Classroom Heartbeats

Chapter 5. The Initial Confrontation!

A cold and refreshing breeze greeted Kentaro as he stepped out of his house to head to university. The weather was so pleasant that he decided to walk instead of taking his usual ride. The crisp air filled his lungs, invigorating his senses and clearing his mind.

Before he even reached the intersection road, he noticed Kibin leaving the gate. As Kibin walked, he heard someone calling his name from behind. It was Jennie, her voice cheerful and warm, and the scene was clearly visible to Kentaro.

Kibin waited for Jennie to catch up. "Are you heading straight to campus?" Jennie asked, slightly out of breath but smiling brightly.

"Yes," Kibin replied briefly, trying to keep his tone neutral.

"Great, I'll join you," Jennie said with a smile, falling into step beside him.

As they walked, Jennie noticed Kentaro walking not far away. She suggested they stop and wait for him. Kibin felt a pang of discomfort. He wanted to tell her that they shouldn't wait for Kentaro because it made him uncomfortable, but he didn't want to raise any suspicions.

"Let's wait for him, shall we?" Jennie said, her eyes sparkling with friendliness.

Kibin hesitated. "Actually, I need to see Mr. Sato. I'll go ahead," he said quickly, trying to hide his unease.

Jennie looked puzzled but nodded. "Alright. See you later then, Kibin."

Before he got too far, Jennie called out to him, suggesting they have lunch together later at the canteen. "Let's meet for lunch at the canteen later, okay?"

Kibin forced a smile and agreed before continuing on his way, his steps quickening as he distanced himself from the intersection.

When he arrived at the Office of International Affairs, Kibin gently opened the door to speak with Mr. Sato about the Japanese Language tutorial program. The office was quiet, filled with the scent of books and the faint hum of an air conditioner.

"Mr. Sato, may I speak with you?" Kibin asked, his voice respectful.

"Of course, Kibin. Come in," Mr. Sato replied warmly.

Kibin explained to Mr. Sato that he felt confident in his basic conversational Japanese skills and wondered if he could be exempted from attending the Saturday classes. He showed Mr. Sato his certificate for learning basic Japanese, as proof that he already had some knowledge of the language.

"I've studied and attended Japanese language tutorials back in the Philippines," Kibin shared, his eyes earnest. "I received a call from you about my scholarship, and that's when I started my lessons."

Mr. Sato nodded, clearly pleased with Kibin's progress and story. "It's impressive, Kibin. You've shown dedication. If you want to be exempted from the Saturday tutorial classes, you'll need to take an exam on the Japanese language to receive certification from Okinawa University."

Kibin's heart lifted with hope. "I understand, Mr. Sato. I'm ready to take the exam."

Mr. Sato smiled. "Good. Return to the Office of Student Affairs whenever you're free to take the exam."

Satisfied with the outcome, Kibin left the office, a sense of relief washing over him. As he walked back, he thought about his upcoming exam and the promise he made to Jennie about lunch.

***********************

After his class with Prof. Smith, Kibin immediately exited the classroom to head to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Just as he was about to leave, Yuto called out to him, "Hey Kibin, are you heading to the library?"

"I have something important to do," Kibin replied. "I need to go to Mr. Sato's office right away."

Understanding, Yuto nodded. "Alright. If you finish quickly and have time, maybe you can join me at the library later?"

Kibin gave a quick nod, appreciating Yuto's understanding. "Sure, I'll try to catch up with you there."

With that, Kibin made his way straight to Mr. Sato's office. He gently opened the door, and the cool air from the air conditioning hit his face, adding to his nervousness as he prepared to take his exam. Mr. Sato saw him and asked, "Are you here for the exam? Are you ready?"

Though anxious, Kibin affirmed, "Yes, I'm ready."

Mr. Sato handed Kibin the test paper and answer sheet, and Kibin settled into a comfortable chair. The test paper was quite thick. Mr. Sato explained, "The questions are challenging, involving situational scenarios and other questions that need to be translated into Japanese. But I believe you can do it. Good luck, Kibin."

Kibin took a deep breath and began the exam. After what felt like hours, he completed the 100-item exam and handed the paper back to Mr. Sato. Mr. Sato asked, "How did it go?"

"There were some tough questions, but I believe I did well," Kibin responded, his voice tinged with optimism.

Mr. Sato smiled. "The exam results will be released next Monday. You can either come to the office personally to check the results or look for them in your email."

