Next Level

A Chance of Happiness Chapter 10: Next Level

Tora stood up in front of the class holding a stack of papers as everyone finally gathered after finding their P.E. clothes.

“Welcome everyone! My name's Tora Kimura, I’ll be your physical education teacher for the foreseeable future. So I suggest you all buckle up. Over the course of the coming weeks we’ll be working on improving yourselves through various means. Units will be divided in between different sports and activities that I’ll discuss with all of you later on.” she held up and shook the papers in her hand. “Each of you will get a syllabus and safety waiver before you leave today. You’ll need your parents signature before working with any of the equipment we have in the fitness center. This needs to be signed by the beginning of next week.”

Tora sat down on the table behind her.

“I’m sure many of you are used to skimming through these and forging your parents signature on these sheets to save time, but I assure you the content on these forms are things you need to know.”

Several students shifted in their seats and began to whisper among themselves.

“I’m aware of how lax policies are at several local junior highs but as you all probably heard from the principal's speech earlier, we’re a lot more serious here. We are dedicated to the success of our students, but that also requires effort from all of you. You won’t achieve success here at school without putting in the effort, and that’s just as true for out there.”

Tora got off the table she was sitting on and pointed to the doors on the opposing sides of the gym.

“The locker rooms are on the sides of the gym. Girls on the right, boys on the left. Lockers are first come first serve, but since you guys have this last period there aren’t many left, so just deal with it. Once you’ve chosen one, grab the slip in the locker and hand it to the supervisor, they’ll give you the combination to your new locker. Now, go get changed, I expect you all back here in 5 minutes. We’re starting now, best get your asses in gear.” Tora gave a confident smirk as everyone began to split off to go to the locker rooms.

Jin and the rest of the boys entered the locker room and began to search for open lockers. Like usual, Jin found one in a secluded corner, grabbing the slip and getting his combination from the supervisor. After he returned to his locker he saw a boy with silver hair had taken the one on the opposite side. The boy had an anxious expression on his face as he unpacked his things.

“You’re still hanging around them?” Jin asked, walking past the boy.

“W-What?”

“Itou and Shinso. Did they want you to get my locker combination for them?” Jin took a seat and began to unpack his things.

The boy tensed up. “N-No… I was just–”

“It’s fine, but I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

“You’re not… angry with me?”

“No. Besides, it’s not like it’s something you want to do. It’s just something they put you up to.” Jin stood up and began to undress, revealing his strong and toned figure.

The boy stared for a moment in shock, surprised at how in shape Jin appeared to be.

“You… look like that and yet… you don’t stand up for yourself? Against them? You could probably–”

“No, I couldn’t. That’s not why I do this.” Jin finished changing and closed his locker, turning to face the boy. “You should do it for yourself, or to help others. Not to hold it over them. Best thing you can do is ignore them.”

A solemn smile crept across the boy's face. “I can’t do that…”

“Why not?”

“I’m weak. I’m not like you.”

“Then don’t be like me.”

Jin walked away towards the exit, passing by Natsu and Isamu who were patiently leaning against the lockers, waiting expectantly. Exiting the locker room, Jin was distracted and deep in thought.

“You felt something so familiar in her that you tried to help her without even realizing it, or maybe you did and you just won’t admit it. You were worried for someone you just met because you already knew where hiding behind a mask would lead her. To become another version of you.” Vernon’s words echoed in his head.

“I don’t want anyone… to be like me…”

The boy with silver hair finished changing and began to walk towards the exit of the locker room.

“Hey, Ryo, didja get his combo?” Natsu peered out from around the lockers.

“N-No, he kept putting his back to me.” Ryo looked away.

“Tch, lame. Whatever, we’ll just think of another way to make him look bad.”

“Natsu, we’re gonna be late.” Isamu called from the door, waving him over.

“Yeah yeah, I’m coming.”

“You three seem to like cutting it close.” Tora commented as the three boys walked in the door.

“Apologies, Ryo had trouble getting into his locker, we were just helping him out.” Isamu replied, pointing at Ryo.

“I– uh, yes! Sorry for taking so long.” Ryo quickly bowed.

“Hm, alright then. Get in line with the rest of the class against the wall. We’re about to get started.”

“Now that you’re all here, let me explain what you’ll be doing. Moving forward into this first unit I need to get a good idea of where you all are at. So think of this as your benchmark. From here, you’ll be able to see how much you’ve improved at the end of the semester. I’ll be watching each of you to help you grow on a day to day basis.”

Tora walked over to the double doors to the side of the gym, pushing them open.

“Your very first fitness test begins now. Here are the rules. First, these exercises are meant to be done in a consistent sequence, there will be no stopping. If you stop, you’re out. Next, you don’t pace yourself, half ass it, or cheat. You go all in. This isn’t an endurance test, this is a test to push your current limits. Start with 4 laps around this gym, whenever you finish you’ll be following along with my exercises and/or instructions. You’ll continue this until you can’t follow along with me any longer. Are we clear?”

Roughly half the class spoke up to acknowledge her, the other half simply nodded.

“Well that was pathetic, we’ll work on that too. Now, why are you all still here? Get going.”

The class ran out the door, following along the edge of the gym.

“Where’d the outcast go?” Isamu turned to see that Jin wasn’t around as they ran around the first corner.

“He probably isn’t even out of the gym yet.” Natsu laughed.

Around the corner in front of them, Jin was already well on his way. He eventually lapped some of his classmates. On the 2nd lap, Natsu stopped to look around.

“Hey, just stand up here for now.” Natsu hopped on the benches beside the gym. “Not like she can see how many laps we’ve done from inside. We’ll just go in when we see a couple others go in.”

Isamu hopped onto the bench and sat down with one foot hanging off the side.

“But wouldn’t that be cheating? She said–” Ryo started.

“I don’t care what she said. Clearly you do, so why don’t you get on with it.” Natsu waved Ryo on.

The majority of the class passed them by and Ryo joined them, leaving Natsu and Isamu behind on the bench. The two turned to the other end of the gym to see Jin running around the corner alone.

“Ha, comical, falling behind already?” Natsu taunted as Jin ran by. “Watch your step, wouldn’t want you to fall.”

Jin ignored them as he passed by, turning the corner, then running into the gym.

“First one here, not bad kiddo. Let’s get to work.” Tora smiled.

Tora started moving as Jin mirrored her, a group of students came in finishing their laps, followed by Natsu and Isamu.

“Remember, no breaks, get started as soon as you find a spot where you can see me. If you drop at any point you’re out. Grab water from the fountain and take a seat on the bleachers when you’re done.” Tora grinned, continuing to move. “Welcome to the next level, rookies! Now, show me whatcha got!”