New Grounds

 Having been satisfied ogling at Erika, I stopped before getting accused of being a creep. Having relieved myself with the task of reconnaissance, I decided to copy her diligently reading textbooks.

Since I have finished half of my history textbook, I might as well finish it.

Time flew by, and more classmates filled the room. It was once pin-drop quiet with the flipping of pages, but now, lively conversations filled the room.

The school bell rang——the bell at the entrance of the school. It was quite loud——and our homeroom teacher, who was also our teacher for all our subjects, entered and made a straight path to his desk.

It was probably a normal sight for my classmates, but I was still shocked at his negligence in teaching.

A school without a teacher isn’t a school, but in my case, there was a teacher who did not teach. So, what did that make my school—rather, my academy?

But, there was no helping it. If the faculty didn’t care for this class’s well-being, no one else would bother. I wondered if the higher classes were similar, but I doubted that possibility. I started regretting my decision to be in Class Gold. Maybe I could discuss with the principal changing my class back to Rhodium.

Then, again, I won’t fit in easily, but it was better than a divided class that was unconcerned about studies.

Noisy, boring, frustrating minutes passed by, and an elevator opened to my classroom. There was no reason for those elevators to open. All of my classmates were present.

Everyone paid attention to the unexpected visitor. But it wasn’t just one visitor, it was a group of well-groomed and smartly dressed students. And a male student stood, leading the pack.

They confidently marched into the classroom in unison. Their presence was daunting. This was apparent because the mere sight of them silenced the class. They acted as if they were allowed to disrupt classes if our class was one. Our teacher more or less gave flying care.

When they arrived at the mostly empty desks, the student who seemed to be the leader spoke, “Well, well, What do I see here? Negligence of studies? Disrupting—even skipping classes? Violations of the school rules of good manners and conduct, these are. Because of this, thou shall collate in the Assembly Hall.”

The class growled in response. Also, what was up with his vernacular? Did he think he was a king or something?

I heard some say, “He’s going to make us clean the toilets again, won’t he?”

“Great, we’re going to be slaves again!”

“Why can’t they just leave us alone?”

“Such a bother!”

“So cringe.”

“Fools, silence!!” he shouted. “Forthwith gather or face punitive consequences!” With that, the group returned to the elevator and left.

What was that all about? I didn’t know. All I knew was that I had to follow the crowd. I waited for the teacher to object, but he napped on his desk without a care in the world.

Based on this, it has to be about the disorderliness of the class, but since I wasn’t taking part in idleness, I was confident to be exempted.

We gathered at the enormous assembly hall. The henchmen or the officers of this male student forced us into orderly lines. I obeyed easily unlike most of my other classmates. It took a while for them to do that.

Finally, when we were lined up, the male student from earlier appeared on the enormous stage. His entrance was complete with the red curtains unveiling and the spotlight highlighting him. He stood on the podium and tapped on the microphone which produced deafening feedback. Then, he spoke in a haughty voice.

“Class Gold, changed you haven’t,” he taunted. “Ever since elementary, troublesome and problematic, you numskulls have been. Should you not mature?”

My classmates heaved a sigh and rolled their eyes, disrespecting the host.

“Your imbecility, I have already been used to; it’s no use,” he sighed sarcastically. “My eternal lecture, I don’t need to repeat, so I shall jump straight to the conclusion.”

My classmates who were formerly inattentive to him suddenly stared at him with wide eyes.

“To clean the toilets, you shall for a week. Suspended, you’ll be if you refuse.”

Instantly, the class shouted their chaotic protests. The orderly line broke, and they charged to the stage. The officers tried their best to contain the riot, keeping them away from their beloved leader.

“Any more of this, expelled, you shall!!” he shouted. His face burned in anger. “Tired, I am of you! Rebellious, you’ve always been! You children!! Because of this, a week is added to your discipline!”

The class realized that any more resistance will lead to worse outcomes. Their faces knew of futility. As the authoritative student dismissed us, the students walked sluggishly in sadness.

But I stood there. No one else stood with me. I was annoyed by the outcome. I shouldn’t be involved in this; I didn’t do anything wrong, yet I will partake in the penalty. As much as I would be happy to help with chores, this punishment was unfair. Moreover, who was he to command us with such things? He should shut his arrogant face and his vain mouth.

As he was leaving the stage, I shouted for his attention, “Who are you!?”

