August 3rd, 3016NCE.
Human sleep times have been slightly decreasing with time. Somnology is a very difficult branch of science, so the reasons weren't entirely clear.
Nonetheless, I woke up feeling like a used rag at 530. Unlike Fred and Pim, I decided to postpone my shower to the day after, so I quickly got up and went to the bathroom.
There were four people per room, four closets per room, each with four copies of the Academy's standard uniform, and a single bathroom to be shared among them. Saturday and Wednesday were wash days, and your ironed clothes would be delivered to your room the day after. It was convenient.
However, we still had to bring our dirty clothes to the washroom, on the ground floor. In the meantime, they were kept in a large, black sack.
The shower was surprisingly good, it felt even better than the one at home. But since I was in a hurry, I couldn't truly enjoy it. I was looking forward to some pool time later this week.
When I got outside, I saw Pim already dressed, Sam hurriedly stepping into the bathroom for his shower, and Fred still asleep.
"Good morning." Pim greeted with a smile.
I almost got lost in my thoughts about social differences. He really is a noble, huh?
"Good morning, Pim." I replied. "Aren't you going to wake him up?" I motioned to Fred.
"I tried, but... He said he is going to be late anyways so he might as well skip breakfast."
I raised a brow.
Pim continued, "...Speaking of which, it's already 550, we're gonna be late."
"Do we really have to be there by 600?"
"I was told that the sooner we get there, the better."
"Should we leave ahead of him?" I looked back at the bathroom while putting my shoes.
I wonder when they had the time to take my measurements...
Pim hesitated and then shook his head.
"Poor Sam, bro. Let's just hurry him up."
"Okay."
...
We arrived at the canteen at exactly 605. That meant it took only about 5 minutes to get there from Building 2. It made sense, it was located right in the middle of the 'park', in the center of the Student Compound.
The line was not very long, but it was long enough for us to get a conversation going.
"I expected more people." Sam said, his wet hair dripping on his indigo blazer.
"Maybe it's because they are spread over all the cafeteria. It is pretty big, after all." I said.
"Everyone looks like first years, though." Pim observed.
We all looked around a bit longer.
"You're right. It doesn't make sense. There were supposed to be around 5000 students, where did they go?"
"Maybe their classes start later than ours?" Sam tried.
"No, until the third year the classes are fixed and obligatory." Pim said. He had read more of the digital handbook than any of us.
"Maybe they are somewhere else." I said, with little belief. "Do they have exchange programs, here?"
""Hmm...""
Unfortunately, my question went unanswered. We got our food and found a place to sit down. As we ate, I noticed the influx of students increase greatly.
'Seniors...'
Those groups had very mixed attitudes. Some were relaxed, some were talking nonstop, while some were reading something from their screens and typing things down. The line for the food was ever increasing.
As I finished my apple, the last bit of my breakfast, someone came up from behind me and held my shoulder.
"You're done eating, right? Can you give me your place?" A boy not much older than me asked.
My first instinct was to get mad, but I noticed something strange. There were still free spaces around us, but they were quickly getting occupied before I even had time to point them out. Additionally, the boy wasn't trying to force us to leave or anything, his tone was sincere and direct.
Puzzled, I kept observing our surroundings.
"Sigh, you will notice if you look around enough. Meals here must be fast and clean. We don't have time to waste eating, so it's 'Eat and Dump!', get it?" The senior explained with an urge.
And he was right. Almost every senior I saw was eating voraciously and leaving their place just as quick. It was still 630 so there were still 30 minutes left before the first class, and that made it all the more unsettling.
Suddenly, my eyes caught the sight of a specific trio. Two boys and a girl. They were clearly older, seniors, but they were chatting happily and leisurely, ignoring the commotion around them.
I slowly stood up after matching eyes with Pim and Sam.
I pointed to the trio and said, "What about those three? Why are they like that?"
The boy sat down and froze just before he could bite down on his bread. He had a strange expression as he answered me.
"There are those who can, and those who can't, is all." And then he focused on his meal.
"What do you-"
"Leaf, c'mon, let's get going." Pim urged.
"Uh, yeah, okay."
I turned back one last time to look at the trio.
The first boy had a short brown hair, average build and a baby face. He reminded me a little of Pim.
The girl had black hair with blonde streaks, tied up in two ponytails. One would think she would look like a child, but somehow, her appearance was both mature and alluring.
The last boy had a long and straight black hair with messy bangs. His eyebrows were sharp and he had a beak nose. He looked tall and slim. Overall, he was a charming boy that was no doubt popular with the ladies.
They looked interesting. I will remember them.
...