Chapter 20: Present it Against all Odds, Suzuki!

"Oh no, what do I do?" Finally, the school bell rang. "Uhu, I can't do it." He put his head on the desk. Unable to bear what was coming, he was just there until he heard his name called on for the third time.

"Suzuki-San." Said the professor as he placed his hand on his bicep. "Are you okay?" He asked him with worry in his tone.

"Hmm." Hummed Suzuki, looking at him.

"Well, you need to present now." He smiled at Suzuki. Eager to hear Suzuki's voice, he stepped away and back to his desk and allowed him to take his time.

After a short while, Tora got up and told the class. "Now, we'll start with our presentations." He typically gestured. "Some will be able to go today, and some will have a chance for tomorrow, and so on until everyone goes." Then, he explained it to the whole class.

"As I have previously stated. For presentations, please speak loud and clear. No one is here to judge you." He inwardly made sure he was making a soft expression while looking in Suzuki's direction.

Struggling to maintain his calm, Suzuki shook and replayed the entire situation several times inside his head. "Oh, I'm going to mess up so bad." Then, he finally managed to open up his presentation.

"I'm going to fail this." Suzuki gnawed his teeth. As time passed, he grew more anxious. Finally, unable to bear it, he felt the need to get it over.

"And do remember that your peers and I will make a critiqued feedback comment for your convenience," Tora said as he gestured for Suzuki to get up and begin plugging in all the components to the television.

While doing so, Suzuki was such a nervous wreck that everyone could tell. The sweat dripped from his nose to the floor. His red flushed cheeks couldn't handle the embarrassment. "They're all looking." He finished plugging in the computer to the TV.

"What a mess." He inwardly commented as he stood upright and walked over to the center of the class. A good-looking guy drenched in sweat was a hot scene for his classmates.

The entire class was unable to take their eyes off of him. They waited patiently.

Though everything and everyone was ready, Suzuki stood there, unable to utter a word. His hands were sweating, and his lips were hurting from all the biting.

Suzuki kept replaying the same message in his head. Finally, he stood there looking down. "Get it over with." He numerously repeated the phrase, and finally, for the last time, he looked up.

He pulled his hands out of his pockets. Heavily breathing, it seemed inevitable for him to drop and hyperventilate, but he stood through it and finally controlled his breathing. Though it wasn't normal, it was under control for the time being.

"H-Hello, I'm Suzuki. I will be presenting the physics of gravity." He spoke hastily and nervously.

Placing his hand into his jacket's right pocket, he pulled a small note card that was allowed per student. He cleared his throat, but it started throbbing.

Holding back the tears and the emotional waves of distress had driven him into a corner of despair. "What do I do?" He asked inwardly, noticing the corner of his card drenched in his sweaty fingers.

"I can't." He said, wanting to give up. "They're probably laughing right now." He uttered out under his breath.

Lifting his head, he noticed the silent class; he felt a jolt of energy in tune with him. "They're not laughing?" He blushed. Feeling the need to cry, he lowered his head and placed his hoodie over his head. Holding back the tears, he was in relief.

This time, Suzuki cleared his throat and kept his head down. "Gravity is a natural phenomenon by which all things with mass or energy including planets, stars, galaxies, and even light — are attracted to one another."

He spoke slowly but was able to explain. Then, noticing that he had calmed down, he ended his speech by lifting his head and looking at his classmates, who applauded him for his efforts.