I withdrew from the cybersecurity competition the moment my affluent father finally tracked me down. But right then, I was slapped across the face by the department’s most adored student, Sisca Gray.
“You lowly scholarship student,” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “What gives you the right to withdraw from this competition? If you dare to step down, I'll see to it that you’re kicked out of school for good!”
Sisca had already submitted the exact same code as mine in the cybersecurity competition in my previous life. Back then, I’d thought I could turn to my two closest friends, Ben and Nathan, to testify for me, to stand by my side. But when the moment came, both had fallen silent. Finally, they suggested to the judges that perhaps my poverty warranted a second chance, a tiny show of pity. I’d become a plagiarist in everyone’s eyes, disgraced and blacklisted by the entire industry even before I graduated.
The constant barrage of hateful comments from netizens, the hardship of my life, it all became too much to bear. Until, one day, alone in a cramped 30-square-meter basement, I broke. I took a blade to my wrist, unable to face any more disgrace.
Yet when I opened my eyes again, I was back in college. Back to that fateful week before I submitted my code for the cybersecurity competition.
***
“Ran, are you dozing off? If you’re that tired, you should head back and rest.” Nathan tapped my shoulder gently, his voice pulling me from my dark reverie.
Ben, always quick to joke, leaned in with a mischievous grin. “Yeah, little Ran! Lack of sleep will stunt your growth, you know?”
Hearing their words again was like a cruel déjà vu. In my last life, those same teasing remarks had made me laugh. Orphaned young and raised in a group home, I’d always been grateful to have these two by my side, filling the void. They’d cared for me like brothers.
But in this life, their words only brought a bitter taste to my mouth.
The cybersecurity competition had been a doorway to so much more than a trophy. The judges were seasoned experts from top companies—winning meant a real shot at a great career. Yet in my previous life, I’d been crushed under false accusations of plagiarism. Desperately, I’d turned to Nathan and Ben, my so-called best friends, pleading with them to defend my integrity.
Instead, they’d stayed silent.
Nathan had even requested that the judges give me “another chance to be a decent human being” out of pity for my poverty, as if I were some kind of charity case.
The internet had its say.
[“Being poor isn’t an excuse to cheat. Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you can claim others’ achievements. We don’t want plagiarists in our industry!”]
[“If someone would plagiarize now, they’d steal credit at work. This kind of person can’t be trusted!”]
The big-name companies had blacklisted me. Sisca Gray had walked away with the championship title and the world had dubbed her “the most beautiful programmer.” Meanwhile, I was forever branded a fraud, my name forever tarnished on the college records. I was expelled, labeled and left with nothing.
After college, my life became a series of menial jobs, all dead ends. Every time someone dug up my past, I’d be ostracized by my coworkers and fired. Every place I went, the whisper of my shame followed. Exhausted, isolated and beaten down, I fell deeper into despair.
After my 208th job rejection, I couldn’t take it any longer. In the suffocating darkness of my basement, I chose to end my misery.
Then, inexplicably, I opened my eyes again.
Back in the warmth of the school library, with Nathan and Ben beside me, I was thrown into confusion, haunted by what I’d gone through. Yet this time, I could feel the anger simmering within me, a fire igniting where there’d once been only despair.
***
“Are you still here?” Ben’s voice broke my focus. “Nathan and I have been pulling all-nighters just to help you get this code finished for the competition. You better get first place this time, Ran, or you’ll owe us big!”
Nathan shot me a sidelong glance. “We’ve been staying up with you night after night for this. Ran, don’t make us regret it.”
I forced myself to stay calm, though my heart pounded with a newfound purpose. This time, I wouldn’t let myself be crushed. I’d rewrite my story, starting now.
Ben and Nathan were orphans like me; we grew up together like brothers, bound by the shared experiences of loss and hardship. But maybe the events of my past life had happened for a reason, a harsh lesson in trust and betrayal.
I’d had a knack for programming ever since high school, winning more awards than I could count. Back then, I was driven, thriving on the adrenaline of creating something new, of solving complex puzzles. But that life had taken a brutal turn when Sisca Gray—Ms. “Cybersecurity Queen” herself—accused me of plagiarism, with my two closest friends backing her story in silence.
