him.
"This feels *so* good," she thought.
"So… about the sports meet this afternoon—you know what to do, right? That medal's mine."
"I… I got it," Barlon muttered, defeated, like a rooster that had just lost a fight.
And in the blink of an eye, the scene shifted—it was already afternoon, and gym class was starting.
The sun blazed overhead, and the players were sweating as they warmed up for the basketball game.
Five players per side. Barlon and Emma were the captains of opposing teams, and this time, Emma was determined to win.
She *had* to win.
Outwardly, she looked composed and serious, but inside she was already celebrating.
During the first half, she was unstoppable. With Barlon "acting" to let her shine, she scored fifteen points.
Fifteen!
At this level, Emma was confident she had victory in the bag.
She was already imagining herself holding that shiny medal.
But in the second half…
Emma's face turned ashen—and not just figuratively. She'd just been elbowed. Hard.
"Damn you, Barlon! I won't let you get away with this!"
Now Barlon was playing like a totally different person. He leapt several feet into the air, snatched the ball, and shot while still floating.
When he landed, he didn't stop—he drove straight into Emma with his elbow, sending her skidding halfway across the court.
The crowd went wild, cheering for his "amazing" move.
Emma: *What the hell?! That's a foul! He hit me with the ball!*
Referee: "Didn't see it."
And from there, it was a massacre.
Dunks, layups, fadeaways, spin shots—Barlon did it all. It was like he was personally punching gravity in the face.
How was she supposed to play like this?!
By the end of the game, Emma's team hadn't scored a single basket. Barlon alone racked up a hundred points.
Utter defeat.
Completely humiliated, Emma stormed off the court. She was going to report him—this time for real.
"Mr. Ellis! I'd like to report—"
But she froze.
Her sharp eyes had just spotted something—a small, colorful transparent bag on Mr. Ellis's desk.
It looked *exactly* like the candy bags Barlon had handed out.
Why did the teacher have one?
A chill crept up Emma's spine.
No way…
Could it be that even *Mr. Ellis* had been bought off?
That candy bag was the proof.
"Emma, what were you saying just now?" Mr. Ellis asked with a gentle smile.
Emma made up an excuse and hurried away, shaken.
Something was very wrong.
Her suspicion grew heavier with each step.
She ran out to the field and looked around—and her heart sank further with every glance.
Everyone—students, referees, even the janitor—had that same colorful candy bag hanging from their pocket.
It was everywhere.
It was a web of candy and corruption, and she was trapped right in the middle.
"Why?!" she thought desperately. "All this—for a stupid medal?"
Then, from behind her, a voice.
"Heh heh heh… figured it out, did you, clever Emma?"
Barlon stepped into view, the smirk on his face enough to make her blood boil.
"When did you set all this up?" she asked, utterly defeated.
It wasn't just about intelligence anymore. It was about *connections*.
"Touch my medal, and you lose—that's the rule," Barlon said smugly. "Some things in life aren't yours just because you want them."
Emma raised her head stubbornly.
But behind Barlon, she could see not just him—she saw his father, the governor, and countless teachers and classmates all standing on his side.
"Hahaha… I get it now," she said, her laughter half-crazed. "I *get it*."
In that moment, she seemed to grow older. The childish spark in her eyes faded, replaced by a weary understanding.
"Capital wins," she whispered bitterly. "I'm done. I'm out."
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