So let's recapitulate what's currently happening. On my way to my dorm, at the edge of block F, I suddenly came face to face with a group of six individuals who, from the looks of it, don't exactly just want to sit around and have a cup of tea while discussing the deep possible meanings of life.

No, of course not. No way that's the case. Instead, they are firmly glancing upon my own figure with the most confident expressions ever.

However, instead of assuming that this is what I think it is, I'll just make sure first.

"Your name is Skran, right?"

I even pointed at him with my index finger, so he has to know that I'm referring to him and not the other five individuals.

"So?"

"...So? What sort of answer is that? Man, are you all here to gang up on me? Please don't. I have a family. I actually have a kid back home and have two different jobs in order to solely abolish my omnipresent financial crisis. Buying milk seems so radically simple but to me, it's a bliss being able to afford just a single drop of that miraculous white liquid that gives me calcium every morning. I also, despite that, try to maintain a very regular sleeping schedule, so I avoid drinking any sort of caffeine. Before sleeping, I----"

"Um, what the hell are you saying? Have you lost it?"

Oh, he noticed. It's not just him, but the rest of them too. Their faces are full of traces of confusion and perplexity.

Could it be that they realized that I was actually making something up? Wait, doesn't that mean that they can rationalize to the point of distinguishing the irrefutable truth and a blatant lie?

I am impressed. I didn't know that retards evolved so much as of lately.

"Wow, I am impressed! This calls for a celebration! Everyone, clap your hearts out!"

Out of sheer bravery and also appealing to the fact that I was feeling very impressed by that clever remark from Skran, I started to clap out loud, but to my sadness, no one else clapped along.

That alone made me question Skran about something.

"Hey, what's wrong, man? Why aren't you clapping? It's a great thing you noticed the obvious lie!"

"You're not funny. Also, you're really fucking dumb. We are here to beat you up."

Oh, he lost his confident smirk and started to crack his knuckles. Is he feeling confident? But why would you feel confident when you know nothing about the person who you are aiming to supposedly beat up?

Also...

"So you six want to beat me up? Therefore, can I assume that you all like fighting too?"

Perhaps there's something massively wrong with me, but I do enjoy fighting. It's a really good way to relieve all your tension and as of lately, I've been feeling somewhat stressed from having to do all of these mundane tasks that restrict my freedom slowly.

With apprehension on his face, Skran replied back.

"You're oddly confident for someone who's about to be gang banged."

"So you say. Also, since you haven't answered my question, I'll assume that you don't like fighting? I mean, I'm speaking to you, but realistically speaking, I'm talking to all of you. Heeeeey, you guys can speak, right? Or are you all mute? That would explain a lot."

This is a very serious question and not with the intent of mocking anyone that might suffer from this, so with all due respect, I just asked something simple to all of them.

"You're about to get muted after we beat the shit out of you."

Of course, I already knew that wasn't the case because one of them had already previously spoken up.

And the one that replied to my provocation was a guy named Krale, which Skran had already referred to. Still, one simple question lingered to the back of my mind.

"Okay, but why?"

I mean, why me? I've never met these guys, so what's the deal here?

I do enjoy fights but illogical ones with little to no reason behind them just ruin the pacing and the climax of it and that's the current case. I can't even get pumped up.

"Dude, what even is your name? Don't you know that there isn't this much talk in a fight?"

Emerging from the backline of the group, a guy with some round glasses came forth and let out his speech.

So, I replied.

"Daniel. Also, this isn't a fight. We are just talking right now. Can you tell me why you all have this insatiable desire of beating me up? It's straight-up confusing if you ask me."

They were allowing this guy that hasn't given out his name yet the right to proceed with this talk, so I can safely assume that they trust him a bit.

Still, this is so awkward. They are saying that they will beat me up but why aren't they doing anything? Did they expect me to just quake and retreat?

"It's a request. Does that answer your question?"

"Sorta. But not really. From who?"

"That, we can't tell you. However, we will be rewarded if we beat you up, so I will politely ask you this, Daniel. Can you be a good dog and allow yourself to get beaten up?"

Glasses guy over here is unusually polite. Not that I dislike that, so I'll answer him in the same degree.

"Hey, what's your name? You can actually hold a proper conversation, unlike the other two retards. Congratulations, you stand out."

"My name is Ren."

"Oh, alright, Ren. Just one simple question. Why can't you tell me who made this request? Don't you find it a little bit too illogical to ask someone to be a good dog and take a beating without at least explaining the full reason as to why that person needs to receive a beating? I know I'm getting defensive over here, but I'm actually just confused."

"No, Daniel, you don't seem to understand something. There's a privilege to those in charge of the situation. That being; they don't have to listen to reason. So, no, I won't tell you."

Man, that's pretty hard to argue because the majority of those who are in charge completely rarely have to listen to reason if we are being honest.

