The morning dawned softly over the city, bathing the streets in a timid golden light. Kaiser opened his eyes with difficulty, his mind still foggy with sleep. He glanced at his digital alarm clock, which already showed an advanced hour. Sighing, he sat up, stretched, and finally got out of bed.
After a quick shower, he headed downstairs to the kitchen, where a faint smell of coffee lingered in the air. He grabbed a bowl of cereal and ate it distractedly while checking his phone. His bus was due in about fifteen minutes, and he didn't want to miss it. Finishing his breakfast, he pulled on his hoodie, grabbed his bag, and left the house at a leisurely pace.
The school bus arrived at the stop just as he turned the corner. He boarded and found a seat by the window. With his earbuds firmly in place, he let the music envelop him as the scenery rolled by. He loved these morning rides when he could be alone with his thoughts, far from the hustle and bustle of the high school that awaited him.
But this tranquility didn't last long.
"Yo, Kaiser!"
He looked up and saw Carter settling into the seat next to him with his usual mischievous smile.
"New school year, new misery," Carter sighed, slumping in his seat.
"As usual," Kaiser replied, removing one earbud.
Carter ran a hand through his hair before saying with a smirk:
"But I can't wait to see the music teacher again."
Kaiser raised an eyebrow.
"The music teacher? Seriously?"
"Yeah, man! This year, I'm finally going to confess to her."
Kaiser burst out laughing.
"You're crazy or what? She's got ten years on you! And it's just awkward."
"Trust me, I've got a plan."
"A plan? Let me guess… You think because you went to the gym twice this summer, you've got enough muscle to impress a MILF?"
"Exactly," Carter declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "You're still the only scrawny one in the group."
Kaiser narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down before replying with a mocking smile:
"Maybe I'm not the most muscular, but at least I don't have a height problem."
Carter opened his mouth to retort, but an enthusiastic voice interrupted them:
"Damn, I hope there are new girls this year!"
Hugo had joined them, sitting down with his usual energy.
The bus dropped them off in front of the high school, and they entered the building chatting. Kaiser spotted Yuki and Ben already sitting in the classroom. He gave them a fist bump before greeting Hannah, who was standing in front of her seat.
Hugo: "This year, no excuses, at least three girls."
Ben, observing the scene, smirked and said quietly:
"I thought you had a crush on Hannah, Hugo."
Yuki rolled his eyes, looking exasperated.
"You've got no vision, man," he commented.
Carter chuckled, adding:
"That's why Ben doesn't have a girlfriend."
They all burst out laughing. Hugo, meanwhile, was already scanning the classroom with a critical eye.
"Guys, we need to be strategic this year. The more targets, the better our chances."
Ben raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that what you were talking about with the Hardy Boys?"
"You've got a short memory, you're like a dog in heat," Carter retorted, laughing.
"Virgins don't get a say," he added with a mocking smile.
Yuki crossed his arms and said sarcastically:
"Then you should be the first to shut up, Carter."
The group burst out laughing, and Hugo took the opportunity to pull a letter from his bag. He looked at it for a moment, hesitating. His gaze fell on Kaiser, who was still chatting with Hannah. He didn't know exactly what they were talking about, but he knew Kaiser wasn't the type to be interested in flirting.
Meanwhile, Kaiser and Hannah were deep in a very different conversation.
They shared a common passion for medicine. For him, it was a goal he had to achieve—the only way his mother could rest in peace. For her, it was a fascinating field that deeply interested her.
"Did you read the article on new heart transplant techniques?" Kaiser asked.
Hannah nodded, looking focused.
"Yes, it's impressive. They've significantly reduced rejection rates with a new immunological approach."
Kaiser smiled slightly.
"You should see the one on neurosurgery—they're developing revolutionary methods."
Hannah loved these exchanges with him. Unlike most of the guys at school, he didn't try to flirt with her or make stupid remarks. He was just passionate and bluntly honest. A bit too honest for her taste.
The bell rang, signaling the start of math class.
The students took their seats, and Kaiser settled into his desk, already prepared for an hour of absolute boredom. He pulled out his notebook, but his mind wandered elsewhere.
Around him, the conversations gradually died down as the teacher entered the room.
The teacher placed his bag on the desk and turned to the board, where he began writing the day's equations.
As soon as the teacher asked the first question, Hannah raised her hand with unexpected energy. Her hand shot firmly into the air, catching the teacher's attention. "Yes, Hannah?" the teacher asked.
"First, we simplify the expression ln(52) using the logarithmic property ln(a^b) = b ln(a), which gives us 2 ln(5). Then, we multiply..."
The teacher nodded, visibly impressed by Hannah's quick response. "Exactly. Anyone else for the next question?" he asked, looking for another volunteer.
Before the teacher could finish asking the next question, Hannah had already raised her hand, a confident glint in her eye. Kaiser, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, watched her with fatigue. The board, now covered with a series of complex fractions, seemed like a mathematical maze to most of the students.
The teacher gave Hannah a satisfied look before inviting her to come solve the problem at the board. She stood up calmly and walked with determination to the front of the class.
It was at that moment that Hugo, sitting a bit further away, gave Kaiser a discreet signal.
"Hey, man, give this to Hannah."
Kaiser looked down at the letter Hugo was holding out. His expression closed instantly.
"Dude, it's the first day. You're pushing it."
Hugo shrugged with a smirk.
"Hey, no rest for the wicked."
"Then give it to her yourself."
"I'd like to, but I don't want to blow my chances right off the bat. Do it for me."
Kaiser sighed deeply. He glanced at Hannah, who was already scribbling numbers on the board, focused on her task. The room was silent, all eyes on her.
"You're such a coward, Hugo."
"Hey, everyone's got their strategy."
Kaiser slipped the letter into his pocket without promising anything.
Hannah finished her equation to murmurs of impressed students and turned back to the teacher, who nodded with satisfaction.
"Excellent demonstration, as always, Hannah."
She gave a slight smile before returning to her seat. Kaiser looked away, still undecided about what to do with the letter. Eventually, he just gave it to her—it wasn't his business.