I sat on my bed and began reading "today was the day I for the first time saw him. he had just joined as a teacher here and I couldn't wait to see how he would teach in class."
miss jas's diary had less writing in each page and in a lot of dates she didn't write. I turned to the next page to continue reading
"even though today was the start of summer al lot of students were still wearing warm jackets and coats to school. I saw him once again but today he had a little girl with him and I can't stop wondering if it is his daughter". 
"days have passed and seeing him with the girl has become more frequent I wonder what their relationship is".
I turned the page "I was too curious that I checked her records and found out something I shouldn't have. now I feel nervous around him".
"it's been almost two weeks and today was the day he finally found out that she was killed by the principal and the other teachers because she came inbetween their plans but thanks to her I found out about their plans and I know this won't end here."
I checked for the date when this was written and found out that it was written 10 years ago. and I also understand that the girl must be luna and the other teacher must be the killer. what did miss jas find out about luna? what was the principal's and the  teachers plan? why did all the incidents take place before 10 years? why is he talking revenge after 10 years? the more I read I get more questions than answers. as I was about to continue reading I heard the door bell ring so I hid the book and rushed to the door. (WHY DO I KEEP GETTING DISTURBED WHEN I AM READING THIS BOOK!!!) I saw through the spyhole but I couldn't see anyone so I slowly opened the door and saw a punch aiming my face...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

               ANNA (newspaper club member)         
              
              SERIAL KILLER.      or          GHOSTS
                           
                      who knocked the door?
                          
                             "I AM BACK"                
                      (made with blood
                      of the first victim)

                               Miss jas
                   a book called "death"
                   contains info on the
                      people who died

                        new victim- Emma 
                      lake or school
              
                               USD TEAM
U - undercover
S - student
D - detective 
                             CRIMSON LAKE
              victim 2- emma- lake- drowning
               victim 1- rose
                                    Clues
                      1) the Cresent moon
 symbols - SAM - third victim 
                               LUNA
secret passage- newspaper club room-photo
miss jas's diary-information about all five of us
the killer is a he
sam- mountain or river
                      victim 3- sam- mountain
principal-plan?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

mystery is everywhere and is in everything, join Alex and her friends as they solve every mystery that comes their way. their first mystery starts with a bloody mess in a classroom what is going to happen?

the novel is filled with mystery and suspence but has only less amount of horror so that viewers who don't like horror can still enjoy this novel. so if you enjoy horror this book might lack a bit.

follow me in instagram 14Catstars to see my drawings and artwork.

I will update one or two chapters every Wednesday.

I walked into the party, head bowed, hoping no one would notice, walked straight to the bar and ordered a large vodka and Red Bull. The students looked at me, pushed their drinks away from them, and quietened for a bit before they realized I was harmless and went about their ways. Aisha wasn't there yet. I was hoping to make it a swift in and out, like a wedding, stand in the line, hand over the gift, shake hands and move out. I kept refreshing my Twitter and Instagram timeline and looked busy for the students who never looked at me once as I ordered more drinks.

  A little later, everyone shouted and cheered as Aisha walked in, looking like she always did, in the dress we had picked out earlier. Vibhor walked next to her, his arms around her waist, and I heard the girls go, 'Aw, they look so good together.' They did look like they had just walked out of a glamour glossy. They ushered her towards the three-tiered pink cake with little baked versions of Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags.

  'I didn't know she was into bags,' I heard a boy say behind me. Next to the boy was a girl I recognized from before. I was still squinting while looking at her when she looked straight 
at me and smiled. She spoke, 'Namrata!'

  'Oh right, of course I remember you. And yes, she is not interested in bags,' I said. 'What did you get her?' I pointed to the gift she carried in her hand, nicely wrapped in a newspaper and a red ribbon.

  'It's a book,' the boy said who now I recognized as Norbu. 'It's our favourite book.' He looked at Namrata who blushed. 'Book Thief by Marcus Zusack. We are sure she will like it.'

  Before I could laud their choice and tell them how much she would love the book, she started cutting the cake and people sang the birthday song. For people who weren't even friends with her, they were awfully happy on her birthday. I walked back to the bar while about a hundred people made her take a bite off their pieces of cake. Vibhor stood right by her, smiling for pictures, cracking jokes everyone laughed at, and being the charmer he was always known to be.

  'What happened?' I asked Norbu who walked up to the bar with the demeanour of an alcoholic and ordered two Red Bulls. He looked shattered.

  'He gifted her pumps from Todds, a clutch from Chanel, and shades from Gucci. On that table lies his gifts worth over 1 lakh rupees, and next to it lies our book. Three fifty rupees.'

  Namrata stared at her glass of Red Bull as if trying to drown out years of sorrow and pain.

  'If it means anything, it's not his money, it's his father's.'

  'Still,' said Namrata. 'What did you get her?'

  'I forgot to get her anything. I didn't think people still gave each other presents.'

  'What fun would that birthday be?' Norbu said, throwing back the Red Bull down his throat. I didn't tell them I had bought the exact same book as they had and it was lying in the dustbin behind the bar counter. I knew I should have got her the Kindle. I could have slyly downloaded Lolita on it, the love story of an old pervert and a young girl.

  That's when I heard the sound of clacking heels rushing towards me, and I turned to see Aisha with her arms outstretched. I got up and hugged her, and wished her, 'Happy Birthday!'

  'Did you watch me cut the cake?'

  'I was here the whole time,' I said.

  Vibhor joined us. I shook Vibhor's hand and he smiled widely at me. 'Great party, nicely done,' I said.

  'Anything for her,' he replied and almost scooped her off the floor with one arm and kissed her on the cheek. 'Though she's not drinking tonight. I have tried but she's too stuck up!'

  'Let her not if she doesn't want to,' I said.

  'It's her birthday!' he protested playfully, and before I knew it, there were twenty kids near the bar shouting 'Drink' 'Drink' 'Drink' 'Drink' at us.

  'Fine, fine!' she said. 'If Danish gives me the permission, I will.'

  People looked at me like I was the party pooper, the old boring teacher. I stuck my ground for what seemed like a million years.

  'Fine,' I conceded. 'One drink of my choosing.' I chose a Daiquiri. Light. Almost non-alcoholic, with a huge piece of lemon dipped in it.

  'Bottoms up! Bottoms up!' shouted the kids and she did so and scrunched up her face. And they cheered and got back to their dancing. I don't understand this evangelistic zeal of people who trick or force people into tasting alcohol or chicken or whatever they have chosen not to eat or drink.

  'Come, dance!' said Aisha and started to drag Namrata, Norbu and me towards the dance floor.

  'I need to smoke,' I lied. 'I will just be back. No. No. Of course I will come back and dance. How can I not?'

  And I left the dance floor so that I would not embarrass myself any further. I could have left for home but I wanted to stay, to look at her over and over again, to talk to her, and it was strange because she would come to school the next day anyway. Outside, I found Sarthak sitting on the pavement, a lit cigarette dangling from his fingers, scrolling through his phone.

  'Nice party,' I said, and sat next to him.

  He apologized to me again.

  'We have put that behind us. Although I do think my nose is permanently damaged.'

  He passed the lighter to me and we smoked in silence.

  'Vibhor is a nice guy,' I said.

  He nodded. 'She's lucky,' he said. 'And so is he. I'm so happy they hit it off. He will take care of her.'

  'You seem to have a lot of trust in him. Old friend?'

  'No. But he's the only one who knows,' said Sarthak.

  'Knows what?'

  'Nothing.'

  'You can tell me, you know that. The student–teacher confidentiality thing. I don't want to lose my job, remember?' I said.

  He stayed shut. Troubled, but shut. 'Okay, let's make a deal. I will tell you something about myself and then you can tell me something about you.'

  He shrugged, smiled pitifully, and put out his cigarette. 'Why are you doing this?' he asked.

  'Doing what?'

  'Fixing us.'

  'That's my job,' I said, reflexively.

  'Fine, tell me yours, sir.'

  'Fine,' I said and rummaged my mind for an embarrassing aspect to share. 'I'm quite a bit of a failure. My brother is a start-up genius and I'm pond scum. My parents are sort of ashamed of me. I'm the black sheep, the prodigal son, the wastrel of the family who will still inherit their property and live off it.'

  'Hmmm.'

  'Your turn.'

  He laughed.

  'So? So what? That's not something to hide,' he snapped angrily as if I had cheated him.

  He tried lighting his second but his fingers trembled and he dropped it. He stomped it and shouted, 'Fuck!' His face was flushed and he took deep breaths to calm himself down. I gave him my cigarette and he pulled a long drag.

  'It's okay,' I said. 'You don't have to tell me. Take care, okay?'

  I got up to go inside.

  'I'm gay.'

  I turned.

  He looked me dead in the eye and said, 'I'm gay.'

  'Not to stereotype, but from now on you're going to pick my clothes,' I said and turned again towards the door of the club.

  'That's all you have to say?'

  'What's there to say? You're gay, and that can only be a good thing. There are only 940 girls for every 1000 men. More men should be gay. India would be a lot safer for women,' I said and went inside.

