Home Gallery Wattpad Upvote monsteracademy   "To put it clearly, I'm going to a school filled with monsters?" TWENTY-THREE: Secret Mission “Ahhh! Finally, lunch,” you sighed as you were about to head back to the girls’ dorm to deposit your things back to your room. You were at the cafeteria and had just finished with your tutorial with Kris. Your head was slightly hurting since Kris was being a Spartan again with your assessment exam. “Joo Ri!” Chanyeol called you from their table and motioned for you to come. “What’s up?” You asked when you reached their table. You couldn’t help but to smile sweetly at Lay when your eyes met. “Studying hard?” Lay asked and nodded at your stuff which you were carrying. “Not really. I just had my Monster Essentials tutorial,” you told him. “I heard it’s with angry bird,” Chen said. “Angry bird?” “That Chinese guy in your class who looks like he’s always in a bad mood,” Chen said while trying to imitate Kris’ expression. “Hahaha! He’s not really angry. He’s just…well, he just naturally looks like that, I guess,” you told him. “Have a seat Joo Ri,” Xiumin invited you and made space between him and Chanyeol. “Thanks but I’m actually heading back to the girls’ dorm,” you told him. “But we need you here,” Baekhyun said. “We’re having a meeting,” Xiumin informed you. “Then all the more reason for me to leave you guys alone,” you answered. “When I said we, I meant including you,” Xiumin told you. “You’re part of the team now, Joo Ri,” Lay told you. “Welcome, manager!” Chen saluted. “Yeah, about that…I didn’t exactly…agree…to becoming your manager,” you told them while scratching your head. “C’mon now Joo Ri, it’s gonna be fun!” Chanyeol said while putting his arm around you. “Or don’t you like us?” Baekhyun asked. “No!” “Oh,” Baekhyun and Lay muttered at the same time. “I meant no, it’s got nothing to do with that. I do like you guys but, I’m just not cut out to be your manager. I don’t even know how soccer works,” you told them. “You don’t have to, it’s not like you’re actually playing,” Kai told you. “You’re just gonna help us organize stuff,” Xiumin explained. “Organize. You think I’m good with that,” you laughed. “Honestly, not really,” Chen answered and got a light slap on the shoulder from Chanyeol. “Hey, I’m just saying. She looks clumsy.” “She is clumsy,” Kai smirked. “But, I think you can handle it,” Chen said. “Besides, you really don’t have a choice,” Chanyeol grinned. “What do you mean?” “Coach already approved your application form and submitted it to the Student Council along with your profile. You’re now officially our team manager,” Baekhyun told you. “Wait, I didn’t even submit an application form,” you told them. “Yeah you didn’t. But we did. Thought we should help you out so you don’t have to deal with the hassle,” Chen winked and grinned evilly. “Mweo?” You asked incredulously and your eyes landed on Xiumin. “It wasn’t my idea,” Xiumin immediately said while throwing his hands up in innocence. You sighed in defeat. “We need to hurry. They’ll be here soon,” D.O. told the others. “Oh, hi D.O.-sshi,” you greeted as though you have just noticed he was there. He slightly frowned. “Sorry, you’re so…quiet I sometimes forget you’re here. Hehehe.” “He’s always like that,” Chanyeol said. “Yeah, unlike you,” Sehun told Chanyeol. “Guys! Let’s get to business. It’s almost lunchtime,” Xiumin said then sighed. “We can’t even start a meeting properly.” “Where are the others?” You asked when you realized that some people are missing from the group. “Luhan and Sehun are keeping Suho occupied,” Xiumin answered. “Occupied?” “Yes. We’re planning for Suho-hyung’s birthday party so he can’t be here,” Chanyeol told you. “Oh! His birthday is coming? When?” You asked. “Tomorrow,” Kai answered. “Oh,” You answered. “Take a seat first, Joo Ri,” Xiumin said. Chanyeol pulled you down to your seat. “Ow,” you muttered and caressed your behind. “Oops! Sorry,” Chanyeol muttered as he was also about to touch it. “YA!” Both you, Chen and Baekhyun yelled together. “Oh! Sorry