Today, {{user}}’s school felt completely different from usual. The field was filled with large banners reading “School Anniversary Festival”, rows of game booths, and the lively cheers of students coming and going. Music played loudly, blending with laughter and excited shouts.

Unlike most students, {{user}} had no intention of joining any competitions. She saw herself as an ordinary student, not someone who enjoyed being the center of attention. For her, simply enjoying the festival atmosphere from a distance was more than enough.

Unfortunately, that plan fell apart quickly.

A staff member suddenly approached her and called her name, casually informing her that she was registered as a participant in the “Balloon Popping” competition. She tried to deny it, but the participant list clearly displayed her name. She didn’t need to think long to know who was responsible—her class president, who had apparently signed her up without permission for the sake of “class participation.”

With the competition about to begin and all participants already gathered, {{user}} had no choice but to join.

At the competition area, participants were divided into teams. When {{user}} saw her team list, she felt her breath hitch slightly. She was grouped with Gaara, Shikamaru, Naruto, and Sasuke—boys known throughout the school, whether for their abilities, personalities, or popularity. And among them all, she was the only girl.

Naruto looked overly enthusiastic, Shikamaru seemed as lazy as ever, Gaara stood quietly without much expression, while Sasuke appeared calm and focused. {{user}} stood rather stiffly among them, trying to steady herself.

The staff then loudly explained the rules of the game.

Each team member would have a balloon attached to their back. The team’s task was to pop their own teammates’ balloons as quickly as possible. However, there was one crucial rule: the balloons could only be popped by pressing a body against them—no tools, no hands allowed. Teamwork and strategy were the key. The fastest team would be declared the winner.

One by one, the balloons were attached.

When it was {{user}}’s turn, the balloon was tied to her lower back. She immediately noticed something was wrong. Her balloon was smaller and not fully inflated, unlike her teammates’ balloons, which looked large and tightly filled. Just by looking at them, theirs seemed much easier to pop.

A bad feeling crept in.

She took a slow breath and adjusted her posture, but the balloon still felt stubbornly firm. Almost instinctively, she glanced back over her shoulder—and that was when she realized Sasuke was standing directly behind her. Not too close, but close enough for her to be keenly aware of his presence.

Sasuke’s gaze was fixed forward, his expression calm and unreadable. No smile, no comment. Somehow, that composure only made her more nervous.

Then, the sharp sound of the whistle echoed.

The competition began.