Chapter 3: An ordinary class
Sebastian found himself alone in the restroom, surrounded by the echo of his movements.
As he neared one of the grand mirrors above the elegant sink, he gently set his glasses on the sleek counter. Turning the faucet on, he let cool water flow out.
Cupping his hands together to form a makeshift basin, he splashed water onto his face multiple times, the refreshing sensation snapping him awake, though it left his blond hair slightly damp.
He was enjoying this moment of solitude when the restroom door creaked open, and two others entered. Multiple classes were likely on break, so their appearance wasn't out of the ordinary.
Sebastian, unfazed, looked back at his reflection, his blue eyes meeting their own in the mirror. Water droplets on his face sparkled under the restroom lights, adding depth to his thoughtful expression.
Standing there, he seemed to find a moment's peace, a break from whatever thoughts or concerns had led him to the restroom.
"Dude, do you think I can join the student council?" one of the newcomers asked his friend, washing his hands at a nearby sink.
"Ain't no way, man. You're just too dumb," his friend replied, delivering a harsh truth.
"Shut up, will ya?" the other student shot back, clearly stung by the comment.
Undeterred, the friend continued, probing further, "But seriously, why are you so keen on joining them anyway? I've heard it's quite a, well, daunting place, especially with all those high-ranks.'"
"I... I want to get to know Selina," the first admitted, lowering his voice.
"..."
The friend fell into a contemplative silence, momentarily taken aback by the mention of a girl's name.
After a brief pause, he finally managed to voice his thoughts.
"Dude, not even the chance of crossing paths with a gorgeous girl could convince me to step foot into that lion's den," he asserted, emphasizing his point.
But the other student wasn't ready to give up just yet. His voice tinged with a mixture of determination and daydreaming, he began, "I would, in a heartbeat. Just one glance at Selina's hot bod—"
However, his sentence was abruptly cut off as a deep, exasperated voice interjected, "Could you both just shut up, and piss off already?"
It was Sebastian, and it was evident from his tone and his demeanor that he was thoroughly irritated.
Despite addressing the pair, his gaze remained steadfastly fixed on his own reflection in the mirror, his expression one of annoyance and frustration.
Caught off guard, one of the students retorted defensively, "Dude, what's your problem?!"
But before the situation could escalate any further, the second student stepped in, grabbing his friend's arm and pulling him back.
He leaned in, speaking in hushed, urgent whispers, "Don't, man. Let's just go."
Realizing the futility in arguing, the first student begrudgingly acquiesced with a furious, "Fine."
And with that, the two of them promptly left the restroom, their voices and footsteps fading away, leaving Sebastian alone once more to his reflection.
✒
Navigating his way through the bustling corridors, Sebastian found himself back at the familiar threshold of his classroom.
As he stepped through the doorway, he was immediately enveloped by the familiar buzz of chatter and laughter that filled the room.
The vibrant energy of his classmates was palpable as they enjoyed the last moments of their break. Glancing at the clock, Sebastian noted he had about five minutes before Math class began.
With practiced ease, Sebastian maneuvered through the desks and made his way to his own seat, his movements fluid and unhurried.
As he settled down, his gaze deliberately avoided any contact with his seatmate, Ree-an.
Once seated, he consciously avoided eye contact with his seatmate, Ree-an, aware of the noticeable change in his demeanor but choosing not to engage with it. It wasn't his issue to resolve.
His eyes then began to wander, taking in the scene around him. He watched as his classmates, each absorbed in their conversations and activities, relished their own worlds.
Sebastian took a moment just to observe, absorbing the various dynamics and interactions while remaining a detached observer amidst the activity.
*Ding Ding...*
The melodious chime of the bell resonated through the classroom, signaling the end of the break and the imminent commencement of the next lesson.
This wasn't the central bell for the entire building; it was a unique system installed specifically in their classroom, audible only to those within its four walls.
As the last notes of the melody faded away, the shoji gently swung open, revealing their teacher for the upcoming lesson. Ms. Ludwig, acting in her capacity as their Math teacher, made her way gracefully to the front of the classroom and took her position behind the desk.
Ms. Ludwig had a knack for making even the most mundane of topics engaging, and today's lesson was no exception. Her comments were punctuated with humor, eliciting genuine laughs from the students and creating a fun, light-hearted atmosphere in the classroom.
Despite the recent event Ree-an diligently took notes, his pen gliding across the page in neat, structured strokes.
Sebastian couldn't help but steal a glance at his seatmate's work. What he saw made him genuinely impressed; the tidiness of the structures and the elegance of the writing style were exceptional.
It was a level of neatness and attention to detail that he was more accustomed to seeing from the girls, not the boys.
✒
Time ticked on, and soon the one and a half hours of the math session were over, giving way to the second break of the day.
Today being Thursday, they only had classes scheduled until 2 pm. This meant that after this short interlude, they would attend their final session for the day.
Having completed his meticulous note-taking, Ree-an rose from his seat, intending to make a quick trip to the restroom.
However, his movements were abruptly halted as he felt a sudden, oppressive weight descend upon his shoulders, forcefully pushing him back into his seat.
"Nah, nah, don't even think about turning around," came the familiar voice of Brian from right behind his chair.
Without any preamble, Brian began to massage Ree-an's shoulders, though to describe the action as 'massage' might have been generous. In fact, his movements were anything but gentle; they were downright rough.
"Now that I've given your shoulders a little attention, you're going to repay the favor, right?" Brian's tone was laden with expectation as he withdrew his hands, only to reach for the notes Ree-an had meticulously compiled during the class.
"Wow, this is actually pretty impressive," Brian commented, his voice dripping with mock admiration as he flipped through the pages of Ree-an's notebook. "You don't mind if I borrow this, do you?"
Ree-an, still facing forward, could almost picture the smug grin on Brian's face. He found himself at a loss for words, finally managing a stuttered, "O-Of course not," without offering any resistance.
"That's very generous of you," Brian responded, seemingly satisfied.
*Slap*
And with a hearty slap on the back, he added, "Thanks, buddy."
The loud noise reverberated through the classroom, capturing some attention for a moment.
"Quiet down," Sebastian interjected, his voice firm as he attempted to use the break time to catch a quick nap, his head resting on his forearms.
Brian shot a glance at the blond boy who was resting with his head cradled in his arms, seemingly uninterested in the ongoing drama.
Perhaps sensing the finality in Sebastian's tone, Brian decided to comply. He retreated, returning to his own seat and leaving Ree-an alone for the moment.
Ree-an remained seated, his initial plans to visit the restroom now completely forgotten.
The atmosphere around him felt heavier, the events that had just transpired leaving him with a sense of frustration.
✒
*Ding ding ding dong...*
The melodic chime of the bell resonated through the classroom once more, this time signaling the conclusion of the day's final period and, with it, the end of classes for today.
The students wasted no time, quickly gathering their belongings and bustling out of the room, eager to make the most of their free time.
The array of plans was diverse, spanning from engaging in club activities, indulging in a shopping spree, hanging out with friends, buckling down to study, or simply heading back to their dorms for a well-deserved rest.
Brian, like his classmates, was on the verge of exiting the classroom when he suddenly paused. Turning on his heel, he shot a pointed look in Ree-an's direction and shouted, "Yo shitface, don't forget about my lunch!"
His words hung in the air for a brief moment before he turned again and made his exit, leaving as abruptly as he had spoken.
The remaining students, Sebastian included, had borne silent witness to the scene that had just unfolded. They exchanged glances, but chose not to react, instead acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
They continued on with their routines, leaving the classroom in pairs or small groups, the incident with Brian quickly fading into the background as they focused on their own plans for the afternoon.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone