He wasn't exactly afraid of any apparent hostile force; instead, he felt a deep, unsettling sense of unease. It was a sensation that gnawed at him, leaving him restless and anxious as though the air around him was saturated with foreboding. Ryoshu seemed to sense an immense presence, as if unseen deities were observing him from the void, their gaze penetrating and all-knowing. This eerie feeling was so intense that he couldn't tell if it was a product of his imagination or something more tangible, a whisper of otherworldly scrutiny that wrapped around his soul.'Could I be hallucinating?' he wondered, his thoughts a whirlpool of confusion and doubt, swirling in a chaotic dance of uncertainty. The question echoed in his mind, but there was no time for answers or clarity, only a gnawing dread that refused to be silenced.Time, relentless and unforgiving, did not wait for his chaotic mind to settle. The moments he has ticked away, dragging him forward despite his inner turmoil, each tic
"Do I have to stand up and go up there?" he asked himself, his voice barely a whisper, almost lost in the vast auditorium.He was rooted to his seat for a brief moment, gripped by an almost paralyzing hesitation. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a drum. The enormity of the task ahead weighed heavily on him, but he knew he couldn't let fear hold him back. Summoning every ounce of willpower, he shook off the doubt and slowly rose to his feet. The sensation was almost dreamlike as if he were floating rather than walking, each step guided by an unseen force that carried him toward the stage with a surprising sense of resolve."I don't want to go up there," he thought, vividly recalling his middle school days. Back then, the mere idea of standing before the class to give a presentation filled him with dread. He could still recall the clammy palms, the dry mouth, and the way his voice would tremble uncontrollably. And now, he was expected t
Ryoshu was on the verge of shaking his head vigorously in refusal. He could feel his muscles tensing, ready to execute the motion, but somehow, inexplicably, the microphone ended up in his hand in less than the blink of an eye. It was as if the universe had conspired against him in that fleeting moment. The cold metal of the microphone pressed into his palm, its unexpected presence grounding and alarming. The weight of it anchored him to the spot, preventing any escape."Yes, may I speak?" His voice echoed through the vast expanse of the auditorium, magnified by the sound system and reaching every corner of the room. The unexpected amplification startled him, and he could almost hear a collective murmur of surprise from the audience. The sound waves bounced off the high ceilings and walls, creating an almost ethereal reverberation that made his simple question feel profound and commanding.'Huh???' he thought, bewildered. How had this happened? One moment, he was preparing to shrink
"I don't even see this as a challenge," Ryoshu declared confidently, his voice carrying an air of nonchalance that seemed to dismiss the situation entirely. The room fell silent as his words echoed, leaving everyone present in a state of bewilderment. Yet, this was just the beginning of the strange events unfolding.'What am I saying? I never meant to say that! What is happening to my mouth?' Ryoshu's thoughts raced in confusion and panic. His mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and frustration as he struggled to comprehend why his mouth betrayed him so blatantly.Despite his desperate attempts to stop, his mouth continued to speak words that felt alien, as if someone else were pulling the strings. It was a sensation akin to being a puppet on a stage, forced to recite lines from a script he had never seen before. Each word that left his lips seemed to mock his inability to regain control."I have no expectations from those weaker than myself," he continued, his voice unwavering even tho
"So... now I find myself playing the part of a guy who's not only incredibly lucky but also has a penchant for boasting? A certified clown, huh? Well, I suppose it's not all bad... at least that fall managed to eliminate many of my enemies."Ryoshu muttered these words under his breath, the taste of irony heavy on his tongue. The scene around him was still a blur of motion and noise, the aftermath of his spectacular mishap. The faces of his peers were a mixture of amusement, shock, and some poorly hidden delight. Yet, standing out in the chaotic background was Ms. Rufus. Her usually stern face was softened by concern as she pushed through the small crowd that had gathered."Are you alright... um, are you hurt?" she asked gently, her voice a calm oasis amidst the hubbub. She knelt beside him, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she were afraid of causing him further pain.Ms. Rufus's presence starkly contrasted with the cold tile floor and the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. H
Midnight was supposed to deliver a speech laden with profound disappointment to everyone in the room. His words were meant to cut deep, to convey a sense of loss and frustration that would resonate with every person listening. However, the lines that had just escaped his lips were not a replica of the original script. They had been subtly altered and tweaked to align more closely with the current situation. This ensured that the message resonated more deeply with the present context, making it all the more impactful.Ryoshu, who found himself in this role, starkly contrasted Midnight. Unlike someone who possesses everything but despises it all, Ryoshu is just an ordinary person devoid of any significant possessions. He didn't have wealth or status, but what he did have, he cherished deeply. His life was simple, yet he found joy and love in almost everything he owned, no matter how insignificant it might seem to others.Moments earlier, the audience had been engulfed in silence. Thei
After the grand opening ceremony—one that could only be described as rather tedious if we’re being honest—drew to a close, the upper-level students wasted no time descending upon the new students to recruit them into various clubs. It was a bustling scene, filled with vibrant pitches and lively discussions, each club trying to outshine the other to attract fresh members. Tables lined the sprawling campus green, each draped with colorful banners and adorned with flyers and posters. Donning distinctive uniforms or insignias, club members called out to the passing students, their voices blending into a cacophony of persuasive enthusiasm.Amidst this organized chaos, one individual remained conspicuously overlooked. He stood at the crowd's edge, unnoticed by the bustling upper-level and eager first-year students. It wasn't for lack of effort; everyone knew precisely why he was ignored, though it was a topic that seldom surfaced in conversation. His eyes, dark and thoughtful eyes, survey
"Look at that empty-headed loudmouth over there, wandering all by himself," one person remarked, their tone dripping with disdain. The speaker, a tall individual with a sharp, angular face, crossed their arms over their chest, eyes following the lone figure with amusement and contempt."With a personality like his, it's no wonder he doesn't have any friends," another chimed in, shaking their head in disbelief. This second voice belonged to a shorter, rounder person whose expression was an exaggerated pity as if they genuinely felt sorry for the solitary walker despite their harsh words."Did you see that fall he took just a moment ago? It was so mortifying that I felt like digging a hole and jumping in it on his behalf," added a third, barely suppressing their laughter. This person, a lanky youth with a mischievous glint in their eyes, could hardly contain their amusement as they recalled the recent incident where the lone figure had stumbled and fallen in a rather ungraceful manne