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  Part- 307:

  James blinked in surprise, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. "Really? I didn’t think anyone would be that ied." He had initially assumed that the judo finals would be a niche event, mostly attended by family and close friends, but now it seemed like the whole school was rallying behind him. The thought brought a rush of gratitude, reminding him that he wasn't alone in his pursuits

  Then it hit him like a burst of sunlight breaking through a cloudy sky, and a mischievous smirk spread across his face. Wait a minute... he thought, as the gears in his mind started turning. Ryan probably has something to do with that. His fangirls never miss a ce to show up. Just the idea of it made him chuckle inwardly, picturing a crowd of enthusiastic girls, plete with banners and glitter, all screaming Ryan's name as if he were a rock star rather than a judo petitor.

  Mili, ever observant, raised an eyebrow, catg the pyful shift in his expression. "What’s with that look?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Her voice had a teasing lilt to it, as if she could sehe mischief brewih his seemingly i facade.

  James shook his head, trying to suppress a grin that threateo escape. "Nothing. Just realizing how popur Ryan really is," he replied, feigning nonce. The image of Ryan basking in the adoration of his fangirls was too hirious to resist. He imagined Ryan striking a pose, giving a thumbs-up while surrounded by ad fans, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.

  Mili ughed, her voice light and genuine, a sound that felt as refreshing as the coffee they were about to enjoy. "He does have a bit of a fan club, doesn’t he?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in, clearly eained by the idea. "I swear, if he keeps this up, we’ll o start charging admission to his matches just to mahe crowd!"

  James ughed harder, picturing the absurdity of it all. "Right? We could eve-shirts that say, 'I survived the Ryan fangirl experience!' I see it now: a sea of 'Team Ryan' shirts iands. It's like a cert in there!" The thought of Ryan's exaggerated fame turheir ordinary judo finals into an epic spectacle, plete with merdise and fan ts.

  Their drinks arrived just then, interrupting their ughter, and for a while, they sipped in fortable silehe warmth of the cappuo spread through James like a cozy b, easing the tension that had built up over the past few days. He savored the rich, frothy beverage, letting it around him like a hug. Mili took a sip of her iced tte, and he caught her smirking at him over the rim of her gss.

  “What?” he asked, wiping a bit of froth from his upper lip with the back of his hand, feeling like a dork.