"And that's the end of the lesson… and Volt, don't speak in the next class," the teacher said loudly, pointing at me with her finger.
As she was about to leave, Rin entered the classroom. She shot him an angry look, almost as if saying, "You better watch yourself."
The teacher left.
Rin walked toward me. "Oh… Volt, I just had the best twenty minutes of my life."
"Now I understand why she seemed confused in class."
"I wonder, what did you even gain from leaving?" asked a girl sitting in front of Hiana, glancing at him.
He smiled. "I had a meal."
"Man, you need to actually benefit from the lesson, or you'll fail," Klein said, turning around.
I was about to stand when Rin asked, "Where are you going?"
"I want to go to the administration office to get the books," I replied as I stood.
"Do you even know where it is?"
"Oh… no," I scratched my head.
"Okay, Rin and I will take you there," Klein intervened.
As they guided me, Klein walked in the middle, Rin on the right, and I on the left. We walked down the corridor, students passing by and staring at us.
Klein spoke as we reached the door, "We're here."
"Don't be late," Rin said.
"Okay."
I entered the administration office and spoke with the principal for about two minutes, then collected the books and left.
"You little brat, you're so late!" Rin shouted.
The principal already told me, I thought.
I walked back with them to the class, and at that moment, three girls from our class—Hiana and the two girls who sat in front of her—looked at Klein and Rin. Their expressions were strange, almost terrified.
"She… she's the president," Rin stammered.
"Who?" I asked.
"You idiot, you don't know who she is?"
"We need to run," Klein said.
Rin turned back and ran as fast as he could without warning.
Klein looked at him. "This idiot… he left us. I should run too."
And just like that, they both ran away, leaving me alone.
Those fools left me, I thought, glancing back.
I looked at the girls again and saw Hiana staring at me.
"So you got the books," she said, looking at me closely.
I stepped back. "Yes."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you to my friends."
I pointed to my right. "This is Sila."
"Hello, Volt," she said softly.
I wish all girls were like this, I thought.
She pointed to her left. "And this is Dana."
"Hello, new student," she replied coldly.
No… this kind of girl will be very smart, and probably cold. I don't want this type, I thought.
"Welcome," she said to both of them.
"So, where are you going?" Hiana asked softly, curious.
"I'm going to my class, then the courtyard… what about you?"
"I'm going to the student council room."
"See you in class," she said, raising her hand to wave as she walked away.
Go to class, I reminded myself.
I looked ahead and noticed the noise from the students had grown louder.
Now I understand… so one of these girls is the president.
I think it's Hiana… she seems good with the students, I thought.
I went to my class to put the books down, then headed to the courtyard. Walking through the corridor leading there, I was overwhelmed by the students' noises—some whistling, some shouting, some talking loudly. It made me uneasy. Most importantly, my ears almost exploded.
I need to reach the courtyard as fast as possible… or I'll lose my hearing, I thought.
When I stepped out, the courtyard stretched wide before me: a huge football field, large gardens, and around the field, a running track. I had never imagined seeing this view.
Many students were racing. I spotted Rin and Klein warming up for the race. I headed toward them.
"Volt," Rin called as he stretched.
"Oh, I spoke to the president," I said, pointing to my thoughts with a smile.
"Do you know who the president is?" Klein asked.
"I think it's Hiana," I replied.
"Exactly, that's why she speaks so equally in front of everyone."
"Hey, are you jealous?" he teased.
I'm not jealous, I said, smiling as I looked at him.
"Okay, are you joining the race with us?" Klein asked, raising his hand.
"Yes, of course."
There were eight lanes in the race. Klein took the middle, Rin took the left, and I took the right. I noticed Klein looked unusually serious.
"Volt, please don't cry after the race," Rin shouted, but I couldn't see him because there were so many racers around.
Who told this idiot I can't play this game? I thought.
Ready…
Go! A gunshot rang, signaling the start.
I'll never do what I did in that school again, I thought as I started running.
I ran slowly at first, spotting two people ahead of me—of course, Rin and Klein.
We finished the first quarter of the race, and I was still running at the same pace, in sixth place.
I need to speed up.
I pushed harder, overtaking the person ahead.
"Wait… he's fast!" someone exclaimed.
I passed the next person, moving into third place. Rin and Klein were still neck and neck, no one surpassing the other.
Approaching the last quarter, I asked myself:
Should I aim for first?
Damn right, I have to… I can't stay in the back again, I thought.
I sprinted at maximum speed, overtaking both of them.
"That brat… he had the stamina to outrun us," Klein said while running.
Rin shouted, trying to pass me, but it was impossible.
I saw a red ribbon near me.
It's… it's victory! I thought, almost screaming inside.
I won the race, taking first place. Of course, it was first.
I've always wanted to be first, but something was holding me back… and that something… I thought, as Rin suddenly grabbed my jacket, messing up my hair
—From Hiana's Perspective
I saw Volt crossing the finish line in first place. He was… like someone I had seen in the past. Could it really be him?