Chapter LVI: Snooze You Lose
The classroom hums with the soft drone of the ceiling fans, the late-morning air warm but not unbearable. Sunlight filters through the tall windows of the Special Power and Defense classroom, casting pale gold rectangles across desks, bags, and scattered notebooks.
Mrs. Sato stands at the front, posture straight, glasses glinting as she writes on the whiteboard in clean, looping strokes.
ECOLOGICAL CYCLES
Her voice carries calmly, the kind of voice that belongs in documentaries and nature films.
"Today," she says, turning to face them, "we discuss the major ecological cycles that allow life on Earth to continue. Without these, no organism; not humans, not plants, not even microscopic life would survive. These cycles can also be termed as Nutrient Cycles
The energy from the sun flows into the plant, goes to the herbivore that eats the plant, to the carnivore, and to the last consumer until the energy is lost into the ecosystem. The energy does not go back to the source. It cannot be used over and over again.
As the process would repeat again, there are regulatory factors that affects these organisms, including us humans. But, aside from abiotic affecting biotic or biotic affecting each other, there's also a third part of the ecosystem, and that would be energy. Energy makes things function in all of us, by means of where we obtain this energy, is from the nutrients of the ecosystem.
These nutrients can be used over and over again. In this way, a cycle of nutrients is formed. The cycle of nutrients is an important process that takes place in the ecosystem. Through cycle of nutrients, the organic compounds found in the bodies of organisms are converted into inorganic compounds which serve as nutrients to other organisms. In both processes of energy flow and nutrients cycles, the plants provide the link by which bio tic and abiotic components interact with one another."
Ryujin sits upright, pen in hand, though his mind still occasionally drifts back to the dream from earlier. He forces himself to focus.
Mrs. Sato draws a big circle on the board.
"First, is the Water Cycle."
She sketches arrows, clouds, waves, mountains.
"Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, rivers. The sun's heat turns liquid into vapor. That is process would be called Evaporation. The vapor rises, cools, and forms clouds through condensation. When the clouds become heavy, water falls as precipitation in the form of rain, snow, and hail. It returns to Earth, flows into bodies of water, seeps into soil, and the cycle continues. Yet, aside from the three processes, there are also 2 that we need to consider. Those would be Respiration and Transpiration. Respiration is from animals and us, in the form of sweat and others. Transpiration refers to water vapor from plants. "
She draws each step with precision.
"Transpiration and Respiration. Evaporation. Condensation. Precipitation. Collection."
Hageshi whispers, "Nature really said copy–paste."
Ryujin snorts quietly. Mrs. Sato moves on.
"The Carbon and Oxygen Cycle."
She draws trees, animals, arrows between them.
"Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen. Animals breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Decomposition, combustion, and respiration, are all part of the transfer of carbon through atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere."
Kuebiko nods along, actually interested. Takeshi, meanwhile, is trying not to laugh. Because two seats just ahead of him, Miran is asleep. His elbow rests on the desk. His head leans against his hand as if he is deeply pondering the meaning of life. But his eyes are closed. His breathing is slow. He is absolutely gone.
Takeshi elbows Kuebiko.
"Bro," he whispers, "he looks like a philosopher statue."
Kuebiko bites his lip. "He's meditating with his eyes."
Mrs. Sato continues.
"The Nitrogen Cycle is equally essential. Nitrogen makes up most of our atmosphere, but plants cannot use it directly. Bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen into usable forms like ammonia and nitrates through nitrogen fixation..."
She writes terms carefully. Fixation, Nitrification, Assimilation, Ammonification, and Denitrification
"...which then return to the atmosphere."
Takeshi silently imitates Miran's sleeping pose. Kuebiko almost chokes trying not to laugh.
Mrs. Sato's marker pauses. Her eyes shift. She sees him. Her forehead wrinkles.
"...And lastly, the Phosphorus Cycle," she says slowly, but her gaze is locked onto Miran. "Unlike others, phosphorus does not have a significant atmospheric phase. It cycles through rocks, soil, water, and organisms..."
Green light begins to glow faintly around her hand. No one notices at first.
"...weathering releases phosphates, plants absorb them, animals consume plants, decomposition returns phosphorus to soil..."
The green aura slides into the whiteboard marker.
Takeshi's grin slowly fades.
"...and thus the cycle—"
She flicks her wrist. The marker shoots across the room like a dart.
THUNK.
It hits Miran square on the forehead. His chair tips.
BAM.
Miran crashes onto the floor. The entire class freezes.
"...continues," Mrs. Sato finishes calmly.
Miran groans. "Huh—what—who—where--"
Mrs. Sato adjusts her glasses. "Mr. Miran. Why are you on the floor?"
"I...I don't know, ma'am."
"Fascinating. Perhaps gravity suddenly remembered you exist." She points at the board. "Tell the class what we are discussing. Then draw it."
The class holds its breath. Miran stands, dazed, picks up the fallen marker like a knight retrieving a fallen sword. He faces the board. Confidence he does not deserve fills his voice.
"The Nitrogen Cycle," he says loudly, "is composed of Evaporation, Condensation, and Precipitation."
He writes it. Large on the whiteboard, and so clear. Yet, it is wrong. Silence covers the whole class.
Then, Mrs. Sato facepalms. The class explodes in laughter.
Ryujin leans toward Hageshi, whispering, "Man, what could this dude have been doing last night?"
Hageshi smirks. "Maybe grinding Mobile Legends... or you know... the six-letter H word."
Ryujin blinks. Then realization hits.
"Oh. I got it."
They both fight laughter.
Mrs. Sato regains control. "Mr. Miran. Seat. Now. And perhaps review which cycle involves clouds."
"Yes, ma'am..."
She turns to the class. "Be attentive. The world functions on these cycles. Your grades do too."
The bell rings. Relief washes over the room. But only for a second.
"Don't relax," Mrs. Kantano says cheerfully as she enters. "TLE time!"
The whole class groans. She places ingredients on the table.
"Today, we learn how to make frosting. Buttercream, whipped frosting, glaze."
Suddenly, interest spikes. She demonstrates mixing butter, sugar, milk, vanilla.
"Consistency is key. Too thick? Add liquid. Too runny? Add sugar."
Hageshi whispers, "This is chemistry but edible."
After that, Mr. Pyuriro steps in, adjusting his tie.
"Geography of Japan."
Maps appear on the TV. Mountains, prefectures, and coastlines.
"Japan is an archipelago of four main islands — Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku..."
Time stretches. Finally, bags rustle.
But,
"Wait," Hajime says, entering. "Sit."
Collective sigh spread throughout the classroom. He stands at the front.
"The Starlight Festival will be held this month. Security will be tighter."
Silence is in the air. Then cheers erupt.
"YESSS!"
"Finally!"
Hajime smiles. "Ok, then. Class Dismissed."
Most leave, but sweepers remain. Including Saki and Ryujin. They clean quietly. Brooms whisper against the floor. Sunlight turns orange as it hits the window panes.
When finished, the room is calm. Ryujin lifts his bag, however,
"W-wait a second, Ryujin," Saki says softly.
He turns. "Yeah?"
"I got something to say to you"
She steps closer. Leans toward his ear, and kisses his cheek. It's soft, warm, and electric. His brain shuts down.
"I just... wanted to," she says, flustered.
Ryujin's face turns red. "O-oh..."
They walk out together, hearts louder than footsteps.
Elsewhere,
"MIRAN!"
His mom's voice echoes.
"You slept in class AGAIN?!"
"Sorryyy!"
Ten minutes later, he is in his room; phone in hand.
"Okay but one match first..."
Mobile Legends Victory theme plays. Some lessons never enter the cycle.