《Senior High Reviewer》


 Chapter 1: First Day

    "The youth is the hope of the nation" ¨C one powerful line etched into the minds of present-day Filipinos, courtesy of the legendary Jose Rizal. He was known far and wide as a Filipino hero and a wordsmith extraordinaire, and Rizal''s writings still resonate today. His work isn''t just ink on paper; it''s a rallying call for every Filipino to embrace nationalism. Rizal''s spirit lives on, urging the youth to be the beacon of hope for our nation.


    Jose Rizal''s famous quote always relies on the students expecting to do their best to achieve higher for the nation''s sake.


    But the question is: how ideal is his statement?


    Several generations have passed since the death of Jose Rizal, and numerous waves of people have succeeded one another. As the years have progressed, poverty has not disappeared from the Philippines. It continues to worsen. Poverty stands out as a critical issue plaguing the nation, and one contributing factor is students discontinuing their pursuit of education.


    Many young people are choosing to leave school, whether it be college, high school, or even elementary school. There could be various reasons behind this decision, such as early employment, early parenthood, or difficulty coping with education. However, some individuals are not taking education seriously, which leads to dropping out.


    Childhood experiences are something with which everyone can relate. However, as time passes, it becomes increasingly clear that poverty rates are worsening with each new generation. Abandoning education eventually leads to a lack of quality employment opportunities, which, in turn, becomes a significant burden on society.


    So the question remains: Are the youth indeed the hope of a nation?


    However, it''s important to remember that students are not all the same. People have different abilities, and not everyone learns in the same way. Some may find certain subjects challenging, but it''s unfair to label them as "stupid" or "lazy." Each person has their strengths, or some may excel in intelligence, while others shine in various skills.


    Becoming a genius is extremely rare, with only 1 in 1000 people falling into that category. Apart from being a genius, society also highly values skills. Being skilled in a particular area is considered a mark of professionalism. Encouraging skill development helps create a society that recognizes and rewards different talents, making it a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.


    Regardless of deciding on who¡¯s valuable or the so-called hope of the nation, everyone is a candidate. It just depends on whether they can prove their value.


    But can someone who¡¯s sleeping in class prove their self-worth?


    In a particular school, within a classroom, the sun streamed in intensely, casting its warmth across the room. With the clock striking 9 in the morning, it was no surprise that the atmosphere inside had become sweltering. Despite the rising temperature, a male student remained sound asleep in the class.


    ¡°Wake up.¡±


    The person beside him tried to wake him up, but he didn''t respond. They tapped his shoulder, but he still didn''t react. Eventually, they had to shake him vigorously to snap him out of his deep sleep.


    ¡°...huh?¡± Finally, he woke up and lifted his head from resting on the table.


    ¡°Hey, the teacher is looking at you.¡± His seatmate lowly said.


    After overhearing his seatmate''s comment, he noticed everyone staring. Looking ahead, he saw his female teacher also gazing at him.


    ¡°Well, you''re impressive, sleeping on the first day of school.¡± The teacher said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± He seemed confused.


    ¡°Name.¡± the teacher mentioned.


    ¡°Huh?¡± He seemed confused again.


    ¡°I¡¯m asking for your name.¡± the teacher reiterated.


    ¡°...huh?¡± He appeared confused and didn¡¯t understand what the teacher said.


    ¡°Are you deaf? I¡¯m asking for your name.¡±


    ¡°Hey, just say your name.¡± His seatmate whispered.


    The person in mind appeared lost in thought and fixated on the teacher¨Cdespite his seatmate speaking to him.


    ¡°Well?!¡± The teacher slightly raised her tone.


    Before things escalated, his seatmate answered, ¡°Ma''am, his name is Adri¨¢n Cabanas.¡±


    The teacher glanced at the person who spoke and quipped, "Well, well, well, it had to be your seatmate who answered. You never fail to impress me." Then she shifted her focus back to Adrian and said with a hint of disappointment, "Mr. Cabanas, we''re only on the first day of class, and you''ve already earned yourself a demerit."


    ¡°...¡± Adrian remained silent.


    The classroom was silent as Adrian remained unresponsive. The teacher took a deep breath and looked around at the eager faces staring back at her. "Listen up, class," she began with a determined tone. "Your future career depends on the effort you put in now. Without hard work, college might not be an option for any of you."


    That''s a fact. Several colleges impose high standards on their prospective students. As a result, many high school graduates opt to start working instead of pursuing higher education.


    The teacher spoke to the class, emphasizing that their achievements determine their success. "Until you prove yourselves, you are worth nothing. It''s either climb the ladder of success or fall flat on your face. That is the harsh reality," she declared. Turning to Adrian, she remarked that his behavior would impact his evaluation and potentially jeopardize his college aspirations. However, since it was only the first day, she overlooked it. "But if you do it again," she warned, "I''m not sure whether you''ll be college-bound."


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    ¡°....¡± Adrian still hasn''t said anything or even flinch.


    The teacher no longer minds Adrian''s silence and proceeds with the class. Since it''s only the first day, they focused on self-introductions and an overview of rules and regulations. The teacher also offered insights into the subject she would be teaching and outlined what students could expect. Introducing herself as Dolores Gloria Miranda, she specializes in Disciplines and Ideas in Social Science.


    After introducing herself, she proceeded to facilitate the introduction of each student in the class. The self-introduction of the students was carried out row by row.


    The introductions followed a straightforward format: sharing their name, age, birthdate, hobbies, and even their parents'' names. While including parents'' names might seem unusual to some, it''s a unique aspect of introductions here in the Philippines, adding a touch of cultural richness to the exchange.


    The process continued until it reached the middle row, where Adrian was seated. Students in that row were called one after another, except for Adrian.


    As Adrian prepared to rise, Ma¡¯am Miranda intervened, remarking, "Mr. Cabanas, there''s no need for introductions. Your true nature has already made quite an impression.¡±


    ¡°...¡± Adrian doesn''t say anything.


    With his buttocks briefly lifted from the chair, he settled back down. A hush enveloped the room as all eyes focused on him. Without delay, the self-introduction resumed seamlessly. The introductions of the others proceeded without a hitch.


    A subject had only had an hour before another teacher with a new subject took over the class. So, after Ma¡¯am Miranda''s time¨Cshe left the room, and another teacher came in.


    Following Ma''am Miranda''s session, a male teacher took over. Like Ma''am Miranda, he started the class by introducing himself and revealing the subject he would cover. Furthermore, mirroring the previous session with Ma''am Miranda, the students were once again asked to present themselves, sharing details such as their name, age, birthdate, hobbies, and parents'' names.


    However, this time, there was a unique twist: two students had to ask each other about their profiles and then share the gathered information with the class. The pairing happened with their seatmates, making the process swift without any problem.


    Given the change in teachers this time around, Adrian can fully participate. He chats with his partner like it''s no big deal, tossing questions and getting answers with a seamless flow. It''s so chill, almost like they''ve been doing it forever. The whole thing feels easygoing and natural. After spending some time conversing, each pair takes the stage to present the life profile they''ve gathered from their partner.


    ¡°Adrian Cabanas, Age: 17 years old. He likes to play games. And his father was Rodrigo, while his mother was Martita.¡± Presented by Adrian''s partner.


    The introduction ended fine. Everyone was able to convey theirs.


    Similarly to Ma''am Miranda, there was just an hour in his class before another teacher took over. So, after he wrapped things up and left, another teacher came in.


    Just like the other two teachers earlier, this new one also does the same as them. It introduced itself and explained its subject.


    Now you think about it, it was the norm that the first day should be an introduction. It was too typical that every batch always does that, from kindergarten until this grade level. It was so repetitive that it felt hypnotic. The only thing that differed was how they did the self-introduction of the students.


    And so, every subject had its unique way of conducting self-introductions, each with its gimmick. When the clock struck noon, the last teacher announced, "Alright, everyone, it''s break time."


    Upon hearing the teacher''s words, a buzz of activity filled the room as everyone began to stand up from their seats. Some stretched, shaking off the stiffness, while others immediately engaged in lively conversations with their friends, much like Adrian''s seatmate. The classroom transformed into a dynamic scene of movement and socializing, signaling the well-deserved break had begun.


    "Hey, what''s up with you?" His seatmate posed a question, then continued, "Why aren''t you answering the teacher and just staring at her? That''s why you got scolded."


    Adrian can¡¯t find a good reason and just say, ¡°Well¡­ there are a lot of things on my mind lately¡­.¡± and scratch his head with a finger.


    ¡°What''s the problem? Have a house-related problem?¡±


    ¡°No¡­.¡±


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can¡¯t tell about it¡­.¡±


    His seatmate sighed and said, ¡°Fine. But to let you know, I¡¯m here to help whether you have a problem.¡±


    ¡°Right, thanks.¡±


    As this topic wraps up, voices emanate from the front.


    Continuing where it left off about what the students do when the break time starts. There are who went asked the teacher, ¡°Sir, kindly ask, where¡¯s the canteen?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the first floor,¡± the teacher replied.


    After getting the answer, they thanked the teacher before leaving the room.


    As this exchange happened, Adrian''s seatmate suddenly asked, ¡°Hey, wanna check out the canteen?¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­.¡± Adrian accepted. And he then followed, ¡°But first, I have to go to the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait here then.¡±


    "Thanks, won''t take long," Adrian said as he walked away.


    He needed to go to the bathroom, but he wasn''t sure where it was. Unable to ask the teacher, who had already left, Adrian exited the room and strolled through the hallway. While walking, he noticed some other students passing by, apparently heading towards the stairs.


    "Looks like it''s break time for them as well," he mused, watching them exit their room.


    Curiosity led him to glance further down the hallway. Oddly enough, some classrooms were still in session.


    Unfair, right? Why do some get a break while others don''t?


    Well, it turns out that¡¯s not the case at all.


    Break time spans an hour, just like any other subject. However, with the school brimming with students, they¡¯ve devised a system. Two break times to accommodate everyone, neatly splitting the student body and assigning them schedules. In Adrian''s case, they only get 30 minutes of respite. His crew''s on the noon shift, and the second half gets their break at 12:30.


    Realizing he only has 30 minutes, he picks up the pace in his quest for the bathroom. Swiftly, he discovers it tucked away in the corner. Once inside, he turns on the faucet, allowing the water to cascade over his face, refreshing him in the brief reprieve.


    Gazing into the mirror, he mutters, "I''m here..." His reflection, almost like a silent confidant, continues to stare back. His hands touch his face, wipe it down, rub his eyes, and then, almost trance-like, it resumes its stare.


    Luckily, the bathroom is empty, sparing him from being labeled as odd. Yet, he pays no mind, especially when he puts on a serious expression while lost in his thoughts.

 Chapter 2: Warning

    Senior High.


    It marked a new era in the Philippine education system, introduced in 2012 under the K-12 program, encompassing education from kindergarten to twelfth grade.


    Unlike other countries with a three-year middle school and three-year high school structure, the Philippine system extends high school to six years, covering grades 7 to 12.


    However, Senior High operates independently within the high school, comprising two years¡ªgrades 11 and 12. The subjects taught during Senior High differ from those in the regular high school grades, marking a distinct educational phase.


    To provide clarity, Senior High and College are distinct entities. Initially, the plan was for High School to end at grade 10, and then students could go on to College. However, a new grade level, Senior High, has been introduced. The program''s expansion aims to align the country''s education system with other nations.


    The college typically takes four years to complete, though sometimes it may take two years, depending on the course. But let''s set aside the discussion about college and focus solely on Senior High.


    When comparing Senior High and College, there are some similarities. In college, where students choose courses, while in Senior High, there are options known as strands. These strands follow a similar academic process to college courses. Courses and strands both concentrate on a specific field, teaching the essential aspects needed for a particular job. Strands also cover foundational knowledge, connecting to a job, or preparing Senior High students for college. Additionally, strands have become a requirement for some college courses, with specific strands needed to enter certain programs.


    In conclusion, Senior High aims to prepare students for College and beyond, or at least that''s the official line. There might be speculation about the real reasons behind Senior High, but we won''t delve into that. The key takeaway is that Senior High is now a crucial part of the Philippine education system. It''s a prerequisite for College, and some high schools are adapting, embracing an additional two years of secondary education. It establishes a two-level structure: Lower Secondary Education, covering grades 7 to 10, and Upper Secondary Education, comprising grades 11 to 12.


    Turning our attention back to secondary education, numerous schools have integrated senior high alongside the other grade levels at high school. However, there are also schools exclusively dedicated to senior high students, including the one Adrian currently enrolled in¡ªBonifacio High. But let''s set aside discussions about the school for now and pick up where we left off.


    ¡°Hey, what are you getting?¡± Adrian''s seatmate asked him.


    It was the same day Adrian got scolded for dozing off on the first day of class. It''s right after he made a quick escape to the bathroom.


    He headed to the canteen with his seatmate, who was not just any seatmate but a good friend from Junior High. His name is Jose Batungbakal, and they''ve been classmates since grade 7. Remarkably, they''ve managed to end up in the same class every year since then.


    How is it weird? In the Philippines, just like in other countries, there''s a system where students get shuffled and distributed randomly to different sections as they move up to the next grade level. With the system in place, the chances of ending up in the same section as before are slim. The fact that Adrian and Jose were placed in the same section again was unbelievable.


    Although it may seem exaggerated, considering that the student population in each grade level is not extremely high, it''s also not so low as to rule out the chances of being grouped with different people. Besides, Junior High spans four years, providing sufficient opportunities to have random classmates. Yet, they persist in being classmates for more than five years, including this one.


    At this point, taking it as fate would be unreasonable. It might sound like the plot of a romantic comedy, but such scenarios often only work in fiction. In reality, such occurrences are rare. Also, without belittling anyone, both Adrian and Jose are male and heterosexual.


    But anyway, returning to the coincidence of being classmates for four years. Throughout those years, they only became friends in their 4th year, grade 10. They grew close with the pretense of being classmates again. Yet, even though their friendship is relatively recent, they more or less understand each other''s personalities. While they might not label each other as best buddies, it''s close to that. They can even tease and roast each other like it''s nothing.


    Enough about their friendship; let''s delve back into their current activity. At this moment, they''re in front of the canteen counter, their eyes fixed on the array of food items, creating a symphony of contemplative hums. Despite the repeated inquiries from the kitchen staff, they find themselves trapped in a loop of indecision. It''s not the abundance of choices causing this situation, but rather the steep prices. The rapid rise of inflation has caught them off guard, impacting the affordability of the items on display.


    "You two haven''t decided yet? You know you guys only have 10 minutes, right?" said the kitchen staff.


    ¡°Oh, sh*t!¡± Jose emphasized.


    Both found themselves tardy at the canteen, the delay primarily caused by Adrian''s extended bathroom visit. Now, with only 10 minutes remaining, they are pressed for time.


    What happened was that Adrian was absorbed in the bathroom mirror and spent an unusual amount of time examining his reflection. While engaged in this personal moment, a group of boys entered the bathroom, catching him in the act. The room fell into an awkward silence as the boys halted their conversation, attempting to discreetly navigate around Adrian without making eye contact. Eventually, Adrian, realizing the discomfort of the situation, decided to exit the bathroom.


    ¡°Okay, I''ll go with this one,¡± Adrian finally declared.


    ¡°What? We''ve only got 10 minutes! There''s no time to eat,¡± Jose argued.


    ¡°Oh, it''s fine. We can wolf it down in time.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? And where exactly are we supposed to sit?¡±


    Scanning the area, they noticed that every table had occupants. And this was the second challenge they had to confront, aside from the ticking clock.


    ¡°What now?¡± Jose asked.


    ¡°...¡±


    As Adrian ponders the situation, a spot suddenly becomes available. Fortunately, a group of girls finished their food and vacated the area.


    ¡°Look, there''s an available table.¡± Adrian marked it.


    ¡°...¡±


    Jose gazes at Adrian in a mix of disbelief and realization. They find themselves in a situation that is both fortunate and unfortunate.


    Adrian ordered his food, clutching it in his hands. Witnessing what Adrian did, Jose let out a resigned sigh and said, ¡°Fine. I''ll take this one, please.¡±


    With limited options, Jose reluctantly made his choice. There was no turning back; they had to eat swiftly.


    Once their orders were in hand, they wasted no time and rushed towards the recently vacated spot left by the departing group of girls. Every second counted, and they needed to secure the spot before someone else claimed it. Despite the urgency, the dwindling time didn''t deter them; they pressed on, determined to make the most of the little time they had left.


    After a brisk walk, they finally reached the table left vacant by the girls. Without hesitation, they took their seats and dug into their meals. Time was of the essence, with the break rapidly drawing to a close. The canteen hummed with the lively chatter of students enjoying their meals. However, amidst the bustling crowd, a sense of urgency distinguished Adrian and Jose from others. They devoured their food at that moment, as the duo rushed against time as the break''s end loomed over them.


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    As they ate their food relentlessly, a group of three went to their table and suddenly asked, ¡°Excuse me, is this part occupied?¡±


    Upon hearing the question, Adrian and Jose paused mid-bite and exchanged a glance. Without much contemplation, they simultaneously responded, "No, it''s just us."


    ¡°So, can we sit here?¡±


    The table at which Adrian and Jose are seated is lengthy. So, someone asked them if the other side was preoccupied. Since it was only the two of them, they thought it might be selfish to keep the whole table to themselves and didn''t want to be rude to the others. So, they quickly offered, "Please, go ahead and sit on the other side."


    After the three took their seats and began their meals, Adrian and Jose resumed theirs. A few moments elapsed since their initial interaction, and then, one of the trio on the opposite side of the table queried Adrian and Jose, "Hey, you two. Are both of you first-year students?"


    Jose paused mid-bite, responding, "Yes, we are."


    "Okay, can I ask what time your break was?" inquired one of the trio.


    "Um¡­ It''s 12. Is there any problem?" Jose replied.


    ¡°Well, aren''t you guys aware that your break time is already over?¡±


    "We''re aware, and that''s why we''re hurrying. But by asking that, how did you know we''re first-year students?"


    "Well, actually, we''re in grade 12, so more or less, we know the faces around here."


    "Okay. But even so, how did you conclude that we''re running late based on your earlier question?"


    The question about their break time seemed oddly out of place, almost as if the trio was already aware that Adrian and Jose were running late. The sudden question felt random unless they had something specific to say important.


    "You two look rushed, so maybe you guys are behind time, I thought."


    "That''s some keen observation. Yes, we''re running late."


    ¡°You two should hurry up.¡±


    "That''s what we''re doing right now," Jose said as he resumed eating.


    "I can see that, but are you two aware it''s already 20 minutes past your break?"


    "Wait, what?!" Jose exclaimed after catching the upperclassman''s remark. He quickly checked his phone and noticed it was already 12:50. "Hey, Adrian, let''s leave quickly!"


    Both of them stand from their seats and barely finish their food.


    And as they were about to start walking, the upperclassman spoke again, "I kindly ask one more thing."


    ¡°Hmm? What is it? Kinda, please make it brief.¡±


    "Ah yes, it''s just a simple question." The upperclassman paused briefly before continuing, "Ma''am Miranda is your class adviser, am I correct?"


    ¡°Y-yes, how did you know that?¡± Jose was shocked to hear Ma''am Miranda''s name from them.


    ¡°Aside from being a grade 12, we''re also a part of SSG.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ but how did you know she''s our adviser?¡±


    "Since we''re in SSG, we have more or less an idea of who would handle the class for each section," said the upperclassman confidently.


    ¡°Al¡­.right, that''s cool. And so why mention her name right now?¡±


    "Oh, well, I''d like to share some advice with you guys."


    ¡°What could that be?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Kinda hurry up, please? Cabanas and I have no time to spare.¡±


    ¡°Then let me get straight to the point. You guys should be aware of Ma''am Miranda.¡±


    ¡°Ha? What do you mean by that?¡±


    "Does that confuse you? It''s not what it seems. What I''m getting at is for you two to behave and pay more attention in her class," the upperclassman advised with a knowing look.


    ¡°Why? Is she that strict?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and don''t get on her bad side.¡±


    Upon hearing the advice, Jose shot a sidelong glance at Adrian, a subtle exchange that didn''t escape the notice of the upperclassman.


    "Wait, has your friend already gotten on the bad side of Ma''am Miranda?"


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°For real?¡±


    ¡°For real.¡±


    After hearing the details of what happened during Ma¡¯am Miranda''s class, the upperclassman looked at Adrian with pitiful eyes.


    Adrian can''t take any longer with them glaring and finally talks, ¡°Why? Am I in trouble?¡±


    ¡°No, not yet, I think.¡±


    ¡°Not yet?¡±


    ¡°Can''t tell you specifically. But one thing you should keep in mind.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Adrian leans in, as well as Jose, eager for more information.


    ¡°You should take a low profile.¡± The upperclassman''s mysterious advice left them both intrigued and concerned.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    "You have to avoid getting her attention, or else you''ll have a hard time in her class."


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Jose asked.


    "..."


    The upperclassman avoided his question. Instead, they began whispering to their fellow SSG members at the table. After hushed conversations and glances at Jose and Adrian, the upperclassmen finally spoke up.


