Between morning and afternoon, Kein entered the classroom with a pounding heartbeat. Not for nothing after he had experienced an event that probably no human being had received training from a 'system' of unknown origin. His confidence was increasing and he was sure that everything he wanted would be obtained in the near future.
Just then the 'system' told him that acting like that wouldn't make him go any higher, and that a drastic drop due to negligence would have a profound effect on an athlete's career.
He sat on the centre bench among his friends who were talking about him borrowing the athletics division's field for personal use.
"Hey, Kein. I heard you snuck onto our field. Is that true?" one of his athletics friends approached him when he had just rested his bum on a chair.
"I think 'sneaking' is a bit of hyperbole. It's true that I secretly used that field. But I prefer to call it 'borrowing in silence'."
"That's the same thing. You just don't want to hear a word that is harsh but factual. Well, I actually don't mind you using our field because I know you're not a bad person, but the news about you is already widespread. Probably all the academy students already know this."
"It doesn't matter as long as they don't bother me. I was wrong and I apologise for making unwanted noise."
"I understand. I don't mind that either. As your friends who are in the athletics division, I'd like to feel that we are the ones at fault. For causing a small problem to become a problem that teachers and students should know about."
"Don't apologise, Rena. Go back to your friends and tell them that I'm innocent. That's enough for me instead of you having to apologise when you're just one of them."
"That's what our members think." Her friend nodded and immediately warned each of her friends one by one, explaining to them that this was all just a misunderstanding. It should not be blamed or labelled as a 'bad student'.
While the class was still quite chaotic, their homeroom teacher suddenly entered the class and the students returned to their seats in a hurry. They sat neatly on their chairs with their arms crossed over their desks. Their eyes were straight ahead and none of them made a sound except for the air-conditioning machine.
"Okay, everyone. Before we start class, it would be a good idea for the teacher to introduce the new students who will be your friends. Come in, girl." The homeroom teacher gave orders to the new student.
Suddenly, the classroom door opened again and a girl their age appeared in front of her new friends. Many of them woke up from their seats after trying to hold their bodies still.
"Sit down! Let her introduce herself." The homeroom teacher slammed her hand quite hard but did not startle those who were focused on the girl at the front of the class.
Her smile had never wavered since entering the classroom and her response to her friends' enthusiasm didn't bother her either, instead it was an opportunity.
"I'm glad to see you welcoming me. It's exactly what I expected. Formal introductions would make things awkward. You can call me Sherla. I'm in the basketball division. Best wishes."
"Sherlaaa!!!" Almost all the students clapped their hands, even whistling loudly as the girl let out a melodious voice that actually sounded normal.
Meanwhile, Kein and Damian were surprised to find out something they didn't expect.
"What the hell is this? It turns out that Sherla is still our age? And is the assistant coach?"
"I thought she was older than us. I feel defeated by the person I suspected." Damian clenched his fists and hit the table amidst the commotion. He basically preferred girls who were older than him, whereas Sherla who was going to be one of the prima donnas of New Ares Academy was the same age as him.
While they were busy with their different perceptions, Damian and Kein were almost taken aback when the pounding of the desks was reiterated by their homeroom teacher.
"Enough! Sherla, you can sit over there," the homeroom teacher said as she pointed to the empty bench that had been prepared since this morning. "Damian. Treat Sherla well. Your coach told you and Kein that Sherla is a valuable assistant coach."
"Yes, Mum!" Damian stood up and gave a high respectful gesture as if dealing with a ruler.
The students returned to their seats. Although the homeroom teacher displayed a stern demeanour that was quite terrifying, not a single one of them showed any fear on their faces. For when Sherla walked gracefully to the empty seat next to Damian, they watched her with small smiles that they did not realise. Their homeroom teacher was speechless, looking at her students while stroking her chest with a long sigh.
Although the homeroom teacher also recognised that Sherla had a beauty that could not be underestimated, she did not expect the reaction of her students to be so much more excited. Moreover, some of Sherla's achievements or accomplishments had already been spread among the teachers and she deserved to be recruited as an assistant coach.
"Alright, the lesson will start soon."
"Hey, why didn't you say anything to us." Damian hissed towards his new classmate who had not even touched his chair, involving Nicolas Kein who was barely looking at the girl.
Sherla's face scrunched up, trying to decipher the meaning of her new friend's words even though she was having a hard time. "Do I recognise you?" she asked innocently as she pointed at Damian, her face full of doubt.
"It's us! Damian Sananta and Nicolas Kein from the basketball division. Why don't you recognise us?! We've been meeting in that building every day since you arrived!" Damian could not accept the painful fact that Sherla barely recognised him.
The girl decided to sit down before the homeroom teacher scolded her. "Sorry, I really don't remember you guys. Maybe all your phrases will be revealed when we practice later."
"Try to remember us!" Damian clenched his fists tightly, annoyed that Sherla really didn't remember them.