I couldn't believe I was sitting in a classroom again. I felt ridiculous repeating the first year and being Shu's junior of all people, who just never could stop teasing me about it.
On the other hand, though, it was much better than I imagined. Some students that I saw on my way recognized me and seemed scared and confused, but once I got in the classroom nobody knew who I was because my classmates were all new to the school.
Having said that, I did get a few glances thrown my way, probably because I was pretty big compared to other kids and well… maybe I looked a little scary too after all.
I've decided that I will take all this as a positive thing. If looked at positively, I'm given a rare chance to start my school life again. I'm sure there'd be a lot of kids who wish they can press the reset button and start their high school life anew, and that is pretty much the chance I got.
I wasn't gonna go out of my way to socialize though, I wasn't exactly going for a popularity contest.
Our homeroom teacher looked quite young, a reasonably good-looking lady. As I suspected, she said this was her first year teaching after graduating from her uni. Well, she probably didn't have to say that but I guess she's one of those sincere types of teachers who like getting close to students.
I was already starting to space out and daydream. To be honest I was quite nervous the night before and couldn't sleep well. It was kinda funny in a way that I'm someone that survived through detention center and getting stabbed in the stomach, yet I was nervous coming to school and joining a class with kids younger than me, but…. No, no, I gotta focus. I can't drift off with my thoughts right from the first day of school. Focus. Focus.
I joined my hands in front of me and stretched them forward, then rotated my shoulders to stretch my arms over my back, and final stretch above my head.
"Oh, good, thank you. Please come forward"
I got startled a bit as the teacher looked in my direction and spoke.
Is she talking to me?
I looked behind my seat and there was no one, oh yeah, I'm the tallest here, there's no one behind me.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Please come forward", the teacher beckoned me to come out to the front of the class. There were two other guys and a girl standing there already.
Shit. What did I miss? Man, I should have paid attention…
"Ok, please introduce yourself to the class and what you would like to do"
I went and stood in front of the podium. I was a bit lost and looked at the teacher, she gave me a comforting smile. I looked at the classroom again and from this position, I could see everyone, and everyone could see me.
This is a bit embarrassing.
"Hi, everyone"
Nobody said anything.
"Er… my name is Boh"
Still silent.
Well, I'll just blabber whatever.
"Er… as you can see, I'm kinda big but don't be scared. I'd like to get along with everyone. There aren't many things I'm good at, but I guess I'm kinda… strong…? So if there's something I can help you with that, let me know… erm.. like.. yeah, if any seniors bother you or anything, I will have a word with them, ah-", I probably shouldn't have said that it makes me sound like a thug. This is not the image I wanted to give.
"Forget what I just said. Anyways, let's have a good year"
"O---kay. That was.. interesting, Boh? Ok, then next – yes, you, please go ahead", the teacher then gestured to another guy standing forward to give his introduction. I was gonna go back to my seat but the teacher stopped me. I just shrugged and stayed at the front. Let's see how other guys do it, I should probably get better at introducing myself and stuff.
"If I became the class representative…"
Lol. That guy's really keen. Some people just love this stuff but it seems a bit too desperate to talk about that in your introduction.
"Ok, thank you very much. Next~"
Then the girl went over to the podium to speak.
"Nice to meet you, everyone. My name is Hana. If you gave me a chance to become a class representative, I will do my best to-"
Whoa whoa, wait up-
I asked the teacher quietly so as not to disturb others giving their speeches.
"Sh… please let other guys speak too"
"But- what are we-"
She then just put her finger over her mouth and shushed me.
Ah shit, I know now…
"Ok, that's everyone. Please pass this around, everybody takes one, and write the name of the candidate you would like to vote for"
Fucking hell. Why am I even called forward for class representative election… the teacher just picked random people? Well, there's no way I would be elected anyway.
Then the voting was finished and the teacher called out two students to come out and count the votes.
"So the result is, Boh will be the class representative for this year. Everybody, please give a round of applause"
More than half of the class voted for me actually. This is wrong.
"Erm, ma'am, I can't be the class rep, I'm actually-"
"I'm sure you will do fine, Boh. You are the first class representative in my first class, let's do our best to make it a good year"
:Facepalm: