Classroom Heartbeats

Chapter 2. First Class, First Impression

Today was Monday, the first day of classes at Okinawa University. Excitement coursed through Kibin as he woke up early to get ready. He dressed meticulously in a black blazer with white piping along the edges, a white dress shirt, a blue tie, and black trousers. The blazer was adorned with a crest on the left chest pocket, symbolizing his new academic journey.

As Kibin approached the entrance gate of the university, he saw a sleek car pull up right in front. A young man stepped out, instantly causing a commotion among the female students gathered outside. They screamed and giggled, calling out the name "Kentaro." Not far away, two female students were having a conversation.

"Kentaro is so handsome and smart. His mother is a doctor, and his father is a professor at the Okinawa University engineering department. He's just perfect," one girl gushed.

"He is good-looking, but I've heard he has a bad attitude, that he's aloof and doesn't interact with others. He's smart but very competitive and doesn't make friends easily," replied the other girl.

Hearing this, Kibin's curiosity was piqued. He looked towards the young man getting out of the car, but since Kibin was still a bit far from the gate and the young man had his back turned, he couldn't see his face. However, he noted that the young man was tall and had a good posture.

Meanwhile, as Kentaro closed the car door, a woman inside the vehicle called out to him. "Kentaro, it's the first day of classes. Make sure to enjoy yourself and try to make some new friends," she said.

"Yes, Mom, I'll have a good time in class. Take care on your way to the office," Kentaro replied before walking through the gate.

As Kentaro walked, many students, especially the girls, couldn't help but stare at him. They were captivated by his handsome features and confident demeanor. However, Kentaro walked straight ahead, paying no attention to those around him.

Kibin had just entered the gate when he spotted Kentaro standing by the stairs under a large cherry blossom tree in front of the administration building. Deciding to ask for directions to the Office of Student Affairs, he approached Kentaro. Since Kentaro was facing the building, Kibin was behind him when he spoke.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where the Office of Student Affairs is located?" Kibin asked politely.

Kentaro turned around, glanced at Kibin, and without uttering a single word, walked away.

Kibin stood there for a moment, absorbing the interaction. He recalled the conversations he overheard about Kentaro being aloof and unfriendly. In that instant, he realized those rumors were likely true. He thought to himself that their personalities clashed too much for them ever to be friends. Kibin felt a strong dislike for Kentaro's behavior and attitude.

With a deep sigh, Kibin continued on his way, determined to find the office and start his first day, all while thinking that not everyone at the university would be as unapproachable as Kentaro.

As Kibin continued walking, he noticed two male students hurrying in the opposite direction. He overheard them discussing their trip to the Office of Student Affairs. Despite his earlier hesitation, he mustered the courage to call out to them.

"Hi guys, are you heading to the OSA?" he asked.

"Yeah, we are. We're going to pick up our student handbooks and guidebooks," one of the students replied.

"I was planning to go there too, but I'm not sure where it is. Can I join you?" Kibin added.

"Of course, come along with us," the student responded warmly.

Relieved and grateful, Kibin joined the two students, feeling a sense of camaraderie and excitement as they headed towards the Office of Student Affairs together.

Meanwhile, as Kentaro walked, he heard someone calling his name from behind. Ignoring the calls, he continued until he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a smiling young man, clearly happy to see him. Kentaro removed the small Bluetooth earphone from his ear.

"No wonder you didn't hear me; you had an earphone in. I've been calling you for a while," the young man said.

"Oh, Kazuki, it's you. Yeah, I couldn't hear you because I was listening to music," Kentaro replied.

"Where are you headed?" Kazuki asked.

"To Building 5, I have a class there this morning. What about you?" Kentaro inquired.

"I'm heading to Building 5 too, I have a 7 AM class there. Wait, don't tell me we're classmates. Are you taking Political Science?" Kazuki asked with a curious tone.

"Yes, that's the course I'm taking," Kentaro confirmed.

"Wow, we're classmates then. Let's walk to the room together," Kazuki added, clearly delighted.

On the other side of campus, Kibin arrived at the Office of Student Affairs with his new acquaintances. The building was bustling with activity as students navigated their first day. Kibin felt a surge of excitement as he picked up his student handbook and guidebook, ready to embark on his academic journey.

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Kibin arrived at the Office of Student Affairs, where a line of students waited to get their student handbooks. It was around five minutes past seven when Kibin finally got his handbook. He quickly looked at the campus map to find his classroom and saw that the Political Science department was in Building 5. He headed there immediately, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

When Kibin reached the classroom, he realized that the class had already started; he was 15 minutes late. Embarrassed, he walked into the room, heading straight to the front where the professor was standing. He handed her a piece of paper.

The professor read the note and looked up at him. "You're 15 minutes late. Where have you been?" she asked with a hint of concern.

"Sorry, ma'am. I went to the Office of Student Affairs to get my handbook. I'm new here in Okinawa and not yet familiar with the campus. I got a bit lost. I promise it won't happen again," Kibin explained, his voice tinged with regret.

"It's alright, don't worry about it. Okay, Mr. Longcop, welcome to Okinawa University," the professor said with a warm smile.

She then turned to face the entire class. "Alright class, you have a new classmate," she announced, looking back at Kibin. "Please make a little introduction about yourself to the class."

Nervous but determined, Kibin stepped forward, ready to introduce himself to his new peers. "Kon'nichiwa, watashi wa Keven Longcop desu, Firipin kara kimashita (Hi, I'm Keven Longcop, I am from the Philippines). I love singing and dancing. I'm also fond of hiking in the mountains. I'm friendly and easy to get along with. I received a scholarship from Okinawa University, which is why I'm here, studying. I hope we can all become friends." he added.

"Thank you for introducing yourself to the class, Mr. Longcop," the professor said warmly. "By the way, I am Professor May Smith, an exchange professor from the University of Madrid in Spain. You can take a seat now, Kibin. There's an empty seat in the middle, arranged alphabetically. Since your last name starts with 'L,' you'll sit next to someone whose last name starts with 'M'."

As Kibin approached his seat, he was startled to see Kentaro sitting there. There was no denying that Kentaro was strikingly handsome, with flawless skin and a fair complexion. On closer inspection, Kibin noticed that he resembled V from BTS and Ken from SB19. His eyes were captivating and expressive, framed by thick eyebrows that complemented his almond-shaped eyes. He had a well-defined nose and lips that were a rosy shade of makopa, giving the impression of softness. A small mole near his right lip added to his charm. However, despite his attractive appearance, Kentaro's cold and aloof demeanor was evident. He didn't even glance or smile at Kibin as he approached his seat.

"Alright, let's get back to our lesson on political science. Can anyone define political science?" Professor Smith asked.

Kentaro raised his hand to answer. "Political science is the study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. It explores the structure and functioning of political institutions. It also examines how individuals and groups interact within the political system, the processes of decision-making, the impact of laws and policies on society, and the underlying principles and theories that guide political thought and action," he explained.

"Thank you, Mr. Maeda. That's correct. Political science involves leadership and decision-making. It also examines the behavior of leaders towards citizens and how citizens respond to leadership," Professor Smith said, nodding in approval.

"Earlier, Mr. Maeda mentioned that political science shapes the decision-making of government and society. But how exactly does it do that? Can anyone explain how and why political science influences these decisions?" Professor Smith asked, posing a new question to the class.

Kibin raised his hand to answer. "Politics shapes government and societal decisions through the distribution and exercise of power. Governments use political frameworks to create laws and policies that address societal needs and challenges. Political ideologies influence these decisions by prioritizing values such as liberty, equality, or security. Public opinion, political parties, interest groups, and media also play crucial roles in shaping policy directions and governmental actions.

The reason politics is so influential is that it determines who has the authority to make decisions and how resources are allocated. By understanding political dynamics, we can better grasp how policies come to be, who benefits, and who may be marginalized. This awareness enables citizens to advocate for change, hold leaders accountable, and ensure that governance serves the public interest. Ultimately, politics is a key driver in shaping the structure and function of society, impacting everything from education and healthcare to economic and foreign policies," Kibin explained.

"Very good, Mr. Longcop. Decisions made by the government and even for society are indeed shaped by politics," Professor Smith said, nodding in approval.

"That's why it is important to study political science," Professor Smith continued, "because it helps us understand how governments function, how policies are made, and how power dynamics shape societies. It equips us with critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling us to assess political systems and their impact on people's lives. By understanding political theories and practices, we can become informed citizens who actively participate in democratic processes, advocate for justice and equality, and contribute to societal progress. Plus, it opens up diverse career opportunities in public service, law, journalism, and more, making it a versatile and impactful field of study."

Suddenly, the school bell rang, signaling the end of class and time to prepare for the next one. As Professor Smith's class had vacant time afterward, the students quickly began to file out of the classroom. As Kibin was about to leave, he noticed a male student he had met earlier on his way to the Office of Student Affairs. The student was sitting at the back of the class. Kibin approached him.

"Hi, you were with me earlier at the OSA, right? Turns out we're in the same class. I'm Kibin," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Kibin. I'm Yuto Zuta," the student replied with a smile, shaking Kibin's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you too, Yuto. Thanks for letting me tag along earlier," Kibin said cheerfully.

"No problem at all," Yuto responded.

Their next class was scheduled for 10:30 AM, so with a two-hour break, Yuto and Kibin decided to head to the library to read some books. The library was located in Building 6, right next to the Political Science department's building. As they walked down the hallway, Kibin asked Yuto if he was from Okinawa and if he knew Kentaro.

"Yes, I'm from Okinawa too. My house is pretty close to the campus. Do you know where the park is? From the park, you take a right, walk two blocks, and you'll see a flower shop. Across from the flower shop is a house painted gray-that's where I live. I don't know Kentaro very well, but he was my classmate in high school. We never really talked. What I've noticed is that he's very particular about the people he interacts with and doesn't like to socialize much. He tends to ignore people. The only person he talks to is Kazuki, the guy who was with him when they left the classroom earlier," Yuto shared.

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Meanwhile, inside the quiet, scholarly haven of the library, Kentaro picked up a book on Comparative Political Science and began reading about various political theories. Kazuki, his friend, sat down next to him with a look of mild exasperation.

"Kentaro, we just finished Political Science class with Prof. Smith, and now you're reading another political science book? There are some great books here, even comics," Kazuki complained, hoping to coax his friend into a lighter read.

"This is what I want to read. You're being too loud; we're in a library. Read whatever you like, but don't bother me," Kentaro replied curtly, his eyes never leaving the page.

Kazuki sighed but respected his friend's wishes. As Kentaro continued to read, his phone buzzed with a new message, drawing his attention away from the book.

At the same time, Kibin and Yuto entered the library, heading straight to the bookshelves. Kibin picked up a Japanese dictionary, while Yuto grabbed a comic book.

"Why are you picking a Japanese dictionary? That's boring to read," Yuto joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, I need to learn your language. I want to understand your words, especially since I'm studying here. I need to learn to speak Japanese, at least for basic conversations," Kibin explained earnestly.

"I thought the University has a Japanese Language Tutorial Program for non-Japanese and transfer students?" Yuto asked, puzzled.

"Yes, they do, but I also want to self-study to learn faster," Kibin replied, his determination clear.

"Good point," Yuto agreed. "Let's find a place to sit."

They looked around for available seats, but the library was quite full. Yuto noticed two empty seats near Kazuki and Kentaro. When he pointed them out to Kibin, he realized that the seats might be empty because people were avoiding sitting near Kentaro, likely due to his aloof nature.

With no other options, despite feeling uneasy, Kibin and Yuto approached the seats next to Kazuki and Kentaro. As Kibin was about to sit, he noticed that Kentaro was looking at something on his phone. Kentaro glanced at Kibin, then suddenly stood up and left without a word.

Kibin watched him go, feeling a mixture of curiosity and frustration. It seemed Kentaro preferred to keep his distance from others, but Kibin couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath that cold exterior.

As Kentaro was leaving, Kazuki asked him where he was headed. Kentaro replied, "I have somewhere else to be."

This incident led Kibin to think that Kentaro didn't like him since he always left whenever they crossed paths or sat near each other. It made Kibin self-conscious about his appearance, wondering if there was something wrong with him or if he wasn't worthy of friendship.

This realization sparked a bit of frustration in Kibin towards Kentaro. "Alright, if he doesn't want to talk to me, sit next to me, or be friends, I don't want to be friends with him either. Even if we're the last two people left in Okinawa, I won't talk to him. This guy is arrogant and unfriendly. Don't worry, next time, I won't approach you, I'll avoid you," Kibin muttered to himself.

With this newfound determination, Kibin resolved to keep his distance from Kentaro and focus on forming friendships with more approachable and welcoming classmates. He turned his attention back to Yuto, who was busy flipping through his comic book, and joined him in the peaceful corner of the library, ready to dive into his Japanese dictionary and embrace the challenges of learning a new language and culture.

The library, with its tall shelves brimming with knowledge, became a sanctuary for Kibin-a place where he could grow, learn, and forge new connections that would shape his journey at Okinawa University.