The trio headed to The Second. All the tables were taken, and a group of students were awaiting their turn. Akira didn't join the waiting group, didn't go over to the head waiter to ask for a table. She walked into the restaurant, showing no hesitation or doubt, and to a table near the end. Robin didn't bat an eyelid, like it was all normal. Min could only swallow his question and follow. As the trio reached the table, the group of four sitting at the table got up to leave. And the trio replaced them with a natural smoothness that attracted zero attention.

Min was surprised. Noticing his expression, Akira smiled and put a finger on her lips, telling him to remain silent. Min agreed happily.

"I'll order," Robin said to Min. It seemed to be the routine.

Robin and Akira shared an understanding that was truly special. It was almost as if they were both one person.

"Three Set-A dinners," Robin said as a waiter came to the table. The waiter was slightly confused but only for a moment. Sticking to his job, he took the order to the kitchen.

"Its like her ability," Robin explained. "Finding openings."

"And its his to worm through," Akira added.

Even though they were mocking each other, there was no hurt. Min could almost feel a small wave of envy at their relations.h.i.+p.

"What's yours?"

Robin and Akira asked in unison. Certainty glowed in their eyes, birthing from the absolute conviction that Min was no different from them.

"Seeing, I guess," Min answered softly.

"Ah, that makes sense," Robin answered.

"Of course it does," Akira agreed. "No wonder he chose me."

"And there you go, making everything about you."

Robin grumbled his complaint, but it was true. Not only Min, Robin himself followed Akira too. And so, within a day of their meeting, the status quo was established. Akira was the leader, Robin and Min the faithful followers.

"Well, look what we have here," Akira said, looking at a disturbance that was starting to develop a few tables away. "Looks like we've got a nice play setting up."

"You're mean," Robin said, but he was looking over just as excitedly.

Min smiled as he too looked over. He recognised the two parties.

Moy was the crowned leader of his group of five. He was a son of the Randar family which was one of the most prominent families of the capital city. Arrogance was ingrained into his bones. His four friends came from big families too, but they paled in comparison. And so, they were the loyal followers. The five of them had gotten into the department of sociology at the National university. They were no doubt celebrating the achievement. They were the first party.

The second party was a group of three. Two boys and a girl. Ari, Wick and Kelli knew each other since they were six years old. They were in the same school and the same cla.s.s. Ari and Wick had always been rivals. Their rivalry intensified as they both fell for the same girl, Kelli. That was in the seventh grade. Kelli liked both the boys equally, resulting in the tense equilibrium. The three were inseparable. They all even got into the same department at the same university, department of sociology at National university.

The quarrel was a small accident. The two parties were sitting at neighbouring tables. Moy and his friends got a little too excited, and in their rowdiness a piece of meat flew from one of the forks and landed in Kelli's bowl of soup, splas.h.i.+ng some on her. Ari and Wick erupted before Moy could apologise, and the apology was promptly swallowed. Moy was a despot who never had anyone raise their voice at him. His temper flared and he launched into an exchange of heated words with Ari and Wick. Moy's group was bigger, but the other group had a girl. She was very pretty too. The boys' resolve weakened, and their desire for a physical fight was extinguished. And so, they put all of themselves into the verbal spat.

They got loud enough to disturb all of the restaurant when then waiters finally forced a truce. The two parties weren't aware that they were cla.s.smates, and already the lines were drawn. They would be enemies henceforth. Immediately after the truce, both parties left and tranquility returned.

Akira's eyes were glowing. Her lips parted in a grin. Her tongue was dancing over her teeth and occasionally across her lips. She was excited.

"Found him," she said softly.

Robin nodded at her and explained to Min.

"We were very good at chess. A month after teaching us the game, grandpa couldn't beat us anymore. So, he had us play each other. But we couldn't. It was like playing against yourself. Some people can do it. We couldn't. And so, grandpa came up with another game. He asked us to find a candidate from cla.s.s or from school, and make him king. It was a long game, and a lot more challenging. But we could do it. At the start of every year the game starts with us picking the candidate. The game ends at the end of the year. We win if we make a king. Lose if we fail."

Akira picked up and continued. "We just picked our candidate for this year. The arrogant one from the group of five boys. I love despots. They make so much more interesting kings."

"Can I play too," Min asked as Akira finished.

All three were surprised. It was an act of impulsiveness that burst out from their blindspot.

"Sure," Robin agreed, recovering the quickest. "Want to join us, or play against us?"

"Against us would be so much better," Akira replied. "It will be like a match between us. But then you would have to make you own king. Hmm."

"I think that would be a bit much, since its your first time," Robin said thoughtfully.

"That's fine," Min answered. "But let's even the numbers. There's two of you and one candidate. There's one of me, so I'll pick two candidates. You make one king. I'll make two. The stronger king wins."

Robin and Akira were taken aback. "That's not fair," they said together.

"Actually it is," Min replied. "If you looked properly, the two by the girl had the exact same response to the other boys. I have a feeling it would be easier making them both kings than just any one of them. So, its like I'm cheating a bit. But that's fair, since there's only one of me and two of you. Also, its my first time. A bit of an advantage is acceptable."

It was the most Min had spoken thus far. Robin and Akira agreed with wide grins. Suddenly, college turned extremely exciting.