Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 48

_Chapter 48~ Be There For Him_

    "Um..." I tried to speak.

        "What do you mean we're infiltrating the base in one-go? Obviously we have to plan properly if we want a chance to win!"

        "But they're not that great in numbers," commented one. "Plus, they already hurt Kai and Souta. They deserve hell for that!"

         "But how about if they're waiting to ambush us already?"

          "We'll fight right back, it's not that difficult," scoffed another opinion sifting within the already boisterous atmosphere.

          You had to be kidding me... My smile twitched. I couldn't believe they were strategizing in front of me like this. Delinquents really didn't care about an extra set of ears did they?

          My lips caved inwards. Regardless, I didn't come here, into their base—alone, for that matter—to expose myself to their plans on fighting another school. But now that I was, I reckoned I should at least try to stop the madness before asking them for my favour.

          Them getting into some brawl with another school did not sound appealing at all, especially for this school's already tattered reputation. More so, I wouldn't be able to digest knowing I could've stepped in to stop it.

          Mrs. Hamada should seriously owe me for this....

          "Excuse me," I cleared my throat again.

          "Yo, why don't we just ditch right now?" suggested one.

          "Where?" asked another.

          "I don't know," he spat. "I have Mr. Hiroyuki next; like hell I wanna be in that class."

           "Wanna go into the city, then?"

           "Um, hello..."

           Just then, they all seemed to realize I was there within their group huddle. As if they were in the presence of royalty, they all lurched away from me and into a proper line, adjusting their collars and postures in the act.

          "Miss Reina, w-we didn't see you there," coughed one meekly. "What is it?"

          And yet they were the ones who crowded around me when I first walked in... I shook aside the thought. "I... have something to say," I said. "There's a problem."

          "What?" They all froze in astonishment. "Miss Reina wants to consult with us...?"

          They reacted as if the world was ending. All of them had begun to race around the room in circles, some even gripping their heads and excitedly shouting, 'Oh my God, I can't believe this is happening!'

           "Hey, somebody grab a pen and paper! Miss Reina wants to say something!" one declared.

           Straightaway, somebody appeared by my side, pen to a notepad he had snatched from who knows where.

           "Here, take a seat," one ushered me onto a stool they brought. "Don't stress yourself out too much. We'll gladly hear you out."

           "The problems Miss Reina has...?" they all murmured, eyes wide and glued to me, scrutinizing my every move.

           My heartbeat grew louder as I stared around at the now silent room, and their gawking looks. Nervousness seized me at once. "U-um... th-the problem is actually... not with me. It's y-you guys...."