It's a different matter whether that's fair or not yet that's really beyond my field of caring, naturally.

"Okay, okay. So, explain to me the rules, Ren. Are you all just going to come at me or are we going to play this nice and fair and you six will all line up in a queue in order to face me? Actually, why can't you all just tell me what this request is about? I wouldn't mind helping you people out if it's really that urgent."

Rather, I just want to know for what sort of pathetic reason they are illogically attempting to beat me up.

Depending on the reason, I'll change my attitude, but I don't actually plan on helping them out, realistically.

"Daniel, the request was made by someone that apparently wants you to be beaten up and the reward does benefit us. Well, me."

"Wait, what the fuck did you just say, Ren?"

Awkward. Skran just talked back to Ren as soon as Ren said those very specify two words.

The weirdest part was that Ren didn't back down as well. As a matter of fact, he adjusted his glasses and proceeded to defend his side of the argument.

"You didn't mishear me. I said what I said. She clearly said that whoever gets the best out of him will be put into consideration. And I am not taking any chances."

She?

"Oh, so now you're turning your back on us!? I thought that we agreed that whoever finished him first would be the winner fair and square!"

Talking back to Ren once again, Skran argued back while implying that they were in this together...

What the hell is going on?

"Can you dickheads actually explain what this is all about?"

"Man, you're annoying! Don't you get it?! By beating you, the winner gets to go on a date with her!"

What Ren just told me left me with a trace of confusion and a bit of anger.

Anger because I was being used for this very simp-like act that I am seeing right now.

Those six just started to argue in their own circle stupidly. And at first, I showed a very political stance and remained fairly logical throughout the whole thing, right?

Yet they have the audacity to imply that they are using me for the sake of committing this beta simp-like act?

Motherfuckers.

"I knew something was up. None of you seem to actually have any experience in fighting, otherwise, you would just straight up charge at me. Even as six, you all haven't done a single thing. All this time, you were all actually internally struggling to choose which one to face me? No, wait, that's not the biggest issue. The biggest issue is..."

With all eyes on me, I used my right index finger and started to point out at every single one of them.

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"You! You! You! You! You! And you! All of you! Are you seriously trying to beat me up for a fucking date!? Is the reward of actually beating me up a fucking date?! Are you fucking serious!? Who is this bitch!? I want to actually fucking meet up with her and slap her for a damn hour straight!"

At first, I thought that I had attracted someone's attention out of pure mystery but to think that all of these simps, who I have no idea who they are here, are here for the singular purpose of beating me up for a fucking date?!

Fuck off with that shit.

"Can you blame us, man!? She's hot, alright?! And I want a piece of that!"

The first simp to speak up was no other than Skran. However, I argued back immediately, despite his strong retort and desire to supposedly get a taste of that forbidden fruit.

"So you would beat someone down for that reason!? How the hell is that valid?!"

"Look, man. Your name is Daniel, right? Get this, she doesn't like you, so she proposed that whoever gave you a lesson would go on a date with her. Well..."

Skran didn't exactly finish his sentence properly. Plus, I'm certain that's false information because Ren already implied that this bitch didn't actually promise the winner a date, but that the winner would be taken into consideration.

What actually truly pisses me off is that I'm the target for this simp act!

"I know that's not true. She didn't actually say that, did she?"

"...."

All of them, without replying back, formed a painful silence.

That just allowed me to step forward and address the situation clearer to all of them in return.

"From the looks of it, you are all just trying to fight for the same reward, but if you ask me, this was so badly organized that there won't be a clear winner. So, I have a suggestion that will make this clearer. Let's hold off a mini-tournament between you six."

"Huh!?" x6.

Hm?

Why did all of them just reply with the most cliched word of the century? Those three letters leaped together form perhaps one of the most overused exaggeration marks that there will ever exist.

"What was that 'Huh!?' for? Oh, right. I'll just go and ahead and explain myself---"

"No, wait. Why are you assuming charge?! Are you an idiot!? Six guys appear in front of you with the intention to beat you up and you attempt to be in charge?!"

"But Ren, even if you six came at me at once, I would floor all of you in one go. That's why my attitude has not changed whatsoever."

And before they could all retort back at me, I went ahead and spoke some additional words in order to make it seem like it wasn't just my intention to tell them the truth.

"However --- you guys are free to believe in what you choose to believe. But, there is something that we can only agree on. Only one of you will actually benefit. Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for a group assault like this. You six won't benefit mutually, right? Only one. So, let's do a selection, shall we?"

If their initial goal was to get the best of me, then this doesn't really add up.

Who came up with this bad idea? This is so badly organized and there are so many things to point out, like, where to begin...?

"And why should we obey you?"

Skran's interrogation wasn't that unreasonable.

Except it was and here is why.

"Because I just proposed a valid selection method and given that only one of you will benefit from beating me, supposedly at least, it makes perfect sense for this to exist. The winner of the mini-tournament will get to face me. But, let me put this from a better perspective. If all of you guys came at me and hypothetically speaking, if I allowed you, people, to beat the shit out of me, what if there was a hint of confusion among you? What then...? The decision would become abrupt. Come on, all of you... This isn't hard to imagine, right?"

"Certainly..."

"Yeah..."

In simultaneous agreement, they all traded glances with one another.

Sincerely, if I wasn't confident in my own ability to succeed in a physical fight, then I would've just run away. That's still an option, but for some reason, they knew that I would come here.

This isn't a coincidence, is it...? Yet, how?

Well, whatever. More importantly...

"Given that you all have reached an agreement, I'll speak about my idea. First of all, why do you all want to have a fight here? Are you insane? What if a teacher passed through here?"

Either Basara-sensei or Yuka-sensei could come in at any time and we would all be screwed.

They all looked reluctant as hell to reply to this as if they had some sort of logic or reason as to why they are here.

However, should I prolong this, then this will go on forever.

"Well, that aside, since you are six in total, we will hold this in a place that we won't be interrupted. Come with me."

"........"

Without showing resistance, they all followed me subsequently. On our way up to the place I had in mind, I was actually paying indirect attention to their movements and see if they all would attempt something funny but it seems that they took my words into consideration.

As we entered the nostalgic place where I also beat up three individuals previously, I reminisced the fact that this place has no cameras whatsoever, as it is completely like a dark shrouded alley.

Furthermore, no one was here so, as soon as we reached the center of the alley, I went ahead and explained myself.

"Alright, we will do this quickly. There is just one rule. As soon as the fight begins, whoever connects the first strike is the declared winner. This will be a simple formula. Any objections?"

Just by looking at their sluggish movements while they were walking, I could analyze prematurely that they have no real experience when it comes to real fights nor physical exercise.

Simple physical movements can imply so much yet to pure logic alone, the credibility is aloof on its own.

"What about the pairings though?"

Ren was worried about who he could possibly go up against yet I wasn't, so I gave him the most carefree reply ever.

"Do as you like. I don't care."

Leaning against the back of the alley, I watched the trials occur with peculiar interest.

10 minutes later.

Boring.

They all took so long just to create a single strike onto their adversary and they probably treated it as something spectacular and out of this world.

The losers just went ahead and exited the scene but under my suspicion, it would make the most sense for them to hide each individually in places that would nonetheless come as unknown to me and then strike me down?

Whoever gave this order is really dumb, honestly. How do you even know if I was beaten? Will you check up on me personally in order to know? If so, I'll just start erasing the suspicions.

There's also the fact that it's a 'she' and out of all the people that I know that could hold a grudge against me, currently...

No doubt, it's Arkalee. I don't need to think twice. God, are you that pissed off that your crush speaks to me way more clearly than he does to you?

"Get up. It's time."

I didn't notice that he was here. Or rather, Skran was here. Apparently, he was the winner of the time tournament.

Thus, while getting up, I started to applaud him for his endeavor.

"Congrats, man. You ready to be beaten up? ...Is what I would say, but I need to be somewhere right now and I think that you might not like what he has to offer. So here is a fast proposal. Tell me who the bitch is and I will let you off the hook. Now, don't think this is me being a conceived little bitch because I'm actually being very kind right now. Previously, I did state some pretty confident remarks about how I could floor with all of you and I wasn't joking about it. Which is why it would be wise for you to realize just how nonsensical this all is---"

"Dude, I don't fucking care! I didn't come here to get scolded, I----"

I already knew that he wasn't going to listen.

But the whole point of that conversation wasn't to make him listen, but just to nag the shit out of him and I know for a fact that in this type of situation, feeling like you are automatically inferior to your opponent who boasts on and on about his virtue just makes you feel like you are being undermined.

This is why, as soon as he interrupted my speech, mid-way, I delivered a right strike onto his jaw.

"W-Wait, you weren't joking...!"

"Last chance. If you tell me who she is, then I'll retreat. Be smart; not stupid."

Though I said that, his body equilibrium is all over the place. I didn't place much strength and the impulse that I created with the vacuum of my stride when I unleashed the punch wasn't enough to knock him out.

Yet that was sorta the whole point; as it was just a light hit more than anything else. I am prioritizing what he has to say over knocking him out.

If there is a point in fighting, then I don't mind going as far as clobbering someone hard.

However, this guy is so fragile. His legs are shaking and his knees are almost dropping on the floor.

"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm not as dumb as you think I am. But, I can't tell you who she is, sorry."

Now that doesn't exactly please me. He thinks that he's in a position where he can lie to me.

I gave him an ultimatum and the conditions yet here you are trying to be in charge of the situation when I already told you that that's now how it works.

