Zero's POV
I answered his question, saying, "For now, we need to rest our bodies, especially since my fingers are broken."
"More importantly, like you said, let’s not return to Taesan High for a while because the third-years are still fired up about the fight between us and the second-years."
"So, the next things we do will be discussed in the coming days. Just make sure none of us shows up at Taesan High because we might get into trouble with the third-years."
I gave him a long response to clarify what I was thinking and to help him understand me better.
He nodded in agreement with what I said.
He then told me, "Okay, if that's what you want, we'll do it. I understand that you just want everyone’s safety."
I was glad to hear that he understood my intentions well.
I invited him to exchange contact information with me so I could easily reach him when needed.
As we started walking again, Kizaki, who was behind me, suddenly asked, "Why did you come to Taesan High, Zero?"
I immediately replied, "Because I want to prove that I can be strong and not be looked down on by anyone."
I spoke softly because I was feeling tired, but he asked again, "Why do you want to prove you can be strong?"
I thought for a moment and answered, "Because I experienced bullying from other boys in my youth, and I don’t want to go through that again."
He fell silent at my words, so I continued, "That's why I need to change. I have to learn to fight for myself because I'm not going back to who I was."
"I've come this far because of the decisions I've made in life. If I hadn’t chosen to change, I would surely still be the same as before."
"Until I arrived here at Taesan High, where I can see how much I’ve grown and changed since then."
I spoke for a long time while they all quietly followed me.
Suddenly, Kizaki spoke up, "I see; we have similar experiences in our lives. Let us accompany you in proving yourself at Taesan High because we won’t regret choosing to follow you, right guys?"
Our companions behind us responded with:
"That's right; we’re with you, Zero."
"We'll do everything."
"We're happy to have someone like you with us."
"We'll stay by your side."
I smiled at what I heard, feeling motivated for our fight against the third-years.
Just a little more, and I’ll be facing you, Loki.
Miyuki tapped my left shoulder, bringing me back to reality.
I turned to see her smiling, saying, "We're happy to have you with us, Zero."
I replied, looking directly at her, "I should be the one saying that because I wouldn’t have made it here alone without all of you." I glanced at our companions, who were smiling back at me.
I was lucky to have friends like them who were willing to be by my side no matter what, so I couldn't let them down in my plans for Taesan High.
Before long, I arrived at my place and said goodbye to my friends. Just as I was about to enter, Miyuki and Kizaki walked alongside me.
I lay down on my bed, staring at the ceiling while lost in thought.
After a while, I noticed my phone lit up with a notification.
I opened it to find that Miyuki had created a group chat, and Kizaki and our friends were in it too.
The group chat started buzzing with conversations and jokes from everyone.
I felt glad because their camaraderie was improving with each passing day.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep due to the fatigue I had been feeling all day.
1 week later
Now we were at Natalie’s shop to discuss our plans for returning to Taesan High for the final battle we would face.
To claim the number one spot in the entire school.
I was with Miyuki and Kizaki, along with our teammates inside and outside the shop.
The bruises and wounds we sustained from our previous fight had healed, and I could say we had fully recovered.
Natalie placed the food she had cooked in front of us, smiling at me and saying, "Eat well."
I responded, "Thank you for the food," and gave her a cheerful smile.
I looked to my left at Miyuki and to my right at Kizaki, then said, "Now we’ll fight the third-years." I started eating to regain my strength.
Both of them nodded and joined me at the dining table.
Kizaki then spoke up, "One of our friends who went to Taesan High to find out what's going on said that Loki has started preparing."
I nodded without looking away and he continued, saying, "I'm sure Loki has a plan for us, but he doesn't know how to attack yet. Our teammate also mentioned that some second-years who are afraid of them have joined."
I understood what he said, but one thing I was sure of was that Loki didn’t know our plans.
I spoke to them, "We will charge at them and face them together because they don’t know we’re coming."
Everyone agreed with what I said and continued eating.
Miyuki suddenly asked, "What’s our plan, Representative?"
I turned my back to them and said, "We’ll storm Taesan High today, so we need to be ready because there will be fights even on the ground floor."
Miyuki told me, "We'll clear a path for you on the ground floor with our section, and we’ll hold back anyone who wants to fight you, so conserve your strength."
I nodded at her and looked at my companions, who also nodded back at me; they were the ones I could rely on for the first step of our plan.
I heard Kizaki say, "We’ll handle the second and third floors; the important thing is that you reach the rooftop."
I nodded at him because I was sure Loki would be there, as I had seen someone there before.
We finished eating, thanked Natalie, and walked out to head to Taesan High with my friends behind me.
To start our final battle.
To be continued.....