What Ben Really Wants

Both sides agreed on holding a 3v3 basketball match. Or, more correctly, Mike baited Lars into accepting this unfavorable deal. Their chances of victory seemed slim at best.

They had ten minutes to prepare. It gave them a little time to warm up and form a strategy, as well as let Ben rest up before asking him to run around the court again.

"So, that's how things turned out," Yuel explained the circumstances to Vincent and Ben.

"Such an unexpected twist!" Vincent made noise. "The underdog Classmancers club challenges the basketball club! Who will walk away with victory!? It's the match of the century!"

That was probably the clown's attempt to inject some positivity into their grim situation. Admittedly, listening to that overhyped nonsense made Yuel smile a little. And, Lars was totally into it as usual.

"Ya got it, dude!" Lars pumped a fist. "We're about to make history here! This match gonna make it into the newspapers, yoooooo!"

Unlike them, the last member of the team wasn't nearly as enthusiastic.

"A match?" Ben mumbled weakly. "But, why?"

"As I explained," Yuel repeated. "We're trying to prove our club is every bit as competitive as theirs. Does it make sense? Not a whole lot, to be honest."

"Then, why…?"

"The way I see it, this is a roundabout way to solve the problem by force without resorting to actual violence."

"But, we're going to lose…"

"I agree, the odds are against us. But, Lars might pull through for us. You might not know it but he's pretty good at basketball."

"Yeah, pretty good." Lars nodded. "Wait, 'pretty good'? What do you mean 'pretty good'!? I'm da best, yo! These dudes are nothing, believe it!"

"Yes, you are."

Indeed, Lars was a prodigy basketball player. In fact, this goof was so strong that many would consider it a waste that he was focusing on Classmancers instead.

Unfortunately, this wasn't going to be a 1v1 match. It'll be a 3v3 and the enemy team was packed with three members of the basketball club. Their average power level was clearly above Lars's team.

Therefore, Yuel couldn't completely ease Ben's worries. They were the underdogs in this fight, no two ways about it. It'll be an uphill battle.

"I think it's better to give up," Ben said weakly and hung his head. "There's no way we can beat them. They don't take the club that seriously but they've been playing from a young age. They're strong players."

"Oh, cool!" Lars grinned. "Sounds like they might actually pose some challenge, hehe."

"Ah..." Ben was speechless. It felt like everything he said backfired at him. Even in front of such an impossible challenge, Lars didn't waver in the slightest. It was amazing, even dazzling.

[I wish I could be this fearless.] Ben thought.

Unlike Lars, Ben has been quaking in his boots ever since he learned of this match. His insides twisted to no end. He felt like an impending disaster was on its way.

[Why are they doing this?] Ben couldn't fathom it. [They should quit before something happens to them. Who knows what Mike and the others will do if they snap. This is supposed to be my punishment, nobody else should get involved.]

"Why? I don't understand," Ben said. "Why do you need to get involved in all of this?"

"That's elementary, my friend." Vincent smiled meaningfully. "It's because you're our friend. We can't throw you to the wolves like this. In fact, I must apologize to you. I've been aware of your situation for quite some time but I haven't found a solution until now."

"My 'situation'? What 'situation'?" Ben feigned ignorance. "Is it about me missing club activity? I'm really sorry about that. It's all my fault. I often end up hanging out with Mike and the others and forget we have club activity, haha..."

"Stop that," Yuel said sharply. "Are you going to pretend like nothing is going on even after we came this far?"

"Well, that's..." Ben clammed up.

"Dude, let's be honest here," Lars said. "We know these guys are forcing you to skip practice. I gonna bet they also bully you and all that."

"T-They don't bully..." Ben resisted weakly. It was all part of his punishment. He deserved all of this. Mike, Larry, and James were his friends. They were just a little mad at him for the stunt he pulled a year ago, that's all.

"Just let it all out," Vincent advised. "No need to keep bottling it. We've already come this far, there's no turning back now. Be honest with us about the situation so we can help you. I'm sure you also want to put an end to it."

"Put an end..." Ben clenched his trembling fists. He had no idea how to react to this suggestion. It was terrifying. There might be more victims again.

Ben was aware that Vincent and Kai tried to do something about his situation last year. He heard about it post-facto but apparently Kai spoke Mike face-to-face. Their argument became heated and Kai raised her voice. That was a critical mistake.

Once Kai accused Mike of bullying, he took it as a cue to retaliate. From what Ben heard, it developed into a scuffle. Kai actually tried to physically confront the guy without running away.

Of course, that didn't go well for her. No matter how strong she was for a girl she couldn't take on Mike, whose strength was feared even among the boys.