Chapter 08: "What To Like About Him?"

"Wow~ you were so bold back there." Chet commended me.

"It's the only way I can get him to listen. Luckily, it went well."

It unexpectedly turned out as planned. There are a lot of things we need to do after challenging the council...

—Earlier—

"What do you propose?" Zen Liang asked, not taking his eyes off me.

"Next month will be sports day, right?"

Sports day will be perfect for this. Considering the skills and talents of my classmates. We have a greater chance of turning the table around.

"If our class beat your class, the council have to reconsider our suggestions regarding the school rules." I proposed.

"How are we going to determine the winner?" The council vice president asked.

"Easy. The class that gets the highest number of wins is the victor." I already thought this through.

"Oh wow. Maybe I can keep my piercing."

"That's only if they win."

"It might go well!"

The gymnasium was filled with murmurs once again.

"And if you lose?" As the council president spoke, the noise faded.

I look down for a moment. I can sense the worried faces of my classmates and the tension from everyone in the room.

"Then..." I slowly raised my head. "We'll shave our head bald!!"

"What the hell?!"

"Why are we included in that?!"

"Damn you, Jian!"

My classmates reacted to my conditions. Although, they don't have a choice anyway. We need to bet on something to make this plan succeed.

"And you can make me do whatever you want. I'll even take any punishment you give me." I added to seal the deal.

I won't lose. I already planned everything.

Zen Liang stared at me for a couple of seconds after turning his back on me.

"Alright. You have a month to prepare." He said and left.

Yes! Got him.

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"Jian, do you really think we can beat Class A?" The class president asked.

"Of course not." I enthusiastically smiled.

They flinched and was dumbfounded.

"But we still have a month to practice, right?" I tried lifting up their spirits again.

"Besides, we have Chet. He's an athlete." I continued and grabbed Chet in front as he mindlessly eat the bag of chips.

"What's going on?" He's obviously not listening awhile ago.

"We're doomed."

"I'll prepare the shaver."

My classmates sighed. Hopelessness can be clearly seen on their faces.

"Don't worry, guys. We just have to manage our resources. We can make it happen." I lightened up the room.

"How are we supposed to do that?"

"We all need to participate on events as many as possible during sports day. Therefore, we need to look for your potential."

In the past, I actually went to sports day. I didn't participate in any event though. But as far as I remember, our class placed third. Considering that only few of us participated that time.

"Luke is good at basketball so, the other boys can join him." I started to assign them on the category that they are excellent at.

"Class pres is a swimmer so she's obviously joining the swimming event."

"Got it."

"The two of you can join the badminton competition."

"No worries."

"We got this!"

"You guys can join the volleyball game. The three of you can join the sack race."

"How about us?"

"Oh! Right, I remember. You guys can join the mobile tournament."

"What's that?"

"An online mobile games event." I answered.

Our class didn't get to participate on that event during the past. They were actually good at that game, but we were not told about that event, including the other events that time. Probably because Class A refuse to accept defeat from the lower class. They even resorted to accusing some of our class participants of cheating.

That's one of the reasons why I usually slack off back then. I hate their bullshits.

"Oh wow! Cool!"

"That's perfect dude!"

"Hell yeah!"

"Mhm." I nodded and smiled as I see the enthusiasm of my classmates.

"Then what will you be participating on, Jian?"

"I'll join the others in the other team matches."

"Oh hell yeah! We can freaking do this!"

"We'll kick their asses!"

I guess it's all settled now. We have a greater chance of winning.

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"Bro, are you sure about that bet?" Chet asked while we were sitting in the cafeteria.

"Of course, I am." I replied while munching on my lunch.

"I think we can actually pull it off." Luke added while drinking his juice.

"Ehh? I mean they are way smarter. How can we compete to that?" Chet asked while chewing his food, making a mess.

"Close your mouth dude!" I snatched my food away from the table.

"Miya told me that Class A were preparing too." Luke said while gently wiping off Chet's mouth.

"It doesn't matter. It's mostly a competition that includes physical strength. We just have to somehow strategize."

"I guess so."

As we were talking about our plans, someone suddenly joined in and interrupted us.

"Hey, long time no see." It was Riri. She just sat down and even took a bite on my food.

"Wow. Just the person I really want to see." I sarcastically said.

"Hey! Be grateful! If I get rich I won't treat you."

"Yeah, right. I bet I'll die first before that happens. You buy useless stuffs out of impulse!" I exclaimed "And stop munching on my food!"

"You're so stingy!"

