“You stopped it late by 1 second, you know,” Arian insisted in a grim mood.

“I didn’t. I stopped it the same time you finished,” I muttered, irritated.

As usual, Arian and I were fighting. It was when our P.E. class took place on the school grounds. Because I was the one who got assigned in the time and record of the dash, Arian immediately found an error in my work.

“Then want to run again?” I suggested with squinted eyes.

“I’ll do that!” Arian answered in agitation, but before she walked away, our P.E. teacher, Sir Dan, stopped her.

“Arian, trust Prince in this one. Okay?” he said with a gentle smile, a contrast to his large build of muscles.

“Yes, Sir,” Arian agreed in sudden politeness.

And she’s fine to adjust if someone other than me suggested it?

When the P.E. class ended, I immediately went to the restroom to take a leak. But along the way, I saw Ron. It was the guy who confessed to Arian last month. He was having a talk with some delinquent-like guys behind the stairs. But what stood out to me was the guy with the afro in front of him.

I have a bad feeling about this. I have to hurry and avoid them.

“Then, I’m counting on you to beat up Arian,” Ron whispered to the guys. “Do it tomorrow, understand?”

When I heard that, I immediately ran away as fast as I could.

You’re one popular girl, Arian! I can’t believe this!

After the class finished, I immediately stood up and looked at Arian who was with her friends while in a conversation.

Even though we’re always fighting... I’m not that heartless to ignore this. Jeez, I guess I should start my counter-plan.

Instead of going to the library, I met up with a classmate back in middle school. I told him to meet me behind the ITS tower, where the problem started.

“So... what does the ‘Trinity Beast’ want from me?” the guy with nerdy glasses asked after he arrived.

This guy is Terry. He is a member of our school’s newspaper club and the former president of my middle school’s newspaper club.

“Don’t call me like that anymore,” I responded with squinted eyes. “And here I am already thankful that everyone forgot about ‘that’ incident now.”

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized with a light laugh. “Then, why did you call me here? This is beyond unusual, you know.”

“I need information,” I responded with a serious expression.

Terry was always the most knowledgeable about other people. So he was the only one I could go for help with this kind of problem.

“Hoh,” he reacted with an amused face. “Knowledge isn’t free though.”

“Don’t worry. I’m gonna pay you. I want to know the name of the delinquent with an afro hairstyle. I’m sure he’s the only one like that in our school, given how bizarre his hairstyle is. I also want to know the names of his henchmen.”

“If you’re talking about that guy in an afro, his name is Yama. He is an infamous delinquent. Rumors say that he’ll do any dirty work as long as you give him money. But lately, he’s not getting into trouble anymore. At least according to the hearsays.”

“So his name is Yama...” I whispered and fixed my glasses.

“But I don’t know the names of his henchmen. If I’m not mistaken, he’s always hanging out with four guys. Do you need to know their specific names?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, I’m gonna research it. Can you give me your number? I’m gonna contact you once I learned their names,” Terry said with a wink.

“Okay,” I answered and brought out my cellphone. “Can you send it tomorrow morning?”

“Consider it done,” he replied in a confident smile.

“And... I want to know another one. But if you didn’t find it, it’s fine.”

“So there’s more,” he reacted, surprised a little.

“This is the last one.”

“Okay then. I’m listening,” he continued with a smile.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

The next day, I immediately received Terry’s message before the class started. While seated, I read their names in my head.

So the leader is Yama. And his henchmen were John, Peter, Alex, and Dave.

Then, a second message from Terry arrived. I read it and got astonished.

If this is true, then I couldn’t be luckier enough.

I immediately texted back Terry, and after our conversation, I made a victorious smile.

“Well, as of now, Terry’s information was always accurate. I guess I’ll believe him. Not bad for the pay I gave him,” I whispered to myself and looked at the teacher who entered the room.

So... what should I say to Arian?

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

When the lunch break arrived, I approached Arian on her seat.

“Arian, can I talk to you for a moment?” I asked with a serious face.

After she heard that, she looked at me with a surprised expression. Her friends also looked at me similarly.

“Well, okay,” Arian responded with sudden seriousness and stood up.

We both head outside the room, near the staircase. With only a few students around, I asked my question.

“Did someone ask you to meet them today after the class?”

Well, I could’ve asked this to Terry too, but it’s better to hear it from the person in question.

She became stunned and asked, “How did you know about that?”

“Answer me,” I insisted, still with a serious look.

“Why would I even tell you?” she replied in wariness.

I guess I don’t have a choice but to bluff this one out.

“It was from my friends. I told them how irritating you are, so they decided to prank you without my permission. They even told me not to do anything and wait for the result, so I’m clueless about their plan. That is why I want to know when and where they want to meet you. I want to give them a good lecture.”

“W-Why would you even tell them I’m irritating in the first place?” Arian reacted with furrowed eyebrows. “So that’s the reason it sounded fishy.”

“What did they even tell you?”

“They said that they are from the gardening club and they want me to be a model for their poster. They said that I’m the perfect subject to hold their flowers.”

“And you believe that?” I muttered and tried my best to stop a laugh.

