37 Star (1/2)

'But, who is the leader of the other group? Is there still a leader with just the two of them?' Since Tang'ga became distracted by his internal questions, he decided to ask them to be sure.

He opened his mouth to speak but, before he could voice out his question, a look from Yabang stopped him. Feeling slightly dejected, he stepped back to let the others speak but still kept shifting his gaze between the groups so as not to miss any of the conversation. He knew he was sometimes unable to follow anything said to him because he didn't understand it at first.

To Tang'ga's exasperation, nobody spoke after he stepped back. He really wanted to know something. Like why does that boy look so pretty. Fortunately, Yabang talked first before Tang'ga could formulate the question.

”We will be practicing near the pool by the bear's cave. If you remain in this morning's exercise's path, then we won't be bothering each other. If you're fine with that, we'll go first.”

After a nod from Ling, Yabang turned around to walk out of the clearing. Lino followed him but later noticed that Tang'ga was still standing in his previous spot.

”Hey, Tang'ga, were you listening? What did Yabang tell us?”

The other boy stared at Lino when he heard his friends call but then looked back at the two in front of him. ”Oh yeah, next time, we'll show you who's better.”

Tang'ga beamed that he remembered what Yabang told them. However, his smile turned into a frown when Lino ran back to smack him on the back of his head.

”Why did you hit me?! My mother said I will become dumb if you constantly hit my head!”

”Ok, I'm sorry for hitting your head. Next time, I'll kick your shin. That's should be far enough from your head to affect it further.”

Now, Tang'ga became distracted. 'Where is my shin?'

Before Tang'ga could reply again, Yabang called the two, ”Lino, Tang'ga, let's go practice!”

Tang'ga was holding the back of his head while jogging beside Lino. ”My head still hurts.”

”Yeah, sorry about that. But I have to make you understand that you don't have to tell them that we're better. What Yabang meant when he said that was that we will show them during the test.”

”Ooh!”

”Stop talking, you two. Let's increase our pace!”

”Okay!”

Left alone in the clearing, Ling and Rin were feeling a little confused with the conversation of the three older children. Nevermind the irrational argument. However, they were never interested in beating anybody, just to be stronger to take care of themselves during the hunts. Shrugging his shoulders, Ling nodded to Rin so they could also start their training.

On the day of the test, the thirty something boys together with their parents and teachers gathered at the area near the border. Several voices giving advice or assurance were heard around while they were waiting for the test to start when the sun had risen.

The group of Yabang were the first to move forward when the signal was given. He knew that his father was staring at him, confident without giving him any advice.