  I walked to the dance floor, to see Aisha kiss Vibhor, amidst a group full of cheering youngsters, shouting 'Kiss' 'Kiss' 'Kiss'. They separated from the kiss and she saw me standing at the doorway. She smiled and raised her cocktail glass at me. She motioned for me to join her at the dance floor. I pointed at my watch and mouthed, 'I have to leave.' She frowned and then smiled and I left the party, leaving a drunk, happy Aisha behind.

  *

  Research shows that people were in general happier in the 1930s and the 40s than they are now and for good reason. There was no Instagram or Facebook or Twitter to keep you updated on how other people's lives are so much better than yours. Last night, Instagram and Facebook wrecked my life and left me suicidal. I had left the party to ensure I didn't have to see Aisha and Vibhor rub their perfectness in my face, but I hadn't accounted for Instagram and my penchant for hurting myself. I was still there at the party. I wasn't missing anything because I kept getting constant updates, and I refused to log out and sleep.

  They had left the club and gone to Vibhor's house. There was a picture in the car, and one outside the house. They were playing Truth or Dare. There was a blurred picture of the spinning bottle. And here, she was wrapping herself around Vibhor like a little puppy. The updates stopped at 3 a.m. and I slept at 7 a.m. after I was done imagining what would have happened afterwards.

  'Crazy night, haan?' Ankit asked me at the breakfast table. I intended to take my cornflakes back to bed and watch TV and cleanse myself of the images of Aish 
a with another boy.

  'Feeling better? Did you drink a lot?' Maa asked and kept a tall glass of lemonade in front of me. She ran her hands through my hair and kissed me.

  'No, Maa. Just one beer.'

  'We have been hearing good things about you from the principal.'

  'Yes, it's cool there,' I said.

  'But you're not going to go from tomorrow,' Ankit said, brightly. 'You're coming with me.'

  'What? Where?'

  'We are expanding. We have started hiring people for the HR department now and you're going to be a part of it,' he said and punched my arm.

  'But—'

  'What but? You're coming and that's final.'

  'And you're telling me like this?'

  'What? You want an appointment letter or something?' he asked and laughed. 'No questions, man. You're coming with me. You can choose a fancy designation as well.'

  'I will think about it.'

  'Maa? Look at him.'

  Maa said, 'Just go naa, baba. It will be good for you.'

  My mother looked happy with this new opportunity so I nodded. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. It wasn't going to be easy to be in the school with Aisha and Vibhor around.

  'I will call the principal. They will have a month's notice period.'

  Ankit hugged me and my mother smiled. Maybe I wasn't going to be a failure after all.

A romantic bestseller, 'Our Impossible Love' is centered around the growing up years of a young Aisha, her journey of self-discovery as a woman and love. She is living with her brother and ailing mother whereas her father lives and works in a different city.

In the morning I woke up early along with Mariah. 

Arima came into the room, and said "Good morning, I came bearing gifts". 

Arima has two school uniforms: blue buttoned shirt, blue pants, and black shoes.

"Since your identities are highschool boys, I brought these uniforms", said Arima.

"Thank you", said Mariah.

"Thanks", I said.

"Your Welcome, breakfast is almost ready", said Arima. "So, when you hear a bell, come down".

"Understand", we said.

"We're going to have to pretend to be high school boys", said Mariah.

"At school, which is not going to be easy", I said.

We put our uniforms on.

"We actually look cute as boys", I said.

"True, should we still act like a couple, I mean in this world I wrote that this world doesn't accept gay relationships too much, but at the same time there are people apart of the high society that allowed gay relationships", Mariah remembered.

"So, you ready", said Mariah, with a smile.

I nodded.

We kissed, when Arima reentered the room 

"I wanted to say that I'll be driving you to school", said Arima.

"Okay", said Mariah, with me holding her.

"Yeah… continue to your business", said Arima, then closes the door. "Such a cute couple".

We kissed again.

A few minutes later, we heard the bell and went downstairs.

"Welcome to your breakfast, Mariah and Kanisha or should I use your codenames?" smiled Tora.

We sat at the table.

"Just use our regular names unless there's companies", said Mariah.

"So, do you kiss every morning at y'all other world?" asked Arima.

"We lived together, so yes", said Mariah.

"We're deep into the future", I said.

"How deep?" asked Chisu.

"It was October 3rd, 2040", said Mariah.

"When we left", I said.

"No way! Our date is the same, but the year is different", said Toro, giving us our breakfast.

"Shouldn't be that mean magic shouldn't be that weird", thought Clay.

"You would think that, but we only discovered magical items recently", said Mariah.

"I find that hard to believe", said Arima.

"Technology has been over ruling our world, that magic is second-last", I said.

"Why second-last?" asked Clay.

"Because mutants are real now", said Mariah.

"Mutants like from comics", said Clay.

"Yup", I said.

Mariah handed me some bacon and I ate it.

"You feed each other?" asked Toro.

"No, I'm allergic to bacon", said Mariah, feeding me using a fork.

"Oh!" Chisu's eyes widened.

"I normally just give her grits, eggs, strawberries, and french toast with jam", I said.
hy
"I love your breakfast, you are a great cook", Mariah compliments me.

"You cook?" Toro asks me.

"Well, I took some classes", I said.

"Well, I would love to see you cook", said Toro.

"I'll show you some time", I said, then winked.

Clay walked out the door to see the Harem club.

Arima takes us to school.

We saw Kiki and Tiffany first.

"You two look so cute in those uniforms", said Kiki. "Don't they, Tiffany?"

"Yeah", said Tiffany, shyly.

"Thanks, Kiki. Thanks, Tiffany", Mariah and I.

We went to the guidance office getting our schedules.

"I hope you enjoy your school", said the principal.

The principal is a man who has grey hair, wearing a black suit and shoes, glasses, and blue eyes.

His name is Alvin.

"Thank you", we said.

We walked out the door, where we saw three people.

A girl who is long purple, wearing a white shirt, blue skirt, and white shoes. Her name is Sadie.

The other girl is Sierra.

Last is a boy wearing the same uniform as us. His name is Penny.

"You two must be Angel and Mari, follow us", said Sierra.

Sierra along with Penny and Sadie leads us to our classroom, where we see Jake, Kisu, and some other people.

"Jake, you still go to school?" I asked.

"Yeah, but Jeff doesn't", said Jake.

"Where's Sato? Or he is older?" Mariah asked Jake.

"He's always in meetings, so he graduated early, so he wouldn't have to worry about school", Jake answered.

"How long have you known each other?" asked Mariah.

"Ever since we were in middle school, so not long", Jake told Mariah.

"Angel, do you have more books we can read?" asked Kiki.

I reached into my pocket, and put a book in her hand.

"Thank you, your last book was wonderful", said Kiki.

"Thanks, I make books to entertain people", I smiled.

"So, you're the young author. Angel, was it?" asked a girl who has long blue hair. Her name is Zuna.

I turned around to see Zuna, and said "Yes, I am".

"My name is Zuna, hey Jake", said Zuna, then started hugging Jake. "When's your new art show".

"Next month", said Jake.

"Great, I'll be ready, and as for you, Angel, I'm watching you", said Zuna, then walked to her desk.

"Seems I've made a new enemy", I whispered.

"Seems like if", said Mariah in a whisper.

"Class turn to page 31; Angel and Mari borrow a book from somebody", said a teacher.

A boy has short blond hair, wearing the school uniform named Evan hands me a book.

Another boy gave a book to Mariah, he has blue hair, and his name is Howard.

Mariah and I said "Thank you".

The teacher talked about the book and what the characters are like so far.

In-between class, Evan handed me a note and Howard gave Mariah a note.

After Class, I entered the library with Mariah.

We see Howard with five people, and Evan with four people.

A part of Howard's group is three girls: Flower has black hair, Star has midnight blue hair, and Cassandra has black hair on one side and pink hair on the other side. Next to them are two boys: Justin has peach-colored hair and Hallie has silver hair.

In Evan's group, there are two girls: Sally and Aiti, both of them have red hair, Sally has one ponytail and Aiti has three ponytails. Michael has long straight green hair and Jay has white hair.

"I'm Howard, this is Flower, Star, Cassandra, Justin, and Hallie. We are a magic anime club that stars both boys and girls", Howard revealed.

"We're the scary club and that's Michael, Sally, Aiti, Jay, and I'm Evan", said Evan.

"It's very nice to meet you", Mariah and I smiled.

"Since you're new, we wanted you to our special meeting room, this is for the anime club, but some of them have graduated", said Hallie.

"So, which anime do you like?" asked Star.

"I'm into any", I said. "Except sports anime, I only watched one".

"And you?" Cassandra asks Mariah.

"I'm the same except I don't like the ones that have to do with demons", said Mariah.

Aiti puts her hand on Mariah's and says "I think we are going to get along, just fine".

The others nodded.

"Fantastic, we're glad to make some more new friends", said Mariah.

Mariah and I hear the bell ring, so we hurry to our classroom, and we make it before the teacher closes the door.

The teacher has long brown hair, wearing a rainbow dress and white heels. Her name is Sandra.

"I'm Ms. Sandra, I am your math teacher; Jake, you have a phone call by the way", said Sandra the teacher.

Jake walks out the classroom and heads to the office.

My eyes glowed, and I sensed something.

Mariah notices the expression on my face.

"Uh, Ms. Sandra, I'm not feeling well", I lied.

"Okay, go visit the nurse", said Sandra the teacher.

"I'll go with him", said Mariah, then wraps her arm around me.

"Sorry, Mari, but I suggest you stay just in case Angel need to go home", said Ms. Sandra.

"Okay", said Mariah.

"Summer, you go with Angel", said Ms. Sandra.

"Okay", said Summer: a girl with long blond hair, wearing a pink dress and pink heels.

Summer and I walked into the hallway, when I saw a shadow that moved like a blur.

Summer sees the worried look on my face and says "You know if you're worrying about shadows won't help you, Angel".

"I sense a dark aura from the person the shadow belongs to", I argued.

"Sense? Like an angel. Can I see your wings?" asked Summer, with a smile on her face.

I made my wings appear and followed the shadow, and heard Jake's voice.

Summer follows me, and says "Jake, is in trouble".

"I hope I make it in time", I said, as if flying fast.

Summer and I made it to a classroom with Kisu drinking Jake's blood. I covered Summer's eyes before she saw Kisu and Jake.

Jake's face is red, holding his hands on his desk, and Kisu is holding him.

"Kisu, you said you wouldn't skip our meetings", said Jake.

"But, Tituo almost caught me leaving home, so I had to distract him, which took longer than I thought", said Kisu, as he wiped the blood off his face. "I didn't take too much, did I?" 

"Actually I think you took less", Jake smiled.

Kisu hugs Jake, and says "Thank goodness, you're the only human that I can trust".

"Kisu?" asked Jake.

"Yeah", said Kisu.

"You never told me, when you became a vampire", Jake remembered.

In-between Kisu and Jake's conversation, a glowing aura started to activate, which passed onto Summer, and made her pass out on the hallway floor.

"Oops!" I gasped.

"Angel, why are you here?" asked Kisu.

Into the hallway, I put on a nervous smile, and says "I thought Jake needed some help".

"You two know each other?" asked Jake, entering the hallway.

"Under unlucky terms", I said.

"You met Tituo first", said Jake.

"Yup, Mariah and I ended up meeting them yesterday", I said.

"I'm sorry for what Tituo did to you, I promise I didn't harm Mari",  Kisu apologized, feeling guilty.

"I know you didn't otherwise, you would've been knocked out, when I first met you", I said.

"Is he really that fierce?" asked Kisu.

"Yeah, it's a positive part of his personality", I smiled.

"You really love him, don't you?" asked Jake.

"I truly do, more than anything. More on that later, Kisu if you weren't the danger, I was sensing, then what was?" I wondered.

At that moment, a cloud of smoke came towards us.

I grabbed Summer, Kisu grabs Jake, then we head to the exit.

We kicked the door.

Mariah in the classroom with her friends noticed a cloud of darkness trying to enter through the window, so the students start to panic, the teacher tries to calm them down, but it doesn't work.

Mariah takes her devil form and calms the students down and leads them out, she makes the window open and helps them escape.

Ms. Sandra tells Mariah to be safe, since she flies in a different direction.

"Angel! Angel! Angel!" called Mariah, knowing yelling my real name is risky.

On the other hand, I'm using my wings to blow the clouds away, but Jake and Kisu are nowhere to be found.

"Jake! Kisu! Anybody! Hello!" I called, looking around.

Then, I saw a person in a cloak and she blasted me with a green beam, the beam threw me down the ground unable to move.

Mariah senses I'm in danger, and flies to where I am and knocks the girl down.

"Kanisha! Are you okay?" asked Mariah.

"I can't move", I said.

"That's okay, I can actually carry you", said Mariah.

Mariah holds me in her arms and says "Wow, you are light".

"I take that with great pride", I said.

"Take this", said the person in cloak, coming towards us.

Mariah punched the person in the face and the person fell back.

"I don't care, who you are, nobody messes with my girlfriend", said Mariah.

Mariah puts me down, gives off a dark aura,  making the clouds moving.

"You control these clouds, which means you have darkness in your heart, but that darkness doesn't compare to me", Mariah shows one eye glowing purple, her hair waving, and the person is revealed to have dark brown hair.

That person is looking terrified, Mariah flies in the air, summons lightning from all clouds, turns it into purple energy, and blasts the person.

The purple energy moves faster than a speeding bullet, so the cloaked person can't move, so it goes right through her and she faints.

The person releases a ball of energy that is glowing gold, then splits into gold and red.

The gold landed by me and I started floating and the red by Mariah and a scythe appeared in her hand.

Both balls of energy take the form of a person.

This person is a girl who has short curly hair, wearing a black dress.

The red girl is smiling, as she sees a town on fire, a golden girl is crying by a field of dead bodies.

The red girl is by a woman who says "If you truly want revenge take my hand".

A vision is shown of a small portal that has a hand coming out and drops a necklace, I picked up the necklace in the past.

The vision switches to Mariah attacking the cloaked person and it ends.

"We just killed a girl", I said, with a shocked look on my face along with Mariah.

"These must be her life source", I figured out. "Gold must be happy and sad".

"Red must be anger", said Mariah.

"Let's put them back in", I said.

Mariah nodded her head.

We put them back of energy into the cloaked person, she wakes up and sits up.

I held out my hand, and said "We will forgive you, since you have nowhere to go".

"You two really did get the powers of an angel and a devil!" gasped the cloaked person.

"We did indeed Maria", said Mariah.

Maria takes off her cloak, takes my hand, and gets up.

"I'm sorry that I gave you the cursed necklace", said Maria to me.

I rubbed her head, and said "It's okay".

"But, won't you miss your home, friends? Family?" asked Maria.

"We have new friends", I said.

"We have no family, since we're orphans", said Mariah.

"Both of you?" asked Maria.

"Yup", I nodded.

"Now, I feel even more sorry", said Maria.

We hugged Maria.

"So, how do we clear those clouds?" asked Mariah.

"Light magic always works", said Maria.

I summoned some white aura that makes a flute appear, then I played the flute, the music made the cloud disappear.

After the clouds disappear, Kisu and Jake are found.

"Mari! Angel!" cheered Kisu and hugs us.

Jake joins in the hug.

"We were so worried, since we heard fighting and yelling, but couldn't move", said Kisu, crying.

"It's okay, Kisu, we're safe", said Mariah.

"I didn't think you cared about us so much. Wait, how much did you hear?" I said.

"Something like Kanisha, Mariah, girlfriends, and all things like that", said Kisu.

"I guess, we have some explaining to do", said Mariah.

"Which we should do when we get the whole gang here", I decided.

"That's a good idea", Mariah agreed.

So, we gathered all of the friends we have made.

We all meet at the mansion in me and Mariah's room.

August has always loved seafood. Oysters, shrimp, salmon, eel, cod, lobster, crab, squid and octopus--especially the ones with tentacles! 

Theseus almost gagged for what could be the third time this morning. He tried to look away but she was just... distracting.

August took another bite--or rather, devoured another serving of squid sashimi. He wasn't sure why it bothers him so much, the tentacles... moving tentacles just made him feel unsettled.

She let out a satisfied, "Ah." as she finished her third serving then averted her gaze to the bowl of fried rice; he shook his head and despite nearly losing his appetite thrice, still managed to finish that bowl of rice.

He stayed silent as she ate--quite a pretty little angel, being almost doll-like in appearance with those dull grey eyes and dark, reddish brown hair. What always made him feel somewhat uneasy around her is the way those eyes looked most of the time--dull and lifeless, just like that of a doll's. It reminded him a lot of a doll he used to have.

Come to think of it, the resemblance was uncanny--scary actually! 

Done eating, full and ready for the day ahead. Theseus and August leave the restaurant to go about their day, the latter found the strength within every fiber of her being to resist a sale that was going on at a nearby clothing store since she had classes today. 

_____________

Just like on a stage, their attention was focused solely on her; August took in a deep breath and introduced herself to the class before taking a seat next in between two students. Maybe it was the poker face, or the aura she gave off that made the other students quite unsettled around her.

While most would huddle together in groups, to chat, eat, study and whatnot, August was all alone. She didn't mind though, lost in her thoughts just thinking, living in her own little world--she's excited about going back to Bisset after one whole year of no ballet, she thought of how good it would feel to one up Ophelia and all the other dancers again, to hog the spotlight and watch as the rest try and struggle to reach her level.

Condescending it may seem, but really... what they say about her dancing isn't true; because she's actually better. August smirked, one of her seatmates turned the other way, mumbling something under his breath. 

The day came as it left. August spared not one second, as soon as the bell rang she was already out the door and on her way home. It could be Zephyr... it could Theseus...

As she closed the gate behind her and skipped towards the front door she hummed the song Zephyr sang at the wedding. Oddly enough, she was quite giddy and cheerful today; heck, it even surprised the neighbors who hadn't seen her smile for a year!

"I'm home!" August called out as she burst in through the door. The place was dead silent. Where's Theseus? She wondered and searched the house, only to come up with a note from him.

"Work stuff, I'll see you later."

___________

"First Day at Bisset" she wrote on the calendar. 

August went to the kitchen to grab something to eat before proceeding to sit down on the couch and binge watch some silly teen romance comedy called, Lies Last Summer.
While watching, August darned her third pair of pointe shoes, just thinking about seeing Zephyr again at Bisset. She hoped that what Jacques said at the wedding was true. 

By the time the episode ended, she was already done with all five pairs of pointe shoes. Suddenly, the room felt quieter and much, much larger... more empty.

She got up and picked up a frame, only taking a short look before putting it back to its proper place, face down so she couldn't see it. 

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

It was getting late anyway and she had classes tomorrow. August went to clean herself up and change into PJ's before plopping onto her soft bed and began her nightly thinking session, before falling into a deep sleep.

____________

Night turned into day, day became night, and again, and again.

Days flew by. Monday was drawing near again and for the first time in forever, she was excited about that day--the same day she'll be going back to Bisset.

Vol. 97, 98, 99, 100...

"And 101." August finished, placing the last book on the shelf. A girl in a cap and dark, short bushy hair walked up to her, "Hey! Why don't we take a break?" as she put a pile of textbooks on the table.

August slid down the ladder, almost knocking down a couple books nearby and receiving a glare from the girl.

"Sorry, Grace." August said, dusting her skirt off.

Grace shook her head as she walked out the door. "You're not coming?" she asked.

"No. I think I'll stay here."

"Sheesh, quite the hard worker aren't you?" Grace raised a brow.

"I want to finish as soon as possible." August replied, going back to work.

"Okay then, see you later."

See you later...

"See you later..." August mumbled under her breath. She picked up a few books she had dropped mere seconds ago at the sound of those words. She glanced over to a bunch of messily piled books and cards sitting on a table.

August managed to keep herself busy, alphabetizing numerous volumes and rearranging catalogs. Heck, she did so much of it so quickly that by the time Grace returned from her "five-minute break" the whole section was done.

Before Grace could say anything about it, August was already out the door. 

_________

When the bell rang at the last period the halls crowded with students as everyone exited their classrooms. Grace managed to spot August among the crowd and sidled up to her, she cleared her throat. "Know which club you're going to join, April??"

"Club?" August asked, ignoring the wrong name. 

"Yeah. We get to pick which ones to join this week... have you figured out which club you'd like to join?" Grace said, putting her cap back on. 

August shook her head as she went to pick up her backpack and closed her locker. "Nope, haven't thought of it."

"Oh... well, you see, my friend, Weiss is planning on starting a new one and there are a couple... requirements we need to fulfill before becoming an official club."

Still uninterested but not wanting to seem rude, she perked up and asked. "And that is?"

"We need at least seven members. And we've only got five right now..."

August placed a finger on her chin for a moment. She takes it that it's an invitation to her club. "This club is??"

"Filmography club, I guess? It's just got something to do with filming and acting..."

August raised a brow. "Isn't there already a drama club?"

Grace nodded. "Yes, but they don't actually film anything, right? All they do is act on stage... We, on the other hand create short films!"

August glanced to her side. "I'll consider it..."

"Please do! Weiss has been busting her ass starting up a new club!" Grace added with a smile.

"Why don't she just join the clubs that already exist?" August asked as she turned to leave.

Grace walked by her side, "Weiss got a bit sick of her old club and wanted to try something new."

"What's her old club??" August asked, though it didn't particularly interest her.

"Jeez, are you always this monotone?" Grace asked waving a hand in her face. "You talk as if you're some kind of robot!!"

She's heard that before. August shrugs before leaving, questions unanswered but she didn't mind, anything to keep her mind off her current situation was enough.

_____________

August sat in her bed, all essays written, projects finished and ready to be passed next week since it was Saturday tomorrow. Her clothes folded, room tidied, whole house cleaned including the bathroom and dishes done.

In her PJ's sitting all alone on her bed with only a few stuffed animals for company; her knees were pulled close to her body and she was wrapped in her futon. It was getting a bit chilly tonight. She sighed, tired after a very, very busy day.

August thought she might've heard something, but alas it was just a bird that poked her window. This deathly silence was already killing her. A whole week of silence and solitude... August has always thought that being alone was nice--indeed it was, from time to time she needed a break from people... but this, is just.... too much.

"When are you coming back?" She whispered to herself.

In the present day an eccentric artist and his muse moves in to the small, quiet town of Chapter Park where they find that they're not the only ones with dark secrets.

Imagine a shonen sports story. But, it’s not about baseball or soccer. No, this one is about playing a MOBA video game!

And no, it’s neither League of Legends nor DotA. A BRAND NEW ORIGINAL MOBA, the one MOBA to rule them all - Classmancers!

The game has become so big, that even schools recognize it as a sport. They even allow students to participate in Classmancers clubs and compete against other schools! Who will be the one going to nationals!?

-------------------------------------

For Yuel, a team sport is like a chessboard that comes to life. There’s no greater fun than deconstructing every opponent and predicting twenty of their moves in advance.

And, Classmancers is the ideal stage for such psychological warfare, for it’s a sport in which game theory reigns supreme. At least, usually, it does.

There are also goofs like Lars, who got -200 IQ, yet boast godlike mechanical skill that triumphs against all odds. He’s like your typical OPMC which a cheat, except the cheat does nothing for his intellect.

Yuel and Lars are like water and fire. In other words, 100% compatible! That’s why they form an unlikely duo and set out to dominate Classmancers’ competitive scene!

However, to challenge their OPness, the two will run into rivals who are just as OP! Some of them will turn their teammates immune to Yuel’s psychological attacks, while others will redirect Lars’s almighty strength against himself.

In this harsh environment, the two will keep struggling, struggling, and struggling some more, following their promise to reach the pro scene.

-------------------------------------

NOTE: Since the site doesn't support italics yet, I'll be using [text] tags for thoughts in this version of the story.

If you're enjoying the story, please upvote it on TopWebFiction! http://topwebfiction.com/vote.php?for=classmancers

RELEASE SCHEDULE: Monday and Thursday. Two chapters a week.

GAME WIKI: https://classmancers.wikia.com/

HOMEPAGE: https://darkclaymore.wordpress.com/classmancers/

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/darkclaymore
You can read up to 3 chapters ahead on Patreon.

The whole day followed a similar pattern of compliments, questions, and well-wishes. I was impressed with myself for not shying away like normal. It's not like I started speaking and socializing, but I stayed with Noah as he talked to everyone. 
When it was time for lunch, Noah had an odd request. "Let's go by the inner courtyard." He told me as we went the long way to our usual table. 
Knowing Noah, I knew he was up to something so I kept my eyes open as I followed him obediently. The inner courtyard was another place to have lunch, but it was only benches and trees with no tables. Very shady, but I rather be out in the sun. I was learning that even in May, Northern California was way cooler than the South. 
"It's nice to be still playing baseball." Noah said suddenly, speaking slightly louder than normal. I furrowed my brows, not understanding why he would speak like that. "Just one more game and if we win, we'll be CIF champions. We'll get a trophy for the school and receive rings. Wouldn't that be cool."

I guess..? 
He glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. 
I cleared my throat. "I'm just happy to be still playing with everyone." 
Noah grinned. He opened his mouth to speak but was suddenly jostled from behind as someone brushed up against him. He narrowed his eyes and glared at the familiar face. Austin. "Watch where you're going."

"Or what?" Austin mocked. He was a little taller than Noah now and slimmed down a little. He must have had a growth spurt in the last month. 
"Or Coach might be wondering who hurt his starting shortstop before the big game." Noah shot back, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 
Austin glared down at Noah, clenching his fists by his side. "Do you really think you're that important to the team? You're just filling the gaps. Your brothers practically carried you to the CIF championship. You're easily replaceable. Just like on the travel team."

Noah blinked in surprise. 
Austin noticed. "Oh?" He sneered. "Guess you didn't hear. Tryouts for summer ball happened last weekend. You missed out. I'm not surprised no one told you or even let you know. That just shows how little you mean to the club." He turned on his heel and left us, dumbfounded. 
For two different reasons. I didn't know what was going on while Noah just looked stunned over what he was just told. 
He glanced at me, looking less surprised and more upset. "Come on! We have to go find Zeke!" He hurried through the courtyard and headed to the area where the varsity team usually hung out at. 
I tried my best to keep up, just trailing a few feet behind. I had never seen Noah looked so panicked before. Which was saying something since we've been in multiple troubling situations. 
Noah found Zeke near some of the seniors, who he ignored. He approached Zeke directly. "Zeke. There's a problem!"

Zeke looked down at him, then at me. After seeing that I wasn't the one freaking out, he looked back at Noah. "What is it?"

"The travel team had their tryouts already! I missed them!" He moaned. "What am I going to do? Do they allow late additions? When do they start practices?"

Zeke frowned. "They already did the summer tryouts? How do you know?"

Noah looked a little guilty. "We ran into Austin in the courtyard and he told me. Do you think I won't be allowed to play??"

