Chapter 38: 37

Chapter 37

Pepper couldn't refute that.

At the end of the day, Amber still holds the right to decline invitations as she pleases.

River Severn tried to suppress the information regarding Amber's match, but it looked like not all their pack members hadn't been so cooperative.

At Woodridge, only a select few had heard the details—and thankfully, those students were still not sure whether or not the rumor was true.

Not a single wolf from River Severn has spoken openly about it, after all.

Nevertheless, the Taekwondo Club was more than thrilled to hear that Amber Santiago could be a prospective club member. In the past, many clubs had tried pushing their luck, and going after her, but she was elusive.

Her dedication to kickboxing is something else.

Amber has given them the impression that nothing is going to change her mind.

So, eventually, those sport clubs gave up on the idea of making her quit her preferred sport. The results were all the same. She ignored all their grand offers, and chose to keep a low profile at school—though with her astounding achievements, that seemed to be impossible now.

Pepper wanted to ask if the result of her last sparring match had something to do with her refusal.

More than half of the students from the Top 10 practical division are taekwondo practitioners.

The club itself is well-established, and has the most promising representatives in terms of number.

And if they could only get their hands on Amber… they were guaranteed to get bigger!

She said taekwondo wasn't for her…?

'Why do I feel like that was a lie?'

That's what Pepper was thinking.

But…

"I'm in no position to contradict that," she said, laughing it off.

Amber's steps halted, and she turned to look at her. "Did you think I was still bothered by the incident?"

Pepper blinked at her, flustered by the bold question. "N-no…"

"Think of it this way—I got through it because of kickboxing."

"That's no different from lying to yourself, Amber," she pointed out in a scolding manner.

"What?" Amber chuckled lightly. "I don't do other sports. Kickboxing paved the way for me. Did you think I learned taekwondo on purpose just to pull off that kick?" She shook her head, and smiled gently. "It was kickboxing which honed my leg muscles—my balance. Come on, Pep. Give credit where credit is due."

Pepper studied her features carefully. She sounded genuine when she said that.

So, what could be wrong?

"Okay," she conceded. "I just thought you didn't feel comfortable joining even though you had the potential for it."

"Now, that's an overestimation."

Pepper glared at her playfully. "I'm serious!"

"We can try checking out the other clubs for your sake. I'm fine with it."

"Sure? We can skip the Taekwondo Club if you feel awkward facing them."

Amber's prominent dimples flickered on her rosy cheeks.

Pepper is not going to lie. Summer has got to be Amber's season.

She's glowing with her doll-like features as if to complement the sun.

Amber has never, even once, complained about the heat. Their region can get really hot during summer—and though they can live with it, most werewolves are testy and irritable than usual.

Meanwhile, Amber here is serving looks, unbothered by the weather.

The injustice…!

"Don't worry about me. I suppose I'd feel awkward if I led them on, but I had been straightforward. I believe they're mature enough to move past it, too. We can go, and get your inquiries addressed."

Pepper narrowed her eyes slightly. "May I know what exactly you told them? You had a talk with the Club President himself, right?"

Though Amber had no idea how that could be of interest to her, she didn't hesitate to indulge her. "I said 'no'…?"

Was that what she wanted to hear?

"Verbatim, please."

"Not a chance."

Pepper gasped, eyes wide like flying saucers. "Let me get this clear. You told the Club President 'not a chance', is that correct?"

Amber gave her a small nod, trying to understand where she was getting at.

"We'll skip that club, then."

"Huh? Why?"

"It will be awkward for me!"

"Did you offend them in any way?"

"You did!" Pepper was practically screeching. Her friend is dense beyond redemption…!

She hastily took Amber's arm, and resumed walking with her in tow. "Let's check your club out!"

Amber had a baffled look on her face.

Her club? All of a sudden?

"When is the last time you've paid the studio a visit?"

Amber bit her lower lip, her cheeks blushing. "I… I don't recall."

"Wow, so you're like a non-existent member of the club!" Pepper exclaimed. "I bet the higher-ups are turning a blind eye to your poor attendance because you bring the most honor and glory to kickboxing!"

Amber blushed even harder, feeling ashamed. "Don't say that. I'm embarrassed right now."

Heh…

'I didn't know she was capable of feeling shy and guilty!'

"Are you acquainted with the club members?"

"Maybe…"

"What sort of a response is that?"

"I… I didn't pay much attention to them."

"What!?" Pepper shrieked. "I thought you wanted to gain more friends!"

"Making friends effortlessly isn't right up my alley, though."

"Have you tried approaching your clubmates on your own?"

"No, they all looked intimidating to me…"

Pepper looked at her disbelievingly. "Are you being serious right now?"

"I'm the shortest in the club. All the other kickboxers have a powerful aura. You won't believe it, Pep." Amber shuddered.

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"Is that the reason why you don't participate in your club activities, too?"

Amber stared at her in awe. "It's amazing how you were able to deduce that."

"To be fair, it wasn't that hard to tell!"

Since they were little, Amber had always been eager to make friends.

She says she feels intimidated by others, but it's her who doesn't have the foggiest idea that she's intimidating herself!

What does her height have to do with it?

Did she forget about her ranking already?

She's the only female student who made it into the Top 10!

Of course, her clubmates won't approach her that easily.

It's not that they don't want to.

It's just that… they're afraid to make a fool out of themselves in front of a highly-skilled woman.

'Amber may have no idea about this, but… in reality, half the club are her followers!'

Pepper could still recall that she was the one who approached Amber first, several years ago. She liked the energy she exuded even before.

Amber doesn't push people aside—and as far as she can remember, her moral compass has always been far greater than others.

That's why, Pepper personally thinks that those who cross Amber impudently are unforgivable.

Can't they just mind their own business?

Ha…!

Those imbeciles should be thankful that Amber could play the nice person for so long.

Knock. Knock.

Pepper didn't wait for a response, and turned the doorknob to invite herself in.

Her jaw dropped at the sight that welcomed her.

First of all, the flooring…!

She could practically use it as a mirror, seeing a clear reflection of herself!

Everything looks modern, and just one look at the equipment already tells her they're all high-end. The studio reeks of sweat and musk, though, and it makes complete sense because… with all those boys training without a care in the world, one might think it's an all-boys club!

The budget…

Pepper heard that the club was able to get major sponsors, but…

At this rate, it's clear that they're going all out to support the growth of their athletes!

"Oi? We have a visitor!" yelled a third-year student. He looked… buffed.

With his sun-kissed arms.

Amber wasn't lying when she said that her clubmates were taller, bigger, and intimidating.

These boys are the very embodiment of muscles!

Walking muscles!

"Whoa! Brace yourselves, gentlemen. We've got another girl here!"

"Shush! Lower your voice, idiot. You'll scare her off, and training with a girl will be nothing but a pipe dream again!"

"Oh, wait. She looks familiar to me for some reason."

"Where's Captain!?"

"Shoot! It's lunchtime now."

"Huh? Are you saying that we'll shoo the girl away!?"

"The hell… where are the key members when you need them…"

"Hey, you! Go entertain the student as we wait for Captain."

"Why does it have to be me? I can't even hold a decent conversation with my girlfriend!"

"Shut up! Don't rub it in our face! I'll end you!"

Wow.

Pepper chuckled nervously.

This club… is so chaotic!

"Did I enter the wrong studio?" she asked, overwhelmed.

Amber stood outside the room—she couldn't run away even if she wanted to.

Pepper was still gripping her arm.

That's why, Pepper had no other choice but to stand just right by the entrance.

Amber doesn't feel awkward visiting the Taekwondo Club, yet she's folding right before her own club?

"No…" Amber replied back in a whisper. "They are my clubmates. I really feel small when I'm facing them."

"No shit," Pepper muttered absentmindedly. "But, hey? What are you hiding for!?"

Other than those boys' brutish behavior and rough language, they all seemed to be getting along with each other just fine.

"She's talking with someone…"

"I think she's with a company."

"We're getting two new members!?"

"Shut up! You're going to jinx it!"

Pepper's mouth parted. "Are they always yelling, Amber?"

"Yes," her friend squeaked out, "and they're my seniors on top of that."

"Oi, did you hear that? I think she mentioned Amber."

"Does she know Santiago personally?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Santiago's friends are welcome to come by anytime. Quick, prepare some juice—for two, alright?"

"On it!"

One of the club members grabbed his face towel, and headed straight to where Pepper was. "Interested in kickboxing?" The guy glanced briefly at the arm she was holding. "Your friend seems shy."

Pepper winced. "That seems to be the case."

Did you see that, Amber!?

These muscular people… they see you like a saintess!

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