No matter where you are, entrance ceremonies are such a bother. Yep, it is. Boring speech, having to stand up in a very long duration. Students are forced to line up—honestly, it really is a chore. If not for Sofy, I would have already ditched. For which I know that my little sister will be having her welcome speech after this ranting of the school principal is what keeps me a bit motivated to stay.
We were inside the gym for the official opening of the school year. Forced to listen to this otherworldly speech by the principal.
Really, how pointless. No one's even listening to him. After all...
"Hey, look at the rank indicator on his shoulder…"
"Wha-… seriously? An F?!"
"It's the first time for me seeing an F rank in this whole school…"
...all eyes were directed to me—if not for my rank.
Well, sorry for being an F! And good for you, I'm glad I'm your first time!
While the principal was busy talking about his childhood, I've been roasted by the eyes of the whole student body. Some with eyes filled with curiosity and most are the judging eyes blended with disgust.
There were new students that were just accepted outside the Saint Ilse. They were the ones who look at me with an innocent curious look (really, how glad I am). For the ones who look at me with such indifferent eyes? They were the ones who were already sick of me since the day that I enrolled in the academy. In short, I am what you call the outcast in this school.
But I wonder why... I can't help it... to grin at them, that is.
"Kek. To be honest, I'm quite thrilled about all this." The edges of my mouth were lifted, involuntarily turning into a crescent.
"You're famous again this year, I see."
"Oh, shush you, Dio."
As I was enjoying, cough—ahem, I mean dreading from the unwanted attention of everyone, I heard a whisper from behind.
"You don't seem to be that bothered. Have you become numb since it was worse last year?" Said the boy standing behind me.
"Nah." Nah, I replied, waving my hand to dismiss him. "I just find this kind of thing enjoyable."
"That's amazing. In more ways than one."
"Yep. I love seeing them all talk behind my back while dying in envy whenever I walk around with that beautiful sister of mine. Kehehehe."
He pulled a face at first, then laughing lightly, he said, "You're nasty, do you know that? Haha."
"Yep, and I don't even hate myself for that."
"True enough. Haha."
His giggles are barely audible, but I can see him enjoying himself. This guy also has loose screws in his head, it seems.
"By the way, you can just call me Kevin. We've known each other for two years straight, you know. Calling me by my last name seems rather distant."
"Nope. If I acted close to you or anyone, they will also be talked behind their backs. I don't want to share this popularity of mine. Kehehe."
"Ya really are nasty. I like that. Haha."
"You're one to talk. Nasty-boy."
"What's with that lame nickname. Hahaha."
Lost track of what the principal was chewing, he laughed at our simple-mindedness.
Kevin Dio. This guy and I have been classmates since my first year here in Saint Ilse and aside from him, no other student in this school or even the entire academy would rather have a conversation with me. So, when he talks to me like this out of the sudden, it really makes me think that this guy has gone nuts. Maybe the global warming finally got his brains, too?
[…so just like the fishes in my fishpond, may you all be able to learn how to swim. Once again, I welcome you here in Saint Stella Academy.] The pricipal finshed. But really, what?!
"What the hell was that speech all about?!"
[Clap! Clap! Clap!]
They're clapping?!
W-well… I didn't listen so perhaps it was a good speech after all? Or so I hoped—not until the ones behind me shattered that though of mine.
"Hey… I didn't even know what he was talking about…"
"Me neither."
"Same here. What's that about his fishes again?"
Ah, I see… So, they just clapped randomly. Now I feel a little pity for the principal.
The principal took his seat (finally) and a woman in a suit took his place. She took the stage, and after going up the podium, a magic circle appeared. A sound base magic acting as the microphone.
[That concludes the principal's speech. And now, let us have the welcome address for the new students as well as for the transferees this incoming school year. First year student representative, Miss Sofia Stasis.]
"Here!"
With a strong-willed voice, a girl from the front seats stood up and walked towards the stage. That's my sister.
I feel so proud seeing her take the stage. And as expected,
"Wha-?!"
"So pretty…"
"I think I have found my love. Oh, no! My Goddess!"
"Wow. So beautiful…"
"A model?"
As soon as she, Sofy stood, murmurs began to leak from the audience—and all that was present was left in awe. Of course, they will. They should be! Just look at her!
