"You three should better be going now," Professor Tsai stands and slides the door open, inviting us to leave.
Before exiting the room, I turn around and glance at our teacher, managing the contract-related papers in his hands. He then turns his face to me, gazes into my eyes, and tilts his head in confusion.
"Do you have questions? Because I ain't going to erase your names on that paper, even if it kills me." Benjamin swipes his hand from behind and stands from his chair. He then leans his face closer to mine, with his saliva splatting near my eyes.
"Never in a million years, you hear that?"
My lips curve skywards for a sneer, knowing what I say will shock him for the rest of his life.
"Nickson is 'Nick', the famous manga artist, and I am Yuki, the author of those books on the ground, and I assume you are reading it with care." I motion my hand and point out the volumes compiled and scattered on the corner. Despite these unorganised habits of our teacher, each of his books does not have a scratch on their covers.
It takes the teacher two minutes before responding to my sentence, as he shifts his ogling eyes to both Nickson and me.
"Wait! So, you two are-?" Tsai's speech becomes more inaudible the more he blurts and expresses his excuses. I can feel his entire body wiggling in nervousness, knowing that his celebrated author and manga artist are here in front of him.
I understand his excitement since I also experience that tingling feeling of exhilaration upon meeting famed artists during my conventions and book signings. People knew me by wearing a hideous mask that shares my gruesome stories. After all, I kill my characters from left to right, as if they are worthless insects inside my world!
"Should we help him?" Roxanne utters as I grab her arm, pulling my best friend out of the room.
"He will be alright, eventually." I give Roxanne my reassurance, knowing that our teacher could handle such an abrupt revelation. He should even thank us now that I have disclosed our identities.
We can only wait now for whatever he could do with that piece of information.
But apart from what has happened, the guy beside me stretches his hands and yells, "You idiot! What if he oddly spreads our name?"
"Relax, Nickson. Do you think our professor would do such a thing?" I retaliate, thinking that I have done the correct thing.
Nickson looks me in the eye and raises his brows, dubious from what I have said to him. Upon realising my response, I immediately avert my look and hope that he isn't exploring my head.
"Well, maybe. But I believe professor Tsai would never do that, right?" My claims become more abstruse as I explain my thoughts to him.
"Are you sure about that?" Roxanne and Nickson wave their hands in unison and answer my inquiry with a blank expression on their face. It even looks like they are teaming up to prove me wrong.
"Okay, I admit! He's probably going to use that against us. I'm sorry, okay?" An angst exhale leaves my mouth as I exhaustingly push them forward to the auditorium.
The pair trade looks and cross their arms, while silently judging me inside their minds.
A timid, faint laugh accompanies my words while I push them onwards to the isolated hallway. "We'll be late for the speech if we stick around for more here," I add, as the three of us march our way to the empty corridor.
Fortunately, we find the door already open by the time we arrive at the entrance. Our classmate, who volunteered herself yesterday, sits at the table and attends to every student entering the room.
"Yuki, Nickson, and Roxanne! Hi!" The girl energetically waves her hands and gives us a form that we need to sign.
"Do we have to do this?" Roxanne peers at the paper, confused by this sudden checking of attendance.
The girl vigorously nods and responds, "Yes! It's the newest protocol by Niko, the student body!"
"You haven't heard us?" I push Roxanne aside and take a glimpse at the door, witnessing the rest of the student council members on the platform.
Our classmate shakes her head, lost in thought after my reply.
Right after our exchange, Byakko announces our names and appends to the crowd. "unfortunately, the three officers are not with us right now. They are presently attending a teacher. But, they are!"
The announcement comes from Byakko-the former president of the school. We soon realise that we are nearly drawing late for our appearance, and we need to present ourselves on the stage before the principal with the erstwhile student council members ends the meeting.
"Sorry! But we are-," our words have not reached our classmate as the three of us sprint our way towards the series of steps and eventually reach the platform.
"Secretary Yuki, reporting for duty!" I am the first to introduce my name to the audience while gesturing to Nickson and Roxanne to bow with me.
"Apologies for the late introduction, my name is Nickson Park, and I am here as the vice-president of the school." Nickson carefully takes off his glasses and formally informs the students. Dozens of whistles and screeches form in the crowd, specifically coming from the girls who get incendiary infatuated by the looks of him.
Roxanne stands motionless at the centre, uncontrollably fidgeting with her fingers. She then browses the mass seated at their chairs, with their eyes gazing at her awkward body. Her legs shiver in fright, with her head screaming through her ears, urging her to speak up.
"We-lc…" My best friend croaks in fear, wanting to say something and present herself as the president of the entire class. However, with her current condition, it is almost impossible to persuade her.
That is when I move closer to her shoulders and give her a light tap on the back.
"You can do it, Roxy." I flash her a smile and give her the "Okay" sign, telling her everything will be alright.
I perceive a teardrop sliding on her eyelids as she hears my voice cheering her on. Roxanne has a traumatising past when she grabs the attention of the surrounding people.
Luckily, she has me around to support her during reports or events like these.
"You can do it!" I mutter to myself and clench my fist, hoping she does not stumble over her words.
Roxanne takes a deep breath and grips her microphone tighter in her arms, gathering the courage to articulate everything she has in mind.
"Greetings, deans, professors, classmates, and staff! We are the student council officers elected by the former student council president and vice president of our school, Washi and Byakko," Roxy calls out the spotlight for the two prominent figures behind our back. "I am fairly new to the International Japanese School. At first glance, this may seem like a disadvantage. I have only known most of you for a couple of years, yet here I am, standing before you. When I think about it, there is a benefit of the two former student council officers choosing someone who is coming into the school from somewhere else. I have fresh ideas that I can register that can improve the system, both the school and the students."
"Every student matters to me. Your opinion matters to me, so please express your problems to the student council. I will open the doors for everyone who feels anxious, relieved, troubled, and even students who want to converse with us; you are all free to visit the room. But, of course, with limitations. As the president, I will lead our school in a fun and united way. I will get us all working together and helping each other in both studies and other great things throughout the semester. I will also work on improving our spirit as a team. There are several things in my mind that I will implore for our events soon. For the time being, let us all work hard and do our best for the rest of the school year."
Roxanne looks behind, particularly at me, with her eyes beaming to her cheeks.
"Or, until we graduate." I give her a wink, telling her she did an outstanding job for the first speech of her lifetime.
The audience gradually stands up and claps in a standing ovation. Even the officers join in with and applause Roxanne for her terrific speech that moves our heart.
"Now I understand why they chose you as the president and not me," I hear Nickson's monologue from behind as he stares at the flustered Roxanne.
I walk up to Nick and nudge my shoulder, hitting his chest with my elbow. "Hey, Nickson, aren't we required to give a speech too?"
Nickson faintly laughs at my comment and pushes me forward.
"We don't have to do it, stupid. I'm tired and ready to go home."