Since it was the transition between summer and fall, the school continued its tradition of giving students a lunch break to take a nap. During this time, the homeroom teacher would sometimes come by to maintain discipline and would occasionally rest with the students.
However, this depended on the teacher. Miss Ho usually arrived after the bell rang. She would scan the classroom to make sure all the students were settled or sleeping at their desks. Then, she would leave. If she noticed anyone who wasn't sleeping, she would remind them to rest quickly. The rule was simple: even if you weren't sleepy, you still had to put your head down and pretend to sleep.
She would leave once she was sure the entire class was quiet or asleep. She preferred not to rest with the students because she was easily disturbed and was a very light sleeper.
This was due to a previous experience. Once, when she tried napping in a different classroom, a male student's loud snoring kept waking her up and prevented her from getting any proper rest. To avoid a repeat of that situation, Miss Ho deliberately avoided sleeping in class.
Miss Ho was only worried about one thing: Hanky and his gang.
"Don't talk or do anything that might disturb others," she warned, intentionally gazing at Hanky and his clique. "If you do, I will send you to my office to stand facing the wall and think about your behavior." These words were meant specifically for them.
Then, her tone softened. "I hope—and I believe—you will all have a good rest. I'll see you later." After one last look around the classroom, she left.
After she left, one of the members of Hanky's clique, who was sitting by the window overlooking the corridor, leaned out to check. Once he confirmed that the homeroom teacher had entered her office, he gave a triumphant "Yes!" "She's gone!" he whispered excitedly.
"Perfect! Good job," Hanky sneered, clapping his hands together deliberately to make noise.
Ketto turned his head slightly, careful to avoid making eye contact. Just drop dead, he thought. You're all just trash.
Hanky pulled out his phone, put in his earbuds, and started watching a sports highlights video. Soon, two of his friends, Billy and Lucas, gathered around to watch with him.
"Why are you two crowding over here?" Hanky warned in a low voice. "It's too obvious. If a teacher sees us, we're all screwed."
"Since when are you scared of a teacher?" Billy said. "Come on! We want to watch, too!"
Lucas laughed. "Yeah, we're watching this together, no matter what."
They started trying to pull an earbud out of Hanky's ear. The scuffle quickly became noisy and chaotic, distracting the rest of the class. Ketto glared at them, seething with quiet anger. He wanted to scold them, but he didn't dare.
The whole class was now staring daggers at Hanky's group. Noticing the unwanted attention, Hanky finally shoved Billy and Lucas away. He shook his fist and whispered harshly, "Do you want to die?"
Billy and Lucas, finally aware that the entire class was watching, made apologetic gestures. As the classroom settled back into an uneasy quiet, they still didn't give up. They continued to quietly grab for the earbuds.
Hanky refused, putting his index finger to his lips in a sharp "shush" gesture. "Stop grabbing! Be quiet!" he whispered.
They continued to fight over the earbuds, ignoring Hanky's warning. Their struggle grew louder until finally, a girl named Lily stood up.
"Take it outside!" she yelled at them. "You're being way too loud, you bunch of assholes!"
Hanky's head snapped toward her, his expression darkening. "What did you just say? Say that again."
Lily didn't back down. "I said you're a bunch of assholes."
"You're a crazy bitch," Hanky shot back, looking her up and down with pure disdain.
"Go ahead, call me names. I'm telling Miss Ho about this," Lily retorted. "You're a disgrace. I'm honestly embarrassed for you."
Hanky stood up, using his height to intimidate her. "You're lucky you're a girl. I don't hit women—people would call me a bully. But you can't just say whatever you want. Watch your mouth, and I'll let this go. We can forget it ever happened."
Lily laughed in disbelief, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not afraid of you. I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I beg for your forgiveness? Get over yourself. This is a school, not a back alley. You can't solve every problem with your fists."
Hanky was visibly furious. He had never encountered a girl who dared to stand up to him like this. She was either incredibly brave or completely reckless. He could only stare at her, his anger burning.
