ChantriaI watched myself while lifting weights. I could see the improvement in my body after a few months of weightlifting. Not only that, even in shooting, I am becoming better than before.I even took a video of myself before and tried to compare it now. That's when I noticed how big the change was in my body. At first, it wasn't really noticeable. If not for the video, I might lose hope because it felt like nothing had changed.After finishing my set today, I asked Iwatani if I could just use the comfort room quickly. He was still talking to some of his friends here, so I didn't want to disturb him too much.When I finished fixing myself up, I went out. But then my things fell when someone bumped into me. I quickly picked up my bag and the scattered combs. Even my phone wasn't spared.But what surprised me more was that the person who bumped into me just left without even saying sorry. I gasped and shouted at him, but he seemed deaf because he didn't even turn around."Wow!" I exc
ChantriaI sighed while staring into space. I couldn't get the image of the man who attacked Gab out of my head.I'm worried about Gab. What if the man comes back and does something even worse to him? What if no one else comes to help him? What if it's not just one man who corners him, but a dozen? How will he defend himself then?I looked down at my food when Iwatani placed a piece of chicken on my plate. "Eat," he said. "You've been staring off into space since earlier. Our break time is almost over.""Sorry," I said."Why are you apologizing?" he asked."We're supposed to be spending this break time together, but I've been zoned out. Sorry. I was being rude.""I don't care about that. Even if you don't talk to me, it's fine. What's important is that you eat because we still have classes this afternoon."I smiled and started eating. I couldn't help but glance at him while he ate. Am I being too shallow if I get happy just by looking at him like this? I just find him cute no matter w
ChantriaLorreine seemed to be jumping up and down with excitement when we arrived at the mall. She was the only one who was overly excited about our shopping trip today.Well, I was excited too, but not this much. She was like a child taken to an amusement park, jumping in the middle of the mall. Some people were looking at her and laughing, so I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. We looked like we brought a preschool student to the mall."What should we buy first?" Louella asked."Hey!" Lorreine protested. "We shouldn't plan like that. We'll go wherever the first shop we pass by is."I sighed. "Looks like we'll be going around the mall a lot today." I looked at Iwatani, who was just quietly following us. "Is it okay with you?"He nodded. "I'm fine here. Just enjoy yourselves.""You should enjoy too!" Lorreine exclaimed, grabbing his arm. "You're the first one we're buying clothes for and you need to look like someone who's going camping, not just someone who's going to school."Lou
Chantria"Hi!"I turned around when someone called out to us. I saw Aaron, Gab's friend, shyly approaching us. He also looked at Lorreine, Louella, and Iwatani before greeting them."Hi, Aaron!" I greeted him. I've talked to him before since we sometimes participate in the same activities, but he's too shy so we can't really talk properly. That's why it was surprising when he approached us."Um...I would like to ask a favor from you guys," he scratched his neck while speaking. "Gab's birthday is coming up and we thought of surprising her. Actually, it was Makino's idea and I was asked to talk to you guys."I don't know if I should laugh at Makino or not, but if it's for Gab, I'm sure even Lorreine would agree even if it's Makino's idea."What can we help with?" Lorreine asked, sounding a bit annoyed. "It seems like Makino can do everything for the surprise party for Gab. She won't need our help, unless she plans on holding the party in an expensive hotel and needs money. I know she ca
ChantriaMakino and her friends are preparing the hotel they reserved for the surprise party. We were assigned to do the grocery shopping for the food, so we went to the market early in the morning.It's a good thing that Gab's birthday falls on a Saturday and there's no work. Iwatani and I were assigned to do the shopping and cooking, while Lorreine and Louella will help with the preparations while we're at the market.We'll be cooking at the hotel and everyone will be helping out there. Some of them will pick up Gab and invite him to play basketball, but the truth is they will go straight to the hotel for the surprise.Makino and Aaron will message each other to let us know if they're on their way. We're here at the hotel waiting with the cake that Makino baked herself.I picked up some balloons to hold while Gab's male friends have party poppers. Lorreine and Louella also have balloons like mine.When I noticed that Iwatani didn't have any balloons, I quickly looked for one that he
ChantriaMy head was preoccupied with Gab all day. I know Iwatani already said not to meddle in what happened. But I couldn't help but be curious about what's going on.Who is this Susana? Why was Gab at the cemetery instead of celebrating his birthday? Is there a story behind it or am I just overthinking?I can see that nothing has changed between him and his friends. They still talk and hang out together as if nothing happened. I don't even know if he's aware of the supposed surprise birthday party.I can't read Makino's expression because he seems normal to me. But every time I remember his disappointed look on that day, I can't convince myself otherwise.Yes, we helped him. But compared to the effort he put in, our actions were nothing. Planning a surprise birthday party isn't easy. When we surprised Dad before, it was already difficult even though there were three of us planning it. What more if you're doing it alone?I didn't realize that I've been staring at Gab intently the wh
Chantria"For this morning," the instructor began, "it's going to be a field day."At this point, the students have yet to be informed of what activities they will be doing, so I have no idea. Only the instructor and the teachers know.Some students from other sections are also here in Tanay, but we are not with them. I'm sure they're doing something similar at this time."Since you all are fifty students in total, I want you to group yourselves into ten."Our classmates quickly formed their own groups. I automatically grouped with Iwatani. We were joined by Makino, Aaron, and four of their friends. After that, we lined up in front of a stick with a letter C on it."For the rest of the day, they will be your groupmates. So, I suggest that you get to know them well."For the rest of the day. This means that our groups may change tomorrow.Our first game involved using a bucket filled with water. It was small, so it wasn't heavy. This game really tested our strength, especially the girl
ChantriaIn the next few hours, we were both silent. The sun was getting higher and I could feel the heat and exhaustion, but we still haven't found any food or water.I wasn't speaking, but I was starting to worry. If we don't find anything to fill our stomachs soon, we'll have a harder time completing the course. It's as if I jinxed it, because the course we were taking was getting more and more difficult.Earlier, we saw a better and easier path, but it wasn't the one indicated on the map. So, despite our hesitation, we had to follow what was on the map if we didn't want to get lost. We didn't get lost, but every course was getting harder.There were prepared activities in the middle of the mountain, so we knew we were still on the right track. Some of these activities required climbing trees because we couldn't cross the muddy part of the ground.There was also a small water source, so we drank some water there. Gab and I quickly ran to the rushing water and drank using our hands.