    "After thinking about it, I don''t want to start unnecessary gossip, so I''ll stop the discussion here." The air lingered with unspoken secrets, leaving Adrian and Jose even more curious about the mysteries surrounding Ma''am Miranda.


    ¡°Oh, come on, man. Don''t leave us hanging.¡±


    ¡°I want you guys to experience it firsthand. And also¡­.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Aren''t you guys in a hurry?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jose looks at the time. ¡°Holy¡­. Adrian, let''s go!¡±


    Both of them rush away, leaving the upperclassman behind. However, a sudden realization hits them ¨C their plates are still in their hands. They quickly backtrack to the upperclassman.


    ¡°Um¡­ where can we put these?¡± Jose asked while holding a plate.


    ¡°Oh, you can leave them here. We''ll handle that for you two. And importantly, so you can return to your class immediately.¡±


    "Okay, thanks," Jose said. With Adrian beside him, they left the canteen quickly, feeling the urgency to return to their class.


    Fortunately, their classroom is on the first floor, so it didn¡¯t take a long time to arrive in front of their room.


    But they didn''t immediately go inside; instead, they slowly peeked through the window in the door.


    ¡°!!!¡±


    Expectedly, the class was already in the middle of a lesson. But what was unexpected was who the teacher inside was right now.


    The two checked twice to confirm it, but it didn''t change what they saw.


    ¡°Hey, what should we do?¡± Jose asked.


    ¡°I don''t know, but I don''t want to go inside,¡± Adrian replied.


    Fussing about not going inside, what could be the reason? It''s not that they are embarrassed or anything. It''s because there is someone they don''t want to see. Moreover, it''s a teacher.


    Who could it be?


    While they hesitated outside, the door suddenly swung open, and someone emerged from within.


    ¡°Well, well, well, look who it is. If it isn''t Mr. Cabanas.¡±


    It was a teacher they didn''t want to see, the same person they talked about in the canteen a while back. Also, it¡¯s the person who had scolded Adrian since the beginning of the class. It was Ma''am Miranda.


    ¡°Not only were you sleeping in my class, but you''re also late. Wow, it''s only the first day, and you''re already showing your true self. Since it''s the first day, I''ll let it pass that for now. I won''t ask why you''re late; just get inside.¡±


    Adrian, showing little reaction, quietly complies with Ma''am Miranda''s instructions. Behind him, Jose follows, but Ma''am Miranda soon stops him.


    "So, Mr. Batungbakal, are you going to be like this as well?" she said.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Jose can¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Mr. Batungbakal, don''t be late again. Don''t be like that guy. Are we clear?¡±


    Jose just nodded in response as he went inside the classroom.


    After the exchange with the teacher, both Adrian and Jose went to their respective seats.


    "Okay, class, sorry for the interruption caused by these two fine gentlemen," the teacher said as she pointed at them. "Shall we continue?"


    And so, the class resumed without any issues. The matter of Adrian and Jose being late was not a significant concern¡ªor rather, it seemed as if it wasn''t a concern at all.


    Ma''am Miranda said she was going to let it slide. Adrian and Jose still have doubts, especially considering the warning from the upperclassman. Even if they weren''t entirely convinced about the warning concerning Ma''am Miranda, being a bit more aware now doesn''t sound like a bad idea, does it? Better safe than sorry, as they say.

 Chapter 3: Amid All of These

    Bonifacio High.


    It has operated as an independent school since the implementation of K-12. In contrast to other secondary schools, which typically require six years to complete high school, Bonifacio High School has a unique structure where students study for only two years.


    However, per the law, one must complete primary and secondary education¨Ctotaling 12 years¨Cto gain entry into tertiary education. Furthermore, with the addition of an extra year in the education system, secondary education has undergone a division. The first part, Junior High, encompasses the initial years, while the second part, Senior High, comprises the final two years.


    So, the creation of Bonifacio High is solely for Senior High only. However, to enter Bonifacio High, students, including Adrian, still need to complete their four years in junior high.


    When it comes to Senior High, it goes beyond being a mere extension of high school; it offers a distinct type of education compared to the rest of high school. Senior High resembles a lower version of college, introducing features like courses, referred to as strands. Each strand has its unique characteristics, much like individual college courses.


    There are different tracks to take with strands. One way was the Academic Track, and next to that was the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track, the Art and Design Track, and last was the Sports Track.


    Tracks might appear less diverse, but it''s important to note that Tracks and Strands are different. A track serves as a pathway for students aligned with their career goals. Under these tracks, students can choose from various ''strands'' that concentrate on specific specializations. However, it''s important to note that only two tracks have strands: the Academic Track and the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track.


    Bonifacio High currently offers only two tracks, namely Academic and Sports. The Sports Track is particularly renowned at Bonifacio High. Unlike the Academic Track, the Sports Track does not have strands.


    The Academic Track has four strands. The ¡®Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand,¡¯ the ¡®Humanities and Social Science Strand,¡¯ the ¡®Accounting, Business, and Management Strand,¡¯ and the ¡®General Academic Strand''.


    ¡°You all picked GAS.¡± Ma''am Miranda said.


    GAS is only short-term for the General Academic Strand. To other strands as well. STEM, HUMSS, and ABM.


    "To be honest, I wasn''t expecting all of you." She disclosed something so surprising that the entire class couldn''t fathom what they had just heard.


    It was only the first day, yet it felt like the teacher harbored a grudge against them. Uttering such words seemed unprofessional, but the students hesitated to voice their concerns to avoid potential conflict. After all, landing on a teacher''s unfavorable side was more daunting than any other social challenge in high school life. However, one thing lingered in the minds of the whole class: THIS TEACHER IS HARD TO DEAL WITH.


    ¡°Anyway, I''ll repeat what I said earlier, just for those two guys confused. I''ll be teaching two subjects in this class. The first one is from way earlier, the subject of Discipline and Ideas in the Social Science. This time around, it''s Homeroom.¡± She repeated while looking at Adrian and Jose.


    She explained what to anticipate in Homeroom, covering many topics such as career paths and self-discovery. It was the typical introduction to the subject, following the same approach she had employed for the earlier one.


    "If any of you feel doubtful about this, believe me, you will all have fun during my class," she said with a grin, dropping some words that felt like a jack-in-the-box. The class shivered as they heard it.


    How can some words feel intimidating even though it''s not a provocation? Mere words that have an impact, even if it''s not big, can cause anxiety to those students.


    Noticing their discomfort, the teacher dispelled the tension by clapping once. "Don''t feel intense, class. Just chill. There''s nothing to worry about."


    What a surprising twist. A cheerful voice, resonating with a friendly tone, can instantly put someone at ease. And guess who it belongs to? None other than Ma''am Miranda herself. It''s as if she''s skillfully mimicking the persona of a friendly figure through her voice. It may sound absurd, but surprisingly, it worked like a charm.


    Upon hearing it, some students in the class immediately felt at ease. The looming sense of danger they associated with the teacher dissipated, and their impression of her quickly shifted from the worst to not bad at all. However, not everyone in the class shared this sentiment. A handful of students remained unconvinced by the sweet talk, maintaining the belief that Ma''am Miranda was difficult to get along with. This perspective was shared the same by students such as Adrian and Jose.


    Opinions aside, the teacher is still brimming with a friendly aura. She continues that act by explaining the matter for homeroom.


    Soon after, she revisits the topics discussed during the orientation a few weeks ago, an orientation designed for incoming first-years seeking insights into the school.


    During the orientation, they delved into the story and history of the school, drawing connections to national hero Andres Bonifacio. They also reference Jose Rizal, another national hero, to provide a broader context.


    Andres Bonifacio stood as the symbolic figure of the school. Their emphasis goes beyond prioritizing athletes to embody at least a semblance of Bonifacio''s traits and even adopt his last name to title the school. However, their focus isn''t solely on athletes; the academic track remains an integral part of their school system, establishing a connection to Jose Rizal.


    Being an athlete in their school comes with benefits, they said. Athletes can receive allowances and scholarships once they enter college. Furthermore, in some cases, athletes might be exempted from classes occasionally due to sports events. However, even if they receive an excuse from class, they are not exempt from activities within it. They still need to fulfill their tasks; otherwise, it will impact their evaluation.


    Despite focusing on athletes, the academic track is also quite good. They still have the initiative to provide programs for those who choose academics.


    Furthermore, they constructed several sports-related facilities, including Track and Field, a Swimming Pool, a Dojo for taekwondo, a Volleyball court, and a basketball court. As for volleyball and basketball, they''re separated and covered. The covered court for basketball and volleyball is not groundbreaking or anything, but compared to other schools. Some of them are outdoors and share one spot between two sports.


    Furthermore, despite their focus on sports-related facilities¨Cthey haven''t neglected academic-related amenities. They''ve established things academic-related, such as a library and free Wi-Fi. There might be more as well.


    Anyway, besides that, the orientation also covered the school''s rules. These rules aren''t different from those found in other ordinary schools; they''re standard.


    That''s where Ma''am Miranda''s recap comes to an end. She explained perfectly well what the orientation offered. She also added some of her comments regarding the orientation.


    ¡°Okay, that''s all. I explained thoroughly the things discussed at the orientation. Any questions or clarification regarding those?¡±


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The class hasn''t uttered a single word. And Ma''am Miranda takes that as an answer, so she moves to conclude the homeroom.


    ¡°Once again, I''m Dolores Gloria Miranda. I''ll be your adviser for this section. Nice to meet you all. And let us have a great relationship until the end of this grade level.¡±


    With a cheerful manner, Ma''am Miranda said that to the class. She still has that getting-along act on her. Others, like Adrian and Jose, might shiver; however, that''s not the case for most of the class. Some of them already disregarded the idea that the teacher might be strict and moved on with a smile.


    Ma''am Miranda left the room that way with a smile. It is still unknown whether she is acting or not. However, the class has now labeled her as a fine teacher. And yet, the only ones who didn''t follow this idea were Adrian and Jose. They are still doubtful about her.


    Despite that, it''s not good to judge someone just like that. After all, it''s only the first day, and it''s too early to form a definitive evaluation. However, consider the senior advice¡ªit might offer valuable insights.


    Continuing with their school hours was the usual routine. Homeroom wasn''t the end; there were more subjects to come. Each teacher introduced and explained their subject just like the others. It could be tiring, going through the same process repeatedly, but the only variation was the content behind it.


    Soon, the first day finally came to an end. As the class dismissed, many students left the room, either with someone they had befriended or alone.


    ¡°Hey, Adrian. Let''s go.¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah.¡±


    Adrian and Jose also left the room. Since their house is in the same direction, they go home together. That''s also the same case when they''re in junior high.


    "Not to exaggerate, but the first day felt kinda hectic, don''t you think?" Jose initiated the conversation as they left the school area and strolled along the sidewalk.


    "Yeah, it did seem that way."


    "We met Ma''am Miranda and got a glimpse of her personality. Also, we encountered some upperclassmen who are likely part of SSG."


    ¡°And they mentioned something about Ma''am Miranda.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what''s up with that? It might sound like they''re just trying to scare us, but it doesn''t seem like that''s the case. Turns out our adviser might be a bit of a hypocrite.¡±


    ¡°That''s a bit rude to assume so early. We can''t be sure since we just met Ma¡¯am Miranda.¡±


    "Well, you''re right. But there''s something off about that teacher."


    "Off? Wasn''t she nice just a while ago?"


    "Yeah, but it feels a bit forced."


    "You think it''s a facade?"


    ¡°That''s right.¡±


    Even after class, doubts lingered. They couldn''t shake off what happened today. Despite Ma''am Miranda leaving a positive impression during homeroom, Adrian and Jose remained unconvinced. Yet, over half of the class had already fallen under the teacher''s charm.


    "Why does it feel like you''re siding with her?" Jose asked, noticing Adrian''s tendency to oppose his opinion of the teacher. "Didn''t she make a fool of you?"


    "Yeah, but I think she''s just scolding me. Plus, I''m at fault in the first place."


    "True, but the way she scolds you makes it seem like she''s labeling you an inferior."


    "Hey, it''s not that bad. Ma¡¯am Miranda just scolded me for my wrongdoings, and I appreciate that."


    "Okay¡­. But, her condescending attitude towards others, including you, appears unprofessional."


    ¡°Can''t be sure yet. And rather than looking down, it¡¯s more like speaking facts.¡±


    ¡°The things she just said, we already know that. And she can''t just assume that we are some dead weight.¡±


    "Ah, let it be. Let''s consider Ma¡¯am Miranda as that type of teacher. Typically, we just go along with things now to avoid unnecessary trouble. Besides, didn''t we learn to navigate such situations in our junior high days?"


    "Yeah, you''re right. It shouldn''t be a big deal."


    "Aside from Ma''am Miranda, what are your thoughts on the other teachers?"


    "It''s been good so far. There isn''t much to evaluate yet since it''s just the first day, and everyone has been nice from start to finish."


    ¡°Well, first impressions are important.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The notion that "first impressions are crucial" holds undeniable truth. People often try to show their best qualities, even if the situation suggests otherwise. The idea is to make themselves look good to others and leave a positive impression. Whether in personal or professional situations, it''s a common practice to present one''s positive side to create a favorable image and make a good impression on others.


    A classic example is when you want to make a good impression on someone you''re interested in, like impressing a girl you like by highlighting your positive qualities. On a more professional note, this approach is commonplace in the workplace, where employees commonly strive to be courteous and maintain a positive demeanor when dealing with their superiors. In both scenarios, the goal is to present the best version of oneself to leave a positive and lasting impression.


    "Hey, my Timezone card is about to upgrade to gold. So I''m planning to go there. Want to join me?" Jose casually invited Adrian, momentarily putting aside their discussion about the teachers.


    The Timezone was an arcade that served as their favorite arcade during their junior high days, a place they frequented for hangouts. Typically, Adrian would readily agree to join. However, this time, there was a slight hesitation in his response.


    ¡°Thanks for the offer, but I plan to go home for now,¡± Adrian replied.


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry.¡±


    ¡°Then, I''ll be heading my way. See you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°See ya.¡±


    It was then that they split up midway. Since the timezone was in the opposite direction from their house, Jose rode a Jeep on his way there. And so Adrian, by himself, continued his way home.


    The distance between the school and Adrian''s house wasn''t too far, yet it wasn''t exactly close either. While a single Jeep ride could cover the distance, one might wonder why he didn''t opt for that. It is simply that he just wants to save money, even for a little. He believed it was unnecessary to take a Jeep when the distance was manageable, thinking it was better to walk.


    Having walked a considerable distance, Adrian eventually reached his home. Upon entering and securing the door, he promptly made his way straight to his room. Usually, Adrian would have an early dinner upon returning home from school. However, at this moment, he chose to recline on his bed instead.


    ¡°I know there''s no food prepared,¡± he muttered.


    Saying this doesn''t imply that they are poor or lack food. But the reality was that no one simply prepared meals. With both parents working, there¡¯s no one available to cook at this hour or even earlier.


    It''s disheartening to admit that Adrian often feels like a neglected child. Despite his parents'' financial stability, both leave the house early and return late. Adrian handles his meals and necessities, from cooking meals to meeting school requirements. His parents provide him with what he needs, but it creates a sense of loneliness.  Nevertheless, Adrian has grown accustomed to this routine, and it doesn''t bother him anymore.


    As for the food at this hour, why wouldn''t Adrian just cook for himself?


    Adrian appears to be distracted right now. He''s finding it hard to muster the energy to prepare a meal and would prefer to stay in his room for now.


    A lot of things happened today. He woke up in the middle of the class with an uncertain scenario, including having an unusual exchange with Ma¡¯am Miranda. Moreover, later in the break, an unexpected meeting with the proclaimed people was part of SSG. Nonetheless, it''s all about Ma¡¯am Miranda.


    Today was exhausting for him.


    Struggling to make sense of everything, he released a deep breath. Soon after, he stood up from the bed and settled into a familiar gaming chair. He retrieved a notebook and pen, ready to jot down his thoughts.


    ¡°What was it again?¡±


    He wrote off the things that happened and summarized them. He also wrote about the prior event before the first day of school. How he approached this reflection resembled the intimate style of a diary.


    ¡°Hmm¡­.¡±


    Clicking his pen, he carefully reviewed the details he had committed to paper. Gradually, he added more notes and refined his plans as if he were crafting a script for the next captivating chapter of his own story.

 Chapter 4: Review 1 Part One

    It was scorching hot outside when I left the house. And it wasn''t an exaggeration to say that the sun''s rays could fry an egg when left out in the open. With that condition, I started sweating a lot while I was in the jeep, but thankfully, there weren''t many people with me, so the jeep didn''t smell bad from everyone''s sweat.


    Upon reaching my destination, I quickly exited the jeep before it could fill up with more people. I then entered the place I had arrived at.


    As I opened the door and stepped inside, a rush of cool air greeted me, providing a welcome relief from the earlier heat.


    ¡°Aahh¡­ aircon is the best.¡±


    The place I arrived at had a range of essentials, from instant and cup noodles to various personal care products. Furthermore, a plentiful selection of refreshments was available, featuring a variety of drinks, chips, hotdogs, and even donuts. It was unmistakably a convenience store, offering everything one might need on the go.


    It was named 7-Eleven, pronounced as seven-eleven. People say the name originated from the store''s operating hours, which ran from 7 am to 11 pm seven days a week. While not surprising, it was a clever way to name the store. The simplicity made it easy to understand the meaning behind it.


    Now, as for me, the reason why I am here is the purpose of waiting for someone.


    While I waited at the convenience store, I thought, "Why not grab some coffee?" So, I headed to the counter, got myself a cup, and casually walked to the dispenser to fill it up.


    The store operates on a self-service model, meaning you do everything yourself¡ªgrab your coffee, pick out your drink, pour hot water on cup noodles, and even assemble your hot dog on the bun. The only exception is microwaving frozen food, which they handle for you.


    After grabbing my coffee and securing the lid, I found a seat. As I waited for the person I had in mind, I enjoyed my time by gazing outside, watching each jeep pass by while sipping my drink. Observing the number of jeeps that had come and stopped at the front of the convenience store, it dawned on me just how conveniently located this place was.


    Since the front of the convenience store served as a drop-off area for jeepney passengers. Moreover, there was a school near the convenience store.


    After passing the time lost in my thoughts, the person I had been waiting for finally arrived.


    ¡°Sorry for taking so long, Jose.¡±


    The person I had been waiting for was a good friend of mine named Adrian Cabanas.


    ¡°It''s fine. I didn''t wait long,¡± I replied.


    I''d be lying if I said I didn''t wait long, considering the designated time we were supposed to meet had already passed. Plus, the coffee I bought was long gone, consumed back when my thoughts began on the jeepney.


    ¡°Let''s go?¡±


    "Wait, before we dive in. How about grabbing something? Coffee, maybe?"


    "Nah, already had my fill at home for breakfast."


    ¡°Don''t want to chill for a moment here? You just got here, and look at you, sweating."


    "I''m good, man. Being fashionably late already chewed up a bunch of time. Wouldn''t want to add more, right?"


    "Fair enough... Well then, let''s hit the road."


    Without saying a word, I disposed of the cup of coffee in the trash can nearby. Technically, the staff could have taken care of it if I had just left it on the table, but I opted to do it myself. It''s a small gesture to ease the staff workload. Why bother? Sometimes, it''s just about one human helping out another.


    After doing the deed, I left the convenience store along with Adrian.


    What''s the wait for earlier? Where are we going next?


    Waiting for him was indeed the purpose of going somewhere. And that would be the school nearby. Here, meeting up served the purpose of heading to the school.


    It''s not because we''re students there, well not yet, but soon. But the reason we are going there is to attend the orientation.


    We were heading to a school called Bonifacio High. As the name implies, it could honor Andres Bonifacio, one of the Philippines'' national heroes.


    After completing the enrollment process and selecting our strands, we proceeded to the orientation. That''s the reason for our visit.


    The orientation is for new students like us attending school this academic year. The orientation would talk about the rules and regulations of the school to inform us.


    Upon reaching our destination, we were welcomed by what seemed to be a Bonifacio High student. They guided us to the orientation venue alongside others who shared the same purpose.


    ¡°Please come in,¡± said the guide.


    They led us into a sports facility with two key features: a basketball and a volleyball court.


    ¡°Please, sit right here,¡± The guide further us to sit on the chair that occupied both courts.


    Anticipating a wave of new students, they''ve arranged sufficient chairs for everyone. It''s difficult to estimate the number of new students, akin to the challenge of counting a strand of hair. That''s the scale of the student body.


    "Good morning, everyone!" a young woman greeted us, standing at the front with a microphone, seemingly not far from our age.


    Ahead of us was a giant stage, impressively adorned. Yet, upon closer observation, the stage appeared to be pre-made and simply set up, with decorations added later.


    "You all still seem like you haven''t fully embraced the morning, huh?" the young woman remarked, her eyes scanning the crowd with a playful grin.


    "Oh my, not enough sleep, or just too excited to be here at the orientation?" she continued, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. Suddenly, her eyes fixated on a particular individual; playfully, she pointed directly at someone in the crowd.