I've been friends with Chet and Luke since we were first year high school and we gradually got close with Riri too. Luke is Miya's cousin and Riri is Miya's best friend.

There were times before that they would join us for lunch, but due to my nervousness knowing that Miya is with us. I often stutter a lot and can't directly look at her. Not long after that, Riri then found out by herself that I like Miya.

After that, she always teases me when she got the chance to.

Luke sighed, "So, what had you been up to lately, Riri?"

"Oh nothing special. Just looking into my grandma's stuffs." She said and turned her gaze on me. It was a sign that she's still looking into how I got transmitted to the past.

"She must've a lot of old stuffs huh."—Chet.

"Yeah, more or less. Anyway, I've got someone who'll be joining us."

"If that's one of the guys you scammed, I swear I'll—" I was about to knock some sense into this girl when suddenly I heard an angelic sweet voice from behind.

"Hi, guys." She greeted.

Even without looking back, from the voice itself. I can already recognize her.

"Oh, hey! Miya~" Riri greeted her back and glanced at me teasingly.

"What's up?"—Luke.

"Wow~ Miya, your hair is really pretty."—Chet.

She sat down beside me and smiled.

"How have you guys been?" Miya asked.

"Why don't you ask Jian over here." Riri grinned.

"Oh right! You were so brave for standing up for us, Jian." Miya cheerfully mentioned.

It looks like she saw that...

"Uh... W-well..." I can't look at her directly and I can't help but fidget.

"So, Miya. How was it on your side?" Luke knew what to do and shifted her attention to him.

"They were pretty busy as well. They were determined to beat you guys up. But I believe you can do it." She cheered.

"Those Class A bastards are way too cocky." Riri added.

Awe! My angel is on our side!

"Hah! That's great, we'll have a great game. Let's see whose butt will be kicked." Chet enthusiastically exclaimed. "Right, Luke?"

Luke patted his head while nodding. "Mhm."

"Hehe. And besides, Jian had already planned everything." Chet added.

"It'll be great if you guys will win though. Even I don't like some of the rules."—Miya.

"Why? Did you also dye your hair?" Chet asked pointing at Miya's blonde hair.

"Oh no, this is natural." She smiled.

I heard from Luke that her mother is a foreigner. No wonder she's so pretty.

As I was staring at her and day dreaming. Riri suddenly interrupted.

"Hey, loser." Riri whispered.

"What?" I whispered back in annoyance.

"Shouldn't you be working on your future?"

"I am! I want to end up with Miya."

"The hell? You can't even talk straight around her."

"I just need time, alright!"

"Ugh...You're unbelievable, man."

As we were whispering, Miya looked at us in confusion.

"What are you guys talking about?" She innocently asked.

"Nothing interesting. Hey, Miya! Don't you have something you want to talk about Jian?" Riri changed the subject.

"Ah, yes! I almost forgot."

S-she want to talk to me!

"Um... Can I talk to you alone?" She shyly asked.

"Y-yeah!"

Is she moved by my braveness and decided to choose me instead?!

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"So... Jian, how was it with Zen?"

And I spoke too soon...

"O-oh... Zen Liang..."

"Yeah!"

This feels like déjà vu.

"He and I... W-we were still great friends!" I lied.

He doesn't even talk to me!

We are sitting on the bleachers. She's looking at the distance while I am looking at her.

She let out a soft smile. "That's great..."

"Yeah..."

"I thought the two of you had a fight after what happened yesterday. I'm worried for him. I don't want him to be alone again." She continued.

It made me feel guilty. Her love for him must be genuine.

"M-miya... Can I ask you something?"

I know I will regret hearing your answer. Although, I am more eager to know it.

She looked at me and nodded as an answer.

"Why do you like him?" I asked, still looking at her.

She then turned her gaze on the field in front of us.

I can clearly see her face flustered.

"Zen... He's kind." She look up and smiled.

"R-really?" That guy?! He always get on my skin.

"He might appear cold and distant at times. But... I just know that he's a good person." She added.

"He is just too responsible for his age. His father is a well-known man and they expect him to follow after him."

I was just listening to her, not uttering a word.

"Back when we were kids, no one really wants to play with me. My parents were pretty busy most of the time and kids my age somehow avoided me. I felt lonely, then he came up. He had always been kind to me."

"I'm too shallow, right?" She softly chuckles and looked at me.

"N-no... Not at all." I replied, not taking my eyes of hers.

"I guess we just kind of grew apart..." I can see the sorrow on her eyes as her smile faded.

"Please, take care of him." She gently smiled.