Back then, a few people on the judging panel hadn’t been entirely convinced by Sisca’s claims. They’d believed in my integrity enough to insist that Sisca provide her problem-solving process as proof. But by then, Sisca had already garnered a massive fanbase. The competition had been streamed live and every social media platform was flooded with her supporters praising her brilliance and tearing me down.
[“Sisca solved everything in real-time on the webcast! Every step was identical to Ran’s—who else could have copied if not her?”]
[“Why are the judges being unfair? Can’t they see Sisca’s talent?”]
[“Ran’s friends are silent… Sisca doesn’t need to prove anything just because she won!”]
And Sisca knew how to play her part perfectly. She’d posted her solutions across programming forums, calling it a “discussion” with international contestants. When the judges saw pages upon pages of evidence, they deemed me the plagiarist, crowning Sisca with the first-place title.
My entire career had been shattered that day, all because I’d trusted the wrong people. And this time, I’d be smarter. The first thing I needed was to find those forums again, to confirm what I was up against.
“It’s already one in the morning! I’m exhausted. Let’s head back to the dorms and get some sleep,” Nathan said, sounding as though he’d already checked out for the night.
Ben shook his head, shooting him a warning look. “Come on, you can’t be all in one day and out the next! Ran’s depending on us and competition’s just around the corner. If we don’t wrap up these final problems, we’ll have wasted all our late nights for nothing.”
I managed a weary smile, watching their playful argument with fresh eyes.
Ben turned back to me, his gaze softening. “Ran, don’t push yourself too hard, alright? You’ll get the code done, I know it.” He picked up my notebook and packed it into my bag, nudging me to follow. “But first, rest is non-negotiable.”
They walked me back to my dorm, making sure I got to my room safely before they left. As I stepped inside, I could see the outlines of my roommates already fast asleep in the dimly lit room. Quietly, I climbed into bed, the night’s conversation lingering on my mind.
Once under the covers, I opened my laptop, navigating through various forums in search of Sisca’s profile. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon it. Her page was swarming with followers, her latest post pinned at the top, a cascade of fans worshiping her intellect and beauty.
I stared at her profile picture, my heart pounding as resentment boiled in my chest. Sisca Gray—the “flower” of the language department, as everyone loved to call her. She was charming, had a powerful family background and was even rumored to be related to the school’s director. I’d never interacted with her personally; I’d only heard about her through Nathan and Ben, who once mentioned that they’d been interested in asking her out. “Fair competition,” they’d joked, nudging each other, teasing me about how I wasn’t “girly” enough.
At the time, I’d laughed along, thinking it was all harmless. But now, the memories stung with new meaning. Had there been more to their teasing than I realized? And why would Sisca, someone with every privilege and advantage, go out of her way to ruin me? What had she to gain from claiming my work as hers?
Curious, I clicked into her profile and began scrolling through her posts. Her latest update showcased a solution to a brand-new problem I’d cracked earlier that day. Her method was identical to mine, down to the precise code and cursor placement. I felt a cold chill race down my spine as I read through the comments below, full of praise.
[Goddess Sisca not only has beauty, but a genius-level IQ! She can solve even the most difficult cybersecurity problems!]
I clenched my fists, each word a painful reminder of the betrayal I’d faced in my last life. If Sisca had somehow copied my work, the only people with access were Nathan and Ben. They’d always been with me, my closest friends… and the only ones who knew my code inside and out. Could they really have turned against me for someone they’d barely known?
But this time, I’d be ready. The competition was structured in three rounds: problem-solving mode, offense-defense mode and mixed mode. And if Sisca wanted to play dirty, I’d be prepared to fight back in each one. This time, I’d make sure my every move was untraceable, every line of code uniquely mine.
I closed my laptop, taking a steadying breath. I’d been granted a second chance and I wasn’t about to waste it. This time, I’d take back what was mine and I’d make sure everyone knew the real face behind the code.
Previously, I’d chosen the problem-solving mode, the competition format I felt most confident in. But with Sisca targeting me, it was time for a change. If she wanted to sabotage my work again, she’d have to keep up with me in an entirely different mode. Switching to offense-defense might be tougher, but at least I’d have control over what she couldn’t steal.
Early the next morning, I didn’t wait for Nathan or Ben. Instead, I went straight to Professor Lawson’s office to request a change in my competition mode. He was a respected figure in the computer science department, known for his sharp insights and even sharper wit.
