[Start… and end your morning with us– Starbeans Coffee and Tea, always fresh.]
Even with the size of the auditorium and the sheer number of the students in it, there was almost a complete silence amongst them as a random commercial suddenly started playing on the huge screen in front of them.
Even Julius and Gintsune, who were up on the stage, could only glance at each other as the commercial played behind them.
They still had no idea why they were called on stage since they didn’t even win the title of Mega Student; but as the commercial ended, they soon found out why–
Several people wearing the uniform of Starbeans started coming up on stage, handing them tumblers with their brand arrogantly labeled all around it.
“Starbeans would like to congratulate the two of you for making it to the top 3!” One of the Starbeans’ staff then each handed the two some kind of gigantic check.
“For the 3rd place, Julius Reuben– 50,000 MP sponsored by Starbeans!”
“For the 2nd Place, Gintsune… 150,000 MP from Starbeans!”
“150k!?” Gary’s gasp almost reached the stage, “I could buy the motorcycle I want with that amount of points!”
“…Why do you want a motorcycle in the first place?” Silvie then let out a small sigh as she heard the disgruntled tone in Gary’s voice, “You could just leap from building to building.”
“Says the one who can fly.”
“You–“
“Tch, this is disgusting,” and before the two could start bickering with each other, Hannah suddenly clicked her tongue.
“Oh boy, here she goes again,” Gary quickly breathed out, “Why are you so gloomy, you got 9th place.”
“Because the government is finally showing their true colors,” Hannah muttered, “They’re not even trying to mask it anymore– This Academy was created not to nurture future superheroes, but future celebrities that would make them a ton of cash in the future…
…I guess they have to pay for all the shit they spent somehow.”
“Hm,” Tomoe nodded.
“Well, I don’t mind,” Gary shrugged.
“What, you want brands plastered all over your face?” Hannah scoffed.
“Just the–“
“They could shower me all they want to.”
And as the group was discussing their opinions, a familiar voice suddenly coming from the bleachers behind them joined in on the conversation.
“What the fuck!” Hannah then slightly moved away as Daniel’s head stretched towards them, “Fuck, go away, dude!”
“If we’re getting paid to save the people, then that’s easily the greatest motivation to keep the world even safer,” Daniel breathed out.
“Money… I don’t think so,” Silvie then muttered, “You save people because it’s the right thing to do– not because we’re getting paid for it.”
“Just ignore the dude,” Hannah waved her hand, “He probably just has a few screws loose from being beaten by Riley several times now.”
“Hm, what can I expect from Whiteking’s daughter,” Daniel scoffed as his head started to retract, “You probably never wanted anything in your life since you had everything from the start.”
“Ha? Where the fuck did that suddenly come from?”
“I should’ve known from the start that you and your brother are privileged. Your brother wore an Avivas Megaboost Whiteking Edition during the first day of school– do you know how many of that are in production? 12…
…There are only 12 pairs around the world. And do you know how much 1 costs!? $12,000!”
“…Are you trying to pick a fight or are you complaining?” Hannah then snarled, “You think we had it easy just because– You know what, I am not even going to bother with you.”
And with Hannah ignoring any words that were coming out of Daniel’s mouth, the only thing he could do was lean back and watch the commercial that once again played for them.
“You know… even with hundreds of people in our class alone,” Gary then whispered loudly, “That Daniel guy seems to always manage to stay relevant for some reason.”
“…He’s in our class?” Tomoe blinked a couple of times, her usually emotionless eyes completely shocked.
“…Nevermind,” Gary then shook his head before turning his eyes towards Riley, who had been keeping eerily quiet from the start, “But still, a limited edition… I didn’t take you for wearing expensive things, Riley.”
“His costume is literally made of expensive silk,” Silvie was the one to answer.
“But that’s a costume!” Gary bellowed, “My costume is worth more than his since it’s au–“
“And now! The moment you’ve all been waiting for!”
And before Gary could finish his words, the commercial that had been playing nonstop finally shut off as the host’s voice once again reverberated throughout the entire auditorium.
“This month’s Mega Student, garnering a whopping 4.2 million votes!”
“What the fuck… 4.2 million!? Who the fuck is that!?”
“Please come to the stage, Riley Ross!”
“What!?”
And as soon as the host’s words reached the students’ ears, images and videos of Riley started playing on the huge monitor– a summary of what has been happening the past month, and even some moments during the Festival.
Of course, it would be Riley– most of them thought. It made sense since he was involved in the South African Tribe incident… Everyone’s eyes were on him!
“Yes… Yes1” Gary then jumped from his seat, “Motorcycle! Riley! Let’s buy motorcycles!”
“Not a chance!” Both Silvie and Hannah quickly covered Riley from Gary’s view.
“Riley, go! Before this monkey starts– Riley?” Hannah’s words were cut short as she noticed Riley not moving from his spot, “Did… something happen? Why do you seem unhappy?”
“…You can tell what he’s feeling?”
The group all turned their eyes towards Riley as they heard Hannah’s words, but after a few seconds, Riley let out a small but deep sigh and shook his head.
“I am fine, sister,” he then said as he started floating from his seat, wearing his sunglasses as he did so.
“…”
“You know, the way your brother looks is already eye-catching… but I feel like he’s doing this shit on purpose,” Gary then said as he watched as Riley slowly floated towards the stage, his white coat, and white hair, reflecting all the lights that were pointed at him– almost making him look like he was sparkling.
“I… think he just lacks a little self-awareness,” Silvie slightly chuckled.
“Nah,” Hannah, however, shook his head, “The guy knows everything he does, he just doesn’t care.”
“So, he’s a cooler version of you?”
“What did you say!?”
The three could not help but bicker with one another as they watch Riley… magnificently float towards the stage. As for Tomoe, her erratic and heavy breathing almost caused his nostrils to fume out; her phone’s camera, following Riley’s silhouette without fail.
Riley continued to hover in the air, leaving the students with no choice but to look up as he flew over them. And finally, after a few seconds, he elegantly landed on the stage– his coat snapping as he did so.
“C… congratulations, Riley Ross!” The host almost stuttered as he gestured for Riley to stand between Julius and Gintsune.
“Of course, as the Mega Student, you already have the privilege of having unlimited Mega Points this month!” The host then quickly slithered his way towards Riley as soon as he positioned himself, “But still, Starbeans would like to offer you this limited edition…
…Cofee Maker! Now you’ll be able to brew your favorite coffee right in the comfort of your room!”
“…”
“You’re quite shocked, aren’t you!?” The host clapped, “Do you have something to say to our Mega Sponsor this month?”
“I don’t drink coffee.”