4 Chapter 3. Essay competition (1)

Chapter 3. Essay competition (1)

"We are going to be have a essay competition in our school next week."

When Shiki sensei announced that, the students started murmuring among themselves.

"I haven't wrote a essay for years."

"I wonder if there would be some sort of prize."

"I hope it isn't mandatory to enter. I really suck at essays."

"Can't we have a video game competition or something?"

As the students were murmuring, Shiki sensei sighed and said.

"Listen to the whole announcement, first. The contest will be mandatory for all and there would be one winner for every class and the winner for every class will compete against each other for the prize money."

"I wonder how much is the prize money?"

"It's going to be a hassle if you want to win."

"Yeah, the winner would be probably from a literature club or a book club."

"Do those kind of clubs even exist?"

"Silent!!"

With Shiki sensei shout, the students again fell into a silence. Shiki sensei again sighed heavily and said.

"I am not finished yet. The competition will be held on Friday next week and there would be no classes that day. So, you could leave after submitting your essay."

With that the students all burst into excitement. They were all troubled by the pressure of exams and hearing that, they can leave early flushed them with excitement.

There were many students who were already making plans like going to karaoke or a movie. The essay competition had given them a opportunity to relax for a bit.

As Ren was watching the class filled with excitement, Kei tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Ren what do you think about that?"

"About what?"

"Of course, the essay competition. Do you also want to finish early and hang out like them?"

Kei said as he pointed towards the group of kids happily making plans.

"I don't know. What about you?"

"I will probably write it till the end."

"Huh, you aren't the type to write till the end. Instead of writing, you will probably read a light novel or something."

Ren said as he stared at Kei confusingly. He knew that Kei wasn't the type to take things seriously. The only things he take seriously are light novels, mangas and anime.

"Well, I thought I will give writing a chance."

"You. Writing?"

"Yeah, it's seems fun. I thought I will take something seriously for once."

"You wanted to take something seriously and you choosed writing."

"Yeah."

Ren didn't knew what to think of it. Kei was taking interest in writing suddenly. He was confused by this but he didn't try to ask him the reason behind this. Ren knew that everyone has their own secrets.

"You are acting weirdly these days."

When Ren heard Kei's words, he was somewhat startled. The last thing he want was anyone finding about his identity.

"....You think so?"

Kei nodded his head at Ren's words and said.

"Yeah, you have been slightly weird these days. It's like you got somewhat mature suddenly."

"Maybe, it's just your imagination."

Kei shook his head at Ren's words and said.

"No, it isn't my imagination. You are suddenly taking interest in books. Previously, you only read some light novels but now, I see you reading those literature books everytime. You even had a smiling expression reading those."

"I have just taken a sudden interest in books."

"I think it's more than just a sudden interest. Are you thinking of going to a literary college or something."

"Literary college?"

Hearing the word literary college, Ren suddenly thought of the time when he used to study in the literary college.

It was also the time when his first book was released. He had suddenly gotten famous in the campus and everyone had started recognising him.

Professors had started giving him attention and they always looked at him with smiles. He had also gotten popular among the girls.

His popularity was so high that the campus queen had confessed to him and they had started dating. Of course, the relationship between them didn't last long and they broke up after a year but it was a time of his life that Ren can't forget.

It was the start of his fame and his destruction. How could he forget about that.

"Ren, Ren, are you even listening to me?"

"Ha, sorry, I was just thinking about something."

Ren quickly broke out of his stupor when he heard Kei's voice.

"Do you want to visit the bookstore later? I wanted to buy a book on essays."

"Ah, sure, I wanted to buy some books too."

Ren answered with a smile on his face. He don't know why but he was now looking forward to the essay competition.

* * *

In the staff room of teachers, Shiki sensei sighed as he soon as he sat down in his seat.

"Are you worried about something? Shiki sensei."

Shiki sensei turned his head towards the voice and noticed that the one who asked the question was Hinata sensei who was a chemistry teacher.

"It's nothing. I am just worried about that kids nowadays are more interested in video games than books."

"Hahaha, Isn't that obvious. Teenagers nowadays are more interested in games and movies than books."

Hinata sensei said with a laugh. She was a young female teacher who was still in her 20s. So, she could better understand the students mentality.

"Is it about the essay competition?"

Another teacher asked and Shiki sensei just nodded at that.

"Times are really degrading. When I announced in my class that there will be a essay competition, all the students were just happy about the fact that there would be no classes. No one seems to care about the competition."

This time it was Sato sensei who spoke. He was the oldest teacher in the school and was nearing his 50s.

"It was the same in my class."

"Me too. They really don't care about the essay competition."

"They are just happy that they will be able to leave school early."

Hearing the conversation several teachers shared their grievances and sighed. They were upset that students were more interested in leaving school early than the essay competition.

"Nakai sensei must be feeling bad."

Hinata sensei said as she looked at Nakai sensei who was silently reading a book in the corner.

Hearing her words, all the teachers looked at Nakai sensei but he didn't say anything and just continued to read his book.

For him reading a book was more interesting than a conversation.

"Yeah, Nakai sensei, you even pushed for the essay competition. Aren't you feeling bad that students aren't interested in it?"

A teacher asked him but Nakai sensei still didn't answered. He was still focusing on his book.

All the teachers just sighed seeing his behaviour. They all know that Nakai sensei wasn't the talkative type.

He was the literature teacher and it's been five years since he had started teaching in this school and his behaviour and attitude hadn't changed at all.

Although his attitude had pissed some of the teachers but they do not do anything as he teaches well and do his work diligently. It was just that he was more interested in reading books.

After sometime, Nakai sensei finally put down his book and smiled while looking out of the window.

"I wish there can be someone who can surprise me in this competition."

He muttered under his breath and continued to smile while looking outside the window.