"Group Three." He closed the report. "Walk us through your thought process."
All five exchanged glances before slowly rising to their feet.
Victor muttered under his breath, "If I collapse, tell my mother I fought bravely."
Maya elbowed him lightly. Lucy couldn’t even laugh. She couldn’t. Not when her throat had gone dry.
She swallowed hard as they made their way to the front of the lecture room.
The moment she looked up, her eyes met Kane’s. His expression remained unreadable.
For a brief second, neither of them looked away.
Then Kane tilted his head, giving a small nod. "Whenever you’re ready."
Lucy nodded, and blew out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding.
Ten minutes later, the presentation came to an end.
For a heartbeat, silence blanketed the lecture room.
Then, someone started clapping.
Another joined.
Within seconds, the entire lecture room erupted into applause.
Victor exhaled in relief. "For a moment, I thought we were about to become the department’s biggest joke."
"Shut up." Sasha kicked him lightly, but a smile remained on her lips.
The corner of Lucy’s lips tugged up ever so slightly as her eyes found their way to Kane.
He had his arms folded and he looked... impressed?
Once the applause died down, Kane turned to the class.
"Do you all see what made their approach different?"
The class responded with eager nods.
"Thank you, Group Three." He gestured toward the class. "You may take your seats."
Once they reached their seats, Victor fell into a chair with a stifled groan.
"That was the worst ten minutes of my life."
Maya snickered.
"Group Three, do make sure to see me in my office when you are free today."
And the class continued.
**********
Lucy was the first to reach Kane’s office.
She stared at the closed door, her heart thudding against her ribs.
What exactly did Professor Sterling want to see them about?
A few seconds later, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.
"Don’t start without me!" Victor called out dramatically, jogging toward them.
Lucy couldn’t help but laugh. "You act like we’re about to receive an award."
"What if we are?" Victor shot back before lowering his voice. "Although... it could also be disciplinary action."
Daniel walked over with his hands tucked into his pockets. "If it were disciplinary action," he said calmly, "he wouldn’t have waited until after class."
Sasha arrived moments later, followed by Maya.
Before anyone could speculate further, the office door opened.
Kane looked at the five of them.
"Come in."
They exchanged glances before stepping inside.
Kane waited until the door clicked shut behind them.
Their report rested neatly on his desk. He picked it up, flipping through a few pages before looking at them.
"I’ll keep this brief."
Victor instinctively straightened.
"I told the class that one group stood out." His gaze swept across the five of them. "That group was yours."
A smile tugged at Maya’s lips.
Lucy’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
"I’ve already submitted my evaluation to the department."
Victor blinked. "Evaluation?"
Kane nodded once. "The department approved the recommendation this morning."
Silence.
Then—
"Congratulations."
He let the word settle before adding, "your group has been selected."
No one reacted. Not because they weren’t excited.
Because none of them had processed what he’d just said.
Victor frowned. "Wait. Could you please let me process what you just said."
Kane raised an eyebrow.
Victor pointed at himself.
"You mean..." He paused, then pointed at the remaining four. "...we won?"
A faint smile appeared on Kane’s face. "Yes."
Victor let out a strangled noise before throwing both hands into the air.
"WE ACTUALLY WON!"
Sasha slapped a hand over her face. "I can’t believe him."
"I knew we had a chance!" Victor said, turning to the others. "I literally knew it."
"You literally said you wanted to fake your own death before the presentation," Daniel reminded him.
"That wasn’t me." He waved his hands.
Even Daniel’s lips curved into a small smile.
Maya covered her mouth, her eyes shining.
Lucy, on the other hand, remained rooted to the spot.
She looked at Kane. He simply met her gaze.
"As promised, your group has been selected to join the research team."
Her breath caught.
It was real. All those late nights. It had all been worth it.
Kane folded his arms. "Before you celebrate too much, understand something."
The room quietened, their hands behind their backs as they stood ramrod straight.
"This isn’t a reward." He paused. "It’s an opportunity."
"The expectations placed on you will be far higher than they were during this assignment."
He looked at each of them in turn. "The researchers won’t accept assumptions."
"They’ll question every conclusion you make. They’ll expect evidence for every claim."
"If you’re willing to put in the work..." His gaze settled briefly on Lucy before moving away. "...then I look forward to working with all of you."
No one spoke as his words sank into them.
Victor finally broke the silence.
"So..." He rubbed his hands together. "Does this mean we can officially call ourselves researchers now?"
Kane looked at him for a long moment.
"No."
Victor’s shoulders slumped.
"Not yet."
"But you’ll be called that soon if you put in the work."
"You may leave." He dismissed.
"Miss Bennett." He called out when they all turned back. "Please, wait behind."
Maya glanced at Lucy, who stood frozen in her spot.
Her brows drew together, staring at her with concern.
Lucy met Maya’s gaze, and the latter mouthed.
"Will you be okay?"
Lucy nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure she believed herself.
Maya hesitated for another second before following the others out.
The office door clicked shut.
Silence settled between them.
Kane waited until the footsteps outside had completely faded before turning his attention back to her.
"Lucy."
"Yes, Professor?"
He studied her for a long moment, as though carefully choosing his words.
"There is... one more thing I’d like to discuss with you."
Lucy’s fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
"...Regarding Friday."
Her breath hitched, her heart racing.