Promptly, he went back to the podium and spoke into the microphone, “Your question, insults me.”

“Do you have the right to serve us punishments!?”

He cleared his throat, “Seen you, I haven’t. New, are you?”

“Stop with this farce! Your way of speaking is crap!”

He was taken aback by this response.

“Do you think you’re all high and mighty, regal and regnant when you speak like that? You just sound like a fool!”

“You—how darst thou sayest that to me! Bring him to me! Example—I’ll make an example of you, lowlife!!”

His henchmen forcibly took me onto the stage and threw me to him. I was on my knees when suddenly, he kicked my stomach. “Fool! Moron!! Try saying that again!!”

I felt my stomach churning and disturbed with every impact of his kicks. It was painful, and every hit made it more excruciating. Soon, I felt something warm bubble up from my mouth. Another strong kick made me vomit it——dark red blood.

“May this serve as a lesson to not mess with me!”

I coughed out more blood. I had to swallow my drool, but I swallowed saliva mixed with blood instead. It smelled like iron. My stomach was sore; I wanted to cover it with my arm, but slighted contact stung me. So, I hovered my hand over it while protecting it.

“You don’t have to apologize. I bet you don’t know how to anyway.”

I slowly stood up, kneeling from one leg to another. My head was spinning. I was unbalanced, but I managed to stand up. It has been a while since I took such a beating, and I was not particularly a strong person.

I pointed at him and grinned, “You should be thankful.”

“Huh?”

“I can report you; it’s well within my rights, but I won’t. You should be grateful.”

“Huh? You’ll dare report me? Have you still not learned? Should you undergo more discipline?”

“That, I don’t need.” I fiddled with something inside my pocket. “You’ll not be able to do that to me again.”

“You think so, huh!?” grabbing my shirt, he raised a fist to my face.

Just in time, someone came rushing in the doorway, “What are you doing, Yoshimura!!?” It was Teacher Jitan.

I wondered if he was waiting outside those doors because there was no way he ran here that quickly. I noticed that most of my classmates stayed to watch me being tortured.

“Teacher? What brings you here?” This guy who has his hands gripping me asked.

“I heard what was happening here, and I see you hurting my students!? This is unacceptable! Unhand him immediately!!”

“No, I’m currently disciplining him.”

“You have a twisted sense of humor,” Teacher Jitan approached the stage. “I’m going to report this to your homeroom teacher.”

“Try it. You won’t succeed. In any case, she won’t believe you.”

“An attempt doesn’t hurt.”

“Or will it?” his eyes flashed like a blade. His mouth twisted into a murderous grin. “Don’t you know who I am?”

At this, Teacher Jitan stopped in his tracks. Unable to do anything, he glared at Yoshimura and glanced at me with eyes of concern.

“Smart, very smart. You stay right there, and I’ll bless you with my mercy.” Yoshimura released me and victoriously left the stage with his lackeys.

After the incredible show, my classmates indifferently left the hall. I collapsed to my knees staring at my excreted blood. I took my handkerchief from my pocket when I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder.

It was Teacher Jitan’s. He was worriedly looking at me, “Are you alright?”

“Y—yes, somewhat.”

“I’m sorry for Yoshimura’s doing. He’s… just like that. Just forgive him, alright? And try not to anger him; he could do anything, he is the student academic president after all.”

“Is that the same as the class president?”

“Yes, but his authority extends to the entire grade, which is basically the entire school.”

“Oh, now I can see why.” It was my mistake. I should have thought of the possibility that he had authority and that he wasn’t just some punk trying to control everyone.

But, the punishment imposed on me was unfair. It was also unfair to the two others——Eriki and the mysterious handsome—— who were only diligently studying, but if they don’t want to protest, I won’t protest for them. Since no one helped me, I’ll help myself. It has always been that way, anyway.

“Come, I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

I spent half of the school day resting in the infirmary as a nurse patched me up. The teacher kindly stayed at my bedside since he had nothing else to do. I don’t know if that should be commended or not. Possibly not because he exploited the situation and slept.

Soon after, I returned to my room, holding my stomach to ease the pain, though it probably didn’t help. I felt like I failed on this day. Not only have I angered someone in authority, but I have also earned reproach from my classmates. They’d be starting to avoid me henceforth, since I have caught the angry eyes of Yoshimura. I felt further away from my goal, and I’ve just started.