Win No Matter What

CHAPTER 24 - BANGTAN REGROUPS, PT. 1

As soon as you dismiss your students, you head over to Nam Joon's class and find that almost everyone is already there except for Ji Min and Yoongi. The tables at the back of the classroom have been rearranged to accommodate all nine of you. You respectfully bow to Principal Bang, find a seat in between Seok Jin and Ho Seok and smile at the rest of the guys. You're a bit nervous as you had promised to keep an eye on Ji Min but you were worried that things might have been awkward between you two so you didn't do as asked. You hope that Nam Joon doesn't ask you about it. Speaking of Ji Min, you wonder he and Yoongi are. You hope things haven't taken a bad turn.

"Ok, now that everyone is here, let's start," begins Nam Joon. "Ji Min and Yoongi have something to take care of and will join us shortly".

You all look at him expectantly, listening eagerly at what he has to say. He reports that the creatures in the woods haven't seen any further activities around the lake, which worries him.

"Maybe they've realised we're stronger than them and decided to stay away," suggests Ho Seok confidently.

"I highly doubt that to be the case, Ho Seok. They wouldn't give up that easily. I'm worried that they are planning a big attack and we're just not ready to defend ourselves properly yet. In the meantime though, Jung Kook has volunteered to patrol the lake every night." he replies. He beams proudly at the ever-fearless Jung Kook.

"Well, I've been working on a potent mix of herbs which will drastically speed up the healing process if anyone gets injured. I will prepare vials of it for everyone by tomorrow," chimes in Seok Jin, clearly proud of his achievement.

"As long as it does what it's supposed to and not make us go bald like your last 'potent mix'," warns Jung Kook, caressing his now full head of hair.

Tae Hyung adds, "and I know a great group chant we can say before starting a fight! Bangtan Bangtan Go Go Everyone!"

"Er, doesn't sound quite right somehow, Tae Hyung, but I love the enthusiasm," Ho Seok says encouragingly.

"How about Bangtan Bangtan Bang Bang Tan?" suggests Jung Kook.

"YES!" all the guys respond. You try to suppress a giggle at their innocence. They would truly give their all to protect each other.

"Ok, now that we have the all-important war chant and healing potion (pauses slightly to give an apologetic look at Principal Bang), can you update us on what you've found out?" Nam Joon asks, looking at Tae Hyung, Seok Jin and Ho Seok.

"Well, the library has been difficult to get into over the last two days what with teachers in the staffroom all the time. When Tae Hyung is with us, he gains way too much attention from the female teachers, and when we go there without him, they inundate us with questions about where he is. It's an impossible task! Tae Hyung what do you do with these women?" Seok Jin asks Tae Hyung incredulously.

He shrugs innocently and says, "I just give them some tips on how to be use their femininity to empower themselves with the tools needed to survive this journey of life".

Ho Seok looks at him with bewildered eyes, speechless for once.

"I'm sorry, use their what now, to do what now with their what now?" Jung Kook asks, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah we know what 'tools' you mean Tae Hyung," Seok Jin jibes. "I've seen how they all gather around you when you practise your yoga. Don't deny it, you love the attention. Oh Tae, your downward three-legged dog is amazing! I wish I were as flexible as you!" Seok Jin continues with the high-pitched mockery.

"I don't know what you mean," Tae Hyung says, wide-eyed, in pretend shock.

"Ok, ok guys, let's move on, maybe someone else should check the library. How about you Rumi? I don't think you will draw unnecessary attention to yourself," he asks you.

You quickly recover from your suppressed giggles due to the preceding banter. "Sure Nam Joon, I'll try the library again and let you know what I find," you reply, happy to be useful again.

Principal Bang has kept very quiet throughout their meeting, deep in his own thoughts. You wonder what is on his mind. Observing Nam Joon's mannerisms, you realise that he has a way of commanding respect from everyone around him with the way he conducts himself in public. He's a natural-born leader, whether or not he wants to be, you reflect. I wonder if he is as scared as we are about this whole situation. If he is, he's doing a great job of hiding it.

"My, your thoughts go at a mile a minute, don't they?" someone says behind you.