The morning sunlight pierced through the window, as if piercing through space and time.
Life in the world was truly very noisy. The air traffic was extremely dense... congested with Zeppelins coming and going.
Footsteps could be heard from outside a room.
Tap. Tap.
A knock on the door, but no one answered. Was the room empty?
The door opened, revealing someone still fast asleep in his own bed.
A woman entered and walked towards the bed. She sat on its edge.
While gently stroking the hair of a boy a teenager she seemed to rouse him from sleep.
"Julius, wake up... It's already past morning," the woman said softly.
The boy opened his eyes and looked towards the window dazzled.
"What is it, Mom?" Julius said.
"It's late, let's eat first... Then you hurry off to school," his mother said gently.
Julius nodded.
His mother then left Julius to bathe and get ready.
After a while, Julius left his room... and headed to the dining table.
His plate had already been filled by his mother, as she didn't want her child to be late.
"Eat up," his mother said softly.
Julius smiled and immediately ate the food heartily.
After finishing, Julius promptly said goodbye to his mother and 'father'.
Julius stepped out of the house and walked towards the nearest bus stop.
That day, the streets were just as crowded as usual. Nothing had changed.
Julius waited at the bus stop, and when the bus arrived... he tapped his e-money card, boarded, and looked for a seat.
Throughout the journey, he focused only on his gadget.
And when the bus stopped, Julius got off... and walked towards the school.
With steady steps, Julius entered the school grounds.
He saw a crowd of people and walked towards it.
It turned out to be the class distribution, as today was the first day back after a long holiday.
Julius was placed in Class 3.1 because the subjects he took were in Group 3: Humanities.
After finding out his class, Julius immediately left the crowd and headed to his classroom.
The sound of footsteps and jokes filled the school area.
Julius enjoyed it.
After walking for a while, he finally arrived in front of his class.
The class was already lively. And the faces were unfamiliar to Julius.
But like most people or perhaps only some Julius ignored it.
As he stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned to Julius with shocked stares.
How could it be? The school's star athlete was entering a social sciences-oriented class.
Julius ignored the stares and began looking for a seat.
He went to a still-empty chair and placed his bag down.
His footsteps sounded again as he left the very noisy room.
His classmates still couldn't believe that the school's pride was in their class.
...
Footsteps were heard from behind Julius. A slender, graceful hand tapped his shoulder.
Julius turned and saw a very beautiful girl with an ideal figure.
"Who? And why?" asked Julius.
"Hm... I'm Elena," she answered briefly. "Could you enter the class first...? Our classmates want to give a welcome," Elena said, without extending her hand.
Julius glanced into the classroom and nodded.
Elena walked in first. Julius followed behind her, maintaining a half-step distance.
As the two of them stepped into the classroom, the once-bustling atmosphere gradually settled.
Julius walked to his seat.
And a boy... named Luca stepped to the front of the class.
"Hello, everyone... My name is Luca..." he said.
"Hi..." echoed all the classmates.
But Julius ignored it. He was focused on his phone.
"I'm standing here before all of you... not to seek attention or anything," Luca continued. "But I... hope we can work together for these two years, starting now... Can we cooperate?" he went on.
"Yes..." replied everyone in the class.
Julius just watched them. He felt they were all just a bunch of idiots... who had to work together to achieve something.
"That's all I have to say... I hope we can start cooperating from now on," Luca said, returning to his seat.
The class became lively again, filled with chatter and introductions.
Outside, the sound of many footsteps could be heard, probably from students of other classes.
But then...
A teacher entered their classroom.
The class fell silent.
Julius observed the teacher.
A teacher who didn't look like one. Messy clothes and the pungent smell of cigarette smoke... emanating from his shirt.
"Hello... Let me introduce myself as your homeroom teacher," the man said.
A student raised her hand.
"Excuse me, sir... May I ask, what's your name?" asked the female student.
"My name is... Joseph... Just call me Mr. Jose."
Joseph scanned the room.
"No need for introductions... I have matters to attend to... So don't make a racket," Joseph said.
Joseph then left the classroom.
The class erupted into chatter again... discussing their homeroom teacher... who looked like a delinquent.
"Hey... Our homeroom teacher looks like a thug, man," said a male student.
"Even so... his face is really handsome though... Gives off sugar daddy vibes," said a female student.
Julius paid no attention to the conversation.
Until...
His shoulder was tapped by someone.
It was Elena.
"Are you busy with your gadget?" Elena asked.
"Yes... And so?" Julius retorted.
"Getting to know each other... Wouldn't that be better... Than being alone," Elena said.
"Huh... Not important either..." Julius replied.
Elena could only let out a long sigh.
And left Julius.
...
The dismissal bell finally rang.
All the students went home to their respective houses.
Including Julius.
Throughout the journey home... Julius pondered.
Huh... Every day will be like this... Boring... And repetitive.
And.
Without Julius realizing it...a change was approaching his life.