"You don't need to flex your power and act all high and mighty with me," Lily continued, meeting his glare without a trace of fear. "I told you, I'm not scared, and I never will be. You know what? I look down on any man who only knows how to use his fists."
As the situation escalated, Lucas stood up to intervene. "We're all in the same class," he said, offering a conciliatory smile. "We're classmates. Why are we fighting?"
Billy quickly backed him up, gently patting Hanky on the shoulder to coax him into sitting down. "He's right. We're supposed to be like a family. Let's just move on from this little thing, okay?"
Once Hanky was seated, Billy added, "We're sorry for disturbing your rest. Lucas and I were too loud."
Lucas then turned to Lily, his tone warm and apologetic. "Come on, don't be angry. We promise we won't bother you again, all right?" He was doing his best to defuse the tension.
Lily listened to their pleas. Her first instinct was to stay angry, but after a moment's thought, she decided to give them a chance since it was their first offense. "Fine," she said curtly. "But just this once. Never again."
Hanky sat stiffly, staring out the window. He was still furious. Honestly, he wasn't ready to let this go. But with everyone watching and his friends appealing to their "class family," he tried to calm down and forget about the incident.
Lucas sighed deeply and gestured for everyone to settle down and continue resting. He and Billy then returned to their seats.
A heavy silence fell over the classroom once more. Most students put their heads down to sleep while a few others rested with their heads in their hands, their eyes wandering around the room. Finally left alone, Hanky went back to watching his sports videos.
Ketto pretended to sleep with his head resting on his arms, tilting it just enough to keep Hanky in his line of sight. Through nearly closed eyelids, he peered at the world, reduced to a sliver of light, and watched Hanky's every move.
After watching Hanky for a while, Ketto finally fell asleep. Addy, however, had no intention of sleeping. He was preoccupied with the class officer election that their homeroom teacher was holding that afternoon. Addy was determined to win the role of chemistry representative. He feared that if he failed, he would be upset for a long time. He quietly rehearsed his campaign speech over and over in his mind.
Ketto slipped into a beautiful dream. In it, he found himself on a vast plateau where various flowers grew, and the air smelled fresh and wonderful. Herds of cows and sheep grazed peacefully on the grass. Everything was quiet and harmonious, and a smile spread across Ketto's sleeping face.
Meanwhile, the other students in the class were quietly passing the time. Some were reading novels—the girls often preferring romance and the boys leaning toward fiction and science fiction. A few students, like Hanky, had brought electronic devices. They listened to music on MP3 players, played video games, and watched videos. They were fortunate that no teachers or administrators came by to check on them.
The lunch break was short, only 50 minutes long. When the bell rang, every student lifted their head from their desk and stretched their arms while rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Some hurried to the bathroom to splash water on their faces, hoping it would shake off their drowsiness.
Ketto went to the restroom, splashed water on his face, and felt instantly refreshed. On his way back, he passed Addy's seat and saw his friend rehearsing his campaign speech diligently. Ketto stopped and asked, "Hey, Addy, are you preparing for the election?"
Addy looked up and smiled. "Yes. I really don't want to lose."
"Don't worry. I believe in you. You're going to win," Ketto said reassuringly.
Addy laughed. "Really? I hope so."
"Maybe—" Ketto started, then paused.
Addy looked at him, confused. "Maybe what? What were you going to say?"
Ketto leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Maybe we could do a quick survey to see what roles others are planning to run for."
Addy's eyes widened, and he stood up. "That's a great idea! Thanks for the advice."
Ketto glanced at the clock on the wall. "Oh no," he said. "We only have ten minutes."
With time running out before the election, Addy stood up and called out to the class, "Is anyone else running for chemistry representative?"
His sudden, loud question made everyone look at him in surprise. Hanky stared at them with a strange, unreadable expression. Ketto noticed the look and knew it wasn't friendly. It made him feel deeply embarrassed, so he quickly avoided making direct eye contact.
No one answered Addy's question. The silence hung in the air.
So, he tried again. "Is anyone competing for the chemistry representative position?"
The class looked at him once more. A few people shrugged and went back to what they were doing. Whispers and murmurs started to surface from around the room.
"Is that even a good role to have?"
"Who cares? I don't want to represent anything."
"Me neither. It's too much work. You have to hound people about their homework and deliver it to the teacher's office."
"Exactly! I don't want that job."
"It's boring. I'm not running for any class officer position."
"Same. I just want to be a normal student."
"Me too. Flying under the radar is the best way to be."
Addy and Ketto overheard every word, their faces growing warm with embarrassment. The other students thought they were whispering quietly, but Addy and Ketto could hear their conversations perfectly.
"That was so embarrassing," Addy said, flushing red and sticking out his tongue in a self-deprecating gesture.
"Don't worry about it," Ketto reassured him. "At least now we know there probably won't be anyone else competing for the role."
"I suppose that's good," Addy replied hesitantly. "But what if someone just didn't want to tell us they were running?"
"Don't think like that," Ketto comforted him. "And don't let other people's comments influence you."
"I don't care what they say," Addy shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "I won't let it get to me. I'm not a sensitive person, so their opinions don't bother me."
"That's the best way to be," Ketto replied with a smile. "I think you're definitely going to be the chemistry representative."
Addy let out a short laugh. "Haha, you really think so?"
"Definitely," Ketto said, giving Addy a thumbs-up. "You're the best person for the role."
Few students were interested in running for class officer. For most, focusing on their studies was more important than taking on extra responsibilities.
When the bell rang for the next period, everyone returned to their seats to wait for their homeroom teacher, Miss Ho. Several minutes passed, however, and she still hadn't appeared. The class grew restless, and whispers of doubt began to circulate. Some students speculated that she had forgotten about them.
One student suggested: "Maybe we should send someone to her office to get her."
No one responded immediately. After a moment, Ketto murmured in agreement. "Yes, I think we should remind her," she said.
Lucas stood up. "I'll go to her office and find her."
"Don't call her!" Bily said, stopping Lucas. "If she doesn't show up, we have free time!"
Meanwhile, Addy was conflicted. Part of him wanted Miss Ho to come so the election would quickly be over with. He told himself that participating was what mattered and that the result was secondary. On the other hand, he secretly hoped she wouldn't show up. Her absence would keep the event from happening, sparing him from the nervousness and pressure of the actual competition. He cared so much that the very thought made him uneasy.
The classroom erupted into chaos. Students were talking loudly and a few small groups had broken out decks of cards. Their happy exclamations added to the noise.
Amidst this commotion, a steady set of footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor, growing louder as they approached. Lucas, who was sitting by the door, peeked out and immediately pulled his head back in. He made a frantic "shh" gesture to the class.
"Miss Ho is coming! Be quiet, everyone!"
Instantly, the students scrambled to their seats, stowing their cards away and falling silent. By the time Miss Ho walked in, the room was perfectly still.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she said, looking around the orderly classroom. "Did everyone have a good rest? Is everything all right?"
Clearly, she had no idea about the commotion that had just taken place. Fortunately for the students, no one had told her what had really happened during the break.
"Great. We had a good lunch break," Lucas responded, feigning optimism.
Lily rolled her eyes and refused to look at him. She knew exactly what had happened during nap time and was shocked by how brazenly he was lying to the teacher. The memory of the noisy disruption was still fresh in her mind. She was astonished by how fearless and shameless Lucas seemed to be.
Addy didn't have the energy or focus to listen to Miss Ho. He just kept muttering "Come on!" to himself, trying to muster up the courage.
Then, Lisa raised her hand.
"Yes, Lisa?" Miss Ho asked. "Do you have a question?"
"I do," Lisa said. "When will we have the class officer election?"
