The Wolf Girl's Secret Box

Chapter5

There's a reason why Edren became the heartthrob of Xiba Middle School.

He too had once been an obscure minor character, mingling among the ordinary lowerclassmen like everyone else. When others mentioned him, they'd at most add the qualifier, “pretty handsome.”

The name “Edren Kane” rose to prominence at Xiba Middle School largely due to a soccer match during his eighth-grade year.

A year and a half earlier, Edren had been a benchwarmer. By the new season a year and a half later, he had soared to become that year's MVP.

From the moment he led the town's junior high team to break the “eternal runner-up” curse that had haunted them for over two decades, his popularity skyrocketed like a rollercoaster—from zero, or perhaps a slightly higher baseline, straight up to a hundred.

By the day the tournament ended, his name was on everyone's lips. Coupled with his handsome, sunny looks and perpetually smiling face, he won the hearts of nearly every girl in the school overnight.

With those striking dark gray eyes, Edren dominated the top spot on the school forum's “Most Popular Boys” list by a landslide margin, making him the number one rival among the boys.

But you know how it is with boys—their grudges are like the wind across the grasslands. No matter how fierce it blows, after a few scuffles, it dissipates without a trace. After gaining fame, Edren did get into several fights, always returning home covered in dirt and bruises. Yet he never made any real enemies. On the contrary, he gained more friends.

Edren's fan club even recruited male members.

Shouldn't having someone as amazing as Edren as a friend make you happy? How could anyone bear to genuinely dislike him?

Speaking of Edren's fan club, one must never underestimate the power of fandom.

These members possessed the fastest information channels—Edren's morning provocation toward Olivette had already spread throughout the entire town's middle school in no time.

They also possess the most straightforward reaction—if Edren dislikes Olivette, then they dislike Olivette too.

In just one morning, Olivette's life underwent a complete upheaval. Thanks to this, his dull and uneventful high school life began to take on a vibrant new color.

First, when he needed to take notes, he discovered his pencil was missing. Then, heading to football practice, he couldn't find his jersey...

Olivette searched every locker in the changing room, but his clothes were nowhere to be found.

“Hurry up, don't test my patience,” the coach whistled as he entered the locker room, tapping each player's locker door in turn. The metal doors clanged loudly, their screeching sound forcing everyone to speed up.

Olivette scanned the room, finally resigning himself to pulling his T-shirt back over his head. His cousin Benny trailed behind the group, shooting him a pitying look with no intention of helping.

The rugby players gradually assembled on the field. Olivette was the last to step into formation.

As captain, Olivette stood out starkly among his teammates in their white jerseys, wearing just a plain T-shirt—especially since it was black.

The coach stopped before him, slowly holding up five fingers. No words needed. Five laps first.

Without a word, Olivette charged onto the track. His long legs carried him forward in wide strides, his pace swift. His tall, straight posture, handsome features, and silent, stern demeanor would have been captivating on anyone else. Unfortunately, he was Olivette. Girls dared to tease him—because he never retaliated—but they never dared to provoke him.

On the bleachers, a group of girls sat huddled together, whispering. Olivette recognized them. Most of their conversations revolved around Edren. But now, even a fool could guess they were discussing him—likely about his jersey. He didn’t let it bother him. Hiding pencils, hiding jerseys—these were mere trifles, not worth his attention.

What troubled him was something else. Edren seemed angry with him. He hadn’t even realized what he’d done wrong. If Edren's fan club's harmless pranks could lift his mood, Olivette didn't mind letting them play around a few more days—as long as they didn't overstep.

Pulling his jersey off the tree once more, Olivette brushed off the dust, determined to hurry to practice. He'd been late several days in a row searching for his jersey, and the coach hadn't let him off lightly.

He hadn't taken more than a few steps when someone blocked his path.

Looks like he'd be late again. Olivette glanced at the figures before him, feeling a mix of resignation and exasperation. It was those girls again—they'd been crossing paths a bit too often lately.

Olivette didn't want to engage in pointless arguments, the most undignified thing in the world. He stepped aside, intending to slip past them.

But they weren't about to let him pass. After days of testing the waters, they'd apparently discovered Olivette was surprisingly easy to bully, emboldening them enough to stand directly in his path.

“You think bullying Edren is just going to slide?” The leader stood on tiptoe, trying to tower over him. “Nothing in this world is that simple.”

“I didn't bully him,” Olivette replied, offering a rare explanation.

The girl ignored him, arms crossed over her chest, her expression haughty. “I don't believe you! If you hadn't bullied Edren, why would he hate you? You know Edren's always been so easygoing!”

Perhaps the words “he hates you” struck a nerve. Despite his restraint, Olivette seethed—regardless of whether it was true. His upbringing had taught him considerable tolerance, but this time was different.

The girl had no idea she’d stepped on his landmine. Her lips fluttered as she unleashed a torrent of accusations. Olivette heard none of it. Reaching his limit, he ignored the girls' screams, hoisting one after another by the waist and setting them down on the over-three-foot-high wall.

Their waves of shrieks drew a large crowd of onlookers, including Olivette's rugby coach.

The coach shot Olivette a helpless, reproachful look, but the latter showed no intention of apologizing, simply turning his head away.

“You, and you—come help.” The coach had no choice but to call out names, directing several tall onlookers to rescue the girls from the wall one by one.

“As for you,” the coach called out to Olivette once the crowd dispersed, “same as always. Go run laps.”

Without a word, Olivette started running again.

After the rugby team finished their training session, they dispersed to rest. Benny sat on the edge of the grass, counting the laps Olivette ran. By the tenth lap, Benny set down his water bottle and followed.

Footsteps echoed behind him, and Olivette knew who it was without turning. He didn't slow down as the figure drew near; instead, he picked up the pace.

“Oli.” Benny had to quicken his stride to catch up, running alongside him on his right. “It's this late. Do you think the patrol will come back?”

Olivette glanced at him sideways, his expression neutral. “You should know better than I do.”

“Just wanted to confirm. This year's been anything but peaceful.” Benny flicked his tongue against his upper canine tooth—a habitual gesture—his voice tinged with restless excitement. “No telling how long they'll stay this time. I can't wait to spar with them.”

“You'll lose.” Olivette shattered his fantasy.

But his cold water didn't dampen Benny's enthusiasm; it only fueled his fighting spirit: “Losing is just temporary. I'll beat them all soon enough.”

Olivette sighed helplessly. Benny made such bold claims every other day. He should be used to it by now, but every time he heard it, he couldn't help but cringe for him.

“One more year, just one more year until I come of age. Thinking about it fills me with motivation!”

Benny was seventeen this year, one year older than Olivette. After completing his coming-of-age ceremony in a year, he could take the Patrol Team entrance exam. Passing it would grant him official membership.

The Hawksons were renowned for their physical prowess, and the Patrol Team represented the cream of their crop. Becoming a Patrol member not only allowed one to contribute to the family but was also an immense honor.

Benny's father, Zoe, was the Patrol captain. Though they'd spent little time together growing up, this hadn't created much distance between them. On the contrary, their shared blood and similar personalities meant they always had endless topics to discuss in their limited time together. Benny's school life and his father's Patrol adventures were their favorite subjects.

It was precisely because of his father's influence that Benny was exceptionally focused on becoming a full-fledged patrol member—at least more so than his cousin.

Compared to Benny's excitement, Olivette seemed much more subdued, as if what Benny was saying had nothing to do with him, even though this was also the path he intended to take.

“Don't worry, Olivette. You're only a year behind me.” Benny waved a finger holding up a ‘1’ in front of Olivette's face, then wrapped his other arm around his cousin's shoulder. The gesture severely disrupted Olivette's running stride, and he pushed him away without hesitation.

“You know I'm just trying to cheer you up, Olly?” Benny said.

“I don't.”

“That's because your EQ is too low.”

Olivette didn't respond. He lengthened his stride, widening the gap between himself and Benny.

Benny made no move to chase him. He slowed his pace and eventually stopped. He returned to the team, keeping an eye on his cousin's every move amidst the players' chatter.

Joining the patrol was the ultimate honor, a legacy their clan took pride in. Yet the price was a life of constant wandering. Thinking of this, Benny felt a sense of understanding. By that logic, Olivette had only two more years to stay put in the small town. Watching his cousin's retreating figure, he sighed heavily, feigning profound thought.