"Thank you, Mr. Sato," Kibin said, feeling a sense of relief.

After their conversation, Kibin headed straight to the library, hoping to find Yuto still there. As he walked in, he saw Yuto standing up from his seat. Yuto noticed Kibin at the door and approached him.

"Hey, are you leaving the library?" Kibin asked.

"Yes, I’ve finished reading. I was thinking of taking a walk outside," Yuto replied.

"Mind if I join you?" Kibin offered.

"Not at all," Yuto said, smiling. "I was thinking of visiting the small park on campus. It's a peaceful spot."

They both agreed to visit the small park. The park was located at the far right end of the campus, about a five-minute walk from Building 5. Although small, the park's beauty was undeniable. Cherry blossoms surrounded the park, and various flowers of different colors and shapes added to its charm. Each corner of the park had long wooden benches. In the center stood a statue resembling a human figure, encircled by a low, winding fence, with rose bushes full of white, red, and pink flowers lining the edges.

"This place is beautiful," Kibin remarked, taking in the serene surroundings.

Yuto agreed, adding, "It's so peaceful here. It's a great spot to relax at this time because hardly anyone comes."

As they sat on one of the benches, the tranquility of the park enveloped them, providing a much-needed respite from their busy university lives. The gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds created a soothing symphony, allowing them to unwind and recharge.

***************

Meanwhile, Kentaro was on the rooftop of Building 6 with Kazuki. The rooftop was beautifully designed, with waist-high walls surrounding it, a roof overhead, and tables and chairs set up as a hangout spot for students. At this moment, they were the only ones there, enjoying the quiet and the view.

Kentaro stood at the edge of the rooftop, gazing out towards the right side of the campus. His eyes landed on Kibin at the small park. While watching Kibin, Kentaro turned to Kazuki. "Hey, do you know that transfer student?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

Kazuki nodded. "Yeah, we've talked twice. The first time was in the library when you had already left, and the second time was when the four of us were cleaning the gym," Kazuki explained.

Kentaro looked puzzled. "Is he easy to get along with? He seems aloof and doesn't acknowledge anyone," he said, his brows furrowing in confusion.

Kazuki chuckled at Kentaro's observation. "Actually, Kibin is very friendly and always smiles. It's not him who's aloof," Kazuki teased. "You're the one who doesn't smile and always looks grumpy."

Kentaro frowned slightly, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I've never seen Kibin smile. Every time we look at each other, he always has a serious expression."

Kazuki laughed again, shaking his head. "Maybe he's just mad at you and doesn't want to be friends."

Kentaro looked even more confused. "Why would he be mad? I haven't done anything wrong to him," he said, his tone defensive.

Kazuki shrugged, "Maybe he doesn't like your attitude. You know, you're not very approachable or friendly," he said, his voice gentle yet teasing.

Kentaro sighed, trying to explain himself. "It's not that I'm arrogant or unfriendly. I just don't like initiating conversations or making friends. Something happened to me and my family when I was twelve, and since then, my attitude and how I interact with others changed. But I know I'm not a bad person. You know it, Kazuki. You know what happened ten years ago."

Kazuki placed a reassuring hand on Kentaro's shoulder. "I know and I understand, Kentaro. But maybe try opening up a bit. You might find it easier to make friends," he said, his voice full of warmth and encouragement.

Kentaro's cellphone buzzed, indicating a new text message. After reading it, he quickly turned to Kazuki and suggested they head out. Kazuki, curious, asked, "Where are we going?"

"We're going to the canteen for lunch," Kentaro replied, his voice steady but hinting at urgency.

The two made their way down, and upon arriving outside the canteen, they were greeted by Jennie. Her smile was warm and welcoming. "I'm glad you both made it," Jennie said, her eyes sparkling.

Kentaro introduced Kazuki to Jennie. "This is Kazuki, my childhood friend."

Kazuki extended his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Jennie."

Jennie, equally enthusiastic, shook Kazuki's hand. "Nice to meet you too, Kazuki."

Kazuki then asked, "Are we heading inside the canteen now?"

Jennie shook her head. "Let's stay outside until 11:30. I’m waiting for someone."

Meanwhile, Kibin and Yuto were leaving the park. Kibin asked Yuto if he was heading home or staying on campus for lunch. Yuto decided to stay on campus, so Kibin suggested they eat at the canteen. Yuto agreed, and they arrived at the canteen just before 11:30.

While still outside the canteen, Kentaro asked Jennie, "Are you waiting for someone? Is that why we're not going in yet?"