"I bet you went looking for trouble." Dave came over, joining us. Zeke's eyes narrowed. "But it's strange. Usually summer tryouts would be held at the end of May. It's only the 14th."

"Are you talking about Watsonville Baseball Club team for ages 14 and under?" Julian asked from nearby. He was originally a part of the group Zeke was talking with before Noah's interruption. 
"Yes!" Noah looked to him. "I played last year after 8th grade. I should still have another year left." He looked my way. "Jake should be able to play too."

Julian nodded slowly. "My brother is in 8th grade now; he just tried out this past weekend. They told him they'll have the results posted in a week. So Saturday or Sunday at the latest."

"Is your brother coming here in the fall?" Dave asked. 
Julian nodded. "Of course."

"Hey, who cares about that!" Noah groaned. "Do you know why they had tryouts so early?"

Julian shook his head and gave a small shrug. "I didn't even know he went for tryouts. I was training this past weekend for yesterday's game. We aren't super close. I just found out Sunday night when he asked our parents at dinner if they could afford to let him play travel ball if he makes the team."

"And will they?" Dave asked, curious. 
Julian made a face of displeasure. "Doubt it. They couldn't afford for me to play travel ball. Who knows? They were a little more attentive when I received some calls these last few weeks from schools with scholarship offers." He shrugged.

"Wow! Congrats!" Dave nodded at him. I nodded in agreement. 
"Yea, I'm interested in what Fresno State has to offer so I'm going to visit them this weekend."

"Excuse me!" Noah cut back in. "That's great for you and all, Julian, but I want to know more about the tryouts for WBC." He shifted from foot to foot, looking an even mix of impatient and nervous. 
Julian could only shrug again, helpless. "I really don't know much. I'll ask my brother when I get home after practice if he knows anything about it being moved up. But, wouldn't it be easier to ask one of the other freshman that go here? Don't some of them play travel ball?"

Noah fell silent, as did the group. His lips thinned and his brows furrowed. "No one said anything to me. Austin did, just to rub it in that I missed the tryouts. I think...they don't want me on the team anymore."

Julian didn't know what to say and looked at Zeke. Zeke patted Noah on the head. "Don't worry. We can just tell Mom and Dad at dinner. I'm sure they have a way of getting in touch with the club and maybe arrange a late tryout. For you and Jake."

Noah hummed in agreement, but didn't lift his head just yet. He just looked down at his feet with Zeke's hand on his head. He never looked so small to me before, but under Zeke's hand, he looked like a lost child. 
"Don't be so depressed!" Dave slapped Noah's back, making him jump. "You're a CIF finalist and future champion. The club will be begging for you to return."

That cheered him up a little.

But if you ask me, it still weighed on his mind. We chose to stay with the team and eat our lunches with them. It was like he needed this sense of comfort, being surrounded by the team. Noah had lost his morning spark and it was like the team was the only thing that could keep him lit up. The early excitement of going to the finals was lost as his attention was focused on this summer ball club. 
"I don't know what the big deal is." Dave told me after lunch on our way to Math. 
I glanced up at him. "You don't play summer ball?"

Dave laughed. "No way. It's a lot of money. Our parents are pretty fair so they let us, me and Kyle, use that same amount of money for pitching clinics instead. Summer ball is a waste of time in my opinion. Since we decided to focus on pitching, it's just a better deal for us to go to camps."

"What this about camps?" Kyle showed up out of nowhere as we walked into the classroom. 
Dave gave him a rundown of what had happened, how Noah had missed summer ball tryouts. 
"That's strange." Kyle frowned. "They're usually held at the end of May."
"That's what I said!" Dave laughed. 
Kyle didn't laugh, instead his frown deepened. "We should tell Dad."

"Yea, yea, I'm sure Noah's already sending a text or two to him." Dave relaxed in his seat. "I'm sure it isn't a big deal."

Kyle looked worried. "It's kind of a big deal. They don't do makeup tryouts." He lowered his voice. "And I know that two freshmen have dads on the board for WBC. They own part of the baseball club."

"So what?" Dave shrugged. 
"So Noah's in trouble." Kyle hissed. "None of the freshmen on the baseball team like him right now."

That got Dave's attention. He sat straight up. "But Noah is good! Good enough to make varsity!"

"That has no bearing on club ball." Kyle sighed. 
The conversation died as the class started. I couldn't stop thinking about it though. What if this was a big conspiracy to not let Noah on the team? Isn't that a bit too petty? I recalled Austin's smug face. He did seem the type. 
I wrote Kyle a note on some scratch paper. 

'What are the names of the freshmen?'

Kyle glanced down, frowned, then wrote something back. 
'Don't know their names. Just heard about them in passing. Jason played travel ball. He would know them.'


Jake has it rough: a missing dad, an abusive mother and a hidden talent for baseball which sends his mother off the deep end. Sent to live with a foster family, his love for baseball is revived, and with their help, will Jake start to shine like the future superstar he is?
Venmo: @alwaysbroke (my profile pic is a baseball field). 

Please read on Webnovel!

Thanks for letting me turn your review into my new summary, Tashady!

**Names, faces, and places aren’t real. A work of fiction. Nonetheless, it is my work of fiction so please don’t post it without permission. *I have used school names that do exist though, but I would like everyone to know that I have no affiliation with them. Nor do my views reflect their views. 

**Also, I bought the royalty-free license for my cover. Which means I can use it without having to pay royalties. If you have any questions, comment on my latest chapter or reach me on discord.

At school
Break
Mika and Koichi go to library. Koichi coincidence saw Mika. Koichi come close to Mika.
"Hey!" Koichi said
"Ah! Yamaguchi-kun! What are you doing here?" Mika said
"I'm just looking for a book how about you?" Koichi said
"Searching for book too." Mika said
"What kind of book?" Koichi said
"Literature and you?" Mika said
"World History" Koichi said
"I see" Mika said
Mika go and look around while Koichi is looking to Mika.
"Ah! I found it" Mika said
Mika get the book and she walk. Koichi is her front but little far. Mika walk and she tripped. 
"Wah!" Mika and Koichi said
Mika fell down with Koichi. Mika look up and she had an eye to eye to Koichi. Koichi blushed and he snapped out.
"Koizumi-san…! Please stand up" Koichi said
"I'm sorry" Mika said
"Are you alright?" Koichi said
"Yeah how about you?" Mika said
"I didn't get hurt" Koichi said
"I see…then, I will go now" Mika said
Mika left and Koichi sat down.
"What am I doing?" Koichi said in his mind

After school
At gym
Everyone is practicing.
Break
Mika give towel and water to Takahiro. Koichi is looking at them.
"Everyone! Gather up!" Ryunosuke shouted
Everyone gathered up.
"Coach has arranged something. Koizumi-san has to say about Shizumu High School." Ryunosuke said
"We will have difficulty in facing them. We will go to room and watch their game. Observe them properly." Mika said
"Yes!" Everyone shouted
They go to the room and Mika play the video. After 1 hour they have finished watching their game.
"It's true that they are difficult." Kazuma said
"Yeah" Mika said
"We should have a fast counter attack. In defense one on one. We shouldn't let them score. We should put pressure to them" Mika said
"Yes!" Everyone shouted
They go back to their practice. One by one they are teaching the proper defense and offence. They are planning how they will defeat them.

After practice
Mika is in the gate of school. Koichi saw her. He is about to come close to her but Takahiro has come to her. While Kazumi is looking at him. Kazumi pass by to him and she stops.
"What's wrong?" Kazumi said
"Eh?" Koichi said
"I said what's wrong?" Kazumi said
"Nothing" Koichi said 
"I see..." Kazumi said
Kazumi walked and while Koichi looks down.

After few days
The day has come. They are going to face Shizumu High School. Everyone is taking a warm up. They are shooting the ball while Mika is arranging the plan. After 10 minutes the warm is done. The first 5 of both team line up. Everyone shouted and give them a applause. 
"Shizumu High School VS Yamagata High School! Bow!" The referee said
"Let's have a good game!" The both team said
The center of both team go in the circle for tip off. The referee throw the ball and they both jump and hit the ball. The ball goes to Shizumu.
"Don't let them score first!" Mika said in her mind
The point guard of Shizumu dribble the ball and he pass it to their small forward and shoot the ball. After 7 minutes the first quarter is done. The score is 18-10. Yamagata is on lead. In second quarter the score is 36-28 Yamagata is on lead. In third quarter 58-53 Yamagata is on lead. The last quarter 76-84 Yamagata is on lead.
"76-84 Yamagata High School won!" The referee said
"Thanks for the game!" The both team said
After few days the summer vacation is soon.
"Aghh~!" Mika said
"Summer vacation is soon!" Kazumi said
"Yeah, in summer vacation we will have a one week training camp" Mika said
"I see" Kazumi said
After few days the school closing ceremony has started. After the principal speech the students came home. After few days the basketball club go for training camp. Everyone is practicing. Mika is discussing the plan and others are teaching some defense and offence and after practice they eat watermelon while others are eating ice cream.
"It's delicious!" Mika said
"Yeah!" Kazumi said
"It's refreshing our body" Takahiro said
"Yeah" Ryunosuke said
After they eat watermelon and ice cream they go back to practice. After practice they have a game. 1st year VS 2nd year the one who one will face the 3rd year.