“Wha—” she reacted with a shocked expression. Then she got mad and followed, “Why wouldn’t I? Some clubs already requested me to be their models! You are as rude as always.”

Well, I can’t deny that her looks are on the good side.

“So... can you give me the details now?” I asked in impatience.

“They said to meet them at 6 PM behind the gymnasium. Next time, don’t badmouth me in front of your friends or you’ll never see the light of day. Are we clear?” she said, still in a grim mood.

“Right, right,” I answered and turned around. “So don’t show up there anymore.”

“Hey, is that the proper attitude you should show me?”

“Right. Sorry about that,” I answered nonchalantly.

Then I left the scene.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

Before 6 PM arrived, I went to the back of the gymnasium alone. Then, I stopped at the place with my eyes closed.

Don’t get scared, Prince. If Rosa is in your situation, I’m sure she will solve this with a confident smile.

After that, I opened my eyes with a firm resolve.

I can do this!

I looked around and saw no one. After three seconds, I called the delinquents.

“You can show yourselves: Yama, John, Peter, Alex, and Dave.”

When they heard their names, they came out behind the bushes near the wall. Every one of them was wearing a full face mask to prevent being recognized. They surrounded me and one guy asked me a question.

“Who are you?” the guy with a big build asked in an intimidating tone.

His build matches the afro guy I saw yesterday, so he’s without a doubt Yama.

I faced Yama with a wry smile and responded, “I’m Prince. Nice to meet you, Yama.”

“Why do you know our names?” he followed, wary.

It’s time to show how I fight.

“I’m here to inform you about Ron’s betrayal,” I continued and smirked after.

“Betrayal?” Yama repeated and the guys around whispered to themselves.

“Arian won’t come here. I promise you that. What you’ll meet later are guards and teachers.”

“What do you mean?” Yama asked in a pissed tone.

“This whole thing is only set-up. Ron informed the faculty about your plan. Of course, he’s not included in the story. The only thing that the faculty knows is that you’re planning to beat up Arian here. As we talk here, the guards and teachers are now heading towards here.”

“And you expect us to believe that?” Yama asked with a glare.

“That’s right! Ron is a client of ours!” one guy followed.

“We won’t believe a stranger like you!” another shouted.

“Yeah,” Yama agreed. “It feels like you only want us to stop our plan.”

“Then stay here,” I said and took two steps away.

“Wait!” Yama called, and I stopped. “If you’re telling the truth, why would you even inform us? We’re not even friends. What would you get from this?”

I’ve been waiting for that response.

I faced Yama with an evil smile and replied, “It’s because I hate Ron.”

“You hate him?” Yama repeated, surprised a little.

“That punk is very popular with girls. It’s so irritating. I can’t help but envy him. It’s unfair considering how unpopular I am!” I complained and acted angrily.

“And why would Ron do that to us? He’s a client of ours. I don’t remember him holding a grudge against us.”

And here’s my finishing blow!

“Remember James? The guy you beat up in the park the other week?” I continued with a smile. “He’s Ron’s cousin.”

After Yama heard that, his shoulders twitched.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

ME: Is it true that Yama and the others beat up Ron’s cousin?

TERRY: It’s legit. Skeptical?

ME: Why would Ron hire them if that’s true? Didn’t he hear the news?

TERRY: James and Ron are far cousins, just relatives to be exact. They’re not on close terms, so it’s possible that Ron didn’t even know what happened to James. And Yama and his henchmen wear masks in their operations these past few weeks. So even James doesn’t know the identity of the ones who beat him up.

ME: That’s too convenient that it’s scaring me.

TERRY: It’s up to you if you’ll believe that. Anyway, thanks for the business. ‘Til next time!

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

“Investigate it. That’s the truth,” I followed with a confident smile.

I asked Terry to search for a connection between Ron and Yama. But I didn’t expect that he’ll give me that powerful information. All I could say is I’m very lucky.

“So you’re saying that Ron did this for revenge?” Yama asked, angry. “I didn’t know they’re cousins.”

“Yeah. That is why I want you to teach him a lesson. That’s also the only way I could show my hatred towards his attitude, so I’m counting on you.”

“Curse that b*st*rd! So this is all a set-up!” one guy reacted in frustration.

“Let’s teach him a lesson, Boss!” another suggested to Yama.

Did that finish everything?

When he heard the opinions of his comrades, Yama walked towards me. Nervous, I gulped my saliva as I looked at him. Then, he placed a hand on my shoulder and stared at me.

Did I... get find out?

“Thanks for the information, Prince,” he said in a serious tone.

“Huh?” I reacted, startled.

“We’ll beat that moth*rf*ck*r for your part too.”

“Th-thank you, Yama. I’m counting on you,” I responded with a forced smile.

After that, they walked away.

Thank goodness. I resolved things without getting hurt. I hope this will teach that Ron a lesson.

“Wait!” someone shouted after she arrived.

You’re kidding me.

Everyone looked at the girl who yelled. She stood with a serious expression, her hands placed on each side of her waist.

“Don’t think you’ll get away this time!” Arian announced and pointed a finger to Yama’s gang.

What the heck is this girl doing?!