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The school auditorium was filled up with students and teachers, all eager to watch the much-anticipated Quiz Bee Finals.
Stacey sat at her designated table, composed as always, her signature sharp intellect evident in the way she held her buzzer, fingers poised to strike. She adjusted her glasses and glanced sideways, only to see Mikha lounging in her seat like she wasn’t in a high-stakes competition.
Mikha could barely keep a straight face as she adjusted the microphone pinned to her crisp uniform. The quiz bee hall was packed, but her focus was entirely on one person seated on the opposite side of the stage.
No, she wasn’t here for the trophies. She was here for something much more priceless.
"Contestants, are you ready?" the host announced, gripping her cue cards tightly.
"Ready," Stacey answered coolly, her voice sending a ripple of shivers down Mikha’s spine.
“Ready,” Mikha answers back, winking at Stacey, causing the latter to roll her eyes.
What a smug.
The host cleared her throat. "Welcome to the 2024 Quiz Bee Finals! Contestants, ready your buzzers. Let’s get started."
“First question!” The question flashed on the screen. “What is the main organ involved in the respiratory system?"
Mikha slammed the buzzer. The hall erupted in murmurs.
She glanced at Stacey, a cheeky grin breaking across her face. "Doesn’t matter. ‘Di rin naman ako makahinga pag ‘di sa akin nakatingin si Stacey."
The audience gasped, a mix of laughter and disbelief echoing in the room. Stacey’s cheeks flushed and ears burned as she shot Mikha a deadly glare.
"Mikha, seryoso kasi," Stacey hissed under her breath as the host stammered, unsure whether to laugh or remind Mikha of the rules.
“I am serious,” Mikha replied, her tone teasing but her eyes soft.
The host coughed awkwardly, trying to regain control of the situation. “Uh, incorrect. The correct answer is ‘lungs.’ Moving on to the next question.”
Stacey clenched her fist. If Mikha wanted to play games, she’d have to win fair and square first.
The next question followed, "What is the capital of Spain?"
Mikha buzzed in again. "Doesn’t matter. Kahit saan naman ako dalhin, basta si Stacey kasama ko."
Another wave of laughter swept the room, and Stacey could only groan in frustration.
“Mikha!” Stacey whispered, her cheeks flaming red.
“What?” Mikha grinned innocently. “Am I wrong?”
The quiz progressed, and Mikha kept up her antics, turning every scientific or mathematical question into another cheesy, albeit creative, line aimed at Stacey.
" Name a type of sedimentary rock. "
“Does Stacey count? ‘Cause she rocks my world.”
"Who developed the theory of relativity?"
"Bakit ko pa kailangang malaman? Kahit gaano kalayo ang relativity ng tama at mali, Stacey will always be my constant."
It was a hilarious yet heartwarming showdown, with the host just pretending this was even a serious competition. Stacey tries her best to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks every time Mikha throws another line. Despite her efforts to focus, she couldn’t help but glance at her annoying yet charming opponent.
Despite the deductions, Mikha seemed unbothered, as though winning wasn't the goal.
—
Break time came, and Stacey finally cornered Mikha backstage.
"Ano bang problema mo? Bakit ka ba sumali kung ganyan ka lang?"
Mikha smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "Simple lang. Gusto kong makita 'yung competitive side mo. Ang cute kasi."
Stacey crossed her arms, fuming. "You’re impossible."
"You like it, Staks, just admit it," Mikha pointed out.
Stacey opened her mouth to retort but closed it again.
—
By the time the final question rolled around, Stacey was ready to explode.
"What is the square root of 64?"
Mikha buzzed in, her smile softer this time.
“Eight. Kasi eight minutes ang kailangan ko para maglakas-loob ulit na kausapin ka last time. Pero ngayon, I’m making up for it.”
The room went silent. Stacey froze, caught off guard by the sincerity in Mikha’s voice.
For the first time, Mikha wasn’t joking.
The host stammered, “Th-that’s… correct.”
The audience erupted into cheers as Mikha leaned back in her chair, grinning like she won the competition.
—
Obviously, by the end of the round, Stacey had won fair and square.
She stood on the podium, trophy in hand, and Mikha clapped louder than anyone else in the room.
As the crowd started to disperse, Mikha approached her with a cheeky grin. "Congrats, Ms. Quiz Bee Champ," she said.
Stacey just shrugged, “Thanks. Easy win nga lang.”
“I still feel like I won, anyway.”
“Hmm, pinagsasabi mo?” Stacey’s heart raced as Mikha stood up, heading toward her.
“So,” Mikha said, standing just a little too close. “Lunch after this? Or gusto mo mag-review ng respiratory system?”
Stacey looked up, caught between irritation and something else she couldn’t quite place. Finally, she sighed, brushing past Mikha.
“Review your quiz answers first,” Stacey muttered, hiding the small smile forming on her lips.
Mikha watched her go, a victorious grin spreading across her face.
The buzzers were set aside, but the sparks between them? That was just the beginning.
Maybe Mikha lost the Quiz Bee, but she’d definitely won something better.