The day begins at IOP School.
Inside Class 6-A, the room is noisy with students chatting and laughing as they wait for class to begin. At the very back, by the rear door, Era sits quietly at his desk, away from everyone, lost in thought.
"I have no friends… and I don't even want any. That's why I don't talk to anyone, and no one talks to me."Era thinks to himself, eyes lowered, disconnected from the lively classroom.
Nearby, Rita stands with her friend group—Pinky, Uri, and Lily—stealing a few glances toward Era.
"What's that guy's problem?" Rita mutters. "Why's he so arrogant all the time?"
"He was like that in 5th grade too," Pinky adds. "Never changed at all."
"Yeah," Lily nods. "No one talked to him back then, and it's the same now."
"But his big sister is completely different," Uri chimes in. "Isn't she in 11th grade? I heard she helps with school events."
"Right, she's in house committee or something," Lily confirms.
"Then why is he like this?" Rita frowns. "He doesn't even know how to talk to people!"
Pinky thinks for a moment, then says,
"Maybe he's not as bad as we think. I saw him helping some poor kids once—looked like he was taking them somewhere safe from the rain."
"Oh?" Rita looks surprised.
"Yeah, I didn't follow, but… maybe he's just not good at social stuff."
The bell rings.
The teacher enters, and the class quickly quiets down.
"Good morning, students.""Good morning, teacher!"
The teacher walks to the desk and notices a detailed clay model sitting in the corner.
"Who brought this?" she asks.
"Era made it," Rita responds.
"Hmm… you submitted it just in time, Era. Well done."
Era stays silent.
"Alright, before we begin," the teacher continues, "a quick announcement: Tomorrow is a holiday because the day after that is the Exhibition Event. So, the school needs help with preparations tomorrow."
The class erupts in excitement.
"YAAAY!"
"So, who wants to volunteer?" the teacher asks.
Silence.
"Of course," the teacher sighs, "I expected that. That's why I've prepared a little game. In this box are all your roll numbers. I'll draw four numbers, and those students will help with setup tomorrow."
She begins pulling slips from the box.
Roll No. 12
Roll No. 15
Roll No. 26
Roll No. 8
"Come up front, please."
Kuma, Raman, Rita, and Era all stand.
"These four will be helping tomorrow."
"Teacher, can't we pick someone else instead of Era?" Raman complains.
"I don't mind," Era says flatly.
"No," the teacher says firmly. "The draw is final. But anyone else who wants to help can still come tomorrow."
Later at home…
Era, Yumi (his mom), and Taniya (his sister) are sitting in the living room.
"Pfft… You? Helping with the school event?" Taniya laughs. "What a joke!"
"It's not a joke. It's true," Era replies.
"Taniya," Yumi scolds.
"Hmph," she grumbles.
"I'm glad you're helping," Yumi says to Era. "I always hoped you'd get involved in school activities."
"Yeah, yeah…" Era mutters.
"Your dad and I will both come to the event," Yumi adds.
"Dad too?!" Era reacts internally. "Just what I needed..."
The next day at school…
Inside Class 6-A, Rita, Raman, Kuma, and Era gather, along with Rita's friends Pinky, Uri, and Lily.
"Why are you three here?" Rita asks.
"We couldn't let you do all the work alone!" Pinky grins. "Besides, I don't trust Raman. His eyes are always on you."
"Nothing's going to happen," Rita shrugs. "We're in school."
The teacher arrives.
"Okay, let's begin. First, move the tables and chairs against the walls to create space in the center. Then set up the models and artwork on the tables. Anything that goes on the wall, hang it up properly."
"Yes, teacher!"
Everyone gets to work. The boys shift furniture while the girls bring in the projects and start organizing them neatly.
A while later, most of the setup is complete.
"Great job, everyone! With this many hands, we got it done fast. Just one task left—cleaning the floor."
"I'll do it," Era offers.
"Yeah, that suits you," Kuma mocks.
"Totally," Raman joins in.
"Agreed!" Pinky smirks.
"I'll help too!" Uri adds, standing by Era's side.
"Alright, that's enough teasing," the teacher says. "Era, go ahead."
Era begins mopping the floor.
"I've done this before," he thinks. "I cleaned floors back at the mansion where I train those kids. Speaking of which… I haven't visited them in 3 days. I wonder how they're doing."
Meanwhile, at the mansion…
The four kids are locked in a heated chess match.
"Hey! A4, you're cheating! Your queen was over here—how did it move there?" A1 yells.
"She's been there from the start!" A4 snaps. "You're just salty 'cause you're losing!"
"Me? Lose to you? Hah! Not a chance!"
"We'll see."
"Boys…" A2 and A3 sigh in sync.
[Chapter 6 — End]