I didn’t mean to. I just, I’m just so used being with the guys I forgot you’re a girl,” Chanyeol explained and gave you a peace sign. “You mean Joo Ri looks like a guy?” Chen sniggered. “NO! That’s not what I meant,” Chanyeol replied. “You’re so mean Chanyeol. How could you?” Chen continued. “You can slap him Joo Ri, we won’t stop you.” “That wasn’t what I meant! Joo Ri, believe me,” Chanyeol said. Xiumin shook his head before speaking. “Chen, stop it. If we want this to be a success then we better start seriously discussing now before Suho arrives.” Chanyeol gave one last frown at Chen and the both of them stopped bickering, for the moment. “Chanyeol tell them about your plan,” Xiumin said. “Well guys, here’s the plan. We are going to ignore him all day and make him believe that we forgot his birthday. Then when everything’s ready in the afternoon, coach will pretend to call a meeting at the locker room and when he arrives, bam! Surprise!” “That’s a good plan,” Chen nodded. “Yeah, like you’ve never seen that before,” Baekhyun said. “He’s gonna figure it out easily.” “Or maybe not,” Chen said. “It’s gramps we’re talking about. He’s pretty gullible, next to our D.O. here,” he continued and put his arm around D.O. D.O. gave him a somewhat lethal look but Chen just ignored him. “I agree,” Kai said. “Though he may suspect it at first but if we can pull it off, he might actually believe it. He might even get angry at us,” he laughed. “I guess…let’s just make sure not to overdo it,” Lay said while scratching his chin. “We all know Suho can be kind of oversensitive sometimes.” After the talk about the surprise tactic, the topic finally moved on, after quite a long while, to the actual surprise. “I’ll be baking a cake and D.O will cook a few dishes,” Lay informed everyone. “But how will we get the ingredients? There’s not much at the cooking club’s kitchen,” D.O. said. “And if we request for supplies wouldn’t it take three days for the approval and all?” Baekhyun added. “We’ve already asked for coach’s help. He’ll be requesting for a special pass so that a few of us can go buy what we need today,” Xiumin informed them. “I’ll go!” Chanyeol immediately said. “No, you’ll stay for soccer practice. You’ve missed two days already,” Xiumin told him. “But that was a week ago! I’ve already caught up with practice,” Chanyeol protested. “No,” Xiumin replied. “But hyung!” “No,” Xiumin said firmly. Chanyeol pouted and grumbled beside you like a child who got told that he can’t have his favorite toy. “So, we’re going to have food. What else?” Baekhyun asked. “Well, that’s still as far as the plan goes,” Xiumin answered. “You mean that’s all? That couldn’t be everything right? I mean we should at least have a party pop,” Baekhyun told him. “I’m not exactly good with these things,” Xiumin said defensively. “What do you suggest?” “I dunno. Balloons! Party caps! Something like that. It’s a party guys, a party!” Baekhyun answered. “I’m thinking we can also put a happy birthday tarpaulin or something,” Lay added. “That’s a good idea,” D.O. remarked. “Can we make it with the tarpaulin though? It takes about two hours to get to the city and another two to get back here. We have at most an hour to get all the stuff,” Xiumin said. “Anybody knows how long it takes to have a tarpaulin made?” The guys just looked at each other and shook their heads. “I’ll just make it then, if you don’t mind a hand-made banner,” Lay offered. “That could work,” Baekhyun nodded. “And it will be more personalized so I think that’s actually a better idea. I can help you with that. Kai too.” “Fine with me,” Kai shrugged. “I’ll help out too,” you offered. “Oh, right! I heard you can draw,” Baekhyun said. “I want to help too!” Chanyeol said. \“No!” Everyone said at the same time. “You can’t draw,” Baekhyun told him. “Who said so?” Chanyeol retorted. “Chanyeol, I can’t even read your penmanship,” Chen said. “I’ll just help D.O. then,” Chanyeol said resentfully. “No, you’ll eat everything even before I can cook them,” D.O. answered. “If