“In an unexpected meeting of [different] worlds, there was a rare interconnection, and we can really feel its roar.”
- A translation of Tadhana by Up Dharma Down

“Okay, this can turn the tables for Ateneo de Manila, who’s down to a ten point gap!” The MC for the academic decathlon collegiate competition smiled and the near-to-losing Ateneo beamed in joy. “This final question is worth twenty points! This species of tree is 270 million years old. It rarely suffers disease or insect attack and was one of the only living things to survive the Hiroshima nuclear bombing. The trees healed quickly and are still alive today. What three is this?”

Both Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle University’s delegates began thinking, and it was an awful silence. Of course, it’s worth twenty points, so they knew it’s going to be difficult. It wasn’t until the captain of Kleiss’ team rang the bell when the silence was put to an end.

“Miss Jihyo Park?” The MC asked.

“Gingko Biloba.” She confidently answered with a smile. The emcee double-checked the cue card to see if it was correct – and indeed, it was!  The confetti went boom and the team rejoiced. The just won the collegiate competition. They won!

“Jaehyun, watch the basket, get ready for the damn rebound.” The team captain warned his MVP. “We have to bring home the trophy, or else your breakup with Chaeyeon will probably end to nothingness.”

Right, as if I haven’t moved on from that. Jaehyun wanted to reply causally with a smirk on his face, but sadly, he didn’t have the luxury to do so, because the buzzer rang, and the sounds of sneakers moving with friction with the floor was heard. Running, yelling, the sound of the ball being passed to Jaehyun’s hands was heard. Thank god I don’t have to do a rebound. He found himself outside the three-point line and he shot the ball. As if it was on time-lapse, the ball went into the hoop and soon, cheers from De La Salle University’s team was heard. They yelled and were happy – the defeated Ateneo De Manila! A two-time defending champion for the collegiate basketball games, and Jaehyun can’t be more than happy.

“Two more beers for our table, ma’am!” Jihyo beamed widely as she asked the restaurant owner for more beer. They’re celebrating. As the delegates for Ateneo, they couldn’t be more than happy. They won against the defending champions, so it’s only right that they celebrate.

Seokmin, one of the other members of the team, took the shot glass from her. “Enough, you live far from here!”

“It’s fine, I’ll just call my dad!” Jihyo took back her sh