Jennie was about to explain she was waiting for Kibin when she spotted him approaching. "Oh, there he is!" she said cheerfully, her face lighting up.

Jennie called out loudly, "Kibin! I'm glad you came. I thought you might not join us."

Kibin noticed that Kazuki and Kentaro were standing behind Jennie. He hesitated, unsure if he should join the group. His steps faltered as he debated whether to go forward. Understanding the situation, Yuto quickly reassured him, placing an arm around his shoulder. "It's alright. Just ignore Kentaro and keep walking," Yuto said gently, his voice calm and encouraging.

Earlier, Kibin had told Yuto they would eat at the canteen with a new friend. With Yuto's encouragement, Kibin continued walking towards Jennie. Kazuki, Yuto, and Kibin greeted each other with smiles and fist bumps, their camaraderie evident. Kentaro and Yuto also exchanged smiles and greetings, but Kibin and Kentaro did not acknowledge each other. The tension between them was palpable, like a weight in the air.

As they all stood there, the atmosphere was a mix of awkwardness and anticipation. "Let's head inside and enjoy our lunch," Jennie said, her tone light and inviting as she led the way.

The group followed her into the canteen, each carrying their own thoughts and emotions. Inside, the canteen buzzed with activity—students chatting, the clinking of cutlery, the aroma of food filling the air.

They found an empty table and moved to that spot with their food. The table was meant for five, perfect for their group. Jennie sat at the end. Yuto and Kibin sat next to each other, with Kentaro and Kazuki sitting across from them. Jennie and Kazuki formally introduced themselves to each other, their voices light and friendly.

As they ate, Jennie sensed the need to break the ice further. She turned to Kibin with a warm smile. "So, Kibin, how was your morning?"

Kibin smiled slightly, grateful for the attempt to ease the tension. However, knowing the tension between Kentaro and Kibin, Yuto quickly answered, "It was good. Just went to the park with Kibin and then took care of some things."

Kazuki chimed in, "What park did you go to? The one near Building 5?"

"Yes," Yuto responded, "It's such a peaceful spot."

Kentaro listened, his curiosity piqued, but he remained hesitant, unsure how to join the conversation without adding to the tension.

After they finished eating, Kibin excused himself to go to the restroom. "I'll be right back, just need to relieve myself," he said, his voice calm yet hurried.

Once he exited the restroom, he headed to the sink to wash his hands. As he did so, he saw Kentaro walking towards the sink. Not wanting to engage, Kibin quickly turned off the faucet and started to leave. Before he could exit the restroom, Kentaro called out to him.

"Hey, transferee! We need to talk," Kentaro's voice was firm, almost demanding.

Kibin heard him but chose to ignore it, not wanting any confrontation. He continued towards the door, but Kentaro called out again, louder this time. "Are you deaf or mute? Why aren't you answering me?" Kentaro's frustration and irritation were evident in his tone. He wasn't one to initiate conversations, and people often mistook him for being aloof. But this time, he made the first move.

Hearing this, Kibin stopped and turned to face Kentaro, his expression clearly showing his anger.

"I don't know why you're treating me like this. I don't care if you acknowledge me or not. I just want to know why you're acting this way towards me, especially since I haven't done anything wrong to you." said Kentaro, confused.

Kibin smirked and responded, "I've heard stories about you, and now that I've been around you, even for a short time, I can say those stories are true. You're arrogant. You don't acknowledge people and act like you're the center of attention here on campus."

Kentaro's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "You're the one who doesn't acknowledge people, and yet you call me arrogant. I don't think I'm the center of attention here. Maybe you're intimidated by me or jealous."

Kibin shot back, "Why would I be jealous of you? What is there to be jealous of? Your bad attitude?"

Kentaro grinned, his tone laced with sarcasm. "So, why are you mad at me? Do you have feelings for me?"

"Are you crazy? I'm mad at you because I don't like you. Do you know why? Because your attitude is like your smile—fake," Kibin retorted, his voice sharp.

With that, Kibin stormed out of the restroom. When he returned to the table, he quickly grabbed his bag and told his friends he was heading home because he wasn't feeling well. "I need to rest in my room. I'll be back later this afternoon before the gym class starts," he explained, his voice tinged with frustration and fatigue.

Jennie, Yuto, and Kazuki watched him leave, concern etched on their faces. The atmosphere at the table became heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension.