none of you wants my help then fine! It’s your loss,” Chanyeol told them. “I need you at the locker room,” Xiumin said. “Wae?” “That place needs a bit of cleaning up,” Chen grinned. “Why me?! You do it!” “We will all do it,” Xiumin said. “Well, I’d like to but I’m actually doing the banner,” Baekhyun grinned. “Well, I’m…helping D.O. with the cooking,” Chen said and protectively put his arm around D.O. “I don’t need your help,” D.O told him. Xiumin was now massaging the back of his neck. You can tell that he was probably trying hard not to lose his patience. “Don’t you even think of leaving all the cleaning to me,” Xiumin told them. “Okay guys, how about this. For tomorrow, someone has to go with Suho to make sure he doesn’t run into any of the preparations and the rest will prepare the locker room, except for Lay and D.O. since they will do the cooking. As for the banner, we will be making it tonight so you just have to put it up along with the other locker room preparations by tomorrow,” you suggested. “Sounds good,” D.O. nodded. “I’ll go with Suho then,” Chen immediately said. “You just don’t want to clean,” Chanyeol grumbled. “Okay, so that’s settled,” Xiumin said before the others could make any more objections. “Thanks,” Xiumin whispered. “You’re welcome?” You answered and laughed. “I figured your birthday surprise isn’t going anywhere with this kind of atmosphere.” “Yeah, they’re such a pain. And it’s our birthday surprise. You’re part of the team, remember?” Xiumin patted your shoulder and turned back to the boys. “We can only send four people to do the shopping. Lay, D.O.,mmmm…Baekhyun and Joo Ri. You go.” “Why do they get to go and not me?” Chanyeol demanded. “Because Lay and D.O. will buy the food ingredients and Joo Ri and Baekhyun will help Lay with the banner materials,” Xiumin explained as though Chanyeol was a five year old. “Actually, the student council has a meeting this afternoon so I won’t be able to come along. Kai, you go,” Baekhyun said. “Alright,” Kai answered. “Wait, you guys won’t be joining practice?” Xiumin asked Baekhyun. “The meeting is at three so we can join in the first half,” Baekhyun answered. “Araso. By the way, I need all of you to give your schedules to Joo Ri, including your cleaning schedules and other club commitments. And whenever you can’t join practice, inform her beforehand so we don’t always end up wondering where everybody else is. If any of you doesn’t show up at practice without informing her, you’re dead,” Xiumin told them. “Alright,” the guys answered. “I’ll leave it to you Joo Ri,” Xiumin said. “Okay, I guess,” you replied. “Some of you already gave your contributions yesterday. To those who didn’t, pay up,” Xiumin said. “Oh, uh, how much?” You asked. “Oh, no. You don’t need to pay Joo Ri,” Xiumin told you. “It’s okay,” you said. “We agreed that it feels kinda wrong for you to shell out money when you have just become our manager. Think of it as a welcome favor. There will be no next time though so enjoy it while you can,” Chen winked. “Oh! Thanks then.” Suho, Lu Han and Sehun arrived a little later for lunchtime, which finally ended the long meeting. They were right, they badly need a manager if they can’t even handle a birthday party meeting, though you still don’t agree with you being the right fit. “Where are you going?” Chanyeol asked when you stood up. “I’m taking my lunch,” you told him. “Why’d you have to leave? You can eat with us,” Chanyeol said. “But Ji Min –” “Ji Min can also join us,” Baekhyun smiled. “I’ve noticed it has always been only the two of you during meal times, and I think it’s kinda lonely. I wanted to invite you to join us even long before but Suho-hyung said it might creep you out.” So you and Ji Min, to her delight, did spend your lunch with the soccer team. It was just like last time, loud and chaotic, only this time you didn’t feel awkward around them anymore. After lunch, Ji Min went to the dorms to prepare for volleyball practice. She brought your things with her since you managed