    "Take a look at that guy. Looks like he hasn''t gotten enough sleep," she called out, directing her attention towards him. "You, the guy with the black circles under your eyes. Too excited, huh? Eager to be here, hmm? Can''t wait to attend this school, don''t you?¡± She teased with a playful smile.


    After singling out that guy, everyone around him turned their attention toward him. While not everyone could see, the guy did have dark circles under his eyes. From a distance, it wasn''t apparent to some, except for those nearby. Fortunately, our seats were nearby, giving us a clear view of the person. Upon closer inspection, his dark circles were noticeable even from afar. If you didn''t look carefully, you might assume it''s just makeup.


    After confirming it, the guy beside him glanced ahead and shouted, "Oh, he didn''t get that from being overly excited about attending. He got those from playing games the whole night."


    Caught off guard by the unexpected remark, laughter erupted from the crowd, including the young woman on the stage, Adrian, and me.


    But why would one small, simple comment be found so funny? What made everyone burst into laughter at this seemingly ordinary statement?


    Well, it''s easy to understand why. It depends on personal experience. Anyone can relate if that person has been through it before or something similar. Whether it''s reading a captivating novel, binge-watching a favorite K-drama, and more¡ªthese are the simple pleasures people indulge in during their free time, mere hobbies, to be exact. And those hobbies can be surprisingly addictive. Imagine it''s past your bedtime, and you can''t resist saying, "Just one more chapter or episode." It becomes a dilemma, a somewhat comical and relatable struggle.


    Adrian and I shared a similar experience, finding that simple joke funny. We''ve both had our fair share of nights spent playing games, although not to the extent of the guy over there. A guy with that dark circle visible and darkened would make you want to ask if he even sleeps.


    Despite the joke directed at him, he doesn''t seem bothered and laughs tool. That only confirms that the reason behind his dark circles is indeed staying up late playing games.


    It didn''t take long for the laughter to settle down. When silence developed, an individual walked to the front. The person appeared to be a teacher at the school, and she approached the guy with dark circles under his eyes. The teacher seemed to be talking to the guy, and soon, he stood up from his seat.


    ¡°Ms. Tuazon, please already start with the orientation.¡± The teacher said to the young woman on the stage.


    ¡°Ah, okay, ma''am.¡±


    After the exchange, the teacher left the facility along with the guy.


    The young woman turned around and adjusted her appearance a bit. Afterward, she faced the crowd and began speaking again.


    ¡°Joke aside, let''s start the orientation, shall we? My name is Monica Tuazon, and I''ll be your host today. Welcome to Bonifacio High!!!¡±


    After uttering her last sentence, the music suddenly played in the background. With cheerful enthusiasm, she started dancing a bit and swiftly moved to the side of the stage. Shortly after, some people wearing unusual clothes appeared out of nowhere, making their way up to the stage.


    Everyone was surprised, even us.


    What happened a few seconds ago wasn''t particularly impressive. The trick lies in guessing those people probably emerged either in the two scenarios: behind the stage or beneath it. These two assumptions may be close to the truth, considering there''s a wall blocking the view behind the stage, and the bottom part is covered¨Cwith cloth. Either of these two scenarios could be accurate.


    However, their appearance out of nowhere wasn''t the reason that surprised me; it was the next thing that happened after that.


    Observing the individuals adorned in unconventional attire, it appears they have completed their preparations and are already in formation. Without wasting a moment, they commence dancing. Synchronized with the music, they exhibit seamless coordination, gliding swiftly from one spot to another. Their movements are fluid, resulting in a smoothly executed performance. Moreover, their attire complements their dance, making it all the more appealing.


    All in all, they perform amazingly.


    Taking my eyes off the stage, I look at Adrian.


    ¡°Hey, how come our¨C¡±


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Huh? Did you say something?¡±


    The music emanating from the stage drowned out my voice, making it impossible for Adrian to hear me. Nevertheless, I persisted and tried again.


    Looking at Adrian again, I speak loudly, ¡°How come our school doesn''t have this one?¡±


    "Oh? True! Our school doesn''t have this one. Unfair, isn''t it? But given how renowned this school is, I wouldn''t be surprised if they go the extra mile just for their reputation."


    Adrian''s response was unclear to me, but I grasped it somehow. So I nodded in acknowledgment.


    "And in the next week or so, we''ll be attending this school, won''t we? Exciting, isn''t it?" Adrian continued.


    "Yeah, it''s exciting."


    The dance on the stage finally ceased as the music settled down. However, the excitement didn''t end there; another tune began playing in the background shortly after the first one. Soon, the dancers vacated the stage, making way for two new performers. One, a male, sported a vest over a sleeve polo shirt, while the other, a female, was elegantly clad in a red sheath dress.


    Equipped with their respective microphones, they commenced singing along to the music. Their voices intertwined in a captivating duet; initially, they took turns. But as they continue singing, their lines and voices seamlessly synchronize, creating a harmonious blend.


    At first glance, one might assume they were in a relationship, but then again, I could be mistaken.


    There''s a familiar vibe between them, indicating a certain closeness. Yet, that kind of connection is also typical in close friendships.


    They might be in a romantic relationship, or it could develop into one¡ªit only depends on their feelings. Nevertheless, it''s premature to conclude their relationship; they could already be a couple¨Cand I simply haven''t discovered it yet, given that the school term hasn''t commenced.


    Interrupting my thoughts was a lingering echo emanating from the stage. It appeared that they were reaching the final part of the song as their voices slowly faded away, eventually coming to a halt when the music concluded.


    Silence enveloped the entire area, but it didn''t take long before the sounds of cheers erupted from the crowd. The echoes of clapping and words of praise filled the air among the spectators.


    Their performance is well done, I¡¯ll say.


    Both bowed in appreciation. And the host appeared on the stage afterward.


    "Alright, that was a fantastic performance from those two groups. Let''s give them a round of applause!" the host exclaimed.


    Despite being done with the cheers from just a while ago, they still applaud.


    ¡°Right, for those who don''t know, the first group that performed was a dance club from this school. Some of you probably have heard or perhaps seen them in the news. They are pretty well-known."


    After she said that, one of the girls from the crowd shouted, ¡°One P.¡±


    ¡°Right, this club was part of the infamous dance group named ¡®One P.¡¯¡±


    ¡®One P¡¯


    I had heard about them. At first, I didn''t think they were that famous¡ªuntil I saw them on the news.


    I became interested, hence I watched one of their dance videos. And I must admit, they are good.


    I''m not a dancer, so I am not well-known for the criteria for a good dance, but their performance left a strong impression.


    Heck, I might already be a fan of theirs.


    ¡°And on the other hand, the second group, these two are the ones who won Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio last year.¡± the host continued.


    As she mentioned them, not far from her, the two individuals took notice and waved at the crowd.


    ¡°Oh, so they also have this one,¡± I mumbled.


    I''m not surprised, considering my old school hosted a similar event. I didn''t care about something like that; I just acknowledged its existence. This Mr. and Mrs. tradition functions like an honorary title within the school. It''s typically awarded through a beauty pageant, determining the best muse and escort. Then the winners are crowned as Mr. and Mrs. of the school, such as Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio.


    Observing the individuals crowned as Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio last year, there''s no denying both look astounding. Not to be jealous of their looks, but they truly deserve to hold that title with their impressive appearance.


    Despite what I stated, I don¡¯t know about the other participants, how they looked, and the distinctions between them and the winners. The competition often hinges on popularity.


    "Okay, both of you¡ªthe dance club and Mr. & Mrs. Bonifacio¡ªdo you have anything to say to the freshmen?" the host inquired.


    Understanding the host''s words, Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio took the initiative to address the new students.


    ¡°Ah, yes. Hello everyone, as mentioned earlier, we¡¯re Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio from last year. And since you guys already know what it is, then the thing I''ll say will be easier. The spot for Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio will always change annually. So¡­.¡±


    Among the two, the one who was talking was the female. She was about to say something but paused a little before continuing.


    ¡°To those who are confident, try joining the competition.¡± she smirkingly said.


    After saying that, the mood fell into silence.


    Not knowing what the reason was, I tried to look around and noticed that some of the girls were wearing an annoyed face. Not realizing why, I look at the direction they are facing.


    As I observed, I still couldn''t comprehend the reason. The girl''s focus was on the stage. Given the stage''s considerable size, it took some effort to pinpoint where the center of attention lay.


    ¡°Hmm¡­.¡±


    Looking at it carefully, yep, I don''t know why.


    As I gave up on finding the reason, another voice rang on the stage, snapping me from my thoughts.


    ¡°... Ahem, as we mentioned, the competition for Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio happens yearly. The event will take place this year, providing a great opportunity for some of you to participate and potentially become Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio.¡±


    It was now the male started talking. Unlike the female from before, his voice exuded a calming tone. It wasn''t that loud, yet it effortlessly captured everyone''s attention, especially the girls. The girls¡¯ weird mood suddenly shifted to another unusual mood. Their eyes seem to sparkle when they''re looking in front for some reason.


    ¡°Oh, so you are encouraging them to join the fight for the title?¡± the host butt in.


    ¡°...that''s weird to put it that way, but yes, I''m encouraging them to join. Taking a closer look at them, I can see some potential." The male replied.


    ¡°Oh my, hear that freshman? Mr. Bonifacio itself praises you guys. So be confident, right, Mrs. Bonifacio?¡± per saying that the host glances at the specific person.


    The person noticed it and replied, ¡°...yeah.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, do you have anything else to say?¡± The host lost interest in the female and soon shifted its attention to the male.


    And it didn''t take long before the male could answer, ¡°No, that''s all I could say.¡±


    ¡°Well then, let''s proceed to the next group. The dance club.¡±


    Hearing them mention their group, a particular individual stepped onto the stage.


    Onstage, a captivating figure emerged, adorned with flowing locks that cascaded like silk, accentuating a slender, graceful frame. In a word, that person was a vision of femininity. Without a need for an elaborate introduction, it became evident that she held the enchanting role of the dance club''s representative.


    Seeing the person figure emerge onto the stage, the host takes notice of the individual.


    ¡°So, do you guys have something to say to the freshman?¡± the host asked.


    Handing one of the microphones to the dance club representative, she stood confidently and spoke, ¡°This wouldn''t take long since it''ll be quick on what I am about to say. Our club is open to new members, so if you''re interested, feel free to message our Facebook page. Whether you''re talented or just starting, we welcome everyone. That''s all."


    Having concluded her sentence, she returned the microphone and stepped down from the stage.


    "Okay, thank you to the dance club president for that brief announcement," the host replied, glancing at the individual. Afterward, she returned her focus to the crowd and continued, "Did you all hear what the dance club president said? You can join the club or the dance group, regardless of your skill."


    With that said, I''m not interested in joining any club, so the recruitment announcement from the dance club doesn''t concern me.


    Although, that isn''t the case for others. Some of them are interested in this matter.


    "Ms. Tuazon, enough with the opening; let''s get started with the orientation." Suddenly, a teacher spoke to the host from the left side of the ground beside the stage.


    "Oh, right, sorry for the delay," the host replied to the teacher. Then, she redirected her attention back to the crowd. "Okay, everyone, enough with the fun stuff. Let''s get started with the orientation."


    The orientation finally began, just as the host had mentioned. Another piece of music started, and the crowd fell silent. The music wasn''t particularly loud or grand; instead, it resembled the background music from a survey ad on YouTube. It wasn''t in particular exciting.


    As the music continued, the host proceeded to speak. The words flowing from her mouth served as an introduction to a particular individual.


    The host introduced that person as the principal of Bonifacio High.


    "Good morning, everyone. As Ms. Tuazon mentioned, I''m the principal of this school," the principal said before continuing with a speech. "I wholeheartedly welcome each one of you to this school. With 1,000 new students joining us this year, I look forward to witnessing the growth of each of you during your time here. May your years at this school be filled with joy, growth, and memorable experiences."


    "Alright. Thank you, our dear principal, for that great speech."


    Right after the principal finished his speech, the host promptly took over. Waving to signal the principal''s departure, she left the stage, making way for another individual.


    While not at the same level as the principal, this individual still held significant importance in the school. This person was the head of the guidance office.


    The head of the guidance office explained the rules and regulations of Bonifacio High, covering everything from schedules to the dos and don''ts of the school. The presentation also addressed issues like cleanliness, including vandalism and so on. Furthermore, it emphasized the school''s surveillance system, utilizing CCTV cameras to monitor the entire campus.


    ¡°Remember, don''t make any mishaps or else you will get suspended or, worse, expulsion from this school," she cautioned us, the incoming students.


    What she said was not a threat or an attempt to scare us. It was simply the standard system, no different from others. We only need to follow, not because it''s imposed, but because it''s convenient.


    ¡°Okay, that''s all I can say about the rules and regulations. May you all have a nice stay in this school.¡±


    The head of the guidance office already finished her time talking and left the stage. Then again, the host took over.


    ¡°Okay, that''s for our rules and regulations in Bonifacio High. Now let''s welcome the¨C¡±


    The host''s sentence was abruptly interrupted when loud music suddenly rang on the stage. Shortly after, a group of young men and women entered the stage.


    Once they were perfectly aligned in a row and facing the crowd¨Cthe music playing in the background stopped. Following this, a female individual stepped forward from the formed line and positioned herself at the front.


    ¡°Hello, everyone, we are the SSG of Bonifacio High.¡± She introduced themselves as the SSG.


    SSG, or Supreme Student Government, is common in every school. Their role is to¨CI''m not entirely sure what they do. I''ve seen them organize events, but I don''t think that''s their sole purpose.


    Standing there on the stage, they discussed how they would innovate the school, casually mentioning upcoming events and changes that would take place. It was to give us a glimpse of what to expect during our stay in this school.


    After discussing innovation, they redirected their attention to ensuring peace and order among students. Much like the guidance office, the SSG also elaborated on its own rules for the school, emphasizing their benefits for the students.


    After that, what followed seemed somewhat out of place for an announcement.


    "Senior High only consists of two years. Currently, most of us in SSG are in our second year. So, sooner or later, we''ll be stepping down. The opportunity to run for SSG positions will be open to the first-year students, as we, the second-years, are focused on preparing for graduation and university."


    What an unexpected time to declare resignation, and in such a rounded way. Hearing what she said made other members panic, prompting them to explain thoroughly to her.


    She let out a soft ''Eh'' as her peers scolded her. I couldn''t catch the details of their conversation due to their mumbling, but judging by her expression, it seemed like she was getting an earful.


    After the lengthy discussion among the SSG (although not that long), the representative again turned to the crowd and said, ¡°As I mentioned before, only first-year students are eligible to run for SSG this year. However, we will continue handling the SSG until the second semester, when the election for SSG will take place. By that time, we, the second-years, will be concentrating on our college studies for entrance exams and preparing for graduation. So, for those eager to bring positive changes to the school, feel free to try.¡±


    Done with her speech, the representative left the front looking gloomy and returned to the line they had formed.


    Seeing the representative finished with their speech, the host takes over again.


    "Okay, let''s thank the President of SSG for the brief innovation and announcement."


    As the host said that, the SSG left the stage slowly.


    ¡°Okay, next was¡­. We''ve prepared a video, so let''s watch it."


    Right after she finished speaking, she left the stage, and suddenly, a light emitted from a projector stationed in front of the crowd and directly focused on the stage wall.

 Chapter 5: Review 1 Part Two

    A video is being played, accompanied by music from the speakers on the side of the stage. The video showcased the school, presenting its history, mission, vision, and more. It provided a tour of the entire campus, highlighting various facilities.


    The video is 10 minutes long. It wasn''t dull at all; on the contrary, it turned out quite enjoyable to watch. It featured pleasant music and an entertaining approach to discussing the topics. Not only that, but it felt more like a fun fact video.


    Watching the video presented to us, no one dared to utter a single word. It could be to avoid displaying disrespectful behavior or disturbing others; apart from that, it could also be that some just took an interest in the presentation.


    After a while, the music subsided, and the light from the projector faded away. Following that was stillness. Breaking the silence, the host spoke.


    "That''s the thing to know about Bonifacio High. Isn''t this school wonderful? Consider the way the school constructed and its long-term goals."


    Upon hearing that, the crowd nodded in agreement. Bonifacio High is truly remarkable, as everyone knows. Given the school''s popularity, there is undoubtedly an entrance exam.


    The exam posed a challenge, yet it was never impossible. While luck may have played a part, it was not the sole factor in our success; effort was equally vital. Plus, we chose this school knowing it has an entrance exam and limited slots.


    Furthermore, there are benefits to attending this school. Graduating here can guarantee enrollment at JRU, the university that most of us aspire to attend.


    As I think that, a voice snaps me from my thoughts.


    "Now, it''s time to introduce the teachers for the first-years who might become your advisers."


    Once again, it was the host who spoke. She was talking about introducing the teachers to the first-years.


    As she called their names to the stage, one by one, they came up. She organized them by category, grouping them based on their subjects.


    The ratio of male to female teachers favored women; there were more women teachers than men. Throughout my years of studying, from kindergarten to junior high, this pattern has been to persist. In the education field, especially in the Philippines, there is a notable presence of women who become teachers. However, according to the adults, this is different for most universities.


    ¡®So when it comes to kindergarten until senior high, there are more female teachers? Then as for college, it''s the opposite where there are more male teachers?¡¯ what I thought.


    "Okay, those are all the teachers set to teach you in your first year at this school."


    Oh, crap.


    Without realizing it, the introduction for the teachers had already ended.


    I didn¡¯t pay much attention to the introduction as it didn''t interest me, so I did not know a single name.


    I tried to look at their faces to remember how they looked. That was the plan, but unfortunately, I missed that chance when they left the stage.


    ¡°Hey, do you remember the names of the teachers?¡±


    ¡°Huh? I haven''t. Since I''ve lost interest.¡±


    I asked Adrian about the teachers'' names, yet he''s in the same boat as me¡ªnot paying attention.


    I let out a long sigh, knowing how useless we are.


    ¡°Now, let''s take a breather from the information you all have received and enjoy this another performance prepared by the students of this school.¡±


    The host spoke, suggesting a break and hinting at another performance. The crowd eagerly anticipated what was about to happen next.


    Waiting for the performance to begin, no one expected that sudden appearance. Suddenly, a young man emerged from the crowd, holding a microphone. At first, he was unnoticeable because he blended well with the crowd, but when he stood up and spoke, every eye immediately focused on him.


    "Eh? Who is that?"


    "He spoke out of nowhere."


    Whispers circulated among the crowd, indicating genuine surprise at the sudden appearance. What startled them even more was the realization that the person had been in the crowd all this time.


    This person was uttering some unusual phrases. His tone was poetic, pacing his words in rhythm. Everyone knew what the young man was doing, as they had experienced it before. He was reciting poetry.


    His poem''s content revolved around youth and education. Proudly reciting his verses, he walked to the front and looked at us confidently.


    After concluding his words, he suddenly halted, leaving everyone with the impression that the performance had ended, and a sense of disappointment settled in. "Is that all?" they thought.


    The performance is short. So, I understand what the crowd feels like.


    "A youthful life is held in your hands."


    As I pondered this, a voice suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts. It, too, was articulated like poetry. Glancing towards where the voice originated, to our surprise, it wasn''t the young man''s voice; instead, it was coming from the stage.


    The one now reciting poetry was none other than the host. I didn''t expect that, to be honest. It was the same for others, given that they reacted similarly to mine.


    Her poetry is slightly different from the young man''s earlier. Her phrases are more direct, speaking to us.


    She talks about us being the youth carrying our country and more.


    The poetry doesn''t end there; the young man from earlier also begins phrasing his verses. They take turns delivering their lines. While it may seem as if they''re engaged in a poetic dialogue, it becomes evident that the performers'' words support each other.


    As the performance unfolds, the initial disappointment that lingers in everyone''s mind dissipates, and they begin to savor the poetry.


    Thus, what was initially a short-lived performance transforms into a lengthy and captivating one.


    After their poetry performance concluded, the orientation continued¡ªor that''s what I wanted to say. But what came next was shocking; it was nothing like a presentation or discussion. The host informed us that we could freely roam around the campus. However, they only allocated us 30 minutes for this.


    After making that announcement, everyone is now free to leave the facility we''re in.


    As always, I''m hanging out with Adrian. First, we nosed around the spot where the orientation was happening. Then, we ventured out and unexpectedly discovered a charming garden. From there, we headed to the building where the students had classes.


    As we travel inside, nature suddenly calls, compelling me to find the nearest bathroom. After finishing my bathroom break, I realized Adrian was nowhere to be found.


    He sends me a message on Messenger, saying he''s taking a solo stroll.


    "That Adrian... leaving me like that," I mutter, feeling a bit peeved.


    I reply to his message, "Okay. Let''s meet at the entrance."


    Now, I find myself walking solo down the hallway.


    While they gave us the green light to explore the campus, some areas still restricted us from entering.


    I could see youths wearing their uniform and on standby. They''re probably students of this school, and you could see them around the campus even though they''re on vacation. Their task was to prevent us from straying too far inside the campus. So, they act as both guides and guards.