As Kibin walked away, he couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and sadness. He didn't understand why Kentaro brought out such strong emotions in him. Meanwhile, back at the table, Kentaro sat quietly, replaying the confrontation in his mind. He felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside, unsure how to bridge the gap between them.

The day continued, but the tension between Kibin and Kentaro lingered, casting a shadow over their interactions.

During a humid afternoon in gym class, the air was thick with anticipation and the scent of freshly waxed floors. The teacher's whistle pierced the chatter, calling everyone to the center for the day’s activity—a simple ball-passing drill to warm up for basketball.

Kibin found himself paired with Yuto, while Kazuki was teamed with Kentaro. But today, Kentaro and Kibin were both dragging their feet, the weight of an earlier confrontation still hanging over them. Reluctant to participate, Yuto and Kazuki ended up becoming partners by default, leaving Kentaro and Kibin on the sidelines.

Kibin sat slumped by the basketball hoop, his thoughts tangled and distant. On the other side of the court, Kentaro mirrored his posture, head in hands, replaying the heated words exchanged in the canteen. It was the first time Kentaro had ever let his temper flare in public, and it gnawed at him.

Their teacher’s voice rang out again, calling for them, but it was as though Kibin and Kentaro were in a different world. Kazuki and Yuto, seeing the distress, quickly concocted a story. They approached the teacher and explained that Kentaro and Kibin weren’t feeling well. The teacher, buying the tale, nodded and suggested they head home to rest.

Kazuki made his way to Kibin, sitting beside him and draping an arm around his shoulder. “Hey, Kibin, you seem off today. What’s going on?”

Kibin sighed, still staring into the distance. “Just having one of those days, Kazuki.”

Kazuki’s concern deepened. “We saw you leave the canteen in a hurry. Did something happen with Kentaro?”

Kibin remained silent, but his troubled expression spoke volumes. Kazuki pressed gently, “I’ve known Kentaro for a long time. He’s a good guy, but he’s not great with new people. He comes off as cold, but he’s not.”

Kibin shook his head, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t know, Kazuki. Every time I see him, he just annoys me. There was this one time I asked him where the OSA office was, and he just glared at me and walked away. That’s when I started getting irritated with him.”

Kazuki nodded empathetically. “I get it, Kibin. But wouldn’t it be better if we all tried to get along? We don’t have to be best friends, but maybe we can avoid the arguments.”

Kibin sighed deeply. “I don’t have a problem with you, Kazuki. You’re nice. But with Kentaro, it’s different. I want things to be okay between us, but maybe not now.”

Kazuki patted Kibin on the back. “I understand. If you need to talk, we’re here for you. By the way, we told the teacher you weren’t feeling well, so you’re excused from class. You can head home if you want.”

On the opposite side of the court, where the shadows stretched long in the fading afternoon light, Yuto made his way over to Kentaro.

“Kentaro, can we talk for a minute?” he asked, his voice soft but insistent.

Kentaro glanced up, his face etched with frustration and weariness. “What’s there to talk about, Yuto?”

Yuto took a deep breath. “I know something happened between you and Kibin. Kazuki and I could feel the tension. When you came back from the toilet earlier, your face was a mix of anger and confusion. We've been classmates since high school, and even though we don't talk much, I know you’re not the type to get into arguments or fights. You’re not a snob. Maybe you’re just not used to being the one to approach others first.”

Kentaro sighed deeply, shaking his head as if trying to shake off the lingering emotions. “I don’t know, Yuto. This isn’t like me. I hate confrontations. I’d rather stay quiet than cause trouble, which is why I hardly have any friends. But I didn't do anything to Kibin to make him so angry. I get annoyed with him too because he doesn’t treat me well. He even called me a fake, but he doesn’t really know me.”

Yuto nodded, understanding the frustration behind Kentaro’s words. “I get why you're upset. But it would be better if you two could settle things and make peace, right? It would make everything a lot easier.”

Kentaro frowned, his thoughts swirling like a storm. “I don’t know, Yuto. Right now, I just can’t deal with Kibin. He gets on my nerves.”

Yuto gave Kentaro’s shoulder a reassuring pat, showing his support and respect. “We told the teacher you weren't feeling well, so you’re excused from class. You can go home even though the class isn’t over yet. You have a free pass.”

The gym was filled with the sound of bouncing balls and the murmur of other students, but for that moment, it felt as if the world had narrowed down to Kibin and Kentaro, trying to navigate their way through the tangled emotions of youth.