บท 11: Must I Take The Window Seat?

Kai took the only unoccupied seat in the room—the window seat at the very back.

'Talk about being an anime protagonist,' he muttered.

Beside him was a chubby student with glasses and a bowl cut. He met his seatmate's gaze as he passed by him, so he smiled.

However, his seatmate quickly looked away, avoiding his eyes.

Kai's smile dropped as he sat on his chair.

Then, he lifted his head—only to see most of his classmates looking toward his way.

"Umm, p—please face the front," the teacher stammered, appearing to be sweating buckets.

Kai empathetically looked at him while his classmates continued gazing at him, some even whispering to each other.

"Didn't he get kicked out of his last school?"

"He was famous in our middle school for being a good fighter. Let's not mess with him."

"I heard he died."

"Well, he obviously didn't die if he's here."

"I heard he's immortal."

"Like a vampire?"

"Yeah, like a vampire."

The young teacher cleared his throat, but his classmates were still focused on Kai.

Kai felt pity for the young teacher, so he did what he thought he needed to do.

He tilted his head upward, allowing his eyes to peek through the unruly strands of hair. His glare, like a laser, scanned the room, sending shivers down the spine of those who dared to meet it.

They quickly looked away and finally paid attention to the trembling teacher in front.

"Good morning once again, class. Let me introduce myself. My name is Yang Muchen, but you can call me Sir Muchen," he greeted.

As the teacher spoke, Kai's glare softened, and he shifted his focus to the front of the class.

"It may be quite obvious, but it's my first year of teaching. I had just passed the board exam last year, so please be kind," he meekly added.

"Now, since you're all first years, we have something exciting planned for you. We're going to have a general orientation and club introductions."

A few murmurs of interest finally rippled through the classroom.

"We have a wide selection of clubs here at Shizi High, from arts to sports and science to literature. You're sure to find something that interests you," Sir Muchen enthused.

The students shuffled out of Room 1-7, forming a loose and chattering line as they made their way to the auditorium. Kai, trailing at the back, observed his classmates, noting the diverse array of personalities that made up his new high school environment. Despite his attempt at anonymity, he couldn't help but sense the curious glances that followed him.

The auditorium doors swung open, revealing rows of neatly arranged seats. As the class filed in, they found their designated seats at the very back. Being at the back had its advantages; he had a clear view of the stage and everyone in the auditorium.

Then, a middle-aged man with graying hair stepped up to the podium.

"Good morning, first-years of Shizi High! I am Principal Shoi-Ming. Thank you for choosing this school to be your new home. I want to encourage each and every one of you to reach for the stars and make this school as famous as the other schools in the city," he bitterly exclaimed.

"Remember, the sky's the limit, and together, we'll make this year unforgettable!" he continued.

"When I was younger…"

Kai quietly sighed at the predictability of the principal's words. It must be a requirement for principals to put out boring speeches since that was exactly what Principal Shoi-Ming was currently doing.

About half an hour later, the principal finally wrapped up his speech, with half of the students dozing off in their seats.

However, with the introduction of the first club, the auditorium came back to life.

The first to take the stage was the Mixed Martial Arts Club, clad in matching gym attire and brimming with enthusiasm. They entered the stage while showcasing different punches and kicks, which took everyone's attention.

The club president, a rough-looking buff guy, stood in the very middle.

"We are the mixed martial arts club—the only sports club in the school to bring home the champion's title every year since it has been established," he boasted.

Next up was the K-pop Club, a group of students dressed in vibrant and frilly outfits, ready to entertain. They burst into synchronized dance moves, performing a medley of popular K-pop songs with infectious energy.

The clubs continued, each one bringing something unique to the stage—from the Hoverboard Club, Video Game Club, and even the Environmental Club, whose representative spoke with animals. The variety surprised Kai; there were more clubs than he had initially anticipated.

Then, the moment he'd been waiting for arrived—the Basketball Club.

The room turned quiet as they entered, especially when the very last person emerged from the curtains.

Kai watched, his mouth slightly agape, as the roughly 6'6'' male student made his way to the podium. He didn't see him in their booth a while ago, and Kai was sure he wouldn't miss a person with such a powerful aura.

His six teammates stood behind him, all with serious expressions.

"We're the Shizi High Basketball Team," he started off.

"I'm Yuze, your captain," he introduced himself.

Then, he quickly cut to the chase, not even bothering to suck-up to the audience.

"You won't find us training rookies, disciplining troublemakers, or carrying any heavy baggage. We're here for one reason and one reason only—to become champions."

He paused, allowing the words to hang in the air.

Kai's breath hitched, already sensing that the team's captain wouldn't be hard to impress.

"We don't have time for half-hearted efforts or excuses," he continued, his voice unwavering.

"If you're not ready to give your all, if you're not prepared to push yourself beyond your limits, then this isn't the place for you."