The story I'd like to share with you is a funny one that took place in a high school. I hope it will engage your imagination and draw you into its world.
Unlike most stories, this one won't focus on a single main character right away, though one may naturally emerge as the plot develops. As the author, my goal is to craft a plot that brings you joy, especially if you're feeling sad or down. Okay, let's begin.
Our story is set in an Eastern Asia-style high school. It's the first day of the new semester. After paying their tuition fees, the junior students have officially completed their transformation—they are now seniors. (The high school system here typically lasts three years; how many years does it take in your country?)
Ketto Lim is an introverted student. He isn't talkative, but that doesn't mean he dislikes conversation. He's simply reserved around strangers or people he's just met. However, with those he knows well, he can be quite chatty and even playful. Now, he is beginning his journey as a senior student.
As we all know, change can be daunting. New environments often feel unsafe and scary because they are unknown; we naturally prefer the comfort of familiar places. Ketto is no exception. He feels this anxiety deeply, and before heading to his new school, he was in a low spirits. I could see the frustration on his face.
He is unwilling to share his feelings with his parents because they are very affectionate and supportive. He doesn't want to burden them with his negative emotions. So, whenever he is with his family, he forces himself to smile and act optimistic, telling them he's eager to start his new journey. His parents were somewhat surprised, as they had expected him to be more nervous or awkward.
But whenever Ketto is alone in his room, he feels uneasy and insecure. He isn't sure how to deal with these sensitive emotions. If he could, he would wish for time to stop, allowing him to stay in his safe space forever. To make matters worse, his two best friends from middle school have moved away due to personal reasons. One friend left because his parents believed the educational quality in their district was poor and relocated to a better region. The other moved when his parents found work in another city. Losing both close friends at once has been hard on Ketto, and he misses them dearly.
With no other choice, Ketto knew there was only one path: to persevere and become familiar with his new environment. One afternoon, he called his two best friends. He sincerely asked about their recent lives and told them how much he missed them. They made a promise to meet up once the semester was over.
At home, Ketto's mom reminded him to get everything prepared and to be ready for his new academic life. Some relatives also called, urging him to study diligently and persevere. Ketto had always been a well-behaved student; almost all his previous teachers liked him, and his homeroom teacher was particularly confident in him. In their eyes, Ketto was a model student, which was why he won numerous awards every year. Furthermore, he was somewhat popular among his classmates because he was always willing to help anyone in need. He was sensitive, friendly, and warm-hearted.
Academically, he scored high points in every subject. It didn't matter if it was a science or a liberal arts class—he excelled at all of them. However, Physical Education was the only subject he struggled with. He didn't just dislike PE; he hated it.
He thought about calling his former teachers but couldn't summon the courage. After a long internal struggle, he gave up on the idea. Instead, he decided to send them text messages. The teachers were delighted to hear from him. They encouraged him to enjoy his senior year, to be brave and confident, and to keep up his excellent academic performance.
But he did not send a message to his PE teacher, whom he had feared for a long time. In Ketto's eyes, the PE teacher seemed like a monster— overly strict and unkind. In reality, however, the teacher was widely respected.