    Fortunately, I can freely explore this building. I could enter one of the rooms, but there are some exceptions, such as the lab and more.


    The clinic is also accessible, where I can see someone lying on the bed. Upon confirming their identity, it turns out to be the guy from earlier with dark circles under his eyes.


    "So, this is where they brought him," I thought.


    He seems to be sleeping soundly¨Cas if this is the first time he had a restful sleep in who knows how long.


    ¡°Hmm? Did you need something?¡±


    All of a sudden, I heard a voice coming from the door. Almost reflexively, I turned and saw a petite girl with glasses and dressed in a lab coat.


    She can''t be a nurse at this clinic, considering she''s wearing a school uniform underneath her lab coat. ''Is she perhaps a daughter of someone working at the school clinic?'' I wondered.


    ¡°...um, where''s the doctor?¡± I awkwardly asked. I don''t know why I said that, but I feel bad talking about her in my mind.


    "I am in charge of handling this clinic for today," she said, then asked, "Do you need something? Have an injury? Flu? Or perhaps want to lie low, just like the guy over there?"


    ¡°No, I don''t have any business in the clinic.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±


    "Well, they gave us time to stroll around the campus, and I just happened to come across this clinic."


    "Oh really?... But then, why are you looking for Nurse Anna?"


    ¡°Ah!? Eh¡­.¡± a cat got my tongue; I didn''t know how to explain myself.


    She looks at me suspiciously, scanning me from top to bottom.


    "Are you Nurse Anna''s son or something?" she asked with doubt.


    Eh? Son¡­., she said. How come she got that conclusion?


    Upon reflection, I realized I had done the same thing to her. Now, she''s doing it to me.


    I feel bad.


    But wait, at least I didn''t tell her directly. She, on the other hand, said that to my face.


    However, it¡¯s still not good to secretly talk about others. Is that what getting gossip feels like?


    As to not cause misunderstanding, I immediately deny it.


    Her doubt still didn''t vanish as she asked me again, "So why are you looking for her?"


    She questioned me again with the same premise, but this time I could answer. I have an alibi.


    "Since I''ll be a student at this school next week, I thought I should try familiarizing myself with the surroundings at least."


    ¡°Hmm¡­ is that so?....¡±


    It wasn''t a strong alibi, but I wondered, did she buy my reason?


    After a brief moment of silent scrutiny, she abruptly averted her gaze and sat on a chair near the nurse''s desk.


    ¡°Well, too bad Nurse Anna isn''t here. She assigned me to handle the clinic for this occasion.¡±


    "Oh, that''s unfortunate then," I replied, feigning disappointment.


    ¡°Just save that greeting for the first day of school.¡±


    ¡°...yeah, I''ll do that¡­.¡± I softly said as I slowly walked to the door.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Just as I thought I had finally escaped this predicament, she suddenly spoke before my feet could pass through the door.


    ¡°Cecilia,¡± she said.


    ¡°Huh?!¡±


    In shock, I replied, not understanding what she had just said.


    ¡°That''s my name,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Okay¡­.¡±


    ¡°You, what''s your name?¡±


    At first, I hesitated to tell her, but realizing it might cause another misunderstanding, I eventually gave her my name.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Jose.¡±


    ¡°...yeah same.¡±


    After exchanging pleasantries, I could finally leave the clinic.


    You could argue that it''s disrespectful to leave abruptly, but the person wasn''t bothered by it as she began to fidget with her phone.


    So there''s no issue after leaving.


    Exiting the clinic, I continued my stroll through the building. Since the clinic was on the middle floor, I went up further, exploring more rooms.


    And when I thought I had concluded with the situation in the clinic, I stumbled upon another interesting one.


    I saw three people in the hallway: one was a teacher, and the other two were students.


    Those two students looked stiff, straightening their backs as they replied, "Yes, ma''am" and "Aye, ma''am" to the teacher.


    And when they got dismissed, they marched in sync.


    It was amusing to see.


    Witnessing this exchange, suddenly, the teacher''s eyes met mine.


    I reflexively turned the other way and walked, hoping to get away. However, the teacher didn¡¯t let me have my way.


    ¡°Hey you, stop right there,¡± she said.


    What now? I worried.


    I know she''s calling none other than me, so I halt my feet and turn to face her without hesitation.


    The teacher approaches me and looks at me from top to bottom.


    ¡°You¡¯re a new student, right?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, do you know who I am?¡±


    ¡°No clue, ma''am.¡±


    "Hmm? Didn¡¯t you listen to the orientation earlier? I was one of the teachers introduced to instruct the first years."


    "Is that so? I don''t remember all the names, but I do recall the faces," I lied.


    In truth, I neither know their names nor their faces.


    ¡°Oh really?¡± she is probably doubting.


    She kept staring into my eyes as if trying to read my mind.


    To steer her away from uncovering the truth, I make an effort to shift the conversation.


    "Um... ma''am, which subject do you teach?"


    "Oh, what''s this? I thought you had memorized our faces?"


    "Well... The subject part was a bit blurry in my mind, so..."


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Did she buy it or not? I can''t tell.


    ¡°I taught many subjects, but this time, I''m teaching Disciplines and Ideas in Social Science.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh¡­.¡±


    With her answering that, what now? I can''t think of anything to talk about. I don¡¯t know much about what subject Disciplines and Ideas in Social Science entail. It didn''t have that in our old school. Or is it only a thing in senior high? Probably something like that.


    "Alright, I have something to do, so I should be going now. Oh, by the way, before I go¨Cwhat''s your name?"


    ¡°... it''s Jose.¡±


    ¡°Full name?¡±


    ¡°Jose Batungbakal.¡±


    "So, Mr. Batungbakal, see you on the first day if I happen to be your teacher, whatever class you''re in."


    With that, she left the hallway.


    Your sentence is already well-structured, but for a slight improvement:


    I feel relieved that I managed to escape without receiving any scolding.


    However, it''s regrettable that I didn''t learn the teacher¡¯s name before she left.


    The only thing I know about this teacher is,


    "What a cheerful teacher," I thought.


    With that done, I continued my walk through the facility, entering a few more rooms until, at a certain point, I came to a stop.


    The time allotted to us was finally running out, so I went down to the first floor, messaged Adrian, and waited for him at the entrance.


    With just a minute left before the free walk ended, Adrian was still not there. He might have already returned to where the orientation was. However, that¡¯s not the case since he replied to my message earlier about meeting here at the entrance.


    ¡°Where the heck is that guy?¡± I complained.


    The minute has already passed, completing the 30-minute interval, and Adrian is still not here.


    I tried calling him before, and it rang, but he''s not answering it.


    ¡°Where the hell are you?! The orientation is going to resume.¡± I was frustrated and sent him a voice message.


    ¡°Um¡­.¡±


    Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. I turned around, thinking it was Adrian, but to my disappointment, it wasn''t him.


    ¡°Excuse me, it''s time to return to the court,¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh, right, sorry.¡±


    After being notified, I hurriedly left the place and returned to the court.


    In the end, Adrian didn''t show up. Where could he be, I wonder.


    Now that you think of it, I never saw or came across him in that building. Did he go to a different location? Or he probably has already returned to the court. Even so, he should at least inform me about it.


    So, I headed straight to the court without any delay.


    Returning to the court where the orientation is, I took one of the seats and sat at it. Everyone did the same.


    Since there''s no specific order for the chair, I could be seated anywhere. And it makes sense that the people beside me are strangers, not Adrian. It¡¯s like first come, first served.


    Despite being here now, my worries remained unchanged; I''m still unaware of Adrian''s whereabouts.


    I don''t know if it''s just that crowd, but I couldn''t see Adrian anywhere. Furthermore, despite messaging and calling him, he remained unresponsive.


    The orientation continues with another speech from the principal. It said that his speech would be the finale for the orientation.


    "Hey, where the heck are you?!" I messaged Adrian again.


    ¡°~~~~~¡±


    Amid my worry, I could hear noises coming from the stage.


    Looks like the principal has already started speaking. And I haven''t been listening because my mind is elsewhere.


    As I wandered my eyes among the crowd, I didn''t know how long it had been since the principal spoke or if it had taken long to finish, but it was already too late to notice.


    Snapping me from my thoughts was a voice that differed from the principal''s. Looking at the stage, the one standing there was already the host, and the principal was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Principal, for your last wonderful speech. It resonates with our youthful hearts as we embark on this journey," the host said, glancing at the principal. She then shifted her gaze to the crowd and added, "And I sense that every freshman here feels the same way.¡±


    ¡°Moving forward, huh?¡± Under the guise of youth, what can I accomplish?


    Having fun is also a part of youth. But we will soon surpass that stage. Since senior high only lasts for two years, it marks the peak of our high school life. After that, we will be entering the world of adulthood, grappling with concerns about college, part-time jobs, and eventually full-time employment.


    ¡°I probably should start getting serious from now on,¡± I mumbled.


    The host continues her words to conclude the orientation. She offered a few words of encouragement before dismissing us.


    "And so, that''s going to be all for this orientation. Once again, we welcome you to Bonifacio High. Hope you all have a wonderful stay," she said.


    After confirming that we could leave now, everyone stood at their seats. And to not make things get chaotic, the students there guide us our way out.


    "Wait, where is he still?" I just remembered.


    I opened my phone again to try calling him, but it turned out unnecessary when I saw a message notification.


    It''s from Adrian, saying he''s at the entrance gate.


    ¡°What are you doing there?¡± I replied.


    It didn''t take a second before he answered back.


    "Come here, and I''ll explain," he said.


    Reading his message made me sigh.


    ¡°Well, I''m heading there anyway.¡±


    Since the entrance and exit of campus are the same, I went there along with the crowd.


    Upon arriving there, I saw Adrian standing in the middle.


    ¡°You, why haven''t you returned? The orientation is now done,¡± I didn''t hesitate to ask.


    "About that... I stumbled upon this lost child, so I''m trying to help this little girl find her parents."


    What the heck is he talking about? Is he seriously making me believe that?


    ¡°What little girl?¡± I asked in confusion and a bit irritated.


    ¡°This little girl beside me¡­eh?¡±


    As he pointed to his side, he let out a shocked expression.


    ¡°Where did that kid go?¡± he asked himself in confusion.


    "You''re not being honest, are you? Why not just admit that you wanted to skip the orientation?"


    "No, for real. I came across a lost child," he insisted.


    ¡°Then where is this kid you spoke of?¡±


    ¡°She was just right here a while ago! But she probably found her parents.¡±


    ¡°Without notifying you, and just left?¡± I ask in doubt.


    ¡°Believe me, I truly helped a lost child.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    I''m skeptical if he''s telling the truth. However, scanning the area, I didn''t spot any child beside him. So there''s nothing to support his statement, though I could be mistaken.


    So I sighed, letting this slide.


    ¡°Alright, alright, I believe you,¡± I gave up.


    Since what he did cannot be undone, I can do nothing about it.


    ¡°Let''s go already,¡± I added.


    ¡°O-okay.¡±


    We finally left the campus. While we walked, as if to change the topic from earlier, Adrian asked a sudden question.


    ¡°Hey, what did you guys do earlier?¡±


    ¡°Earlier¡­ you mean the orientation after the free time?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­.¡±


    I look him in the eyes, and he looks back.


    ¡°Alright then, here''s what happened.¡±


    I can''t disclose everything to him because I haven''t been paying much attention.


    "It''s nothing important. The principal just gave one final speech, that''s all," I said.


    ¡°Really? Is that all?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    It''s not the whole truth, but it''s not a complete lie either. And for sure, the speech was brief and didn''t drag on.


    So that''s it. I can''t tell you anything more than that. It''s simple and short; don''t ask anymore.


    Not listening is one thing, but it''s his fault for not returning. That''s right.


    Anyway, setting aside that, I tried to change the conversation.


    "Hey, let''s put the orientation aside. How about heading to the timezone with me?" I suggested.


    ¡°...¡±


    Hmm? What''s wrong with him? Per observing his demeanor, he looks different compared to earlier.


    He usually agreed to it¨Csince we''re always like that. But today, he exudes a serious demeanor around him.


    ¡°Hey, Jose, I''ll be serious this school year,¡± Adrian said out of nowhere.


    That¡¯s unexpected.


    Although I also thought that way. But I didn''t expect that he also thought that way.


    During junior high, we didn''t bother with serious matters. We were more like carefree students back then.


    ¡°So¡­ we¡¯re not going to Timezone for now?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I''m not going for now. But you, you can go without me.¡±


    Yeah, I can go by myself, but seeing him having the same resolve. I can¡¯t be the one who would be carefree as always.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll not go as well.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±


    Huh, that''s all? You''re not going to ask me why. Or why do I even offer you that idea?


    Seeing that''s the case. I decide to say it instead.


    "I''ll be serious from now on," I added.


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    What? Just a glance? What a weak reaction.


    Well, can¡¯t be helped. Adrian is already absorbed in his thoughts, contemplating deeply.


    He is genuinely serious about this.


    ¡°Hey, let''s go home already,¡± I remind him.


    Since we¡¯re not going to the Timezone, we might as well just go home. Since our house was somehow in the same direction, we always went home together, same during junior high.


    Adrian nodded in reply. And so we continued our walk to go home.


    Thinking about what happened today, I let out a sigh of exhaustion.


    At first, I thought attending the orientation would be bothersome and dull. But going through it, I didn''t expect it to surpass my expectations. The thought of a boring orientation changed into an enjoyable one.


    A lot of things happened. Many performances took place, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Honestly, I learned a lot during the orientation, and it was shocking that I did. Well, there''s that, the teachers'' names and principal''s last speech that I never heard. But regardless, there are things that I learned that made me realize I need to take things more seriously.


    Adrian held the same sentiment as I did¨Ctaking things seriously and improving ourselves. Changing is good and all, but I can¡¯t help but ponder about this thing. I heard university students have less time for their selves. Being focused means less time enjoying life and gradually drifting away from others, whether family or friends. So I wonder what kind of changes will we experience while staying at this school? Is it going to change my relationship with Adrian? Or is it a situation where we lose our friendship, label each other as acquaintances, and simply move on?


    I don¡¯t know. Things are a bit of a stretch from that. I have friends ending like that. There''s just someone new you''ll find, and there are also people who¡¯ll leave soon. But for us, Adrian and I, I don''t know what the future holds. The only thing I''m sure of is that we will still be hanging out¨Cfor I don''t know how long.

 Chapter 6: Maturity and Discipline

    The second day has come, and it feels just like yesterday. It''s as if they are continuing right where they left off. The first subject was Disciplines and Ideas in Social Science, taught by Ma¡¯am Miranda. Yesterday, she introduced the subject and outlined what to expect. Today, she focused on explaining the importance of personal development.


    But how can one define development to a person?


    A person''s development can take many forms¡ªphysical, mental, or emotional. Some may experience development earlier or later than others; nonetheless, everyone has a unique way of growing up.


    ¡°A person can acquire maturity through one''s experience. It can be from hardship or a taste of failure.¡±


    Maturity is something that is obtained rather than inherent. While everyone possesses some degree of maturity, it arrives at different times in each person¡¯s life. Physical maturity is easier to observe, but mental maturity is more complex. It¡¯s like unlocking a new aspect within yourself. Simply put, it¡¯s like experiencing a sudden realization or gaining new perspectives and insights through experiences. These experiences can range from overcoming hardships to learning from failures. Each challenge faced and lesson learned contributes to this growth. This is what Ma¡¯am Miranda is trying to say in her statement.


    Consider a scenario where you do something wrong, and it suddenly dawns on you that your actions were inappropriate. This kind of realization often comes from personal experiences and reflections. For instance, imagine you have been teasing someone excessively, thinking it was all in good fun. One day, you push them to their mental breaking point. At first, you might not see the harm, but then you witness their mental breakdown, and it hits you hard. You realize that your actions, which you intended as a joke, have caused real emotional damage. This moment of clarity brings a deep sense of guilt and regret, illuminating the wrongness of your behavior. In such situations, the best and only appropriate response is apologizing to the person you¡¯ve hurt. This act of contrition is a critical step in demonstrating your newfound maturity. It shows that you acknowledge your mistake and are willing to make amends.


    Returning to the idea of maturity, apologizing is undoubtedly a significant aspect. However, the process of maturing goes beyond mere apologies. It''s the moment of realization when you recognize your mistake and feel a deep sense of guilt, can be transformative. It''s like a sudden awakening or enlightenment, where you see the impact of your actions clearly for the first time. And you might think, ¡°I want to change from now on,¡± or something similar. This awakening often sparks introspection and a profound desire for personal growth.


    The same goes for maturity in emotion. Emotional maturity unfolds in various ways throughout life. Sometimes, it strikes unexpectedly, like a sudden realization. It''s akin to growing out of childhood¡ªthings that once brought immense joy may feel less fulfilling or meaningful as one matures. Losing touch with emotions can be difficult to notice; they gradually lose their essence as life progresses. Happiness can be outgrown, and sadness can be numbed. In the grand scheme of life, everything is subject to change. The emotions, perspectives, and how people perceive the world are constantly shaped by a person''s personal growth and the changing circumstances we encounter.


    Nevertheless, these changes are beneficial for a future career. To become a professional requires a strong mindset, stable emotions, and valuable experience. Hard work is also important and can be seen as part of gaining expertise. It often relies on having an unwavering mindset, unyielding emotions, and determined experience.


    ¡°Maturity and discipline can be the same yet different things. One involves understanding and acceptance, while the other entails boundaries and adherence. Do you all understand why this is the case?¡±


    With this statement in mind, Ma¡¯am Miranda asked the class. However, no one could grasp her idea, so silence greeted her question. The class exchanged side glances, waiting for someone to respond to the teacher, but no one did.


    Seeing no one willing to answer, Ma¡¯am Miranda shifted her focus to a specific person and asked, ¡°What about you?¡±


    With the entire class listening intently, their eyes stopped wandering and fixed on a particular individual. Their gaze landed on Cabanas, but surprisingly, he was not the one Ma¡¯am Miranda had in mind.


    Instead, where did her gaze fall?


    Suddenly, a girl stood up, determined to speak.


    ¡°Maturity and discipline are different, but, both ultimately lead to the same outcome.¡±


    ¡°Oh? So, you agree with my statement?¡±


    ¡°No, Ma¡¯am. They may sound similar, but they differ in the process.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Maturity and discipline are akin to lighters and matches. Both serve the same purpose but differ in their mechanisms. How lighter operates by releasing gas through a metal mechanism ignited by pressing a button, modernizing the traditional matchstick. In contrast, matches are sticks that ignite when the match head is struck against the rough strip on the side of the box, generating friction and heat to start a fire instantly.¡±


    ¡°Lighters and matches, it''s interesting that you used that comparison for our topic. However, how does that relate to maturity and discipline?¡±


    ¡°Maturity and discipline share a common trait: both contribute to personal improvement. They provide insights into self-identity, albeit through different means. Maturity involves a natural evolution, unfolding over time, and not easily controlled or forced. It''s something that unfolds gradually, through experiences and learning. On the other hand, Discipline is about self-restraint and setting boundaries within one''s mindset. It involves a deliberate effort to adhere to certain principles or rules. In essence, maturity is about experiencing and learning from life''s lessons, while discipline involves consciously enforcing behavioral standards. Despite their distinct processes, maturity and discipline ultimately aim to achieve the same goal: fostering personal growth and bringing about change. They may approach it differently, but both contribute to a sense of transformation and development.¡±


    ¡®An apple falls from the tree naturally, unless someone snaps it off¡¯ is maybe what she was trying to say. This metaphor illustrates that the process of obtaining the apple can be different, yet, in the end, the result is still receiving the apple. Similarly, maturity and discipline differ in processes, yet both lead to the same result. No matter the method, they both bring about change in a person. That''s her conclusion.


    ¡°Ms. Frias, thank you for sharing your perspective on this topic. Your opinion isn''t wrong or anything, and I understand your point. And I see now that your statement is different from mine. Regardless it was a wonderful interpretation of those two words, however, my interpretation is different,¡± said Ms. Miranda, then added, ¡°So, Ms. Frias, you can sit down now.¡±


    After the girl complied, Ms. Miranda shifted her gaze from her to the entire class and continued speaking, ¡°Discipline for me is something like consuming something and waiting for the result. The result can be good or bad, but it always provides a learning experience. In contrast, maturity is more like a random occurrence, unpredictable in its timing. Both impart significant lessons from their outcomes; though the concepts may be similar, the impact of each is undoubtedly different. Between the two, which has a greater impact? I would argue that maturity has a greater impact. As I mentioned earlier, maturity is somewhat unpredictable; you can''t force it, you must simply allow it to happen. Trying to force it may not yield as profound an impact as allowing it to unfold naturally. Let it teach you; that''s where the emphasis lies.¡±


    In the right sentence, she paused, searching the faces of her entire class as though she had something important to convey. What is it? What she wants to say among those eyes of hers. Her eyes moved across the room without turning her head much, successfully meeting each student''s gaze directly. It was remarkable that no one dared to look away. What''s more, every student seemed wholly focused on her listening attentively.