More than 80 reporters from different media sources crowded the big conference hall of Crimson Stadium for the afternoon press conference.
Evan Doughty and Allan Adams were also at the press conference.
The reporters were a bit reserved at the start, asking questions about O'Neill's resignation or the identity of the next Nottingham Forest manager. After a few questions, the reporters could not hold back any longer. They started to stand up and ask about Tony Twain.
"Is the public letter from Tony Twain true?"
"Did you force a meritorious manager out just because you were unable to agree to his request of having absolute control over the club's transfer matters?"
"Would you agree that the club's biggest failure was not to extend Tony Twain's contract?"
"There was supposedly a big group of fans protesting outside the Wilford gates this morning, care to talk about it?"
"Mr. Allan Adams, you said that the club will give the fans an explanation about Twain's resignation. Can you reveal a little bit about the explanation?"
The two men faced questions coming in like a violent storm. They were obviously not adept at handling reporters. They quickly realized how dumb their decision to attend the press conference was. They could have sent any media officer as their spokesperson.
They had no choice but to use their trump card.
"We're sorry, but today's press conference is to give an official response to Martin O'Neill's resignation request. We will not answer any question that is not related to that matter." Allan Adams tried to shield Evan from the questions, but how long could he last?
The reporters changed the phrasing of the questions.
"Is the reason for Martin O'Neill's resignation the same as Tony Twain's reason to resign?"
"It is said that after the friendly match between Forest and England, O'Neill and Twain had another private talk after the press conference. Did it have anything to do with his resignation?"
"It is rumored that the Nottingham Forest team is not united and Martin O'Neill did not have the trust of the players. Does that have to do with the fact that Twain's influence is still strong within the team?"
"Does the club have any countermeasures in place after losing two managers in two months?
The reporters were bent on forcing the two to say what they thought about Tony Twain.
Allan Adams had no choice but to keep beating around the bush and answering off-topic. The reporters were not happy with his attitude. Their questions became even more blistering.
"There's a rumor that you received a commission from Inter Milan in Lennon's transfer, is that true?"
"Nonsense!" Allan was finally angered. "Rumors like that are equivalent to slander. I have the right to sue!" He stood up and waved his hands in an agitated manner.
Evan Doughty, who was next to him, took one look at him and gave the media officer a look.
The media officer stepped forward to "rescue" the emperor. "Everybody, this will be the end of today's press conference…"
Before he could finish, Allan and Evan had already turned around and left.
The reporters were not willing to let them go and chased after them, asking questions until the two of them completely disappeared.
"Bastards! They're not cooperative at all!" The reporters complained because they did not get any valuable news.
"Don't worry, didn't Allan say that the club will give the fans a satisfactory reply in four days? Let's wait and see." The older journalist laughed. "This is a wonderful summer. If only every summer was like this…"
※※※
The scenes of the press conference shown on television made many Forest fans laugh at the flustered looks of Allan Adams and Evan Doughty.
At first, they were doubtful that the club's management would do something so self-destructive.
As the media reports piled up and more inside information was dug out, nobody had any doubts that these two were the culprits behind the club forcing Tony Twain out.
They used the phrase "forced out," even though Twain was the one who chose not to extend his contract. Nobody thought Twain was responsible for it even after learning the truth. If the club's management hadn't been unwilling to give up power or restricted Twain, it was impossible that Twain would have chosen not to extend his contract. His achievements were the result of 11 years of hard work, and countless fans supported him. There was no other reason for him to leave.
So, the club's management forced Twain out. That was without question.
There was laughter coming from the Forest bar.
The fragmented bar was slowly recovering. The people were no longer arguing about whether Twain treated them unfairly. Instead, they felt guilty for how they treated him. Football fans in England were like that. They dared to love as much as they dared to hate.
Bill was the only one who still seemed conflicted.
He had not been there much recently. Even when he went, he would drink alone at a corner and not pay any mind to anyone who came over to talk to him.
This day was the same. Nobody noticed when he arrived. Everyone was busy watching and laughing at the club's chairman and business executive on the TV. Bill preferred that. He sat in a corner and made a hand signal to Burns, who was behind the bar, indicating he wanted a beer.
Burns asked a waiter to take the beer over to him while telling John, "He's here again."
John glanced at Bill. "I see him."
"Aren't you going to say something? You two are good friends."
"He's still feeling confused, I should leave him alone for now. Let's wait a few days… If he can think it through himself, there will be nothing to worry about. If he can't, then there's no use for anyone else to say anything. He's already almost 50 and still acts like a kid…" John rambled on.
Burns laughed. "To me, all football fans are like kids. You did a good job leading the guys at Wilford this morning. Did you think about the kind of response you'd get? To be honest, I don't think the club will openly admit that it was a mistake letting Twain go. At least, not right now."
John shook his head and said, "I just want to make things difficult for them and let them know that there are still people in this world who dare to defy them. Even though that man is the club's chairman, us fans can still give him our middle finger! If they do not give us a satisfactory answer, we'll show our displeasure toward the club with our actions in every home game. And…" He stopped a moment before saying, "It's also to apologize to Tony. After all, we booed him mercilessly in Crimson Stadium. Those jeers must have hurt him. If, and I'm saying if, Tony ever returns to Crimson Stadium, I want to lead everyone to apologize to him."
"I don't think there's much chance of that happening." Burns dampened John's enthusiasm.
"I thought so…" John muttered softly after taking a sip of beer.
※※※
"Damn it! Those damned reporters!" Even though Allan Adams was the shield during the press conference, Evan Doughty was the one who was fuming in private.
Allan followed behind Evan without saying anything.
The two of them were walking toward Evan's mansion from the parking garage. His manor looked like an ancient castle.
"They want to watch us embarrass ourselves. We must not let them get what they want. We'll shut up after publishing an official statement on our website regarding O'Neill's resignation. We'll wait a few days…"
When he talked about what would happen in a few days, Evan stopped. He was silently rooted to the spot.
Allan was curious about the reply the club would give fans to stop them from creating trouble.
"How are you going to answer them, Evan?" Allan asked.
Evan looked like he had made a tough decision. He let out a deep breath and said, "Aren't we lacking a manager now that O'Neill's gone?"
Allan nodded. He did not know what that had to do with his question.
"I've decided to approach Tony."
Allan was shocked. He suddenly understood what Evan meant. "Are you planning to ask Tony to replace O'Neill? Are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy, Allan. The best solution now is for Tony to return. He's the only one who can manage that team, and he's the only one who can calm our fans down. I've been thinking about it for a day. This is the only solution."
Allan stared at Evan in bewilderment for a long while before giving a wry smile. "After one big round, we're back at the starting point."
Evan did not say anything. He knew that it was humiliating to do that. To safeguard Nottingham Forest's future, he had to do it.
"I don't think he'll agree to it. He's someone who'll seek revenge for the smallest grievance. We've offended him, so he'll never come back." Allan thought the plan was ridiculous.
"I can apologize to him and can give him the power and freedom he wants. I'll give him the highest pay." If Evan had said that two months back, none of this would have happened. It was too bad not everyone could predict the future.
"What about his contract with the English Football Association?"
"I plan to go pull some strings in London and fight to allow him to hold the post of the national team's manager at the same time."
Allan sighed deeply and shook his head. "You're crazy." He left Evan behind and walked on.
Evan was not sure if what he was doing was right, but it was the only solution he could think of. If Tony returned and managed the team, the problems would no longer be problems. He would lose a bit of pride, but, in the long run, what he would get far outweighed what he would lose.
※※※
Twain was surprised to receive a call from Evan Doughty. When the name flashed on his mobile phone, he was stunned for a few seconds before picking up the call.
"I thought you already deleted my number and destroyed everything that proved that I existed, Mr. Evan Doughty." Twain was instantly sarcastic after picking up the phone.
The man on the other side of the line forced a chuckle. He knew he would receive that kind of "welcome speech."
Evan did not pay heed to Twain's sarcasm. He quickly told Twain his reason for calling.
Twain's reaction was not unlike Allan's. He loudly asked, "Are you crazy?"
"I know this idea might sound a little crazy…"
"A little? It looks like those reporters gave you a tough time." Twain mocked.
"I'm trying to apologize to you, Tony…"
"Apologize for what?"
"There might have been some misunderstanding between us…"
"There's no misunderstanding, Mr. Doughty. No misunderstandings at all. Me leaving only showed that our ideas toward football, toward Nottingham Forest, were different. Therefore, there's no need for me to forcefully stay there. Since it's impossible for you to leave, I had to be the one to leave. That's all there is to that. What's there to apologize for?
Evan started to think that his method might not work after hearing Twain say that.
"I hope that you'll reconsider the possibility of returning to Nottingham Forest…"
"There's no need to reconsider, Mr. Doughty. I have a two-year contract with the English Football Association. During this period, I'll be going nowhere. I won't go back to managing Nottingham Forest," Twain firmly said. It seemed like he would not return to Nottingham Forest.
"Your players need you, Tony…"
Twain laughed. "You're the king of the team, aren't you? You were arrogant and thought you could control everything. Now that you realize you can't, do you want me to help you wipe your ass? Sorry, Mr. Doughty, but I'm tired of it. Good luck to you, and good luck to your Nottingham Forest."
With that, he hung up without waiting for Evan to say anything else.
After hanging up, he could still feel the anger burning within his chest. The flames were looking for an avenue to exit his body. He threw his phone and it smashed into the wall. It broke into countless pieces.
He only managed to calm himself down after drinking two glasses of water.
You decided to abandon me when you were successful and content, yet you have the gall to ask for my assistance when you're in trouble! Evan, Evan, is your head filled with sh*t? If I agreed to your request, what would I become? A tool that you can abandon at will? A slut who'll sleep with you for money?
I'm sorry, but to me, there are indeed many things we can put a monetary value to but not dignity.
This is the sh*t that you created! Lick it up yourself!
※※※
After Evan was rudely hung up on, he discovered that the call would no longer go through when he tried again.
He sat back in his chair and held his phone in his hands. He was lost in thought as he looked at the Wilford training grounds outside his window.
The scene of the three of them drawing up the blueprints for Nottingham Forest's magnificence inside an Indian restaurant 10 years ago had become a yellow, faded photograph.
The shared target of G14 was dismissed by a deal made by the UEFA six years ago.
The blueprint they envisioned was tattered and torn. If that was the case, why did they have to stick together? They could just go their separate ways now.
I've apologized to you, but you wouldn't accept it. I've tried to approach you with a soft approach, but you rejected me. From now on, we don't owe each other anything. What happens to you is none of my business. What happens to Nottingham Forest is none of your business either.
You're England's manager while I'm Nottingham Forest Football Club's chairman. We have no relations with one another anymore.


This is a story about the pursuit of victory.

— "I subscribe only to the theory of victory. I only pursue victory. As long as I am able to obtain victory, I don’t care if it’s total football or counterattack. What is the ultimate goal of professional soccer? In my opinion, it is victory, and the pinnacle of victory is to become the champions. I am a manager. If I don’t wish to lose my job or be forgotten by the people, there’s only one path for me to take, and that is to lead the team in obtaining victories, in obtaining championship titles!”

The main character was not well-liked by people.

— “⋯We conducted a survey which had been deemed by Manager Tony Twain as extremely meaningless. In a random street survey conducted, ninety-three percent of those surveyed chose the option ‘I hate Tony Twain’, while only seven percent chose the option ‘This person is rather decent, I like him’. It is worth noting that nobody chose the option ‘Who is Tony Twain? I don’t know him’. Mark, do you know why Manager Twain felt that our survey was very meaningless?” Parker, a reporter from <The Daily Telegraph> laughed loudly and said when he was being interviewed by BBC.

But there were also people who were madly in love with him.

— “⋯ Became the spokesperson of world-wide famous clothing brands, shot advertisements, frequented the fashion industry’s award ceremonies, endorsed electronic games, has a supermodel girlfriend. His earnings from advertisements exceed his club salary by seventeen times, owns a special column in various print medias, publishing his autobiography (in progress), and is even said that he is planning to shoot an inspirational film based off his own person experiences! Who can tell me which part of his life experiences is worthy of being called ‘inspirational’? Hold on⋯. Are you all thinking that I’m referring to David Beckham? You’re sorely mistaken! I’m talking about Manager Tony Twain⋯.”

He was very knowledgeable about Chinese soccer.

— “⋯ I’ve heard about it, that Bora gifted four books to his manager Mr. Zhu before your country’s national team’s warm up match. After which, the team lost 1:3 to a nameless American team from Major League Soccer. The new excuse that Mr. Zhu gave for losing the match, was that Bora gifted “books” (‘books’ and ‘lose’ are homophones in the Chinese language). Here, I recommend that you guys find out what that one specific book is. Which book? Of course the one that caused you all to score a goal. After that, tell me the title of the book. Before every match, I will gift ten copies of that same book to you. In that case, won’t you all be able to get a triumphant 10:0 win over your opponents every time?” An excerpt taken from Tony Twain’s special column in a certain famous Chinese sports newspaper.

Life was just the same as each day continued to pass by without any interruptions, and it seemed like I have grown to see the daily interactions with the others as part of my daily life. It has just become an usual scene for me, and it seems that I have grown rather fond of the bickering and chatters of the club room. Although I may remain silent usually, but I still appreciate the ambiance noise that their presence engendered.

Each day of my life was a repeat of the cycle of going to school, attend the club activities, and head home. The train rides to and from, the daily shenanigans, it were all rather calming, with nothing special worthy to denote anything at all. It was all just calm, tranquilizing, and plain. Almost as if...this was the way that my life was meant to be lived. Maybe life like this isn't a bad choice after all, leading me to bury my objective for revenge deep into the depths of my heart...

As the days passed and summer time soon approached, the temperature gradually rose. The Spring bloom slowly came to an end as the world welcomed the advent of summer time. During this transition period are the days for college entrance exams, which arrived rather quickly at a speed that I wasn't conscious of. Since the exams for me are next year, I did not pay much attention to this year's exam dates. As the only two students in their final years of high school, Luna and Erith missed days of school to take the exams, and when they next arrived at the club room, those of us who were curious about the entrance exams inquired them about their experiences.

"It's not that bad," Luna smiled and nodded as she glanced over at Erith.

"The questions are pretty easy," Erith smiled in a manner that indicated that the exam was a piece of cake to her, exhibiting profound confidence in her abilities to pass.

"What majors did you apply for?" Loyd asked.

"I'm going into Fashion Design," Luna answered.

That was to be expected from Luna. She is rather talented in that field, with some of her custom designs being featured in top fashion magazines already. I would be rather surprised if she does not succeed in this field. However...one would never know. This field that she is intending on pursuing...it is rather difficult and may sometimes be considered harsh.

"What about you, Erith?" Irina asked.

"..." Erith remained silent as the confident look on her seemed to transform into a look of static...embarrassment of some sort? She does not appear as if she wants to talk about the major that she's choosing.

"If I have to guess," Irina smiled and tried to progress the conversation in a friendly manner. "Is it something similar to Luna's?"

"It's...something like that," Erith turned her head slightly and looked away subtly. She seemed to be concealing something... But, if she doesn't want to talk about it, then who says it is my right to point it out? One of the type of people that I despise the most are those that thinks they can decide things for other people.

The conversation about majors soon ended and the topic transitioned to life after high school. It would appear that although both Luna and Erith could reside in their current place of residence with their parents, they have the idea of moving out on their own. It is to be expected because many people would choose to try and become independent upon entering college. However, a major reason why someone would choose to live on their own and free from their parents is freedom. No one would want to explain to their parents why they came home in the dead of night. However, for me, I don't think I would have that problem. My lifestyle is more simple, and I don't think there is anything that I cannot really talk to Loriana about. Besides, Loriana gives me plenty of freedom, so it is likely that I will stay home after graduating high school. This is probably the same for Alvelyn.

Whatever the case may be, the talk about life after high school wasn't particularly interesting for me, so my brain blocked out the specifics of their conversation as I continued with the novel that I am on. Although the topic didn't peak my interest, it still got me thinking. What would I be doing after high school? What will my major be in college? What would I do after college? It's really time that I begin thinking farther ahead and plan out my life. But...that will mean I've given up on my objective for revenge...Yet, who am I to kid when I talk about revenge? I've made no effort in searching for her, let alone even prepare anything for it. I am simply all talk and no show, a phony. Maybe it would be better if I just gave up and move on in my life, but...something deep down within me wouldn't let me do so. I...just can't forgive so easily.

"Life after college..." I muttered to myself as I raised my head from my phone and glanced over at the others, taking in the lively scene.

When this school year is over, Luna and Erith will no longer be here. Next school year is my final year of high school as well as for many others in the club. We won't head our separate ways immediately after high school, but once we are more and more constrained by our education in college, we'll probably interact less and less. Depending on the different majors that we choose to study in, we will meet new people, make new friends, and start new relationships. The calm and peaceful after school days we've spent in this room...it'll fade away into a sweet memory of the past... One day, we'll say bye to each other for the last time and never speak to each other ever again. That's...inevitable.

One day, we will never see each other again. That day...it is slowly approaching, day by day.



***



Finals week soon came by, and with the tests came study sessions, which mostly consisted of Loyd and Irina doing their best to help Noah and Zaksus in their studies. I am sure that no one in our group aside from the two that need help would fail the final, but I suppose everyone just wants to spend some time together. It is understandable, because the graduation ceremony will be taking place soon on the last day of school, and after that, Luna and Erith graduate and leave the club. The opportunities for us to interact...it'll probably decrease dramatically as time goes on.

In the end though, it would appear that the study sessions were helpful as both Noah and Zaksus passed without any worries. In fact, it seemed to have also raised my grade averages as well despite minimal effort on my end. During the study sessions, I was mostly just on my phone, waiting as time passed by, yet what the others did talk about must have slipped into my mind and stayed there.