"I will kill you."

"Uh... No, you won't..."

"Really? That's what you think? Then, you wouldn't be surprised if I just went and aimed at your throat, right? I'll just reach out to your neck and strangle you with my right hand alone. You wasted your last chance, so..."

Slowly, I started to walk up to him. His distance is not that far from mine. In fact, I am still doing this on purpose.

Surely by now, he realizes that he isn't actually going to achieve anything here. Well --- he could achieve something.

Let's just see if he's smart enough to notice.

"Alright, alright! Arkalee. That's her name, but please don't do anything to her."

"God fucking damn it, that bitch! I fucking knew it! She sent a fucking band of simps after me just because of that shit?!"

"Wait, you know her...?"

"Yeah, she's my classmate. Who apparently holds a grudge against me. You could've avoided that hit on your jaw if you had just told me the truth. Also, don't just go around and threaten to beat others just to get the attention of a whore like Arkalee, that's fucked up, Skran."

I can understand the necessity to beat someone up in order to relieve some tension but for the sake of impressing a girl?

That's stepping down to a place that I hope I will never reach.

"Dude, why are you calling her a whore? She's so nice. And all the others are after her too, so I can't slack off."

Oh, you poor fool.

Should I just...?

Yeah, why not.

"Skran, there's something you need to know. Also, something that all of your friends should know too. Something that will completely and utterly shatter your hopes when it comes to Arkalee."

"What is it?"

"She's currently madly in love with someone else."

"Wait, for real? Seriously?! Th-Then..."

Not that I feel any guilt but his struggles were all partially in vain and given that I had little to no understanding how this situation came to be, I nevertheless placed my right hand on his shoulder to show him that he was outmatched.

"Wait, no. I don't believe you. You love her too, don't you?!"

"Oi, are you fucking serious?! Me?! And that bitch!? That fucking leech!? What, do you need evidence?! Because I can goddamn show you some real fucking evidence!"

"Okay then! Show me the evidence! Also, guys, you can stop hiding now! You're all curious, right?!"

It's not as if I didn't erase that possibility, but it did surprise me a little bit seeing the rest of the five erupting from the shallow darkness and reuniting with me while forming a circle.

Skeptical about what I said, Ren approached me and posed a question out of interest.

"Daniel, is this true?"

Can I just mention how fucking dumb this all is? No, seriously, think about it. How the fuck do SIX simps go out of their way collectively for this one girl?

As I thought, this really can't be allowed to continue. Too many people falling down the wrong paths. First, it was bloomers, then white-knights and now simps.

I do not wanna know what comes next.

"It is true. But, I can't give you all evidence right now, now. However, if you do a little spy job and stalk Arkalee on occasion or just about every damn time, you will notice that she hangs out with a guy that has noticeable silver hair. That alone makes him stand out from the rest. She hangs out with this guy, from my class, because she loves him."

Although, calling this 'love' is somewhat sickening. Arkalee's obsession with Hyunda is the equivalent of having permanent paint in your body.

No matter how much you try, you will not get it off you.

"I suppose it's worth checking. If you are wrong, then we will come back, by the way!"

I'm not sure if Ren realizes what just happened and I am also not sure why Ren thinks that they will ever be in a position where they can pose a direct threat to me.

Ultimately, as we left the alley, we attempted to part ways, but we were greeted by a voice that I immediately recognized.

I also became instantly aware of something.

That Kawahara had actually called me earlier. And that's why what happened afterward didn't strike me as a surprise.

"Yo, Dan! What the fuck is this?! I thought that you were hanging out with the thot but you are hanging out with these limp-dick simps? You got some explaining to do."

Being incredibly accurate despite not knowing why he was being accurate in the first place, Kawahara, with a spontaneous smirk, grandly spoke out to us.

His misconception about me hanging out with them came from the fact that we still hadn't parted ways.

"Ah, wel---"

I did attempt to speak, but a louder voice, that belonged to Skran, completely overpowered mine intentionally.

"Limp-dick? Look at this guy over here! What the hell are those locks?! Are you a fucking girl?!"

"Hahahaha!!!" x6.

Not showing any mercy, the whole group decided that it was a good idea to mock Kawahara's black locks that were on the edge of his blonde hair.

"How much you wanna bet that his husband gave him that cursed haircut? Hahaha!!"

Almost rolling on the floor, Krale made that side comment which did not contribute to their safety at all.

As for the man himself, the one that was probably already killing these six poor creatures in his mind, Kawahara, at last, decided to speak for himself.

"Dan, change of plans."

"Huh....?"

What did he mean by that? I couldn't help but look puzzled in response to his words of sudden pacifism.

Or, so I thought.

"Can't hold a proper meeting when I got this many bodies to fucking burry!"

Oh boy.