Suspicious Man - Chapter 3

The next day, during recess, Surya went to the school yard. It turned out that there was a man who was being beaten by 2 people. There was also one more person, he looked like he was provoking the beaten man.

Surya approached them and concluded that the man's work was taken by the person who beat him. When everything died down, the man was left alone. He leaned against the wall, holding his beaten stomach. Surya who saw it took the initiative to talk to him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, this has happened many times. So this isn't a big deal?"

"Already often? So you mean, he's taken your work many times."

"Yeah, even though he's like that, he's actually smart. For some reason, every time I submit my work, it will be rejected quickly. Whereas when he holds it, my work becomes the best work."

"That means he's the one who's famous, not you."

"That's the truth, but one day I will definitely show you my work that he couldn't copy from me, even better than before."

"Thank you for your story. Oh yeah, we haven't met yet, I'm Surya from class 6 B."

"I'm Math from grade 6 C."

The two of them shook hands, indicating that they had just met. But Math took the opportunity to get up from his sitting position.

"Thank You. Surya, we're the same age, why don't you try a scientific writing competition, usually it's known as LKTI."

"Sorry, thanks for inviting me. But I refused, because there are several things. One of them is that I have never participated in any LKTI."

"I suggest you just go along, so you get a lot of experience. The more we do, the more experience we get."

The words were similar to the girl's words which made Surya pause for a moment.

"Just think about it or maybe you can see the LKTI being held tomorrow."

Math leaves Surya after saying goodbye.

After school Surya went to the shopping center to meet the girl, but she was not there. Only a small note tacked on read, "Sorry we are closed today, tomorrow will be open again."

"Where did that girl go? Come to think of it, I haven't asked her name yet. Maybe when I meet him later, I'll ask him," Surya mumbled.

Not long after, people in black suits came to Surya's place.

"Tsk! He ran away."

After hearing that, Surya was even more confused, because he spoke as if he was looking for the girl Surya was looking for right now. Surya just stared at them and finally they left.

Surya also decided to go home, but before that he cleaned up the girl's stall which looked a little messy. In Surya's heart he felt that even if this was cleaned up, the girl would not be grateful. But Surya still did it in return for his help yesterday.

When everything is tidy, Surya returns home. Before going to sleep, he just remembered that he didn't know where the LKTI was.

***