Sparring match

"Yuna? Fancy seeing you here," Alex says while catering to the pink-haired girl's ankle. He removes Yuna's short-laced-up boots and massages her sprain. "I did not recognize you," He adds, looking at her pink dyed hair.

Yuna notices his gaze. "Oh! This? An image change?" Yuna answers as if she isn't sure herself.

"It suits you, I guess," Maxwell replies, slightly perplexed.

Yuna laughs and explains the truth, "I'm joking. It's just a wig," She pulls the wig up to show her chestnut brown hair.

"Some of my classmates and I are planning to do a little show for next week's school anniversary. And we planned to have a rehearsal in costume today. I find the clothes super cute that I couldn't help wearing them to school," Yuna explains with a mischievous smile.

"So that's how it is," Maxwell exclaims, nodding in acknowledgment, "You indeed look cute in them," Alex compliments Yuna, seeing her oversized jacket adorned with charming motifs and accessories.

"Thank you," Yuna Shin answers enthusiastically.

While the two are discussing, Eliana comes back with a bag of ice and a first aid kit. "Here you go. Apply it quick so it won't swell," Carter suggests while handing the bag to Maxwell.

"Thank you," Yuna pauses for a second and looks up to see who is the beautiful blonde. "Senior," She continues, nodding to Carter with a bashful smile.

"Don't mention it," Eliana looks at Yuna and smiles tenderly.

"Anyway, senior, you should come back to the club," Yuna looks ecstatic.

Maxwell cannot find anything to say while Yuna goes on, "There are three months left before the qualification for the national tournament, in summer." She adds, watching Maxwell bandaging her ankle.

"We really need you, senior. You must come back," Yuna continues eagerly, her eyes full of hope.

Alex wants to say something, but she continues her plea, not allowing him to place a word.

"Our school's fencing club reputation is on the line. Oak Hills High school is being too presumptuous against us." She complains. "These bastard are being too arrogant, underestimating us."

"That's why we must show them! We must win every prize in the tournament." She pumps her fist energetically, trying to convince Maxwell.

"You do not need to worry about Oak Hills. We have many strong members in our club," Alex responds calmly.

"THEY WON'T DO!" Yuna fiercely shouts. Her expression becomes more serious, surprising Maxwell and Carter.

"I'm sorry," she apologizes after reflecting on her erratic behavior.

"I know you take fencing as a hobby, but you definitely are strong. We need you, senior." Yuna looks down and explains. "The others… they quit," She says hesitantly, looking regretful.

Looking at Yuna's desperation, Maxwell yields and answers, "I'll pass by this afternoon, alright?" He gently cheers the girl up.

____

After taking care of Yuna Shin's ankle, Maxwell and Carter accompany her outside. Yuna leans on Alex's arm as she still struggles to walk alone.

"Thank you, senior!" Yuna says to Maxwell, helping her walk toward the exits.

"Don't worry about it. Are you staying here alone?" Maxwell asks, curious about her presence at the hotel.

"Yes! My parents wanted me to live with my brother, but I hate that douche, so for now, I stay here," Yuna states bluntly.

"If that is the case, you and Eliana are going to be neighbors for a while," Maxwell notices Yuna's small peeks at Carter.

"Are you and senior Eliana an item?" Yuna tilts her head in curiosity and inquires directly, disregarding any awkwardness in asking personal questions.

"I guess in some way," Maxwell responds casually, "We are working in the same company. And Eliana is a big fish in our firm, so I am making sure she is well treated." Maxwell clarifies, creating the half-true narrative.

"Heh? Is that so?" She looks disappointed.

Outside, a car and a driver are already waiting for Yuna to bring her to school. Before she joins her vehicle, Yuna says, "Senior, you will be there today, right? Promise you will come," Yuna looks desperate, widening her cat-like eyes to look cuter, and grabs Maxwell's arm more strongly, rocking it back and forth.

Once again Alex yields and pats Yuna on the head, "Promise. I'll be there." He reassures her.

"You promised, you can't take it back," She vigorously points at Maxwell. "If you break our accord, I will pester you every day," Yuna says with an impish expression.

"Okay, okay! But first, you must heal your ankle." He instructs the girl.

Puffing out her chest, Yuna says, "This is nothing. I'm more solid than I look like," She smiles proudly. She stomps on her foot to demonstrate but immediately wails in pain.

Not wanting her senior to notice, Yuna quickly hides her hurt with a wide smile.

However, Maxwell flicks her forehead discerning the pain behind her smug expression. "You little! Make sure you properly recover before doing anything rash." He reprimands gently.

"I promise to come by this afternoon, so you must promise to take care of your ankle," Alex suggests, caring for his clumsy junior.

Slightly pouting, Yuna nods, "Alright!" She reluctantly agrees.

"See you at school, Oppa!" She waves and enters her transportation.

After the departure of Yuna's car, Maxwell breathes a long sigh of relief, making Carter laugh at his soft side for his junior.

