Inn's first day at his new school was a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. The private provincial school, prestigious and well-equipped, was a step up from his previous institution. Inn couldn't help but marvel at the pristine facilities, the students exuding an air of sophistication and ambition. Today, he wasn't just a visitor as he was on orientation day. Today, he was a part of this place, a part of its vibrant pulse.
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Finding his homeroom, Inn took a seat beside a friendly-looking boy with a shy smile. He was tall but slightly shorter than Inn himself. With a friendly nod, Inn gestured to the vacant chair.
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"Is this seat taken?" he asked.
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"No, not at all," the boy replied, introducing himself as Foze with a hint of shyness.
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Inn introduced himself in turn, his warm smile a beacon in the buzz of the new classroom. Soon after, their homeroom teacher entered the room, marking the start of their high school journey.
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As each student took their turn to introduce themselves, Inn paid careful attention to each personality. He noticed Foze's charming shyness, his lean yet athletic build indicating a preference for sports. Inn himself, slightly taller with a radiant smile and an athletic build, also captured some curious glances. A couple of hours later, a short break of fifteen minutes provided a moment of respite.
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"Would you like to go to the canteen with me?"
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Foze asked Inn, his tone hopeful. Inn, amused by the unexpected invitation, agreed.
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"Sure, are you planning on grabbing some snacks?"
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"Actually, I was thinking of having a meal," Foze admitted, a bit sheepish.
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"Aren't we having lunch in about an hour?" Inn asked, slightly confused.
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"Actually, I wanted to join the seniors for a game of basketball during lunch break at the garden-side court. My senior mentor told me about it."
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Foze looked slightly embarrassed but explained. Inn's eyes lit up at the mention of basketball.
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"Really? I'd love to join you. I played with some local children just the other day," he said, the excitement evident in his voice. A grin spread across Foze's face.
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"Great! Then you'll be my company and my friend this lunch break. Let's have our meal a bit early, then," he suggested.
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Inn hesitated initially. It seemed a bit early to eat, but he didn't want to play basketball on an empty stomach. After a moment, he agreed.
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"Alright, let's go."
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With that, the two of them left the classroom, their chatter filling the corridors as they embarked on their first day of high school together, the promise of an interesting lunch break ahead.
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With the lunch bell still resonating in the air, Inn and Foze, their stomachs satisfied from the early meal, walked towards the garden-side basketball court. Already, a group of second and third-year seniors had gathered there, some casually shooting hoops, others simply chatting while awaiting the commencement of the informal lunchtime match. It was a vibrant scene with the echo of bouncing balls and excited chatter mixing with the distant hum of the cafeteria and other break-time activities.
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As Foze and Inn approached, a senior named Jap, who stood about Foze's height but was a bit leaner, spotted them. Jap had a warm and bright personality that seemed to make up for Foze's shyness.
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"Hey, Nong-Foze, knew you'd show up," Jap called out.
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Foze greeted him back, somewhat shyly. "Hi, P'Jap," he replied. Turning to Inn, he introduced him to Jap. "This is my classmate, Inn."
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Jap appraised Inn briefly, focusing on his athletic build and seemingly inherent sportiness.
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"Hi, Nong-Inn. Nice to see you here. You look like you could handle a basketball," he said.
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Inn acknowledged the implied compliment with a smile. "Yes, P'Jap, I've played a few times," he admitted.
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"Well, the rules for these casual matches are pretty simple, Jap explained. "We play on half of the court, using the same hoop,”
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He described how they would form teams of five, with any additional teams forming a queue. Each match would end at eleven points, with the winning team continuing to play as the next team in line replaced the losers.
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"So, the goal is to win and keep playing for as long as possible, right?"
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Inn clarified, intrigued by the simple yet exciting premise. Foze listened quietly, likely memorizing every detail.
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"That's right," Jap confirmed with a grin. "The longer you're winning, the more you get to enjoy the game. Now, let's let the others know we're in the queue." He introduced Inn and Foze to two other second-year students who would be on their team.
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The basketball game commenced, becoming an engaging mixture of intense competition and friendly camaraderie. Inn and Foze's team managed to secure one win before being replaced by another team. As they waited their turn again, Inn and Foze chatted.
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"I think I'll be hungry again sooner than expected because of the early lunch," Inn admitted, the energy of the game amplifying his metabolism.
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"We could grab another meal after school if you want," Foze suggested, his shyness seeming to diminish with every interaction.
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"Great idea. Do you have any place in mind?" Inn asked, intrigued.
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"I heard there's a new ramen restaurant nearby. They're supposed to be good. Are you interested?" Foze proposed.
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"I love ramen," Inn replied, his face lighting up at the suggestion. "Let's go there after school."
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Before they could discuss further, Jap's voice interrupted them. "Alright, it's our turn again." His enthusiasm was infectious, stirring the duo into action.
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And so, they returned to the court, their spirits high, their bodies ready for the challenges of the game. They moved fluidly, energy pulsating from them with every pass, every shot, every victory. It was a display of camaraderie and competitive spirit that was a hallmark of their new high school life.
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