    After looking at everyone, Ma¡¯am Miranda closed her eyes, nodding with satisfaction. Then, she spoke decisively.


    ¡°We¡¯ll end our discussion here for now,¡± she said.


    It was as if she was saying that her time in her subject was over, but that wasn''t the case. In truth, there was still time left before her subject would end. Even though there were still exactly 10 minutes left in her class period, she was already determined to leave the classroom.


    But why leave early? What about her explanation on her part? She thoroughly covered the topic of maturity but didn''t touch on discipline, making her explanation incomplete and lacking. It left everyone hanging, much like the suspenseful ending of an episode in a TV series. It''s frustrating, but the whole class seemed disinterested in what the teacher was saying¡ªit was as if her words went in one ear and out the other. So, it''s okay if they didn''t hear the rest of it.


    Returning to the teacher who planned to leave, she was already nowhere to be found in the room, which meant she had already left. But before she went out, she said something like, ¡°We¡¯ll continue this discussion next time¡± and ¡°We¡¯ll talk about something later in homeroom.¡±


    The room fell into silence when Ma¡¯am Miranda left. No one dared to utter a single word, even though the teacher in mind was already gone. The room stayed quiet for the next 10 minutes. Everyone assumed this was some kind of test from the teacher, so they kept their mouths shut. But as the minutes passed with no sign of the test ending and no sign of Ma¡¯am Miranda returning, confusion started to set in. So the class began to wonder whether this was a test or if the teacher had genuinely left the classroom. There''s a chance that Ma¡¯am Miranda is just testing them since it''s after all the topic a while ago was about maturity and discipline. So many believed Ma¡¯am Miranda was testing them. They thought she wanted to see how mature and disciplined they had become. So they remained silent, eyes fixed on the door where Ma¡¯am Miranda had exited, waiting for her to return and perhaps reveal that this was all a test to observe their growth since junior high.


    Everyone thinks that way, yet the idea soon disperses when the remaining time is reduced from 10 minutes to 3. The anticipation of Ma¡¯am Miranda returning vanished, leaving the class with a sense of relief and disappointment. What¡¯s more, the earlier silent atmosphere had been already replaced by chatter from every corner of the room, it was as if they wouldn''t care if Ma¡¯am Miranda returned within the last second.


    After spending that spare time chit-chatting, the whole room returned to its earlier silent state from a while ago. The reason was that a teacher had finally entered the classroom. It wasn¡¯t Ma''am Miranda, as the person who entered was a man¡ªthe next teacher for another subject, confirming that Ma¡¯am Miranda''s time was indeed over. During those 10 minutes, Ma¡¯am Miranda did not return, making it obvious that there was no test to begin with, and she just had simply left early, that was the conclusion.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Going back to the next teacher in mind, he greeted the class and the class greeted back. Just like yesterday, or even earlier today, his class felt like a continuation of an introduction that had begun yesterday. A theme like that will continue. After Ma¡¯am Miranda, nothing particularly notable happened. Her actions were unusual compared to the others, but the rest of the day went on normally. However, there¡¯s still homeroom, where Ma¡¯am Miranda is the teacher since she¡¯s their adviser. But apparently, that only happens once a week, whereas yesterday they had one. So, she will return to that subject at a different period, which is Monday after the break. And yet, recalling what Ma¡¯am Miranda said earlier, there is something she wants to discuss later. So what was that? Ma¡¯am Miranda mentioned she would discuss it in homeroom, but homeroom is typically held only once a week. That¡¯s the norm across the whole school system, from primary to secondary. Unless they¡¯re not following the usual system for it, perhaps their homeroom could be taken twice or more. As for the topic to be discussed, she didn¡¯t reveal any details, making it seem like a surprise later. This thing Ma¡¯am Miranda wants to discuss could be important, yet, no one seems to care¡ªor perhaps they just didn¡¯t bother remembering it. Whether it¡¯s a continuation of the earlier topic or something different, everyone already feels disinterested.


    Returning to the second subject, nothing interesting happened afterward, the class has been proceeding smoothly. It was quite ordinary, nothing more than that. The same goes for the next and following subject. As a result, the second through fourth subjects were completed without any problems.


    Now the class is heading into their break time. Once the teacher dismissed them and left, everyone stood from their seats. Chatter began to fill the room as some gathered in their usual spots. Not all want to leave the room during break time. What about the canteen? As for the others, food wasn¡¯t an issue since they brought their own. There¡¯s no rule stating that a class must leave the classroom during break time, that the room must be empty, nor that eating inside the room is prohibited during recess. The classroom is available for students to use once break time begins, but only during that period. They can do whatever they want, as long as it doesn¡¯t pose any danger or cause trouble to the surroundings outside the room.


    So yeah, some want to stay in the classroom, but not for Adrian and Jose. Not bringing food was ordinary for them, that was the case in the past and remains true today. Thus, they always went to the canteen back then, and today is no different. Hence, Adrian and Jose are among the people who leave the classroom to eat at the canteen.


    With that being said, Adrian and Jose soon arrived at the canteen. But unlike yesterday, they weren''t running out of schedule this time. They got to the canteen right before it became crowded, though it was already slowly filling up. So, before it could get too busy, they quickly went to the counter and placed their order.


    ¡°So, where would we sit?¡± Jose asked after getting their food.


    ¡°I have a spot in mind. Follow me,¡± Adrian replied.


    And so they made their way to the table Adrian had in mind.


    ¡°Hey, are you sure about this? Isn''t it already occupied?¡± Jose posed a question after they reached the table Adrian mentioned.


    ¡°It''s fine. I''ll go ask her.¡±


    ¡°Wait, wouldn¡¯t it be better to sit at a different table? Look, there are still some spare ones available we could take.¡±


    ''Spare'' wouldn¡¯t be the right word here, since in truth there were enough¡ªperhaps even more than enough¡ªtables they could sit at. And yet still, Adrian chose a table that someone had already occupied.


    It was a girl eating alone at a table for four. This girl in mind can''t be said it''s an acquaintance, but it wasn''t a stranger either. She¡¯s likely a classmate they are meeting for the first time.


    ¡°Well, I have some business with her,¡± said Adrian, reassuring that there''s a reason why he chose that spot specifically. ¡°So, you don''t mind sitting there?¡± He added.


    ¡°Yeah, it''s up to you. But first, ask her if it''s okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡± Adrian approached the individual and tried to talk to her. ¡°Excuse me, you¡¯re Frias, right?¡±


    After hearing him, the person paused her eating and looked toward the source of the voice, ¡°Why yes, that¡¯s my name. Do you need something from me?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes. But before that, could we join you here at this table?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯m fine with it.¡±


    After receiving permission, Adrian said, ¡°Thanks,¡± before sitting with her. And Jose joined them shortly after.


    ¡°We¡¯re actually in the same class.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You''re Cabanas right?¡±


    ¡°You know me?¡±


    ¡°How could I not, after what happened yesterday?¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    It was probably when Adrian was sleeping in Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s class. Since then, the teacher has been making sarcastic comments about him when she had the chance.


    ¡°You honestly did mess up on your first day, and worst of all at Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? That comment makes it seem like you fully understand Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s character.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ not fully, but I¡¯ve grasped a little since this is my second time being her student.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    From the beginning of the conversation until now, only two people were talking; Adrian and Frias. But suddenly, a third party joined in. This person isn¡¯t an outsider or a stranger, he¡¯s also a classmate sitting with them the entire time. Though he was silent throughout the whole convo from the start, he finally spoke up this time. This person is none other than Jose.


    ¡°The way you phrased that¡­ are you, by any chance, a repeater?¡± Jose continued.


    He raised the term ¡®repeater.¡¯ That word was commonly used in school-related situations to refer to a student repeating a grade level or being held back a year. The reason for that was likely due to low individual assessments.


    Asking about the girl''s status as a repeater wasn''t exactly nice. However, there¡¯s a clue in her sentence: ¡°This is my second time being her student¡± is already giveaway. Moreover, since they are freshmen, how could this be her second time? Unless she had been her teacher in junior high. But that¡¯s impossible, as Bonifacio High is a school exclusive for upcoming senior high students; therefore, it wouldn¡¯t have a junior high. It can be inferred that Ma¡¯am Miranda probably taught Frias at a different school before transferring here. However, this remains a hypothesis, and Frias has yet to confirm it.


    ¡°Yes, but well, to be precise, I''m a returnee,¡± she said casually.


    ¡°Wait, what? Really?¡± Jose exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡®Returnee¡¯ is a term similar to ¡®Repeater.¡¯ However, unlike a ¡®Repeater,¡¯ in which the individual gets held back, a ¡®Returnee¡¯ is a student who stops attending school and decides when to return after a certain period.


    ¡°For how long?¡± he added.


    ¡°Hmm, it''s probably been almost a year and a half since I dropped school.¡±


    ¡°Sorry if I''m being intrusive, but what was your reason for dropping?¡±


    ¡°I messed up my first year back then, leading me to drop out. That''s all I can say about it.¡±


    ¡°I see. I won¡¯t ask any further.¡± Jose felt considerate, he never asked more into it.


    It makes sense that she wouldn''t share the reason. It''s likely something heavy for her to disclose to strangers like Jose and Adrian. After all, it''s a private matter.


    ¡°Now it makes sense,¡± Adrian suddenly uttered such a sentence, catching their attention.


    Making Jose raise the question, ¡°Make sense of what?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Frias helped me back there, right? I''m thankful for that.¡±


    What Adrian just said was shocking. Frias helped Adrian? When and where did that happen? It was confusing and didn¡¯t make sense to Jose, for him at least. But for Frias, she oddly remained quite calm after hearing about it.


    ¡°Did I?¡± she feigned ignorance.


    ¡°Explain yourself. Even Frias didn¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Jose urged.


    ¡°Okay, remember what happened during Ma¡¯am Miranda''s class earlier?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she was teaching us.¡±


    ¡°And Ma¡¯am Miranda was looking for a student to answer her, right? It turned out that Frias stood up to respond.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that happened. But still, I don¡¯t see how that helped you. How did it end up helping you?¡±


    ¡°You see, at that time, Ma¡¯am Miranda had already set her sights on picking me.¡±


    ¡°Eh? Okay, but how did you suspect that?¡±


    ¡°Her glance gave it away.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± After a long silence, while Frias listened to what Adrian was saying, she finally spoke. ¡°If that¡¯s how you already see it, then I won¡¯t lie anymore,¡± she added.


    ¡°So it means?¡± Jose can''t believe it.


    ¡°Yeah, I voluntarily¡ªno, I purposely stood up to answer her. The reason is that I had some idea of what Ma¡¯am Miranda could do. So that¡¯s the story; you know the rest.¡±


    ¡°Since you understood how Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s mind works and felt guilty, you took the hit for me. Did I get that right?¡± Adrian asked for clarification.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird to put it that way, but you''re on point.¡±


    Frias confirmed it¡ªshe did help him. It was an act of sympathy, or at least that¡¯s what Adrian felt. But for Frias, even though she admitted it, her reason feels quite different.


    ¡°Since you''ve known Ma¡¯am Miranda well, what kind of person is she like?¡± Jose asked.


    ¡°¡®Very well¡¯ might be an exaggeration,¡± she clarified. ¡°I only knew her briefly, as I was a student here for just a few months before I dropped out. Also, she only became my teacher in the second semester, so that¡¯s even fewer months than you might think. As for Ma¡¯am Miranda''s personality, I won''t say much, so I''ll keep it simple and brief,¡± she continued. ¡°Ma¡¯am Miranda is different from other teachers. She acts like a typical teacher, but there''s something unique about her that I can feel. She''s distinct, with a personality that¡¯s a bit too unique. Like mood swings¡ªshe can be cheerful one moment and have a serious aura the next. The way she handles the class is as unique as her personality.¡±


    ¡°She handles a class uniquely?¡± Jose asked.


    ¡°Yes, in a way that isn''t noticeable.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s subtle. You have to sense that something feels off. Plus, it¡¯s hard to explain because it¡¯s uncertain.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see¡­ Is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°No, that will be all.¡±


    ¡°Eh? That''s too little. Can you provide more information?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not. As I mentioned, I¡¯ll keep it simple and brief.¡±


    ¡°But what you¡¯ve said so far seems a bit lacking.¡±


    The things Frias just said seem more like an abstract than a summary. They lack explanation and validation, giving the impression that she¡¯s trying not to disclose everything to them. While everything she said might be true, she didn¡¯t explain why it was that way.


    After hearing Jose complain, Frias let out a sigh. ¡°I want both of you to experience what Ma¡¯am Miranda might do firsthand. It will be better to experience that way. Observe her on your own, analyze, and evaluate. Along the way, learn, then decide how you''ll handle her.¡±


    ¡°...what?¡±


    ¡°I see, thanks for the advice.¡±


    Jose was baffled by what she just said. Meanwhile, Adrian considers this as advice, which sounds true, holding the information its value.


    ¡°It is, after all, to let maturity come naturally,¡± she added suddenly.


    She was referring to what she said during Ma''am Miranda''s class. But what did she mean by that? Why bring it up again now? What does maturity have to do with their current discussion? One thing is certain: her statement, like the others she said, has never been thoroughly explained.

 Chapter 7: Seat and Officer

    What was the ideal seat in a classroom?


    Some students prefer sitting in the front, others at the back, and some find the middle works fine. Seating arrangements are quite important in school. It may sound trivial, but students do care about where they sit.


    But why is seating important?


    From a teacher¡¯s perspective, it helps keep things organized by simplifying the process of locating students, managing recitations, taking attendance, and monitoring behavior. That was one of the reasons seating arrangement could benefit the teacher.


    On the other hand, seating can also affect a student''s mood depending on their spot. A seat can become their station, where comfort matters. Is it hot? Is the sunlight too intense? Can you see the front properly? Or perhaps you want to avoid drawing the teacher¡¯s attention? Factors like that are important to the student''s preference of seat. What else is, there¡¯s a seat that can be a blind spot from the teachers. Thus, different seats offer various advantages, making the arrangement beneficial in its sort of way.


    Speaking of benefits, the three mentioned spots¡ªfront, back, and middle¡ªeach position has its advantages. Being at the front allows you to see and hear clearly. In the back, there are two benefits: you''re one of the last to be called during recitations and your spot may sometimes be overlooked by the teacher, creating a blind spot. Lastly, sitting in the middle combines the benefits of both positions. It provides a clear view and good hearing of what''s happening in front, while it also offers some degree of being overlooked. It''s a balanced choice overall.


    Aside from those three, there are a couple of other good spots. One example is the infamous ¡®Protagonist¡¯ seat, often found beside the window, it¡¯s likely referenced in K-dramas or anime. Although it¡¯s a clich¨¦, it¡¯s a desirable spot because it offers a great view and fresh air. Another favorable spot is the seat close to the door. This location is valued for its easy access to the door, making it convenient for late arrivals. Being near the door makes it easier to quickly take a seat or slip in unnoticed if you¡¯re running late.


    These factors can influence students'' seat preferences. However, those seats only stay within students'' preferences; ultimately, the teacher decides where each student sits, and that''s the sad truth. Nevertheless, the assigned seats can impact students, influencing them through both benefits and social factors.


    In addition to the benefits of a seat''s location, another important factor is who your neighbors will be. While seating arrangements may not concern the teachers, students are conscious of who sits around them. An example of that was a noisy type of person. Being seated next to that person can be irritating, right? This applies to various people, such as bullies or popular students. And others can create either positive or negative interactions. However, that all depends on the personality of the people around you, which can lead to either getting along or experiencing tension.


    See now the importance of seating arrangements. It may not sound like a big deal, but it¡¯s not something to take lightly.


    But why address this topic now? The reason for that was¡­


    ¡°Okay, class, we will be discussing your seating arrangements,¡± Ma''am Miranda announced as she entered the classroom. This was likely what she had mentioned earlier and was set to discuss today, making it the perfect topic for homeroom.


    Once she confirmed she had the class¡¯s attention, she continued, ¡°Not only that, we¡¯ll also be talking about who should be the class officer.¡±


    Another thing to consider was class officers. A class officer is similar to an SSG but on a smaller scale, as their responsibilities are limited only to their classroom. Thus, their role is to manage the section.


    ¡°In one week, use this time to get to know each other. Observe and analyze the impressions of your peers and make connections with them. For those interested in running for class officer positions, this is a chance to promote yourself. Then, on Friday, we will conduct the election to choose the class officers. If not, perhaps hopeful, we could arrange your seats by then.¡±


    An announcement of an election could be said based on what the teacher declared. It is similar to a regular election in that it involves promoting oneself, much the same as campaigning. This process allows candidates to explain why they should be voted for and demonstrate their suitability for the role. Each officer or member has specific duties: one might handle finances, another might maintain order, or one could take on a leadership role and manage various responsibilities. Being a class officer entails significant responsibility and involves serving as a role model within the class.


    ¡°Again, by Friday, we will select the class officers. However, the seating arrangement will be addressed earlier than that. So, are there any questions regarding the class officers or the seating arrangement?¡±


    Prompting the class to ask a question, Ma''am Miranda was met with silence. However, it didn''t take long before someone raised their hand.


    Seeing the hand slowly rise, she took notice of the person.


    ¡°So, you have a question?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes... it''s about the seating arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Go on, what do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Ma''am, you¡¯ve mentioned that you''d give us time for the seating, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I said you''ll have time this week, but it will be before the class officer.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so by giving us time, does that mean we''ll be the ones choosing our seats?¡±


    Today was Tuesday, and the class officer selection was scheduled for Friday. Considering that, they had three days left including today, before that day. Given the time to familiarize themselves with each other, it''s no wonder this person concluded that they would be choosing their seats.


    ¡°Hmm, that''s not quite the case. I''ll still be deciding on the arrangement. However, you can influence the outcome in some way.¡±


    ¡°Really? How can we do that?¡±


    ¡°It''s up to you to figure it out.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Ma''am Miranda didn¡¯t offer any explanation for her statement whatsoever. She wanted the students to figure it out on their own. After all, the answer should come from discovery. Ma''am Miranda likely wanted her class to use their brain for a little¡ªnot saying it as an insult¡ªbut as a way of encouraging thoughtful consideration. But this is just a guess; it''s unclear what Ma''am Miranda''s thoughts are, to begin with¡ªsince she hasn''t given any hints.


    ¡°Got any more questions besides that?¡±


    ¡°No, that''s all, ma''am.¡±


    ¡°Then how about the others? Is no one else going to ask questions except for him?¡±


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    No follow-up question was issued after that, and once again, Ma''am Miranda was met with silence from the class. Realizing that no further questions were coming, she said, ¡°If not, then I''ll give you all this time to talk things out,¡± concluding the class and leaving earlier than expected interval time.


    And so, once again, they got abandoned.


    Why leave early? Is it a test? This question would resurface again, just as it had before. However, that wasn''t the case this time, as they had learned from a similar scenario earlier and figured out that Ma''am Miranda wasn¡¯t testing them.


    Since Ma''am Miranda encouraged the class to use the time for discussion, they followed her instructions. However, it wasn¡¯t a formal discussion; instead, it was more of a casual chat within their respective groups than as a whole class. Their topic is somewhat aligned with earlier discussions, as they were interested in seating arrangements and class officers. They talked about where they wanted to sit and who they wanted to sit with. As for the discussion about class officers, some jokingly suggested nominating others or volunteering to run for the positions. It was something like a common talk with friends.


    Even though the class became rowdy, they maintained a good student attitude. Their noise level was moderate, and they thoughtfully avoided clustering messily in one spot. It looked like a normal class having activities.


    However, they might still be wondering if Ma''am Miranda was testing them. They also considered the possibility that she might suddenly return. Although she didn¡¯t return after the first subject, they thought it was best to limit their behavior in case she unexpectedly reappeared. This is just a hypothesis, and it¡¯s uncertain whether the students feel this way or whether Ma''am Miranda will return.


    Regardless, minutes passed, and the students still maintained their tamed demeanor. Nothing happened¡ªjust casual chatting about the current topic, occasionally shifting subjects when bored. But this uneventful scene was shortly ended when someone stepped before the blackboard.


    ¡°Everyone, can I have your attention?¡±


    At her request, all eyes turned to the person in front¡ªthis person was a girl, none other than Frias.


    ¡°Um¡­ what is it, Frias, right?¡± one of the classmates asked.


    ¡°Well, it''s about the class officers. I''d like to nominate myself for class president,¡± she declared confidently in front of the class.


    ¡°O-okay, feel free to run.¡±


    ¡°I will. However, I want your support. But don''t get me wrong¡ªI''m not forcing you all to vote for me. Since some of you might want to run too, I want this election to be fair and square. So, I ask that you take the selection of officers seriously. Do you all understand what I''m saying?¡±


    ¡°I understand. We¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°So, if anyone wants to run, don¡¯t be shy to step forward.¡±


    The matter proceeded better than expected. At first, it was thought to be awkward, but they managed to understand each other. It went quite smoothly, likely because Frias handled it well. This demonstrated how serious she was.


    ¡°But does anyone want to run?¡± one of her classmates asked.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure someone will, I can feel it,¡± she replied.


