Back To School

6:30 am, Kai got to school early, as he had predicted raining sometime later. It was a much better idea to arrive early and avoid the rain. Usually students would have to gather at the parade square for the National Anthem, and the Flag Raising Ceremony, but since it would rain soon, students would then go straight to their classes.

"Ahhh!" a clumsy girl slipped, and fell off the stairs… and onto Kai, who was on his way to his class.

"I, I am really sorry! Are you hurt?" the girl realizes she landed on someone.

Kai recovered from the shock and saw that his belongings littered across the floor due to the impact, and mumbled, "Oh man…"

Still on top of the victim, the girl asked again, "Are you okay?"

"You... wh, what are you doing to my daughter?!" a middle-aged woman appeared and pushed Kai aside, helping the girl up.

"You…! How dare you?! I must report you to the Principal!" the woman shrieked.

The girl looked up and greeted, "M... Mother."

Turning towards the girl again, the woman started speaking non-stop, "Dear, what did this boy do to you?! He must have attacked you! Let's immediately contact the police… and a doctor… I'll get Dr. Joseph to give you a checkup!"

The girl smiled, as if to say she's fine, and replied softly, "its okay… we only bumped into each other."

"Tch, I really cannot believe that there would be a beast attending this school! I did not know this!"

Shocked by the series of events, the victim becomes angered. "I'm the one who's hurt here! And I'm no beast; I'm Kai, first year 'A' class!"

"Hmph, that is why I said that an all-girls school would be better! Or at least a private school! That idiot of a manager! He probably lied when he introduced us to his school! "This school provides optimal learning environment"? "Only the best goes to this school"? What a joke! We must make a complaint about this afterwards!"

Being ignored, Kai tried to cut in, "H… hey! Listen!"

Without sparing him a second look, the woman grabbed the girl's hands, and quickly left with the girl. The girl looked back and mouthed the word "sorry" as she was dragged away by her mother.

"Just my luck, what rubbish! What kind of crap! What... forget it. Not worth my time." Kai quickly dropped the rage and calmed down.

It's just another Monday - typical classes bore the heck out of Kai. Perhaps he could do History, Languages, Sciences, but he definitely loathes Maths. He truly believes that Math is just not for everyone, and most people would never use what they learn beyond a certain level.

"Alright class, we have someone new joining our class today!" The young teacher happily clapped her hands, garnering attention from the noisy class. The class quietened down quickly, all curious about the newcomer.

Just then, a girl walks in, and looks around nervously, and shyly said "I, I'm Elaine, nice to meet you all."

"It's her." Kai easily recognized the clumsy girl who fell on him earlier. As if he could foresee trouble brewing, Kai quickly hid, hugging his head, enduring the headache. He definitely did not want to be associated with someone who already brought him trouble on their first meeting.

Unfortunately, Elaine has already spotted him, and her eyes brightens up, smiling happily about being in the same class. Although there wasn't an empty seat near him, Elaine's assigned seat was at a pretty good angle, allowing her to stare at him throughout the lessons.

A beauty like Elaine was a fresh addition to the line of pretty girls in class, and easily captured the attention of almost all the boys in class. However the blatant staring at Kai was quickly recognized by everyone in class, begetting numerous whispers, and countless classmates looked back and forth between Elaine and Kai, wondering if she had a crush, or if they knew each other.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Kai decided to block it all out - being a loner, he was never on close terms with anyone to begin with. Finally the bell rang for break - Kai quickly darted out of the classroom before Elaine could approach him.

Instead of going to the canteen for food, Kai hid out in the library, just so he could avoid Elaine. Unsure why he knew she would approach him, he simply decided it was better to not give her a chance to bring more trouble.

All Kai could think about is getting out of school, changing out of his uniform, and get to the arcade. That's where he truly enjoys himself. Various games of E-Sports. These are the actual "subjects" that he enjoys.

Meanwhile Elaine explores the school under the guidance of a big group of boys, and a few girls. But all she did was look around, hoping to spot Kai. After the tour, the group settles down to chat at the school's park.

"So... Elaine, do you actually know Kai? It seemed like you were looking at him during class." One of the boys finally asked the question that was on everybody's mind.

"Oh, uh... no. So that's his name..."

"Do you... Oof!" Everyone knew what was going to be his question, but obviously weren't prepared for it - one of them stepped on his leg, another put his arm around him tightly... shutting him up.

"Kai does look kinda cute..." One of the girls thinks Elaine has a crush on him.

Hearing that, the boys become even more agitated.

"Doesn't matter how he looks, he never hangs out with us. We probably spend more time with Elaine than we ever did with him this whole semester!"

"That's true. He's such a loner. He daydreams all the time, and never hangs out with any of us."

"Brrrrr-ring!" The bell rings, signaling the end of the break.

The Monday was much hated because it was Maths class!

Before long, Kai, and several other students fell asleep on the desk. As if expected this outcome, the teacher ignored the sleeping students and continued to "spray sleeping gas" around the classroom.

"Brrrrrr-ring!" Finally the long awaited last bell! Getting out of school, rushing home, Kai is finally ready to go to the arcade.