Chapter 113: Only have 1

[Building 3]

As usual, Atlas’s class started their morning lesson early. Even before the bell rang, most of his classmates were already doing a quick reading. As seniors, they couldn’t play or gamble their grades because it was a crucial time for all of them.

In the middle of their lessons, the class couldn’t help but pause as they caught a group walking past their room.

Atlas arched a brow and glanced at the window. Among the group was Hugo.

’Training already?’ he wondered because he was also familiar with Hugo’s teammates. ’Their game is coming up, but so is the exam.’

Atlas didn’t dwell on it and shrugged. Being on the school team, the players had to maintain good grades. So far, Hugo maintained a good grade to stay on the team and also to prove to their parents he could join the military. Hugo’s decision to enter the military was the only reason their parents were putting more pressure on Hugo’s studies.

’I should ask him to study with us at home instead of babysitting her pets,’ Atlas thought, watching their homeroom teacher walk out of the room to tell Hugo’s group to keep their voices down.

*

*

In the hallway, the group of older teens apologized to the teacher humbly.

"Classes are already starting," said Atlas’s homeroom teacher. "Please. Head to the gym quietly."

"Yes..." the boys answered in unison.

When the teacher went back into the classroom and closed the door, the players couldn’t help but sigh. They walked through the hallway as quietly as possible.

"Hmm?" Hugo’s steps stopped when he noticed something on the bulletin in their building. Looking at it, deep lines appeared between his brows.

Wasn’t this poster his sister?

Hugo pulled the poster and read it.

"What is that?" his teammates wondered, peering over his side to check out what made Hugo stop in his tracks. "A fans club sign-up poster?"

Everyone inevitably shifted their eyes to the picture on the poster. "That kid is having a fans club? Why?"

It was no secret that when a student was popular enough, some students would start up a fan club. Aside from the star section, the ones who had a fan club were their team. Only one person on the team has a separate fan club and that was Max from the star section.

"What did she do to have people signing up for her?" one of the players muttered curiously. "Is she eating a lot? Her picture is even a stolen shot of her."

The players were puzzled, but what baffled them even more was when Hugo pulled out a pen from his pocket and wrote his name on it.

"Hugo, why are you signing up for a fan club?"

Hugo smiled and glanced at the boy, who was also the captain of their team. "I want to support my sister."

"Your sister?" another member repeated. "Since when did you have two sisters?"

"I only have one."

"Ahh..." the team rocked their heads, assuming he simply called Penny his sister to sound polite.

Maybe he knew her. Calling other sisters or brothers wasn’t that uncommon. Hence, they didn’t ask a lot of questions.

"You should sign up too," Hugo suggested.

The captain, the biggest among them, frowned. "Why would we sign up for another fan club when we have more important things to prepare? For instance, our next game?"

"Currently, Ray has the biggest fans’ club and Max’s fan club is the most active," Hugo smiled kindly until his eyes were squinting. "Isn’t it better that someone else has more fans than Max??"

Everyone halted and looked at Hugo in surprise. But only after a second, they grinned from ear to ear.

"Give that to me. I’ll sign my name."

"Write mine as well. I’ll sign."

"Me too."

"Hah! That arrogant brat — give me the pen. I’ll write mine!"

Hugo chuckled as he watched his teammates take turns in writing their names. It wasn’t like what he said was the real reason; Hugo wasn’t that petty. But his teammates were petty. It wasn’t a bad idea. His teammates would be happy, and Hugo could protect Penny if everyone knew that the entire basketball team had her back.

"Shhh!" Again, Atlas’s homeroom teacher peeked outside to hush them. "Boys, quiet."

Hugo’s brows rose and asked his teammates to give one sign-up sheet. He then walked over to Atlas’s classroom and said, "Teacher, can I excuse my brother for a moment?"

"Atlas?"

"It’s important."

The teacher raised his brows before he looked back. "Atlas, your little brother is calling." He then faced Hugo with a deep frown. "Hugo, tell your teammates to keep it down or else I’ll have to tell your coach you’re disrupting other student’s classes."

"Yes, teacher, thank you and I’m sorry."

Having said that, the teacher walked back into the room while Atlas arrived.

"What do you need?" was Atlas’s first remark, knowing Hugo wouldn’t ask for him if he didn’t need to do anything.

Hugo didn’t say anything as he pulled up the sign-up sheet first. "Can you sign up?"

"What’s this?" Atlas furrowed his brows and glanced at the signup sheet. "A fans club? No."

"Look whose fans club it is."

Atlas carefully read the small text above the huge [SIGN-UP] text before his face twisted a little. "Penny’s fans club?"

"Mhm." Hugo chuckled. "Write your name on it."

"Why would I?"

"The whole team signed up." Hugo pointed at his side with his thumb, making Atlas glance at Hugo’s teammates, who were busy writing their names on the bulletin. "You should too... as her oldest brother."

Atlas slowly gazed up at Hugo, who was wearing such a bright smile. A shallow breath slipped past Atlas, knowing this smile Hugo was giving him wasn’t as nice as it seemed. Hugo wouldn’t stop bothering him if he didn’t. Thus, Atlas reluctantly pulled out a pen and took the paper, placing it on the jamb to sign his name.

"There you go," Atlas handed it back to him, but Hugo’s smile broadened while his eyes squinted even more. Seeing this, Atlas shook his head and said quietly, "Hugo, don’t smile like."

"First brother, please ask your classmates if they want to join as well." Hugo cheered quietly. "Ten people will be fine. Good luck!"

With that being said, Hugo walked away and rejoined his team, leaving Atlas standing frozen by the door.

"..." Atlas slowly turned around to his classmates and saw all of them looking in his direction. ’There’s no way I would do something so silly.’

Despite the thoughts in his head, Atlas blurted out. "Whoever signs up on this can get into my study team."

As soon as those words flew out of his mouth, the signup sheet disappeared from his hand and was passed from one student to another. It didn’t even seem his classmate read the sheet and just wrote their names without bothering to check.

"..."