[Past]
Mary noticed that Frank was unusually serious.
Mary: "Why so serious?"
Frank: "I know I don't understand what other people mean. I don't know how to be normal."
Mary blinked.
Mary: "So?"
Frank: "Can you help me by staying with me?"
A strange smile appeared on Mary's face.
Mary: "So you're proposing to me?"
Frank: "No, I'm not proposing. I just want your help with this."
Mary: "Don't tell me you're asking me to do this for free."
Frank immediately took out a chocolate bar.
Frank: "Can you take this chocolate?"
Inside his mind, he was relieved.
"At least the chocolates from yesterday won't go to waste."
---
Meanwhile...
The girls hiding nearby were becoming increasingly frustrated.
Gilia: "There is no point staying here. We need to take action."
As they looked across the garden, they noticed a group of boys staring in the same direction.
Some looked angry.
Some looked heartbroken.
A few were even crying.
Girl 14: "What the hell is wrong with them? They're acting like someone died."
Gilia: "Oh... I get it."
Girl 15: "They like Mary."
The girls fell silent.
Girl 15: "I think we should make an alliance with the boys."
Everyone turned toward her.
Girl 15: "We get Frank. They get Mary."
Girl 14: "That's genius."
Girl 15: "But first, we have to break whatever is happening between those two."
The girls immediately agreed.
Now they only needed the boys' approval.
---
Back to the Conversation
Mary looked at the chocolate.
Mary: "You think you can bribe me with a few chocolates?"
Frank froze.
"I'm doomed."
"I need a bigger offer."
"But I don't have any money."
"Damn it."
"I might actually cry."
"Wait... I can just ask the teachers."
"Why should I pay this money seeker who refuses to help the poor?"
Frank sighed.
Frank: "Fine then. I don't need your help."
He pointed at the chocolate.
Frank: "Give it back."
Mary immediately tightened her grip.
Frank: "Release it."
He grabbed the chocolate and pulled.
Unfortunately, he used far more strength than intended.
Mary lost her balance.
The next moment—
She fell directly onto him.
For a brief second, neither moved.
Mary was leaning over him.
Frank's eyes widened.
Frank: "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
SMACK!
Mary punched him in the face.
Then she turned and ran away.
---
The hidden spectators saw everything.
Every single second.
---
Meanwhile...
Mary stopped running.
Her face was bright red.
She covered her mouth while breathing heavily.
Embarrassment overwhelmed her.
---
[The Next Day]
A group of girls and boys sat around a table.
The atmosphere was serious.
Girl: "So we have a deal?"
Boy: "Yeah. We have a deal."
They shook hands.
The others immediately erupted into cheers.
A new alliance had been formed.
[End of chapter]