The moment the final results were announced, the tension finally settled.
The audience cheered.
Some students looked impressed while others looked defeated.
But I barely paid attention.
Because the moment I looked to my sides—
Violet and Rose were staring at me.
Violet's smirk was still there, but there was something more mischievous behind her eyes.
Rose, on the other hand, was still quiet. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something—but the words never came.
For a moment, none of us spoke.
Then—
Clap, clap, clap!
Violet started applauding.
"Well, well, well," she hummed, tilting her head. "Look at us, Aestrea. Side by side again. Feels kinda nostalgic, doesn't it?"
"…Not really. I was the only one that won after all."
Her grin widened at my words.
"Oh? You're telling me you don't feel even a little sentimental?" She leaned in, lowering her voice slightly, to the point of even ignoring my comment.