    Hoping someone would have the courage to step up, suddenly, someone raised their hand.


    ¡°I want to run as well,¡± he said.


    The classmate was a male.


    ¡°And you might be?¡±


    ¡°Oh, the name¡¯s William Kaldres.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Kaldres, what position do you want to run for?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ the same as you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. You¡¯re running for president as well? Then I recognize you as a competitor. Let¡¯s make this election fair and square.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°Alright, other than him, is anyone else interested in running?¡±


    Asking the class once again, she was met with silence. Despite the two of them being passionate about the matter, it seemed the others didn¡¯t share the same enthusiasm. The lack of response suggested that the others were hesitant or indifferent to running for class officer.


    ¡°It looks like it¡¯s just the two of us competing for class president,¡± said her rival.


    ¡°If it''s even not being the president, what about other positions like vice president or secretary? Is no one interested?¡± she further explained.


    After saying all that, she still hadn¡¯t received any response from the crowd. There was only silence as everyone looked at each other, waiting to see if anyone would stand up.


    ¡°They¡¯re probably intimidated by the competitive atmosphere,¡± said her one and only opponent.


    Calling it ¡®intimidated¡¯ seems odd without any evidence to support his guess. Moreover, they likely don¡¯t want unnecessary attention. They''re merely just ordinary students, and usually, this issue isn¡¯t a big deal for them. They think it¡¯s best to leave things as they are, believing the situation will resolve naturally as the election progresses.


    ¡°That¡­ might be the case, but I can feel that someone will eventually step up and do their best to achieve something higher.¡±


    ¡°Is that the reason you want to be a class officer?¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Even though it¡¯s just a simple role in the class, Frias takes it seriously. Her classmates, however, haven¡¯t given it much thought and are merely going with the flow.


    ¡°I see. If that¡¯s the case, perhaps you also want to¡­ no, never mind.¡±


    ¡°How about you? What¡¯s your reasoning?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, probably the same as yours.¡±


    ¡°... Is that so?¡±


    Frias looks into Kaldres'' eyes, and he meets her gaze back. It¡¯s not something like a menacing glare or a look of doubt, yet they continue staring at each other. The meaning behind their gaze is unclear, as is the source of their determination for a mere classroom president position.


    ¡°Um¡­ I would also like to run as well.¡±


    Their staring contest ended quickly when someone raised their hand.


    ¡°Oh, Cabanas, you want to be a class officer?¡±


    Frias posed a question in surprise, and even Jose reacted the same way.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Running for president?¡± asked Kaldres.


    ¡°Oh, no, I''ll be running for peace officer.¡±


    ¡°It''s good that you''re running, but do you know what a peace officer''s role is?¡± Frias asked with concern.


    ¡°Yeah, I do. Its role is about bringing peace within the class, right?¡±


    ¡°Well, you''re not wrong, but there''s more to it than that.¡±


    A peace officer¡¯s job is indeed to maintain peace in the class. More precisely, it involves ensuring that students behave appropriately. Their role includes monitoring and punishing students¡¯ misbehavior. Although ¡®punish¡¯ might be too harsh a word¡ªit''s likely more about scolding than actual punishment. Peace officers also manage disputes within the class, talking things out and resolving problems, making them one of the most important roles in the class.


    ¡°I''m well aware of that,¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°So, do you still want to be a peace officer?¡±


    ¡°I''ll try my best.¡±


    Adrian¡¯s words sounded hesitant, but his resolve was evident. Seeing his determination, Frias recognized his commitment and approved his participation.


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll leave you with that.¡±


    ¡°I''ll do what I can.¡±


    In this case, it doesn''t need someone''s approval to be able to run for class officer. Even so, it''s still great to have someone recognize your determination.


    With that single person standing up, it is as if the start of a sign of good luck. Where, even with little confidence, some of the classmates began to raise their hands.


    Some students aiming for positions like secretary or treasurer, while others are considering running for president.


    ¡°Guess there¡¯s more than one competitor after all,¡± Kaldres said.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯m glad they¡¯re at least trying.¡±


    Despite it being a small scale, Frias hopes that everyone doesn''t take this officer picking lightly.

 Chapter 8: Teaming Up

    Tomorrow arrives like an ordinary day at school, with nothing noteworthy happening inside the classroom. Despite what happened yesterday, there are no changes whatsoever within the class. It still functions as a typical class by its standards, as if what Frias did had no impact. Her classmates behave normally, like how a typical high school student should act. Moreover, those who intended to run for class officer positions showed a lack of passion, suggesting they were not taking the matter seriously.


    Among those classmates who decided to run was Adrian, who unexpectedly volunteered for the peace officer position. And for what reason does he want to run? Jose asked the same question yesterday and got an answer from Adrian, who replied, ¡°Oh, I just feel like it.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Jose was confused by what Adrian said by that. It could be interpreted that Adrian wanted to be a class officer just for the sake of it, which wasn¡¯t a great impression. However, compared to others who raised their hands like him, they seemed unmotivated¡ªas if they made their decision on a whim, on the other hand, Adrian at least appeared somewhat committed to his choice. Despite his vague reason, he showed determination for whatever reason.


    Returning to the situation, saying nothing happened isn¡¯t entirely accurate. Although today may seem similar to yesterday, there is one difference: the teacher for the first subject is absent. So Ma¡¯am Miranda is nowhere to be found, leaving the class unattended. However, despite the absence of a teacher to keep them in check, the class still maintains good behavior. This is likely due to one person.


    ¡°Everyone, you''re being noisy again,¡± Frias stated her concern to her classmates.


    This isn''t the first time she has scolded them, since the beginning, she has frequently reminded them whenever they became too rowdy. Others might find her annoying already, but that doesn¡¯t bother her if that''s the case. Although, she has no way of knowing what her classmates are thinking right now.


    ¡°Hey, am I being too annoying?¡± Frias asked, sensing the awkward atmosphere in the classroom. She was sitting in front of Adrian¡¯s seat when she asked the question.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m not sure,¡± Adrian replied, pausing for a moment before adding, ¡°They might be irritated already, but we can¡¯t be certain.¡±


    ¡°Nonetheless, I believe I¡¯m doing the right thing. Besides, this is supposed to be your job.¡±


    ¡°W-what!? But it¡¯s not decided yet!¡±


    ¡°Oh, would you explain to me again why you volunteered?¡±


    ¡°Haha, well, that''s¡­¡±


    Adrian had nothing to say other than that as if the cat had got his tongue. But Frias hadn¡¯t said anything provocative; she simply asked a question, yet Adrian couldn¡¯t answer. Why? Perhaps Frias was being sarcastic because of what happened yesterday.


    Yesterday after school, she overheard their conversation.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± she asked after overhearing them.


    ¡°Eh?! Frias, what are you doing here?¡± Adrian was shocked to see her in a place like this. It¡¯s unlikely to be a coincidence, given that they were in an arcade called Timezone.


    ¡°Oh, I followed you guys here,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Eh?? You what??? Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, I had something to talk to you about, but then, I overheard something funny. So... what did you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I-it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Look, I acknowledge your resolve and respect it. I wanted to understand the source of your determination, but I guess I was wrong to expect more from you.¡±


    Frias turns around, visibly disappointed. She had hoped for more from him and believed his words, but in the end, it amounted to nothing but empty words.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    As she was about to leave, Adrian stopped her.


    ¡°I may have said something like that, but I¡¯m serious about my intention to run,¡± Adrian continued.


    ¡°Then what would be the reason behind that intention?¡±


    ¡°Ehem, like I mentioned earlier, I feel like going for it. It''s not likely just a spur-of-the-moment decision; I¡¯m genuinely interested in being part of the class officer because I want to try new things. Isn''t that enough to be a reason?¡±


    After hearing Adrian''s explanation, Frias turned around to face him. She took a brief moment of silence to look at him before she responded.


    ¡°Trying new things isn''t a bad idea, but in this case, it¡¯s not a sufficient reason. But still, it¡¯s not my place to judge your motive, so I acknowledge it instead.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I''m counting on you to do your best from now on.¡±


    After saying that, she finally left them. That¡¯s how their conversation unfolded and concluded. However, as Adrian reflected on their discussion, he was left baffled by a lingering question about Frias''s final words.


    ¡°What did she mean ¡®from now on''?¡± Adrian pondered. But little did he know, that statement meant he was now involved in her matters starting today.


    Cutting back to the present day, the first subject has just ended, and Ma¡¯am Miranda is still nowhere to be found. It¡¯s already expected that she wouldn¡¯t show up. But what about the homeroom class later? That¡¯s a different story. As explained yesterday, homeroom is scheduled for just one day a week. So, technically, they were only supposed to have homeroom on Monday¡ªtwo days ago. Yet, they had one yesterday, already breaking the norm of its schedule.


    Then the next teacher finally arrived. As he entered the classroom, the first thing he noticed was the atmosphere. Looking around, he couldn¡¯t help but pose a question.


    ¡°Say, has Ms. Miranda already come here?¡± the teacher asked.


    ¡°No, sir. Ma¡¯am Miranda hasn''t come here yet.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± The teacher rubbed his forehead and muttered, ¡°Really, this woman is doing whatever she likes again,¡± before letting out a sigh.


    Even though he said it quietly, everyone¡¯s eyes turned toward him as if they had heard it. Noticing this, he cleared his throat and began the lecture as if nothing had happened.


    With that, the class went back to normal.


    Remembering what the teacher said a while ago, it¡¯s clear that Ma¡¯am Miranda seems to be a headache even for them. It shows just how free-spirited she is. What could she have done to leave such an impression on her peers?


    Is she a good teacher or not? No one knows except for those teachers and higher grade levels than them. It makes one wonder if they are unfortunate to have Ma¡¯am Miranda as their teacher, and especially as their adviser. But, well, it¡¯s hard for them to determine that since they¡¯re new to the school.


    Moving on to their second period, nothing worth mentioning occurred since the second subject began, and the class hours continued normally even for the rest of the subjects. So easily fast-forward to break time.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t you want to join Frias with her ¡®gaining support¡¯ back then?¡± Jose asked.


    This question was referred to during the classroom when break time had just started. Adrian had been asked¡ªor rather, ordered by Frias¡ªto gather support who would support him with being a class officer. However, Adrian was reluctant to comply and ended up in the canteen to avoid Frias, leaving her in the classroom as she approached their classmates to gain followers.


    ¡°Nah, I don''t want to trouble myself with that,¡± he said; clearly showing his unwillingness.


    ¡°Dude, where¡¯s your resolve from back then?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still here. It''s just that I have my way, you know. And I don¡¯t want to discuss things that I¡¯m unsure whether I can handle something like a corrupt politician, you know.¡±


    ¡°Whoa, how did you go from class officers to that? You¡¯re overvaluing being a class officer to something big. It¡¯s not the same, you know.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know. But what I¡¯m getting at is that I¡¯m reluctant to make any promises.¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t make big promises.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right, but, there are still expectations that fall upon being part of a class officer.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just exaggerating. No one cares whether someone is part of the class officer, except for the commonly well-known positions like President and Vice-President; or perhaps the Muse and Escort. My point is that other positions besides those I mentioned are undervalued or ignored.¡±


    Despite having a special role within the class, in the end, it¡¯s just a title with little authority. Others won¡¯t care about someone having an important role when they know the person is the same age as them. Worse, they might just want to benefit from them.


    ¡°I can''t deny that, however, the teachers also expect the officers to do their job.¡±


    ¡°Are they?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know, but I expect they''re probably observing us to see how we handle our responsibilities. Or maybe they will try challenging us to how we will solve some classroom problem on our own.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that''s too exaggerating it. The teachers might observe, but not to that extent.¡±


    ¡°It might not be the case, but there''s a chance it could be.¡±


    ¡°Seeing you''re this determined, you must truly want to be a class officer.¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    ¡°Hey. You guys talking about something interesting over there. Fill me in.¡±


    As Adrian and Jose were having a conversation, suddenly someone butted in. The conversation was unusual, so the person became interested in what they were saying.


    ¡°May I join the two of you at your table?¡± the person politely asked.


    Adrian and Jose exchanged a glance before agreeing.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Jose replied.


    ¡°Thank you for letting me join.¡±


    ¡°No problem. We can''t just shoo away our classmates like that, right?¡±


    ¡°Right, haha.¡±


    Just as they said, this person was one of their classmates. What''s more surprising is that he was the guy who raised his hand to run for president, likely to be Frias''s rival for the position.


    ¡°Anyway, back to your conversation. You guys were talking about class officers, right? And interestingly, your friend here had this idea that the teachers might be challenging us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it''s just one of Adrian''s delusions. Don''t take it seriously.¡±


    ¡°I know it''s a wild guess. But what if that were the case?¡±


    ¡°So you''re saying the teachers might test us on something like that?¡±


    ¡°Some might, some might not, but there''s a possibility they will. And even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t tell us.¡±


    ¡°Although, wouldn''t that be a hassle?¡±


    ¡°It probably would. However, I could see it as a behavior evaluation.¡±


    ¡°I get what you mean by evaluation. Since the teacher also grades our attitude, it could be similar.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but in this case, it¡¯s likely to be something different.¡±


    ¡°By that, you mean what?¡±


    ¡°Remember what your friend said a while ago? He mentioned something about a ''teacher challenge.'' Now, let''s say the challenge is a situational test. The teacher could test us with a real-life scenario.¡±


    ¡°Do you think the test will be written or something like tackling a live situation?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, either of those could work.¡±


    ¡°The written test makes sense, but the second option seems far-fetched.¡±


    ¡°It might be, but some teachers possibly would do it.¡±


    ¡°That''s too much for an evaluation.¡±


    ¡°You think so? What about you? What do you think?¡± Kaldres asked, looking at Adrian.


    ¡°Hmm? Why are you being so quiet there, Adrian?¡± Jose asked.


    Since Kaldres joined them at the table, Adrian remained silent for the rest of the conversation. He just sat there, listening as they talked about the challenge, even though he was the one who started the topic. Rather than joining the conversation, he just observed them, especially focusing on Kaldres.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Adrian finally said something.


    ¡°W-what?¡± Kaldres responded, confused by Adrian¡¯s question.


    ¡°Hey, Adrian, you''re being rude,¡± Jose interjected.


    However, Adrian ignores him and just continues.


    ¡°What is your intention in joining us?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I already mention that I overheard your conversation, got interested, and decided to join you?¡±


    ¡°Is that truly all?... Because since leaving the classroom, you''ve been following us.¡±


    ¡°Eh??? Aren¡¯t we all heading to the same place during break time?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s normal for him to be here,¡± Jose interjected again.


    ¡°That¡¯s not all. A while ago, right after we got our food, he¡¯s been staring at us all this time from that table before coming over,¡± he continued, pointing to the table.


    Adrian suspected that Kaldres had been spying on them from a nearby table, with his eyes fixed on them since entering the canteen. Under normal circumstances, this would be considered highly suspicious.


    ¡°So, what do you want?¡± Adrian asked firmly.


    ¡°Am I that obvious? Well, I guess there¡¯s no point in lying,¡± Kaldres said as if he had been caught. ¡°I¡¯ll get straight to the point. Adrian Cabanas, I request that you give up running for class officer, specifically the peace officer role.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it, huh? I want to ask, I¡¯m running for a peace officer, and you¡¯re running for president, right? Then, so why are you concerned about a position like peace officer?¡±


    ¡°It is that there''s someone I know who''s also running for a peace officer, therefore I just want to reduce the competition for my friend.¡±


    ¡°And so you''re going to bribe me?¡±


    ¡°...¡± Kaldres was speechless at Adrian''s suggestion. ¡°Hah, I was planning to beg until you gave in, but you surprised me with that conclusion. Let¡¯s see¡­ money is out of the question, so¡­¡± He paused as if considering his options. It didn¡¯t take long for him to respond, ¡°Here¡¯s the deal: give up running for peace officer and run for vice president instead. I¡¯ll help you in return. What do you think?¡±


    Adrian didn¡¯t reply immediately, he simply just stared directly at Kaldres without flinching or changing his expression. With Kaldres returning it, an intense atmosphere formed between them.


    ¡°W-w-wait! Wait just a minute!! This is moving too fast. What¡¯s even going on?!¡± Amid silence and a staring contest, Jose confusedly butted in. ¡°Adrian, what¡¯s happening? Earlier we were just talking about teachers'' tests, and now it¡¯s about class officers, giving up, bribery¡ªwhat¡¯s the deal? Can you guys explain this properly?¡±


    Jose¡¯s demand for an explanation was ignored. Meanwhile, Adrian and Kaldres continued their intense stare-down.


    ¡°That¡¯s a tempting offer, but the prospect of me becoming vice president is far from achievable,¡± Adrian finally spoke after their silent stares.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? Is it the supporters? That wouldn¡¯t be an issue, as you could use my supporters too.¡±


    ¡°Do you already have supporters?¡±


    ¡°N¡­none yet, but I¡¯ll sort that out later.¡±


    ¡°So you have nothing to offer at all?¡±


    ¡°I do, you just have to believe in me.¡±


    ¡°Even if you have the capabilities, I still can¡¯t accept your offer.¡±


    ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°I''m already under to someone.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You could say I¡¯m teamed up with someone, similar to being on a party list in an election.¡±


    ¡°With whom?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know who it is.¡±


    ¡°You don''t mean¡­¡±


    After realizing something, Kaldres stood up, eager to leave. But when he turned around, Adrian said something that made him stop.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Frias about the matter of peace officer?¡± Adrian suggested.


    ¡°No need,¡± Kaldres replied without looking back.


    ¡°I see. You¡¯ve probably already asked her and received the same answer.¡±


    After that remark, Kaldres neither confirmed nor denied it and remained silent. He just simply left them behind.


    Confirming that Kaldres was already far away, Jose spoke.


    ¡°What''s with that?¡±


    ¡°I guess that, just like he tried to secure the position of a peace officer for his friend, he probably also tried to secure the position for president.¡±


    ¡°So he also tried bribing her?¡±


    ¡°Based on his reaction, that seems to be the case.¡±


    They interpreted the silence as confirmation of Adrian¡¯s hypothesis. Given the context of the earlier conversation, which had provided clear indications, it seemed highly probable that Adrian was right.


    ¡°Doing something like that¡ªwhat an ambitious person he is,¡± Jose said. ¡°But hold on a second, you mentioned earlier that you¡¯re under Frias. When did that happen?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that? Last night, I got a message from her, and we talked about helping each other with the election. She invited me to join her party.¡±


    ¡°So, did you join?¡±


    ¡°If you ask me, I wouldn¡¯t accept it. But she forced me, so there¡¯s nothing I could do.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? You just let her push you around?¡±


    ¡°I mean. Even though it''s against my will, I think it¡¯s beneficial to team up with her and support each other.¡±


    ¡°So you do want to be a peace officer.¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡­¡± Jose was confused about whether Adrian was serious or not.


    ¡°Right. Before I forget, I should inform Frias about today¡¯s interaction.¡±


    ¡°Wait, why would you do that?¡±


    ¡°Why not? It is to inform her that Kaldres is trying to manipulate the vote, so I''ll let her know. Although she¡¯s probably aware of it already since they¡¯ve interacted before,¡± Adrian explained as he typed a message to Frias.


    ¡°...despite showing no determination or passion, you¡¯re surprisingly cooperative.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ not at all. I¡¯m just doing what I think is best. That¡¯s all.¡±

 Chapter 9: Likes and Dislikes

    Homeroom is a unique subject that differs from others. It doesn''t follow the same typical structure of a traditional subject, as it doesn''t rely heavily on lectures, activities, or tests. Instead, the subject purpose is to guide students in their career paths and help resolve class disputes. It functions more like a consultation than a typical academic subject.


    The advisor is the one who handles the homeroom, making them the homeroom teacher, and their duties include the tasks mentioned earlier. But does Ma¡¯am Miranda follow through with these responsibilities? Is she good at helping students with their problems, or bad at it? Or does she even care? Ultimately, it depends on how Ma¡¯am Miranda demonstrates her spirit as a teacher, and it''s up to her students to judge.


    Homeroom is supposed to be held once a week, yet Ma''am Miranda showed up yesterday. She wasn''t supposed to because they already had one the day before. And what happened to the teacher who was supposed to be teaching during that period? Ma''am Miranda likely asked this teacher to lend their time for a reason. It could be due to discussions about seating arrangements and class officers, but that would be unusual for the first week.


    But now, what could it be? After the break, is homeroom still going to be the next subject? Did Ma''am Miranda borrow time from another teacher again? This question will be answered once the break ends and a teacher enters the room.


    ¡°Hello everyone.¡±


    This teacher was a woman, apparently not Ma''am Miranda.


    ¡°I believe this is the first time we¡¯re meeting, right? We were supposed to meet yesterday, but unfortunately, some circumstances caused our first meeting to be canceled.¡±


    Some circumstances she said, and didn''t spill what the reason was. She also didn¡¯t indicate that Ma''am Miranda was involved at all. So, it¡¯s safe to assume that they¡¯re not connected. That¡¯s what others want to believe, but it¡¯s hard to ignore the timing from yesterday.