"What a cute girl," The amused Eliana says. "Another conquest of yours?" She adds teasingly.

"Please!" Alex holds his temple, remembering all the headaches the girl has caused him in the past.

____

After getting their vehicle back, Maxwell and Carter hit the road for school. They arrive on time before the morning lecture starts and join Lily Lambert.

As usual, the three of them pass their time at school together. Joined by Ivy Lambert at lunch, their meeting becomes their daily routine.

The afternoon flies by quickly, letting place to the complimentary lecture, just before the different clubs' activities.

Before dispersing in their corresponding classes, Maxwell and the girls arranged to meet again in the evening.

After his history complimentary lesson, Maxwell goes to the fencing gymnasium, as he promised to Yuna Shin earlier in the morning.

When Maxwell enters, the coach, An energetic man with a long grey ponytail and a well-groomed beard, greets him enthusiastically.

"Maxwell boy! You came, finally!" The man exclaims in delight.

"Oppa!" Yuna also shouts happily, seeing her senior. She was sitting on the bench with her friend, unable to participate because of her recent injury.

In contrast, the other members were displeased at Maxwell's arrival. But Alex ignores their disdainful glares.

"You came just in time, Maxwell boy. We were missing one last member in our lineup for the Nationals." The man says in a friendly tone, putting his hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Coach Albert, isn't this too sudden?" A young man complains.

When Alex turns to look at the plaintiff, a tall young man approaches in full fencing gear.

"I know of Maxwell's talent, but the others are also hard-working." He continues while taking his helmet off. "Besides, he has missed numerous sessions. It is possible he is a bit rusty." the young man stops in front of Maxwell and stares him down with a challenging smirk.

"What do you mean, Norton?" Yuna shouts in anger, jumping from her bench while her friend tries to calm her down.

"Yuna?" Andy Norton says in a soft voice. "I'm just speculating. After all, it has been months since Maxwell came to practice."

"That's right! It's unfair for the others!" "We are always working hard!" "If he can participate, why can't we?" protests raise among the other students.

"What do you think, Maxwell boy?" The coach asks Maxwell's opinion, looking troubled.

Alex only came to check on Yuna as he promised. He did not really intend to participate. In addition, Maxwell wanted to avoid trouble. Despite getting along well with his juniors in the club, he was at odds with most older members.

However, before Maxwell could respond, Yuna shouts again, "Then how about a spar?" She suggests, smiling confidently at Maxwell as if she had done him a favor, leaving him flabbergasted.

"That's right! A spar should shake off the rust," The coach joyously says, pushing Maxwell to the changing room.

Yuna, who is already up, also pulls Maxwell, robbing him of any chance to refuse.

____

Yuna Shin and the coach are helping Maxwell suits up into his fencing gear in the locker room. Although he was reticent, Alex indulges the two.

"Thank you, Maxwell boy. We are kind of putting you in a bad spot," The man speaks in a serious tone.

Alex judges by their grim expression that something has happened. "Coach Albert, there seems to be trouble," He remarks.

"Recently, there are Oak Hills students that keep picking on our fencers. Because of that, everyone is on edge." The man explains.

"Last week, three of our competitors have quit, leaving us short-handed. And seizing the opportunity, a group of seniors wants to force their way into the freed spots." He continues.

"Is that not a good development? We lack personal after all." Maxwell points out, making the man smiles wryly.

"They are trash. But stupid Norton and the other insist we allow them." Yuna blatantly states in anger. "If we allow them to participate, our school is doomed."

"Well, little Yuna girl isn't completely wrong. They have good motivations, but lack the talent to compete against strong schools." The coach admits regretfully.

Maxwell understands the situation. Right now, there are two factions in the club. One side, led by Andy Norton, wants to fill the number with fodder, while the other wants quality. And coach Albert, on the quality side, wants him to take the last spot to deter the weaker members.

"I must be here to dissuade the others," Maxwell concludes.

Coach Albert nods, "A bad performance from our school can have catastrophic consequences. I'm ashamed to say this, but our sponsors are fickle. Not only my position is on the line, but the club risks losing its generous funding," He explains. "We must not let any random students participate."

"That's why we need you, Oppa," Yuna says with her bewitching cat-like eyes. "Help us, Oppa."

Looking at Yuna's begging eyes, Maxwell reluctantly responds, "Alright, I will help."

Alex has no particular attachment to the club. However, he finds it more enjoyable to just go against Andy Norton.

____

After a while, the three come out of the locker room. Norton was already on the piste, ready for their fight. He looked tense and focused.

Norton's belief won't permit loss. Always first in whatever he engages in, even so, Maxwell managed to humiliate him in their last face-off at the Nationals two years ago. Norton waited a long time to get back at Maxwell for his defeat. And now, an opportunity to get his revenge arises.

Maxwell, on the other hand, was more casual. "Go easy on me, Norton," Maxwell nonchalantly says with a wicked smile hidden behind his helmet.

____ End of chapter 17 ____