Resolution

Marques:...

Huh? Why is he so quiet? Is there something he doesn't want to tell us?

Marques: I joined the NDIA because... I wanted to.

Everyone:...

Huh? That's all he has to say?

Kwan: I can see now why you're a loner.

Marques:...

Momo looks up from her phone.

Momo: Even my dead dog could've done better.

Marques: Oh yeah? Then how about you tell your reason?

Wait, is it only me or did he change the topic? Momo continues in an unimpressed, expressionless tone.

Momo: Nothing much, I was the co-owner of a software developing company I started with a partner. I came across an article about how the Intel Team in the NDIA works and got interested in it.

She's a software developer?! That would require a lot of programming! That must mean that she's probably a genius! Kind of a bummer how she ended up in the wrong team though.

Ryan: Huh? Am I next? I just came here to see pretty girls running around. But then, I found out that there are only eight of them among all the boring, well built male trainees.

He chuckles. Mind you, I think you would be better off at a jogger's park.

Hanley: Hahh, what he really means is that he's a psychic.

Hanley speaks up for Ryan. Wait, so he can read minds or something?! That's impressive!

Ryan: Yeah well, they say I'm gifted with those 'powers' apparently.

Hanley: That's nonsense! You've worked so hard to get your bachelorette in psychology!

Really, it's mean of them to just look on the surface and judge his hard work.

Ryan: Maybe.

Jake looks between the twins and senses the tension.

Jake: Hey, can you read my mind?

Ryan: Huh? Yeah.

They both stare into each other's eyes and the room grows quiet. Why am I getting so nervous?!

Ryan:... You're thinking that the people who decided to put pineapple on pizza suck.

Jake:..! That was so random! How'd you do it?!

Ryan: Heh.

Hanley: Told ya he's good.

Too good!!

Ciara: That was awesome! Can you read Marques' mind too; even though he's poker faced?

Momo: I don't think we need a psychic to read his mind though.

Momo says, not looking up from her phone.

Marques: What?

Kwan: I know what you mean, all he thinks about is how to get out out the Jackass Team.

That's... That's actually pretty accurate.

Jake: So Hanley, what did you do before?

Hanley: I? I was just your average psychiatrist, I'm not as good as him. Oh, Ryan and I are telepaths too. 'Dunno if that's the 'twin thing' or what.

Telepathy... All of them (maybe except Marques) are so talented, I feel like an outsider among them. I don't have any special traits like them except knowing what? 10 dance forms? I can't even tell them the real reason why I'm here. I'll just have to whip something up. Soon, it's my turn to speak.

Ciara: I joined NDIA because I was interested in being a detective.

Everyone:...

Everyone stares at me in disbelief and Ryan simply stares at me. Momo looks up from her phone and at me.

Momo: That's it?

Ciara: Huh?

Kwan: Yeah, you're sounding like Mr. Loner now.

Marques:...

*smack!*

Kwan: Ow!

Marques hits Kwan's arm as if to tell him to shut up. I smile.

Ciara: Well, what can I say? Kids learn from their elders, don't they?

I reply, giving Marques a comeback for his teasing earlier.

Hanley: Hahaha! She called you old!!

Everyone bursts out laughing. Leaving aside my comment, how old IS Marques? He looks 28-29 ish. Is that too old to be a learning all this? Speaking of which, he didn't tell everyone his real reason of joining NDIA either.

I might just be throwing a dart in the air but, could it be that he had a similar experience as me?

Jake: By the way, did you guys hear the rumor about the trainees?

Kwan: Huh? What rumor?

Ryan:.. There this rumor that 5 out of the 8 female trainees in this year's batch are frauds.

He doesn't sound like himself when he says that. Hold up, wasn't he with that Blondie earlier? Does he suspect her or something? Anyhow, Momo can't be a fraud given how intelligent she is. Could one of them be me?

My supervisor really wanted to make my 'dream' of studying in the NDIA come true. Did he pull some strings to make that happen?

Hanley: They don't make it too obvious to find out though.

Marques: That's not true. Once the training starts, the frauds'll surely stand out and would be kicked out.

Ciara: That's a pretty harsh way to put it.

Marques: Y'think? Do you see that building over there?

He points outside the window. We all peep outside to see a building at a distance that's a little smaller than our dormitory.

Marques: That's the dormitory for the Second Year's.

Momo: You mean our seniors?

Marques: Yes.

Kwan: But why does it have lesser storeys than ours?

Marques: That's because every year, only 70 of the countless applications get confirmation from the head office to study in the first year. But, only 50-55 trainees make it to the second year; the rest are either expelled or failed. Do you think I was being harsh earlier, now?

Ciara:.. No.

That means only the most competitive of us will survive the first year and go to the second. What if I don't make it? How will I complete my mission then? No, don't be pessimistic, Ciara. You've got this, you've got to work hard to not just survive but thrive here. I ball my fists making my resolution.