    ¡°Since this is our first meeting, I''ll introduce myself. I''m Alayna Arevalo, and I''ll be your teacher for the Personal Development subject. Nice to meet you all,¡± she said casually and continued, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve introduced myself, I¡¯d like each of you to do the same.¡±


    Like any other subject on the first day, she followed the usual routine of first time.


    ¡°However, there¡¯s a twist. I want you to share three things you like and three things you dislike. First, write these details on a quarter-sheet of paper: your name, age, birthday, and your likes and dislikes. Then hand it to me, and we¡¯ll draw names to decide the order of the sharer.¡±


    Here¡¯s how the procedure will go: After collecting the papers, Ma''am Arevalo will shuffle them thoroughly. The person whose paper ends up on top will introduce themselves first.


    Then the student who got called will stand to the front and introduce themselves using the details they wrote on their paper. After their introduction, the student will pick a paper from the teacher¡¯s hand that is spread like a deck of cards, to determine the next student. And so on, the process will then repeat.


    It''s just a simple introduction with a twist, just the usual in the class. The twist has been used too often for introductions; since it''s not the first time. What else is, it¡¯s already a common activity that many teachers use with their students.


    So, it¡¯s just a normal self-introduction, sharing information that others might not listen to. Nothing makes changes and nothing harms. However, this type of twist is often underestimated. The information shared such as likes and dislikes doesn¡¯t affect others much. Who cares what you like or dislike? Most people wouldn¡¯t mind. While likes and dislikes may seem trivial, once they align among students, it could impact future relationships in the class and possibly establish a hierarchy. And there might be ups and downs to navigating this social dynamic within the class.


    So, without further ado, they started the student self-introductions. They followed the same procedure: shuffle, introduce, and pick. Once a student is chosen, the teacher calls them.


    ¡°Okay, the first one to introduce is¡­ Batungbakal.¡±


    Hearing his name, Jose stood up. ¡°I''m Jose Batungbakal, 17 years old. My birthday is on March 20. And the three things I like are games, spicy foods, and movies. Then my three dislikes were sweets, losing in a game, and spoilers.¡±


    ¡°So those are your likes and dislikes, but can you be more specific? For example, which games do you like? What types of sweets do you dislike?¡±


    ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am. The games I usually play are; League of Legends and sometimes MMORPGs like Albion Online. And, as you might guess, I dislike losing in a game,¡± Jose said naturally. Although it might sound like a joke, his serious expression suggested otherwise. Without pausing, he continued sharing, ¡°For food, I like anything spicy. I also dislike sweets for the same reason. As for movies, I enjoy all genres¡­ well, except for romance. I¡¯m not fond of that genre. I want to enjoy the movie in first experience, so I avoid spoilers.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Batungbakal, thank you for sharing more about your likes and dislikes. You mentioned you dislike losing in a game. Does that mean you take gaming seriously, like a professional, and do whatever it takes to win?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ no, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m neither a pro nor do I take it that seriously. I just really hate the feeling of losing. But it could be said that I''m trying my best to win somehow.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so? Then, if you treated academics like a game, would you try your best not to lose or get lower grades?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think my mindset in gaming can apply to academics, because those two are different. But, I guess, I¡¯ll try my best to be serious about my studies.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I''m hoping to see that, okay?¡±


    ¡°Haha, right¡­¡±


    Expectation fell to Jose''s back, regret already weighed on him as he realized what he had said. He¡¯d just followed the mood without thinking twice about his words. Now, he could only hope the teacher wouldn¡¯t take him seriously.


    ¡°Alright, we''ve spent enough time on this. Let''s move on to the next student. So Batungbakal, pick a paper.¡±


    Jose doing so picked a paper from the teacher¡¯s hand. Unexpectedly, the next person was someone he knew, causing him to smirk as he returned to his seat.


    ¡°Okay, the next student to share is... Cabanas.¡±


    When Adrian was called, he stood up and introduced himself as Jose did.


    Name: Adrian Cabanas


    Age: 16 years old


    Birthday: September 20


    He followed the procedure, starting with basic information and adding the twist afterward.


    Things Adrian like #1: Games


    Things Adrian like #2: Books


    Things Adrian like #3: Music''s


    Those were Adrian''s three likes. They weren''t anything special¡ªjust pretty normal. Even though this was all about Adrian, someone was unsatisfied and reacted with, ¡°Huh?!¡± And that reaction came from Jose.


    ¡°Is something wrong, Batungbakal?¡± Despite Jose''s voice not being very loud, the teacher still caught on to what Jose said.


    ¡°Nothing, ma''am. I just coughed.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Really? Now that I think about it, do you two know each other? I noticed earlier that when Batungbakal picked a paper and happened to choose Cabanas''s, he smirked at you.¡±


    The teacher also noticed it, even though it was just a moment.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. We were classmates back in junior high,¡± Adrian confirmed the teacher¡¯s suspicion.


    ¡°So, technically, are you friends or not?¡±


    ¡°We''re friends.¡±


    ¡°No wonder you have similar interests. You both like games. Wait, don¡¯t tell me you dislike losing too?¡±


    The teacher guessed correctly. Adrian and Jose share a common trait: not only do they like gaming, but they also hate losing, whether in a team or against each other.


    The teacher wanted to confirm something, ¡°What types of games do you play together? Are they cooperative, or do you compete against each other?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Oh, we play both.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you both hate losing, right? How does that play out?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand, ma¡¯am. What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, I mean, if you both hate losing, how do you handle it when one of you loses or is defeated?¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°We simply just trash talk,¡± Jose the one who answered the teacher''s question. ¡°Whether we''re on the same team or competing against each other, we always trash talk.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that sounds a bit harsh. Don¡¯t you think? It¡¯s a kind of toxic relationship between friends.¡±


    ¡°It might be toxic, but that¡¯s how our friendship works. Most of us in this classroom can relate.¡±


    ¡°Everyone, do you agree with his statement?¡±


    The teacher asked the other students, but it was met with a silent stare. It was evident, no one wanted to agree with what Jose had said.


    ¡°Looks like your classmates aren¡¯t siding with you at all.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I understand the situation. They probably don¡¯t want to admit they have the same attitude, wouldn¡¯t they? As it might give a bad impression.¡±


    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re aware of that. Then why did you still say something like that?¡±


    ¡°Heh that trait is limited only to gaming, so sharing it isn¡¯t a big deal. Besides, I¡¯ve already said it, there¡¯s nothing I can do about it now. And actually, I¡¯m a nice person.¡±


    ¡°Proclaiming yourself to be a nice guy, but a decent person wouldn¡¯t need to say that. It¡¯s like a stranger claiming they¡¯re not suspicious¡ªwouldn¡¯t you feel doubtful?¡±


    ¡°It depends on the person whether they believe it or not. Nevertheless, nothing has been proven yet.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. Now, that statement contradicts what you said earlier. It doesn¡¯t confirm that you¡¯re a nice person.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s better to trust someone to be good than to assume the worst, right? I can guarantee that I am nice.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see if that¡¯s true this school year.¡±


    The students in the classroom are new faces; so nothing can be certain yet. Senior High lasts 2 years, which is more than enough time to get to know someone or for their personalities to show. And the teacher believes that Jose, or most students at first, is very cautious around others. They are shy about revealing their true selves, or at least that''s what the teacher thinks.


    ¡°Wait a minute, why are we talking about you again? It should be Cabanas'' turn by now,¡± the teacher suddenly realized. ¡°Sorry about that, Cabanas.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, ma¡¯am,¡± Adrian replied, unfazed.


    ¡°But tell me, do you agree with what Batungbakal said?¡±


    ¡°Well, for me, it''s different. Yes, I said I hate losing, but I¡¯m pretty chill about it. I¡¯m not toxic to anyone, not even my friends, even if it¡¯s just a game.¡±


    ¡°What? You¡¯re talking nonsense,¡± Jose interrupted again. ¡°You disagree with me? How so? The two of us are the same¡ªtalking trash while playing games. What''s else, when did you start liking books and music?¡±


    ¡°That? Just recently.¡±


    ¡°Recently? It¡¯s hard to develop a genuine interest in something in such a short time. I¡¯d say you¡¯re just putting on a front.¡±


    ¡°I just want to try new things. Is that so bad?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ there¡¯s nothing wrong with it, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, stop right there, you two,¡± the teacher interrupted them. ¡°Please, Cabanas, continue your sharing. We¡¯ve already wasted enough time.¡±


    ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am,¡± Adrian said, ending the quarrel with Jose and resuming his introduction.


    After covering the three things he likes, he effortlessly transitioned to sharing his three dislikes.


    As for Adrian''s three dislikes, one of them was mentioned earlier: his dislike of losing in a game. It was the same with Jose. Also, having a similar attitude, probably because they play games together frequently.


    Then, as for the other two dislikes, they¡¯re not significant. However, Adrian''s list contrasts with Jose¡¯s, as Adrian dislikes both spicy and sweet foods, which doesn¡¯t align with or significantly differ from Jose¡¯s preferences. Since Adrian hated spicy food, he would immediately decline whenever Jose brought something spicy food to share. That''s where their food preference stands to differ.


    Ending his introduction with a cough, this concluded Adrian¡¯s turn.


    ¡°Okay, thank you Cabanas for sharing. Now, pick a paper for the next student.¡±


    Not wasting any further time, Adrian quickly picked a paper and soon called on the next student. At this point, the activity proceeded smoothly. They reduced the amount of commenting to avoid wasting time on unnecessary discussion, which had been the issue earlier.


    The sharing of likes and dislikes had returned to normal. The preferences they shared were quite ordinary. Some liked reading but differed in format¡ªsome preferred physical books, while others read online, likely on Wattpad. Additionally, their genre preferences varied. Each has its genre preferences. The same goes with students who enjoyed watching TV series or movies that also had their favorite genres or were not interested in them.


    Music is also one of the student''s interests, including specific types of music and particular singers or bands. While a few discuss genres, most focus on individual artists or groups they like, such as singers such as Taylor Swift or the band Ben&Ben.


    Some students also like to play games, and their preferences vary widely. Since they shared a similar interest as Jose, the teacher asked them if they agreed with what Jose had said. Reluctant to answer, they could only reply to the teacher with a scratch on their head. But in the end, it was just a joke on the teacher¡¯s part, so she didn''t press them any further.


    Then, when it comes to their dislikes, they are very cautious with what they say. To avoid offending others, they usually opt for the least controversial options, which is the safest option is to be food-related. Spice, sweets, vegetables, Spices, sweets, vegetables, and other foods they perhaps genuinely dislike. Aside from food, another common dislike, especially among girls, is insects. Many females find insects disgusting due to their strange appearance, movement, or body structure¡ªlike having too many legs or a hideous look. A prime example is the cockroach, a tiny creature that can make any girl scream, especially when it starts to fly.


    The activity is lively, but what Jose and Adrian did was intriguing, even though the content of their conversation was quite something. But the boldness they showed is daring, and the teacher likes that. She hoped others would also share their true thoughts without any worry. Being wishful about it, someone unexpectedly mustered the courage to speak, but not in the way the teacher had hoped.


    ¡°I hate BTS.¡± Someone boldly claimed.


    With this simple sentence, the majority of the class focused on the speaker, and some showed irritation on their faces.


    ¡°Excuse me, why?¡± asked the teacher.


    ¡°Because they¡¯re cringe. Their dance and songs aren¡¯t even that good. Moreover, their fan base is the worst.¡± This male student expressed his feelings candidly, showing his genuine hatred for BTS.


    Some students found his statement a bit frustrating, and the majority affected by it were girls, who were likely BTS fans.


    BTS is a boy band that made a name in the K-pop world; popularizing themselves and captivating millions of fans worldwide. And it seems like there are also fans within the classroom.


    It''s understandable why they would feel upset. After all, who wouldn''t be bothered if someone started dissing their favorite band? Exactly no one would like that. However, these fans in the class are surprisingly holding back from causing a scene, even though their expressions clearly show their frustration. Anyone could notice it, even the teacher.


    ¡°Alright, stop right there,¡± the teacher urged the student. ¡°You must hate BTS that much, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, down to my bones.¡±


    ¡°... Okay, thanks for sharing.¡±


    Once that student finished his turn, the introductions continued as if nothing had happened, and the activity ended without any issues.


    The teacher felt relieved that nothing bad had happened regarding what happened in the introductions of the three students. Overall, the activity went well.


    ¡°Alright, this concludes our activity. Thank you all for participating and sharing about yourselves. And with there, I hope this encourages you to treat each other kindly and find common interests to talk about.¡±


    The activity served its purpose, as the teacher had intended. She wanted the students to connect as friends rather than just classmates, hoping they would naturally form groups or circles. While it wouldn''t happen instantly, it likely wouldn¡¯t be long before groups form here and there.


    And that¡¯s likely to happen sooner than she expects. However, she did not anticipate that a hierarchy would already be established right at this moment.

 Chapter 10: Arrangement Part One

    ¡°Good Morning.¡±


    ¡°Morning.¡±


    ¡°Good day.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sis, listen to this. Yesterday¡ª¡±


    Two days had passed since Ma''am Arevalo led the self-introduction activity, and nothing much had happened since then¡ªaside from a few minor changes, like the reorganization of circles in the classroom.


    ¡°Have you heard the new song BTS made?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it''s fantastic!¡±


    ¡°I know, right!?¡±


    By learning each other''s likes and dislikes, they formed circles of friends based on their shared interests and hobbies. There¡¯s already a group of BTS fans within the classroom, a group for music lovers, and even one for those who enjoy games have their group. Adrian and Jose somehow got into a group similar to a circle that likes games.


    The funny thing is, what they did in the introduction two days ago made them unexpectedly popular in class. Many classmates, especially the guys, started talking to them. At first, it sounded like an insult, but in the end, they''re just teasing and easy to talk to. Because of this new arrangement, the classroom has become noisier than before.


    ¡°Okay, enough chattering. Everyone, return to your seats already,¡± Ma''am Miranda said as she entered the classroom, signaling the start of the class.


    Regarding Ma''am Miranda, the day after the introduction activity with Ma''am Arevalo, she clarified that she had borrowed time from Ma''am Arevalo to discuss the seating arrangement and class officers. Since it was only one day, and still the first week. They weren¡¯t behind schedule.


    ¡°Right, before we start, I have something to announce. I¡¯ve already prepared the seating arrangement format, and later, I borrowed some time from Ms. Arevalo so we can assign your seats according to the arrangement I¡¯ve made.¡±


    Three days have passed since the discussion about their seats and class officers, and now it''s finally time to assign their seats.


    After making the announcement, the class continued onwards. Over the past two days, nothing new had happened. It still felt like they were in the introductory phase. Teachers kept explaining the subjects over and over with no lessons starting yet.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s all for now,¡± Ms. Miranda said as her time concluded. ¡°Oh, before I forget, we will have a pre-test next week,¡± she added before leaving the classroom.


    The next subject was free time. Then, the following two periods were also vacant, as Sir Hilario and Ma''am Penaloza didn¡¯t show up again today. This has often been happening, with some teachers occasionally skipping their classes.


    They speculated that the reason might be because the actual start of classes was next week, but that was just a guess. It was far from the truth. And what they found out through connections from other sections was that those teachers normally attend their classes.


    After learning the truth, It''s now leaving them baffled as to why only their section is treated this way.


    Despite the confusion, they were not upset about it; rather, they enjoyed the situation because it gave them extra free time to do as they wished. They can freely chat, play games, or do whatever they please. Since no one is supervising or interrupting them, they can continue having fun until a teacher arrives, or the break period begins, which would signal an end to their free time.


    ¡°Help, in mid!¡±


    ¡°Coming.¡±


    ¡°Heal me, dumb*ss!!¡±


    One of the things the boys do during their free time is play games. They''re hooked on a popular mobile game called Mobile Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena similar to League of Legends, but for mobile devices. Right now, they''re playing a friendly custom 5 vs. 5 match against each other.


    ¡°Hey, they''re at the lord!¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    {YOU HAVE SLAIN THE LORD}


    ¡°Nice steal, Cabanas!¡±


    Among them was Adrian, while Jose was on the opposing side. Since becoming well-known, they sometimes hang out with a group of boys who enjoy gaming, and today that group includes several Mobile Legends players. Adrian and Jose are veterans of the game, having played it long before its global release¡ªessentially, they were beta testers.


    ¡°Cabanas, can I have a moment?¡±


    As the match was still ongoing, Frias came to interrupt. She wanted to talk to Adrian, but he was busy playing.


    ¡°Wait, I''m in-game.¡±


    ¡°It''s just only a custom match, right? You can just leave or pause the match for a bit.¡±


    ¡°No can do. This isn¡¯t just your average casual game.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ we have a bet this time.¡±


    ¡°Huh? You guys are betting money!? That¡¯s against school rules, you know.¡±


    ¡°What?! No, it¡¯s not like that. We¡¯re betting that the losing team treats us to lunch during break. Plus, this is the first I¡¯ve heard of any rule like that here.¡±


    ¡°Even if there aren¡¯t specific rules about it, this is a school, so it¡¯s generally understood that gambling is prohibited.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense, but we¡¯re not betting money. It¡¯s just a simple treat.¡±


    ¡°... I guess you¡¯re right; it¡¯s just a treat. But once money talk comes into play, it could become a problem.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem if we don¡¯t do that, right?¡±


    Frias sighed in disappointment that her words hadn¡¯t registered in Adrian¡¯s mind. ¡°Why am I even having this argument? This isn¡¯t what I wanted to talk about,¡± she complained. ¡°We need to talk now.¡±


    ¡°Can we just talk like this? I¡¯m still playing.¡±


    The friendly 5 vs. 5 match they were having hadn¡¯t ended yet. They were at the peak of the game; with most of the turrets destroyed and everyone maxed out on levels and items. Surprisingly, Adrian managed to keep up with the game while talking to Frias¡ªit was impressive focus.


    Seeing Adrian glued to his phone and seeing his finger not stopping at all, Frias, fed up, impatiently snatched his phone and handed it to someone nearby.


    ¡°You play,¡± she said to the person nearby.


    ¡°Hey, why¡¯d you do that?!¡±


    ¡°So that we can finally talk.¡±


    ¡°I said we can talk while I play.¡±


    ¡°No, I want your full attention on our conversation.¡±


    ¡°Fine, what do you want to talk about?¡± Adrian wanted to complain¡ªbut held back and went along with it.


    ¡°You heard what Ma''am Miranda said earlier, right?¡±


    ¡°You mean about the seating arrangement later?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re finally going to have our seating arrangement. However, do you think the class officer positions will be decided later too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why are you asking me? Shouldn¡¯t you have predicted that, since you¡¯ve already once became her student?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s one of my teachers, but I¡¯m not in her section. Didn¡¯t I mention that when we first talked?¡±


    ¡°Right, maybe I forgot.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Oh, are we still talking about that? Hmm¡­ Based on what I heard, Ma''am Miranda only mentioned the seating arrangement but didn¡¯t bring up class officers. So I guess we won¡¯t be doing that today.¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°That''s only a guess, we still can''t be sure.¡±


    Hearing what he figured she''d said to be, he let a sigh go and mumbled, ¡°So, in the end, you disagree.¡± Then in a normal tone, he added, ¡°Why even ask me?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to hear other opinions. And I have to say, you and that person had the same thoughts.¡±


    ¡°That person?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, I haven¡¯t told you yet about that. A few days ago, I recruited someone new to our group.¡±


    ¡°What? Who?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a girl named Mariel Tinabet. She¡¯s over there,¡± she said, pointing to a girl with glasses who was talking to someone. ¡°She wants to be the secretary.¡±


    ¡°Why are you telling me this just now?¡±


    ¡°I meant to, but it slipped my mind since we got busy.¡±


    ¡°Wait, if I remember correctly, she was there when we made our plan. Don¡¯t tell me¡ªis that why she¡¯s been helping us all this time?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    The free time he and Frias had wasn''t wasted¡ªas they used it as an opportunity to plan for the class officer positions. They had a small meeting during the break, which included only Adrian, Frias, and their new member, Tinabet.


    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m such a fool,¡± Adrian blurted out.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I mean. I feel like a fool for not figuring out something so obvious.¡±


    It was a normal comment to make in that context, but for some reason, it sounded odd. Frias suspected Adrian was hiding something; she was sure it had something to do with Tinabet. She thought about asking but decided not to, knowing there was something more important to focus on.


    ¡°Okay then,¡± she replied, letting it slide. ¡°I still suspect that later on, we¡¯ll suddenly move on to the class officer nominations.¡±


    ¡°If that happens, we can¡¯t do anything other than just present ourselves as best we can.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Even so, we should still prepare¡ªstick to our plan,¡± she said, encouraging him to continue with their plan.


    ¡°No need to tell me,¡± Adrian replied.


    After reaching their conclusion, Frias finally left Adrian.


    The plan they are talking about was fairly simple¡ªor, technically, it¡¯s not even much of a plan. What they are doing is just simply interacting with their classmates in the hopes of gaining their favor.