Her long blond radiant hair, in which with a slight touch of light would shine! Her shapely enchanting face, in which even with just a single look would entice the viewers! Her blue eyes that's as if the color of the ocean and the sky! Her perfectly pointed nose and her thin rosy-red lips. She was like an angel that descended from the heavens. Not only that; her long legs, her hips, and her chest… even as her brother, I could tell that there's almost no one in this world who could ever match her beauty. Well, Reina is a different matter... But come all come one!
Behold, my sister!
"Different time but same reaction as ever." Dio commented, a light laugh he gave.
"Well, what should we expect? That's my sister after all. That kind of reaction should be at least anticipated." I replied, my chin rising.
"Proud brother, are we? Are you not worried that she may be taken away by some random guy?"
"Nope. She's my sister, after all. So, by extension, she already have me and she is already mine. Kehehe." I replied proudly.
"I-I see…" Dio stuttered. If his face was the clue, he doesn't know what to say anymore.
For a moment he looked troubled there. Was that my imagination?
"By the way, you look pretty calm. Given how the others look at my sister, I thought you would at least look at her the same way."
He looked at me, almost as if he couldn't believe what I just said. Then slowly shaking his head, he confessed, "Well, I've got a girl of my own. I love her, so looking all mesmerized to other women would really be unfaithful to her."
"Wha-?! Since when?!" I shoot up, genuinely surprised. Looking around, I seem to take the attention of the crowd. So scratching my head and sat back with an awkward smile on my face.
"Whoa there? That's a rather fresh reaction coming from you. I never thought I'd see you so surprised. Well, we've been dating since our graduation in middle school."
"It's crazy how you act so calm about it! Having a girlfriend is like saving the whole humanity!" I pauased... "Wait a minute.... Are you actually that amazing?"
"You... Don't make any sense."
Guh! He... he beat me to it!?
Well, it's not like I want to experience something like romance or whatnots. BUT! He beat me to it! W-well… Dio seems like a good guy and he's good looking too. His neatly arrange short brown hair, handsome face, and tall body constitution. Although he's a little bit skinny, he's probably someone with many admirers. And he's loyal to her to boot?! So, this is the power of hot guys?!
This world is unfair...Curse you lookism!
"Ughh…"
"H-hey… why do you look like you're about to cry."
"Damn it!"
May you both be happy.
"Uh, I think your thoughts and your dialogue just got reversed."
"Oh, shut—"
[As the winds of spring whisper before us. And the beautiful blooms of cherry blossoms scattered in our path, I stand here before you as a representative of all of us who worked our hardest to be part of this prestigious Saint Stella Academy. I, Sofia Stasis, welcome you, my fellow students.]
As we were tackling Dio's love (damn it) life, a sudden melody reached our ears that put us to stop. Not just us. Everyone was mesmerized. Sofy began her speech.
Before, as she reaches for the stage, the gym was filled with murmurs of admiration for her beauty. And yet, as soon as she got onto the podium and began her speech, the venue went into deep silence.
Silence took over and nothing could be heard more than her musical voice. A sound that's as if her very speech is a play in an opera. Everyone was left in dumbstruck. Some others stared at her like she was a statue, admiring her very visage. Some were teary-eyed while listening to her.
[We take our journey and continue to learn. To be a hero just like Saint Stella. We must hone our abilities and become a model for the world. Just like what the principal said, like a fish in a fish pond, may we be able to swim freely...]
Why the hell stay fixated on the fish part?
[Oh, how I want to eat fish—cough-ahem. Once again, I welcome you, my fellow students.]
Ah, I see... she just wants fish for dinner. Why announce to the whole school…?
"Ah, what a lovely speech that was."
"Yes, yes. From now on, let us be fish and learn how to swim."
"…"
I wonder if these people were okay? Are they sure all people who got into this school are fine? Mentally that is…
***
And so, after Sofy's speech, I skipped all what followed next at the ceremony. I slept through it… it's convenient since I haven't slept enough last night.
[And that concludes the opening ceremony. All students, please proceed to your designated classroom.]
Just as I finished napping, the conclusion on the event was finally said.
I stretched my arms and yawned. Then with a grin, I muttered to myself. "All done with the boring stuff huh… Now, let's see what kind of bullying I'll experience this school year. I'm looking forward to it."