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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW98zWmbFj
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeAr6poxL7
"Is this seat taken?" he asked.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLTaBhWaUZ
"No, not at all," the boy replied, introducing himself as Foze with a hint of shyness.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAc2EeYydE
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM56rlnrNV2
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRsJeTkx6M
"Would you like to go to the canteen with me?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2T7GEFo0W
Foze asked Inn, his tone hopeful. Inn, amused by the unexpected invitation, agreed.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNdvNIweS3
"Sure, are you planning on grabbing some snacks?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcQPcuLgNM
"Actually, I was thinking of having a meal," Foze admitted, a bit sheepish.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbvfMj4Ky9
"Aren't we having lunch in about an hour?" Inn asked, slightly confused.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjGd3dkaX6
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKhGvLlpIa
Foze looked slightly embarrassed but explained. Inn's eyes lit up at the mention of basketball.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwfodN1hI7
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1qgk0sS06
"Great! Then you'll be my company and my friend this lunch break. Let's have our meal a bit early, then," he suggested.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgkdJMjEmp
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpjb0AzgoM
"Alright, let's go."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s1AKp1Rmw
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QDXJ0mi5g
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbGxedi5JX
……………………………………………………………
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTRoJNXmqs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqmBZdWPWe
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr8m1nYto7
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxH6NMs40O
"Hey, Nong-Foze, knew you'd show up," Jap called out.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnI6Ygobdr
Foze greeted him back, somewhat shyly. "Hi, P'Jap," he replied. Turning to Inn, he introduced him to Jap. "This is my classmate, Inn."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVKluJ2g3D
Jap appraised Inn briefly, focusing on his athletic build and seemingly inherent sportiness.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pG7KPnr6Q
"Hi, Nong-Inn. Nice to see you here. You look like you could handle a basketball," he said.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJfqjiMvR2
Inn acknowledged the implied compliment with a smile. "Yes, P'Jap, I've played a few times," he admitted.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡateRvcScJW
"Well, the rules for these casual matches are pretty simple, Jap explained. "We play on half of the court, using the same hoop,”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTuvr5pL3j
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rcv5bg7Mk
"So, the goal is to win and keep playing for as long as possible, right?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHom85r4XAw
Inn clarified, intrigued by the simple yet exciting premise. Foze listened quietly, likely memorizing every detail.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsHmRKYotQ
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wbQF6qB6g
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ7upLCw26
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5HSPzwFVk
"We could grab another meal after school if you want," Foze suggested, his shyness seeming to diminish with every interaction.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJohakz3Z3m
"Great idea. Do you have any place in mind?" Inn asked, intrigued.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIajyALJnA
"I heard there's a new ramen restaurant nearby. They're supposed to be good. Are you interested?" Foze proposed.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFA5NKylsO
"I love ramen," Inn replied, his face lighting up at the suggestion. "Let's go there after school."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazdTq7nTwr
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WfhT4q6c2
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.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