    Each of them had their approach. Adrian, for example, interacted with classmates by playing games, which opened up opportunities for conversations and making good impressions. Frias on the other hand, used her status as a repeater to take on a "big sister" role with the girls, having her join their conversation occasionally. As for Tinabet, Adrian didn¡¯t know much about her strategy, since he barely knew her and hadn¡¯t been paying attention to what she was doing. And as a matter of fact, he hadn¡¯t even realized she was part of their group until Frias mentioned it.


    Going back to what they were doing, Adrian got his phone back.


    ¡°So, what happened?¡± he asked the person who had been playing for him.


    ¡°It''s a defeat.¡±


    ¡°Aw, man, we lost?¡±


    ¡°That''s right, so you guys will be treating us later,¡± said one of the opponents.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you even hand your phone and let him play?¡± his teammates complained.


    ¡°Sorry, my bad. I had a serious talk and couldn¡¯t play,¡± Adrian apologized.


    ¡°So, from what we agreed, we¡¯ll go as pairs, right?¡±


    The arrangement was that, since it was a five-on-five match, each winner would be paired with a loser, and the loser would treat the person they paired with.


    ¡°Sorry, but, I can''t go along with that,¡± one of the losers suddenly declared.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I can''t comply with the terms. I¡¯m on a budget, so I can¡¯t treat anyone.¡±


    ¡°Come on, no backing out now. You joined and lost the game, and it wouldn¡¯t be fair to your teammate if you¡¯re the only exception.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    The atmosphere is becoming a bit tense. Even though it was just some silly provocation, the person in question felt the pressure.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough,¡± Adrian intervened. ¡°Guys, listen, since I bailed on the match, let me make amends by treating the entire winning team. How does that sound?¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be unfair to you?¡±


    ¡°No, I insist on doing it.¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re fine with it, but¡­ I don¡¯t know about them.¡±


    They were referring to Adrian¡¯s teammates, uncertain whether they felt bad about it or would take advantage of the offer. It seemed to be the former; since their reactions indicated they felt guilty.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a better idea if the four of us split the cost for the fifth person, instead of letting him cover it all alone,¡± suggested one of Adrian¡¯s teammates.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. What do you think, Cabanas?¡±


    ¡°I still want to compensate, but¡­¡± Adrian paused, reconsidering the feelings of the others. He decided it was best to go along with the group. ¡°If you guys say so, then let''s do that.¡±


    It was settled that the four of them would split the payment for the fifth person, and the one who couldn''t contribute wouldn''t have to worry about it. Even though everyone seemed okay with the decision, the person who couldn¡¯t pay still felt ashamed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Just repay us whenever you can,¡± Adrian offered, giving the person a reasonable option.


    ¡°Yeah, I will,¡± they replied.


    With just one suggestion, the person felt less burdened. He now had plenty of time to repay them, and it wouldn¡¯t be difficult to compensate¡ªif it was just a treat from the canteen.


    Seeing the person determined, Adrian felt relieved. It was the outcome he had hoped for. This kind of simple conversation was his way of making a good impression. Did it work? He wasn¡¯t entirely sure, but judging by their casual expressions, it appeared to be working.


    ¡°Now that our match is done, wanna go play ranked?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t, I¡¯m going to take a break.¡±


    ¡°What about you, Cabanas?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m also taking a break,¡± Adrian replied.


    ¡°Same here,¡± Jose chimed in.


    ¡°Okay, so just the three of us are playing then.¡±


    With that, the three who still had the energy went on to play another game, while the others wanted to take a breather.


    ¡°I know you guys won, so wipe that grin off your face,¡± Adrian mentioned, noticing Jose staring at him.


    ¡°Feeling annoyed, aren''t you? That you guys just lost?¡±


    ¡°Not really. It''s just a silly little game, after all.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so? Since it¡¯s your treat, you don¡¯t mind if I get a little demanding with my choices, then?¡±


    Jose, being on the winning side, was paired with Adrian. He started acting like a tyrant, playfully pretending to order whatever he wanted, just to get under his skin. That¡¯s just how their friendship worked, as had been clear since their introduction.


    ¡°If it¡¯s within my budget, feel free to choose whatever you like,¡± Adrian replied calmly, making Jose''s taunts ineffective.


    ¡°What if there''s nothing I want from the canteen?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind treating you somewhere else instead,¡± Adrian said, keeping his calm demeanor.


    Jose was surprised by Adrian¡¯s response because they usually trash-talked each other after games. But seeing no sign of irritation, Jose decided to stop teasing him.


    ¡°Nah, I was just joking. I''m fine with canteen treats,¡± Jose admitted.


    ¡°Okay then. Just let me know if you change your mind.¡±


    After taking their short break, they returned to playing, though they switched to a different game this time. Spending their free time doing nothing but gaming, they eventually reached break time.


    ¡°It¡¯s finally time for you guys to treat us,¡± someone said.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, we know.¡±


    With the deal settled, the ten of them headed to the canteen.


    Since no teachers were around to supervise, they utilized their time well and arrived early.


    No other students were there yet, except for their class.


    ¡°Alright, pick what you want.¡±


    ¡°It''s hard to choose. There are so many things I want to try.¡±


    ¡°Same here.¡±


    ¡°Please don''t pick anything too expensive. We want to eat too, you know.¡±


    Since they were the first to arrive, the canteen menu had plenty of options available compared to when it¡¯s packed. Popular dishes like burger steak, sisig, and carbonara, among others, were freshly cooked. Furthermore, the drinks that usually sell out quickly, like milk tea, milkshakes, and smoothies¡ªwere now available too.


    Despite having these many options, the victors respected the wishes of the losing team. They picked reasonably from the menu, so both sides could enjoy a meal, even though they were footing the bill. They also took into account that they were paying for the fifth person on the winning team; since one member from the losing side had stepped down. And so, thanks to their thoughtful consideration, everything worked out smoothly.


    Speaking of being considerate, one person is an exception to that deed. Who else? Guess right, Jose wasn''t exactly considerate toward Adrian. He took the ¡°pick whatever you want¡± comment seriously, choosing everything he liked without worrying whether Adrian could afford it.


    ¡°Hey, you''re picking too much,¡± one of Jose¡¯s teammates remarked with concern.


    ¡°It''s fine. He said I can take whatever I want,¡± Jose replied, emphasizing that Adrian had permitted him.


    Seeing Adrian remain unfazed by Jose¡¯s actions made it even more convincing that he had already agreed.


    ¡°Man, we should¡¯ve let Cabanas treat us,¡± one of Jose¡¯s teammates muttered enviously.


    ¡°Sorry, but that offer¡¯s no longer available since you guys already turned it down once,¡± Adrian finally spoke, reminding them that the option was off the table.


    ¡°Chill, we''re just kidding,¡± they said, brushing it off.


    After deciding what to order and getting their food, they look for a table. Finding a table didn¡¯t take long, since the canteen was empty, and none of the tables were occupied. They chose a table near the counter, trash can, and exit for easy access.


    Looking at the food they got, everyone had been considerate, opting for simple dishes. Jose, however, had gone overboard. Not only did he get a main dish, but he also grabbed a side dish, an appetizer, and a smoothie.


    ¡°You seriously overdid it¡­¡± they muttered in disbelief.


    But Jose wasn¡¯t bothered and kept eating, just as Adrian didn¡¯t seem to mind either.


    As they ate and chatted, more students gradually filled the canteen. And the once quiet space gradually became lively.

 Chapter 11: Arrangement Part Two

    ¡°Oh, we meet again.¡±


    ¡°You''re¡­¡±


    After finishing their food, they didn¡¯t leave right away. They spent some time in the canteen, chatting or playing a quick game. While they were doing that, someone approached their table. Adrian and Jose recognized the guy; he was the senior from the SSG, the one they had met on the first day.


    ¡°Wait, why are you here? Isn¡¯t your break later?¡±


    ¡°We just finished our meeting earlier, and so I took the chance to eat early,¡± the senior admitted, taking advantage of it. ¡°Therefore, can I join you?¡±


    ¡°You guys don¡¯t mind, right?¡± Adrian asked the others first.


    ¡°We don¡¯t mind. We also have some questions to ask.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, ask me.¡±


    After getting everyone''s approval, they let the senior join them in exchange for asking some questions.


    What they asked is just some typical school-related questions like, ¡®What''s it like being a student here?¡¯, ¡®Do you have any tips for us?¡¯, and even joked, ¡®Are there any cute girls in the SSG?¡¯ And this senior answered them thoughtfully, but not everything, as he avoided some questions.


    ¡°Anyway, seeing you two here this early¡ªhave you already learned from your mistake?¡± the senior asked casually.


    ¡°We already learned that right from the start. This time, it has nothing to do with that. We have just happened to arrive early for a good reason.¡±


    ¡°And that reason is¡­?¡±


    ¡°It''s just that, our class is empty. No teacher showed up to oversee us.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Tell me more.¡±


    ¡°Well lately, some of our teachers haven¡¯t been showing up to our scheduled classes, leaving us unattended for an hour or more.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s interesting. What about during Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s time?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the same¡ªsometimes she doesn¡¯t show up either.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ this is just speculation, but it might have something to do with Ma¡¯am Miranda.¡±


    ¡°Something to do with what?¡±


    ¡°The situation you¡¯re in. I could be wrong, but I have a hunch Ma¡¯am Miranda might have planned this whole thing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of a stretch. Why would a teacher do that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It could just be part of her personality. Knowing her, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she¡¯s up to something.¡±


    ¡°Saying that you know Ma¡¯am Miranda. Then tell me what she did during your freshman year.¡±


    Despite having answered all the previous questions, this was one of the questions the senior was reluctant to answer.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to disclose anything yet. What I want is for you guys to experience it yourself. It¡¯s not a big deal¡ªat least not until you realize.¡±


    This senior went his way to warn them on the first day but still refused to explain the full context of his warning, even now. He might claim it¡¯s nothing serious, yet his last comment suggested not otherwise. It was concerning to know what Ma¡¯am Miranda had been up to in the past and what her deal was.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s the first week? Has Ma¡¯am Miranda done anything unusual or noteworthy; aside from those long stretches of vacancy that I suspect she¡¯s involved in? Is there anything planned for your class coming from her?¡±


    ¡°Why would I tell you? You¡¯re hesitant to share information about her and never fully explain what¡¯s happening. You give us warnings, but never actually help us at all. So, what¡¯s your deal?¡±


    ¡°I understand your suspicion. I agree that I haven¡¯t been very helpful, but I promise these warnings are sincere. They¡¯re meant to keep you alert, to help you prepare for circumstances that might seem strange,¡± The senior confidently said. ¡°To give you a small hint about Ma''am Miranda¡¯s personality, I¡¯d say she appears innocent and cheerful on the outside, but in reality, she operates in secret. Where her actions go unnoticed, and by the time you realize it, everything is already in motion.¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no concrete evidence yet, but there have been instances where other teachers hinted that Ma¡¯am Miranda might be involved in school decisions.¡±


    ¡°Has that been proven?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I¡¯m basing this on what I¡¯ve seen, heard, and experienced during my first year.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s still just a speculation on your part?¡±


    It¡¯s shocking to think that Ma''am Miranda could influence the school, but without solid proof, it¡¯s just a rumor. However, as a teacher, her opinion still matters in the school.


    The senior¡¯s view of her behavior might be exaggerated, but who knows? To believe is to experience¡ªor maybe the senior is right. It''s just a matter of time to experience it firsthand.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard to believe, and it¡¯s fine if you ignore what I¡¯ve said. But, there¡¯s one thing I need you to understand, is that my warning isn¡¯t just empty words meant to scare you. I genuinely want you to stay aware and be cautious around Ma¡¯am Miranda.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve said that many times already.¡±


    ¡°Just reminding it again. I also heard you guys will be arranging seats later, right? I don¡¯t know what Ma¡¯am Miranda¡¯s planning is, and it might already be too late, but I want you guys to at least be ready for whatever the outcome may be.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute. How did you know that?¡±


    ¡°You mean the seating arrangement you¡¯re doing after this break?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, how did you¡­?¡±


    How indeed? Adrian couldn¡¯t help but wonder. It¡¯s only been a few hours since the announcement, and it was specific to their section. Yet, how could someone from outside their class, let alone a different year, already know what they¡¯d be doing?


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say I know someone from your class. Don¡¯t ask who it is, because I won¡¯t reveal their name to protect their privacy.¡±


    He explained a lot, but still left out the important stuff.


    So, he knows someone from the freshmen class. It¡¯s not unusual to know someone in a lower grade or younger than you¡ªsince they could be childhood friends or perhaps relatives. Then, if they live in the same neighborhood, it¡¯s likely they attend the same school.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Curious to know who it was, Adrian contemplated who that person might be. Based on the information he had, he had one guess. The person the senior is most likely connected to is possibly Frias.


    Looking at the obvious, Frias is the oldest and a repeater student in their class. Still, while it seems evident, there was no guarantee she was the one the senior was referring to. And if she is, the most reasonable explanations for her sharing information with the senior would be: one, they¡¯re close friends, and she casually mentioned it, or two, they¡¯re acquaintances and she sought his advice. Either scenario¡ªor perhaps even a mix of both¡ªis highly plausible, leaving Adrian to wonder just how deep their connection went.


    ¡°Ahem, so with that in mind, I¡¯ll give you some advice,¡± the senior said, trying the conversation to move on. ¡°Whatever happens later¡ªwhether it''s a predicament or the outcome¡ªjust stay calm and analyze the situation thoroughly, and carefully consider how to minimize any damage caused by whatever issues arise. It may sound confusing now, but trust me, you¡¯ll understand soon enough.¡±


    ¡°... I¡¯ll keep it in mind.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got to go now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s all. And this will be the last time we talk like this. I have no more advice to give beyond this point. From here on out, it¡¯s up to you to handle things as they come, based on your understanding. That¡¯s for the best.¡±


    After giving his final advice, he finally left them.


    ¡°Hey, what was that about? That conversation sounded confusing,¡± one of their classmates asked.


    ¡°He was just giving advice. Really an odd advice.¡±


    It was indeed a strange conversation. Receiving advice that hinted at a lurking threat seemed unimaginable, especially when it involved a specific teacher. It suggested that the teacher had some sort of caution sign hanging over them.


    When their classmates asked what it was all about, neither Adrian nor Jose could explain it on the spot, as they also didn¡¯t fully understand it themselves. So none of it made any sense to them.


    With nothing else to do, they decided to head back to their classroom thirty minutes early.


    ¡°Hey, you guys go ahead. I¡¯ll stop by the bathroom first.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Walking to their floor, Adrian decided to stop in the bathroom while the others went ahead. Why he went to the bathroom? The reason, of course, was to take a piss.


    After finishing his business, he moved to the sink to wash his hands. As he does that, the conversation from earlier resurfaced in his mind.


    The whole exchange was far from normal. Everything the senior said seemed absurd and hard to believe. He kept emphasizing that Ma''am Miranda wasn¡¯t just any ordinary teacher. But what did that mean? Was she some kind of special teacher, well-known and respected among students? From how the senior toned it, probably not.


    The way the senior described her was far from flattering¡ªit was more like she was someone to avoid, like a looming danger. What kind of threat could this teacher pose for the senior to raise such concern? It almost sounded like slander, and there was no real evidence to back it up. Still, Adrian couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that what the senior said might not be far from the truth.


    Based on his experiences with Ma''am Miranda, Adrian had only ever thought of her as a teacher with a distinct personality. And so far, nothing she had done seemed harmful.


    Adrian couldn¡¯t understand why the senior was trying to label her as a danger. But now, because of the senior''s unsettling remark, he was beginning to worry about what might happen later.


    As these thoughts ran through Adrian¡¯s mind, he noticed one of the cubicle doors open, and someone stepped out. Using the mirror, he got a clear look at who it was.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    It was the guy who had boldly proclaimed he hated BTS during his introduction.


    What he did back then had certainly stirred things up, especially among certain classmates. Since then, the aftermath had already begun when the diehard fans finally started to surface. At first, they only glared at him, with no big scene or uproar. But as time passed, they began gossiping, gradually raising their voices, clearly hoping enough to make sure he could hear them.


    Going back to the moment in the bathroom. Realizing someone else was there aside from him, the guy quickly left the bathroom.


    ¡°What a strange guy,¡± Adrian thought.


    ¡°Wait, the thing he was holding¡­¡±


    Before the guy left, Adrian noticed something in his hand. Although the guy tried to conceal it with his body, Adrian still managed to glimpse what it was.


    ¡°A lunch box? Did he perhaps wash it?¡±


    It was odd to see someone carrying a lunch box in the bathroom. If Adrian¡¯s guess was right, why not wash it outside in the garden, where there¡¯s a sink nearby?


    Before jumping to conclusions, Adrian figured maybe the guy didn¡¯t know about the garden sink, since he was new to the school. But something still felt off.


    The guy had come out of one of the cubicles. Adrian might¡¯ve been overthinking it, and maybe the guy just used the cubicle after washing the lunch box. But still, why bring the lunch box inside the cubicle? How could he pee while holding it? That thought disturbed Adrian a bit, especially given the awkwardness of their brief interaction. It felt even more awkward because they were in the same class. Adrian wouldn''t have thought much of it if the guy hadn¡¯t avoided him and rushed out so quickly.


    The more Adrian thought about it, the more puzzled he became. He scratched his head, sighed, and muttered, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t think too deeply about it.¡±


    Forgetting what had happened in the bathroom, he returned to the classroom.


    As Adrian entered, he glanced toward the guy¡¯s seat. The guy was just fidgeting with his phone, Despite the obvious stares from some of their classmates, he continued to mind his own business.


    ¡°What''s wrong? Do you have a problem with him?¡± Jose asked after noticing Adrian staring at the guy.


    ¡°No, it''s nothing,¡± Adrian replied, dismissing whatever Jose was speculating.


    Having moved on from the bathroom incident, Adrian and Jose spent the remaining time chit-chatting until the break finally ended.


    The next subject was supposed to be Personal Development with Ma¡¯am Arevalo as the teacher, but that changed when Ma''am Miranda announced they would be having homeroom instead.


    ¡°Okay, class. As I mentioned earlier, we¡¯ll arrange your seats according to the seating plan I made,¡± Ma''am Miranda said once she entered the room. ¡°So, everyone stand up and come to the front,¡± she instructed, and the class followed suit.


    Following that was the seating arrangement.


    Typically, the seating plan is based on alphabetical order by the student''s last names. Other than that, it could be based on height, with shorter students in front and taller ones in the back. But since it took Ma¡¯am Miranda five days to create the seating plan, it was clear that she wouldn¡¯t follow either of these ideas.


    Once all the students were gathered at the front, Ma¡¯am Miranda began calling them one at a time to assign them to their seats.


    The seating arrangement worked in pairs, with fifty chairs and tables arranged in five rows and five columns. Each pair of chairs and tables was set up in a boy-girl format, meaning each row had ten chairs, and the same went for the columns.


    ¡°Therefore, these will be your seats for the whole school year¡ªunless there are any unexpected changes,¡± Ma¡¯am Miranda said after arranging the class. ¡°As for the class officers, we won¡¯t tackle that today. That will be for next week¡¯s session.¡±


    The teacher''s announcement was a relief for Frias, as it gave them time to prepare and gather more support.


    ¡°Now that this is done, I''ll be leaving you all early,¡± Ma¡¯am Miranda said casually, not waiting for a response or the class''s approval, and promptly left the room.


    But it wasn¡¯t as if the students cared much about what she said because their minds were elsewhere. So, as soon as she was gone, voices of complaint started to surface in the classroom.


    ¡°Why the h*ll am I placed next to this guy?!¡±


    After learning their seating arrangements, some students were dissatisfied with their assigned seats.


    For instance, those in the front row. While some students prefer sitting in front, the majority didn¡¯t want to be there, because it makes them too visible to the teacher. Unfortunately for Adrian, he was placed in the front, and even worse, right in the middle column¡ªdirectly in front of the teacher¡¯s desk.


    Was it a coincidence, or did Ma''am Miranda intentionally place him there? Given her personality, Adrian¡¯s experience, and the warnings from older students, it seemed possible.


    Ma''am Miranda''s seating plan didn¡¯t follow the usual methods¡ªneither alphabetical nor by height. Instead, she appeared created an arrangement either by random selection or carefully arranged the seating based on her criteria. However, it likely wasn¡¯t random¡ªit didn¡¯t feel random; it seemed to have a purpose, as the seating showed clear patterns.


    If you think Adrian¡¯s placement in the front is already unfortunate. There¡¯s a guy in an even worse situation than him. And that guy was his classmate, who had expressed his dislike for a certain K-pop group.


    This guy was stuck in a tight spot, where he found himself surrounded by a group of fangirls he disdained so much. It was a bad spot to be in, even the entire class thought so.


    And so, as expected, the middle part of the room was already filled with complaints.


    Now, finding his situation dire, this guy couldn¡¯t imagine what the rest of the school year would be like. Remember what Ma''am Miranda said¡ªthat this would be their seat and neighbors for the entire school year. At this point, he could only hope for, is to that; these fangirls¡¯ hostility toward him would eventually fade.