With finals out of the way came the last club session of the school year. It is also the last club session for both Luna and Erith. In the time that they've been a member of the club, their presence has been deeply ingrained in my memory. It will feel so unnatural next school year when I walk in and not see the two girls sitting next to each other. Although, I've known Erith for the least amount of time out of everyone, I will probably miss her as well. She's not a bad person in any means at all...

"So this is it," Loyd announced to everyone as we sat around the long, rectangular table in the club room in a meeting style. Today was one of the rare days where both the guidance teachers, Mura and Emilia were present. "Today is the last club day for the school year."

Looking around, I can see looks of reminiscence on everyone's faces. In all honesty, school has become rather interesting, a staple in my life, and I would probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if there were no classes and no need for homework. But...it is what it is.

"And I hope everyone started preparing for our club trip," Loyd continued. "We've rented out a cabin by the beach, so we can stay for a few days, and...a quick overview, Luna, your boyfriend is attending, correct?"

"Yeah," Luna nodded, confirming with Loyd.

The trip was made open for close friends and family to attend, but by the looks of it, the only person that isn't part of the club that will be attending is Luna's boyfriend. Loriana declined as she has special research that she has to attend to, and when Alvelyn invited Elise, she also declined as she has plans for her own school club as well.

"Alright," Loyd nodded. "We'll be meeting early morning a week after graduation, so I hope everyone will be ready by then."


Author's Note:
(It was a bit too long to put into the Author's Thoughts section)

The time period from Spring Break to Summer break is simply too long and I really don't have anything to fill in the gaps other than normal daily life stuff. It's a bit rigid, but whatever.

It's a bit rigid, but whatever.

Oh and if any of you guys still dislike Luna, then I guess I fucked up big in her arc, as the thing was what she did near the end was try pushing Alevian away to not hurt him as she realized that he meant a lot to her. And in this new timeline, it was her conversation with Alevian that led to her making the decision to maintain her current relationship with her boyfriend.

I'm just me. An ordinary high school boy with no girlfriend, not too many friends, and no talent.  What I enjoy doing after school is roaming around the halls, hoping that like in the cliche anime and manga, I'll bump into someone that'll change my life. Of course, nothing is going to happen. What do you expect? 

But, this APP on my phone is kind of weird. I don't remember installing it. If I click on it, it asks me to complete missions. But how the hell am I supposed to do these embarrassing tasks?


Update Schedule:
I will post new chapters usually once a day, but that is subjected to change depending on my schedule as I am a student in my final year of high school. During breaks, I will usually post multiple chapters per day.

Seeing the look in Chen Ge's eyes, Wang Yicheng's neck shrunk backward, and he grumbled internally, This teacher is a kind person, but his personality is a bit weird. He probably doesn't have many friends in real life either.
"Teacher, I'm just a very normal student. I have not encountered anything special in my life, much less any supernatural events," Wang Yicheng said in embarrassment. "I am a bit clumsy, and you can see the issue with my leg. I think I will just join the calligraphy club. After all, they agreed to let me join even though the senior's tone is not that good."
"I'll ask you the questions, and you only need to answer them honestly," Chen Ge said seriously. Once he put on such a demeanor, Wang Yicheng immediately surrendered. He sat on the steps and gave it some thought. After a while, he said, "I have not encountered any supernatural phenomenon myself, but when I joined the university, I did hear a curious ghost story from a senior."
"A ghost story?" When Chen Ge heard these words, his eyes twinkled.
"The senior was from the student council. When we were assigned our dormitory, he was our guide. He seemed to have something against me. The story that he told was probably made up to scare me."
"What story is it? Tell me."
"The room that I was assigned is Room 413. Normally, a dormitory room houses six people, but strangely enough, my dormitory room only has five people. There is a bed that is purposely left empty." Wang Yicheng started to tell the ghost story that he had heard. "Initially, I thought that the student who had bed number four was away due to some emergency, so he was not around for the new student orientation. However, that senior told me that no one actually occupies that bed number four.
"When I asked him why, he told me, a long time ago, a student with a physical deformity owned that bed. No one was willing to be his friend, so he used pranks to get people's attention. In the end, it only made others hate him even more. All the others ganged up to pull a prank on him."
As Wang Yicheng was about to continue, he was interrupted by Chen Ge. "Do you know what kind of prank the other students pulled on him?" Chen Ge wanted to confirm the speculation in his mind, so he asked this question.
Scratching his head, Wang Yicheng continued with a frown. "According to the senior, the students tricked the kid to go to the toilet at midnight. They were going to scare him by acting like ghosts. But somehow, an accident happened, and the child perished."
"And then what happened?"
"Since then, bed four in Room 413 has always been left empty. The senior said that the child would occasionally return at midnight. If we wake up to use the toilet at midnight and run into an extra person in the room, do not interact with him."
"That's all? " Chen Ge was not satisfied. "Try to think about other things that have happened to you. Like, have you been having a recurring dream, or do some extra memories appear in your mind?"
Wang Yicheng looked at Chen Ge with a bitter expression. He knew that Chen Ge was not kidding, so he replied, "Teacher, I am a very heavy sleeper, and I never dream. It's embarrassing to say this about myself, but I'm a forgiving person. I don't mind the bullying that others do to me."
"That won't do. There are good people and bad people in this world. Your kindness will only be seen as weakness in the bad people's eyes. They will only bully you even more." Chen Ge looked at Wang Yicheng, and his pupils narrowed. Suddenly, Chen Ge realized that this was the student whom he had been looking for.
Wang Yicheng had a good impression of Chen Ge, trusted the latter, and most importantly, would listen to Chen Ge's orders. There were obvious holes in the western campus' students' memory. Chen Ge wished to find out more, and he intended to ask some personal questions.
"Wang Yicheng, what does your parent do for a living?" Family was the most important part of a child's life. Chen Ge did not think that the students would forget something as important as that.
"They own a restaurant. Why?" Wang Yicheng thought that Chen Ge had switched the topic very quickly.
"Then, do you miss them?" After asking that question, Chen Ge was immediately grasped by worry.
"Not really. They only dropped me here yesterday, but I guess I'll start to miss them after some time," Wang Yicheng answered seriously.
"Yesterday?" Chen Ge asked a few more questions. The young man's answers were flawless and truthful. However, once Chen Ge gave it some thought, he noticed that a great chunk of Wang Yicheng's life was missing. For example, when Chen Ge asked him about the summer holiday after the big exam, the young man would stammer like that part of his memory had been vanquished.
"It's fine. There's time to think about it. Maybe it'll come back to you later." Chen Ge had already gained a lot from Wang Yicheng. The western campus also had Room 413, and it was also tied to a ghost story. There were many similarities between the two campuses. Chen Ge wondered how deep the similarity went.
"Compared to the eastern campus, the western campus is too friendly. I have to make use of this opportunity." Chen Ge felt like he should not limit his questioning to Wang Yicheng. He needed more people to compile a fuller picture.
Patting away the dust from his pants, Chen Ge stood up from the steps. "Xiao Wang, I'm going to take a spin around the pavilion and try to get a few new members for our club."
Chen Ge returned to the pavilion. The nature of the club meant that he could not have a big promotion. He could only approach some kind-looking students and ask about their interest. After being rejected five to six times, Chen Ge finally recruited the second member.
This student was called Zhang Ju—his face looked like it had been burned by fire. His left cheek and neck were scarred, and it looked quite scary.
"Mr. Bai, will I cause problem if I join your club? After all, I don't think anyone is willing to be in the same club as me." Zhang Ju had a scary exterior but a kind-hearted interior.
"It'll be fine. The kids in the club are all good people." Chen Ge patted the young man's shoulder. "I hope I won't hear anything like that from you again."
Chen Ge's sudden seriousness flustered Zhang Ju. This was the first time that someone had willingly come to be his friend.
"Ok."
"That's more like it. Come, I'll bring you to go meet the other club members." Chen Ge was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice.
"Good evening, teacher, may I have some of your time?"
Chen Ge turned and saw a familiar face. Behind him, the student who greeted him was Zhou Tu. He had met Chen Ge before and had asked him about the art club.
"Xiao Zhou? How can I help you?" Chen Ge asked casually. Zhang Ju, who stood next to him, silently lowered his head, hiding his face from Zhou Tu's sight.
"Teacher, I've made my decision; I wish to join the art club. Can you tell me where it is?" Zhou Tu clenched his fists. He seemed to have something that he wished but had not said.


The hearse with the weird odor slowed to a stop before the entrance. The sound of pebbles could be heard bouncing on the ceiling. There were footsteps coming from the corridor, and there seemed to be someone sawing next door. The door knob to the room rattled slightly, and the faucet in the bathroom kept dripping even though it had been screwed shut. There was a rubber ball that rolled on its own underneath the bed. Wet footsteps started to surface one after another on the floor. 
At 3 am, Chen Ge held a cleaver in his hand as he hid beside the room heater. The call he was trying to make was finally answered. "Landlord, is this what you meant by 'the house can be a little crowded at night'‽"

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