Chapter 22

"Chess!"

Chess's thoughts were interrupted when Angela came rushing towards him. He immediately lifted his lips in an innocent curve before tilting his head towards Angela's direction.

"Are you done?" they were doing separate practices. Actually, their PE lessons together with the Class C senior students are not lessons at all.

The seniors just let them do anything as long as they show movements. They didn't care whether they improve or not but they keep on monitoring them as if they're waiting for even just a single mistake.

Chess decided to perform jumping jacks while Angela and the others chose something for a group. Now, after an hour, it's almost time for their next class.

"Yep… I'm done." Chess answered before following behind her.

They went together to the direction of the changing rooms. Angela even felt special when Chess offered to personally send her to the female's section. However, he's got intentions for doing so.

Upon reaching the entrance of the female's changing room, Angela turned to look at Chess. She flashed her brightest smile before bidding him a goodbye. Chess did the same.

But his eyes wandered off somewhere.

While speaking to Angela, he secretly glanced at the inside of the changing room. And in that split second, he already scanned the room.

They were not inside.

Well, it's reasonable. The Class C students obviously hates the Class B students so it's normal that they don't like changing together.

But even after knowing all that, he still tried to find them here. The sole reason is to know how they knew the Section 0. To know where they got the information, or perhaps, to find out who started the gossip.

But because they weren't around, his visit was fruitless. Angela had already turned her back so if he stayed any longer, the other girls might find it suspicious. That's why he had also turned and silently walked away.

He already saw their faces. It'd be easier to find them now. But Chess is not sure whether it would also be also easy to find the culprit behind.

And if he really did find out the person behind the gossip, then what would he do?

It's not like he's attached to that class for him to make a move. It's also not like he gains something from being in that class. So, if that's the case, then why is he so eager to find the culprit?

Even Chess found it confusing.

Maybe it's because of curiosity? Maybe it's because he knows the position that they are in? Or maybe because he just simply wanted to?

Chess didn't know. And he doesn't intend to know.

He wants to know who the person is, so he'll find it out. He'd decide what he'll do after. Right now, he just had to trace that person's trails.

At lunch, Angela and Hans were waiting at the cafeteria. They already had food on their tables but they hadn't started eating yet.

They were patiently waiting for Chess.

And upon his arrival, Angela bolted upright, prepared to call his name. But before she could even open her mouth, she found Chess walking towards a different table. Her brows twitched as her lips formed a thin line.

Chess knew Angela saw him, but he didn't mind. The best time to approach the two girls from earlier is now, during lunch.

Of course, he's not the type to just shamelessly approach them and act all friendly. He knows it would be too suspicious that way. So, he just have to make a situation where he would be the one being invited to sit on their table.

And for that, he have the right card in hand.

He casually approached the table of the two girls which was found at the corner. Upon feeling his presence, those girls raised their heads up and glanced at him. Chess casually flashed his innocently timid smile.

He even fixed the glasses on his eyes before speaking with low voice.

"Uhm… Hi. I am Chess, Section 1 – B student. You are my seniors in physical education." He started.

The girls looked at each other before glancing back at him. Of course, they remember him. He was that person in their Friday class who looked so pretty even though he's a man. Who would forget him?

"Yes, we know. And? You need anything?" the girl who spoke was the one who started the chat earlier.

She had short hair and sharp eyes. The way she looked at Chess was analytical. She remember that he was also the person who almost overheard their conversation earlier, so she was cautious.

Of course, she didn't know that Chess had heard everything clearly.

"I know this is sudden, but… I am having trouble lately. And I am seeking help from my seniors." Chess was speaking so politely that it's almost impossible to doubt his intentions.

The girl who was quiet, until now, spoke next.

"What trouble?" she sounded indifferent. Contrary to her sharp looking friend, this girl looked calmer and more composed.

In regards to her question, Chess picked something from his pocket.

It was like a piece of rectangular paper. But when he placed it on the table, the girls realized that it was a developed photo.

They raised their brows as they stare at the photo on the table. It was facing down so they had no idea what's in it.

Chess saw their reactions so he continued talking.

"I just want to know who took that photo. It reached my friends outside university and is causing me trouble right now, so, I really hope you can help me…"

The two girls became extremely curious about the content of the photo. So, they reached for it and almost instantly flipped the photo upside. And what welcomed them is a stolen photo of Chess.

It was the one that Jill gave him. He's not sure who took the picture and it's possible that it's not someone from Class C, but because of the situation, he managed to use it as an excuse to approach these girls.

The girls on the other hand was stunned.

It was his picture while wearing the PE uniform that they made the males of Class B wear on their first meeting. Chess also said that it was causing him trouble. So, even though they were innocent about the picture and even if they hate Chess's class, they can't help but feel guilty.

They contributed that day. Which makes them one to blame for the trouble that the picture caused him.

But, who among their classmates took a picture of their junior and had the audacity to spread it around? He said it even reached his friends outside? How shameless could that person be?

In this case, they have to help this poor junior of them.

"We'll ask our classmates too. Whoever that person is, we will surely make them apologize to you. You sit first." the first girl said. Chess did as he was told and sat beside the girl. Now, he had successfully joined their table just as he planned.

"Is this in the internet?" the girl added.

Chess scratched his nape before shaking his head.

"I'm not really sure… But because it reached my friends outside, maybe yes."

"Haa… I don't understand why our classmates would do that. But don't worry, if this is really on the internet, we'll ask the person to take it down."

"Yes, thank you very much." Chess answered.

His plan is proceeding so smoothly… although, he really does want to know who took this picture of him.

"Did you try asking the others?"

This is it. This is the question he was waiting for.

Chess immediately nodded his head while looking very much like a child. He looked so clueless and defenseless that the girls didn't even notice where the topic is going at.

"Yes, I asked them… one of them even got angry and told me to go and find the Section 0 if I want to know who took my picture. He said that that section could help me, but I don't know where to find them…"

Of course, this is a lie.

He never asked the others and he never had the intention to. He also knows where to find that section, so he's just really spouting lies right now.

The two girls glanced at each other again. They even glanced sideways before glancing back at him.

"Who told you that?" The other girl spoke, sounding so cautious.

Chess acted like he was lost and confused. That cute wrinkle on his forehead made the other girls sigh. They leaned towards him and lowered their voice before speaking. The sudden change of action made Chess curious yet again.

"It's just a rumor that started recently. They say that this section is the darkest secret of the university. Others say that they provide information or what not. Rumors also say that they're hidden because they're a bunch of black sheep. There's different kinds of rumors but it's still just rumors. You don't have to believe what whoever-that-person told you."

Hmm… so that's the rumors about them. Well, a bunch of black sheep is quite plausible as well as the darkest secret of the university. But why does it feel like they're very careful when talking about it?

Chess found it suspicious, but he still continued on with his plan. He also leaned forward and lowered his voice before parting his lips to speak.

"Then… who started the rumor?"

And there, he dropped the biggest question.