"Greg", Milan turned to face him, "Thanks for the help, but I know that's not the reason you're here in the first place. So, what do you really want?".
Greg was silent for a moment, he and his group shared glances at each other. "You can't prove that, ha-ha", Greg chuckled nervously. Milan stared at him; his face blank.
"Ok, you're right. I have a proposal, Milan".
"Proposal?", Milan questioned.
"Yeah, a proposal. It's about the Bash Tournament. I know this means a lot to you and it also means a lot to us here. We have a common interest, you feel? A similar goal. So, my suggestion was that for the first round at least, we work together. An alliance of some sort".
"Why's the atmosphere so tense between them? And right after this Greg guy just helped us out?", Astrape thought to himself.
"An alliance? Just you and I?", Milan responded.
"No, not just me, us", Greg pointed to his comrades by his sides, "Justin, Ethan, Clarence and I as well".
Astrape stared at them all top to bottom, "So, their idea is to team up for the first round huh? I wouldn't mind teaming up with this Greg guy, he's quite tall, well taller than any of us here, his hair is more kempt and haircut looks sharper as well, but he still gives of unserious vibe. This idea might not even be his, to be honest it feels like he's more desperate than determined despite what he might say", he thought.
"All of you, huh? So, what is it that makes you so desperate that you'd be willing to work with the like of me?", Milan inquired.
"Ahh, could you quit acting all high and mighty. I know you have a lot of enemies and even more people who'd consider you an enemy in a heartbeat even before this tournament".
"Is that a threat", Milan narrowed his eyes.
"No far from it, my point is that the Bash Tournament is in three days and nobody else might offer you such an opportunity. High chance we're not the only ones who've thought of teaming up for the first round".
"If we're going to work together, it would be helpful if I know what drives you or at least why I can trust you to have my back. You could at least be that honest. Besides, being solo in this tournament wouldn't make a difference for me, it never has, I'm gonna win this tournament with or without your help".
Greg was silent, he scoffed, "You, win the Bash Tournament? You're joking right?".
Milan did not respond, his eyes narrowed.
"Ahh, fine, just my reason? That's all you want, right?".
Milan nodded his head in acceptance.
"Personally, my goal is to make a good impression on the student council. I figured that if I did well enough in the Bash Tournament, I'd score a few points with them, you feel?".
"Yeah, but don't you have to work on your grades first before you even think of applying for a spot in the student council. I mean I'm not the brightest but even I don't flunk that hard", Milan responded, his eyebrow raised.
Astrape eyes widened as Justin, Ethan and Clarence held back their laughter.
"You know what, if you refuse just say so. Let's go guys", Greg turned to leave.
"Wait, fine I'll do it. I'll work with you, just for the first round though".
Greg looked back at him. "Next time just say so", he replied turning to face him.
"So, do you guys have like a plan or something", said Milan.
"Yes and no", Clarence chimed in, "We don't know each other's strengths or weaknesses and we decided it's better it stays that way just in case we have to face each other in the next round. That way nobody's weakness would be exploited, so the plan was for us to just stick together, y'know back-to-back. In short, the go is to ensure our backs face each other, that way we would we could at least prevent any surprise attacks. Literally have each other's backs y'know".
"Oh, that makes sense", said Milan.
"Clarence, huh? He's a smart one, isn't he? Quite short, at least shorter than I am, circular shaped face, his hair isn't as kempt as Greg and it a little longer as well. He's got the basic nerd look. He doesn't look like a fighter either, I'd love to hear his reason for joining the Bash Tournament", thought Astrape.
"Oh, by the way", Astrape chimed in, "Uh, hey guys, listen I was wondering if I could like y'know join this alliance thing. I'm kind of desperate so…yeah", Greg and his comrades glanced at each other silently. "I'm Astrape by the way", he added.
"You're the guy who decided to take part in the Bash Tournament even though you're not part of the Military program right? Ahh, listen man, it was cool how you were dodging Chunkz's attacks just now but I'm sorry man, I don't think that's a good idea", responded Greg.
"Oh, ok", Astrape's head fell down as he nodded in acceptance.
"Let him join", Milan suggested.
"But…", Greg argued.
"It's ok, I'll take responsibility for him so you don't have to worry. Besides you have me now, so everything's gonna be fine, you have my word", Milan interrupted him.
Justin, Ethan, Clarence and Greg all glanced at each other. "Fine, suit yourself. But he's your responsibility", said Justin, "The next time we meet is thirty minutes before the first round of the Bash Tournament. After that no one gets isolated from the group, not until the bell rings and the first round is over. Do we all agree?".
They all nodded their heads to accept the terms in all response. Greg, Ethan, Clarence and Justin took their leave. Milan and Astrape stood side by side as the rays of the setting sun hit the sides of their faces.