"We'll start right away," Miss Ho replied. She looked around the classroom, anticipation sparkling in her eyes. "Is everyone prepared? Have you decided which roles you'd like to run for?"
A few enthusiastic voices responded in unison, "Yes!" They were clearly confident about their campaigns.
Miss Ho addressed the class in detail. "Now, everyone, listen carefully. First, we will hold elections for class president, vice president, and committee members for study, life, and discipline. After that, we will elect the subject representatives."
She paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "For each role, you will give a speech limited to two minutes. In your speech, first explain why you want to run for the position, then describe what you would do if elected, and finally, explain how you understand the responsibilities of the position. You may also share any other points you deem important. A strong idea can capture everyone's attention, make you stand out, and help you win."
Finally, if there are more than two candidates for a role, we will hold a secret vote. If there is only one candidate, that person will get the position directly."
Hearing this, Ketto nudged Addy's shoulder. "Did you hear that? Just like I said, you'll be fine. You're definitely going to be the chemistry representative."
Addy turned around and smiled, a wave of relief washing over him. "Haha, that does sound great. It really takes the pressure off."
Someone interrupted Miss Ho. "What if there's a role that no one wants to run for? How will you handle a situation with zero candidates?"
Miss Ho patiently addressed the question. "That's actually my next point. If no one volunteers for a position, then I will appoint someone to fill it."
"How can you be sure that person is suitable for the role?" Hanky challenged, his tone sharp.
Many of their classmates murmured in agreement, concerned that this method needed careful consideration. Miss Ho calmly addressed their uneasy feelings.
"Trust me," she said, her face bearing a confident and proud expression. "I am confident that I can always pick the right person."
After a moment of thought, Miss Ho continued, "Let's not worry about that right now. We haven't even started the elections yet. If that situation does arise, I'm sure we can handle it and find the best solution." She looked at the students, who had begun to calm down, and they chose to trust her judgment.
"I've been a homeroom teacher for several years," Miss Ho added with a confident smile. "I have plenty of experience with this. I'm not a new teacher anymore."
The first position contested was class president, and it was highly competitive, with four students vying for the position. Each candidate delivered their speech. One candidate highlighted their strong organizational skills and ability to manage a class. Another candidate pointed to their experience serving as class president for several years. The remaining candidates admitted they had no practical experience but argued that with determination and a willingness to learn, they could fulfill the role's responsibilities successfully.
After the four candidates delivered their impressive campaign speeches, everyone was given a blank sheet of paper on which to write their chosen candidate's name. The outcome was uncertain because the entire process was supervised to ensure anonymity. No one could see who anyone else was voting for. This measure was designed to maintain fairness and prevent any potential retaliation based on how someone voted. Each person took turns writing down a name, folding the paper into a small square, and placing their ballot into a box. An independent monitor who had no prior relationship with or vested interest in any of the candidates oversaw this process.
The next position to be filled was vice class president, for which two students ran. They spoke about their strengths and experience, proving themselves capable candidates. Three and two students competed for the health and life representatives, respectively. The competition was equally fierce; the candidates were thoroughly prepared and determined to win. Everyone exuded confidence and self-belief.
The other students watched from their seats, admiring the tense atmosphere. It was like a bowstring drawn taut and ready to launch an arrow. Ketto found it hard to believe that so many people wanted a class role. He thought such positions could easily offend others. Although he admired their courage and confidence and respected their decisions, he was still puzzled. He concluded that having their own dreams and goals was perfectly normal.
Addy turned around and said, "It's so competitive! Do you still think no one will run against me for chemistry representative?"
Ketto reassured him. "Sure, dude, I'm certain. You'll be the chemistry committee member." Honestly, Ketto wasn't sure, but he knew showing any doubt would hurt Addy's feelings and performance. So, he pretended to be confident to calm his friend down.
Addy still looked unsure, but he trusted Ketto's prediction. "Maybe you're right," he said. "I should be confident and not doubt the result." Ketto gave Addy's shoulder a slight, reassuring pat.