As he adjusted his glasses and looked up at me, a small smile tugged at his lips. “Ah, our department’s prodigy. Let me guess—finding this year’s challenge a little too easy?”
I ducked my head, feeling a mix of nerves and embarrassment. “Not exactly, Professor. I just thought… switching to something a bit more challenging might impress the sponsors more.” I paused, realizing I’d have to be honest with him. “You know, with my background and all, every bit helps. If I manage to secure a top spot, I might even get a place in their research division. It would mean everything to me.”
Professor Lawson’s expression softened, his understanding clear. “I see. I know how important this is, Ran. Switching to offense-defense mode won’t be easy, but with your skill, I think it’s a solid move. Just be prepared—there’s no hand-holding in that format.”
I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me as he signed the necessary forms. Leaving his office, I felt lighter, ready to take on this new challenge head-on.
Halfway to the cafeteria, my phone buzzed. Nathan’s voice came through the line, sounding puzzled. “Ran, where are you? Ben and I were waiting for you to head to breakfast together.”
“Oh! Sorry, I’m on my way. Just had to handle something with Professor Lawson.”
I decided to keep my new competition mode a secret from them, at least for now. After all, neither of them were computer science majors and while they respected my work, they barely understood the basics of what I did.
The day passed quickly and by evening, I was back in the lab, the usual quiet setting in as most students headed to their dorms. Nathan, Ben and I were the last ones in the large room. By midnight, Nathan was already snoring, slumped over his desk.
Ben stretched, breaking the silence. “Ran, you hungry? I’m running out to grab something to eat. Let me know if you want anything—I’ll bring it right back.”
His voice was calm and caring and for a moment, I couldn’t believe someone like Ben could betray me. “I’ll have whatever you’re getting. Thanks, Ben,” I replied with a smile.
Once he left, I glanced at Nathan, his long limbs sprawled across his seat, his usual lively energy completely dimmed by exhaustion. If Ben was hard to suspect, Nathan was even harder. They’d both been there for me, through thick and thin. Why would they betray me for someone they barely knew?
But something was wrong. Sisca’s “success” didn’t add up without inside help. And I knew I had to find out the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
I took a deep breath, opened my laptop and navigated to Sisca’s social media profile. My stomach dropped as I saw her latest post. She’d uploaded a screenshot that looked all too familiar—my code from yesterday.
Alongside it, she’d written, “Some people just can’t help themselves. With the competition winding down, I’ve had to switch modes. It’s a pain, but no choice but to keep going!”
The background of her screenshot was unmistakable. It was my lab, complete with the clutter on my desk. Anyone familiar with our workspace would recognize it immediately. And she wasn’t just stealing my work—she’d copied my exact code solution from that morning, down to the cursor position.
Panic set in as I stared at her post, feeling the cold weight of betrayal settling in my chest. The timestamp on her screenshot was from that morning, long after the lab had emptied out, with only Nathan and Ben staying back to keep me company.
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. One of them—or worse, both of them—had to have leaked my work to her. But why? Had they really chosen Sisca over me? The guys who’d been like family to me?
My mind reeled with questions. Was it Sisca’s charm? She had a reputation, after all. I’d heard the whispers about her wealthy family, her privileged connections, the allure she carried. But Nathan and Ben had always seemed immune to that sort of superficial appeal.
Or was it the promise of something more tangible, like money? Sisca’s family was powerful, but it wasn’t as though they’d be handing out fortunes to help with plagiarism. No, that didn’t make sense either.
As I tried to piece together a puzzle that refused to fit, a bitter thought crossed my mind. Maybe the answer wasn’t about Sisca’s charm or money. Maybe it was the simple, cold truth of self-interest.
But the truth was slipping away, hiding in the shadows of the lab as I sat alone, surrounded by computers that now felt like the only things I could trust. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of everything pressing down on me.
Ben returned with snacks, his face breaking into a friendly smile as he handed me a sandwich. “Late night fuel, just like old times, huh?”
I forced a smile, hiding the turmoil inside. “Yeah. Thanks, Ben. I appreciate it.” But my heart felt heavy, each word thick with suspicion.
For the rest of the night, I worked in silence, every click of the keyboard echoing the tension between us.
