Fierce Encounter

Gaze after gaze began to be channelled as they all faced each other. No one had time to move an inch, they scanned the football division players one by one as if judging how weak or strong each individual was. This was not the first time they had faced each other. It was just that if they met, there was at least a bit of childish arguing that should not have been pursued let alone caused casualties.

Sherla felt quite unwell today. Though she believed she had maintained her lifestyle so as not to hinder her observation of each player. As she walked away from the dormitory, she walked quite leisurely in the tight time, with her right hand rubbing her neck and head repeatedly.

Her body seemed to shiver when exposed to the slightest gust of wind. Each step slowed down and eventually came to a halt in the vicinity of the gymnasium. She saw a group of uncivilised people standing in front of the entrance. It was very disrespectful to her considering it was for the use of all students as well as the dormitories on duty.

'What are those people doing? It's really disturbing." Sherla could not hide her annoyance and forced her way towards the gymnasium where the sound of heavy equipment slamming could already be heard.

"Damn it. There's a commotion..." Just as she was about to run, she heard her name being called by a girl around the same age as her. Unable to ignore her call, Sherla was forced to stop and turned her body to face the back, trying to remain calm even though it was very difficult for her.

"Sherla... I'm exhausted," the other girl said while letting out a rhythmic and futile sigh. "I've been calling you since you left the dormitory, why aren't you listening at all?"

Sherla's face pretended to be surprised. Actually she heard a faint voice calling her name. It was just that she tried to ignore the call because she was not in the mood to be asked for help or hear the voice of complaint that she almost heard every day.

"Sorry. I'm really in a hurry because I still have additional training. Is there anything I can help you with?" Sherla asked.

Her friend shook her head with a small smile. "It's okay. I'm just worried about you because you don't look as fit as usual. Are you sick?"

Sherla shook her head hard while gesturing with her hands together. "No, no. I don't even feel anything strange from my body. Sometimes we feel something different than usual, but it's not a bad thing."

Her friend let out a short breath, stroking her chest slowly, feeling relieved. "Thankfully, you're fine. I just wanted to remind you that tonight we have an appointment with another friend regarding the distribution of Science tasks. I mean, if you're sick, you don't have to come and I'll represent you."

"Thanks but that's not necessary. I'll come after the extra practice. Besides, some of our classmates are in the same division as me. I'll make sure not to hinder the academy's duties."

Sherla forced a deep smile to hide her tiredness in front of her friend. No matter what she had to face in the future, she just wanted to get sick because it would interfere with the scheme she had prepared before taking action. After parting ways with her friend, Sherla ran as fast as she could towards the gymnasium until she almost bumped into one of the players.

The screeching sound of her shoes could be heard filtering through their ears until they spontaneously reacted by moving away to avoid any physical contact with her.

"Assistant Sherla? Why are you running around? Chased by a dog or a debt collector?" one of them tried to make a joke.

"Assistant Sherla, you say?" the girl was quite surprised, not expecting anyone to call her by a title that shouldn't be used. "Never mind. What are you guys doing here?!"

The quietness that had prevailed in the gymnasium suddenly became electric and all eyes were on her. One by one, they turned around as if to make way for Sherla who could not pass through the entrance. Gilbert spontaneously raised his eyebrows, almost flabbergasted that she should not have come in this situation.

"Sherla. You've come. I'm sorry, we didn't mean to make the slightest fuss or quarrel."

"A fuss? A quarrel? What do you mean? So everything I thought was true?!" Sherla raised her voice, as if to describe her frustration with this crowd.

"Sherla, calm down. Look who's in front of us." Gilbert tried to calm down the girl who had misunderstood.

Her back was turned and she watched the rest of the crowd who were fully staring into her eyes and body. Their gazes were slightly shrouded in lust and arousal so her stubbornness suddenly deflated and he decided to hide in the back row.

"Who is that girl? I've never seen her. Is she your girlfriend?" a tall man with an oval head from the football division started the conversation. His eyes were fixed on Gilbert, the captain of the basketball division.

"Don't just go off on a tangent, Sam. She's only been in our division for a few days. His job is to help and ease the burden on our temperamental coach. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Really? Hahaha." Sam suddenly laughed while there was no situation or condition worth laughing at. "It's been a long time since I've seen you... I mean, it's probably more like a long time since we've met like this. Surrounded by your crew and my crew where there could be an argument, or maybe a fight."

"We didn't come here for that, Sam. None of us even knew that the football division also uses this place. After all, each division has its own space. There shouldn't be any inconveniences, like delaying our extra training when we're already exhausted."

"I see. Now, it turns out you're a cool-headed human, Gilbert. I really like that about you, hahaha." The man called Sam laughed again, this time more of a sarcasm at Gilbert's uncharacteristic personality.

As the dozens of people in the place stared at each other, suddenly came the figure of an annoying old man from another door. He entered with wide strides, not forgetting to slam the door to the surprise of those inside.

"What are you doing in a public place?! Move, come to your room!"