Chapter 7: Our Journey is to the Stars!
A new day began, and with it, Bubbles’s school life.
“Class is in session.”
“Stand up.”
“Good morning, everyone.” Ms. Eve surveyed the twenty-three children seated before her, a satisfied smile gracing her lips. “Excellent, everyone’s present.”
“Good morning, Ms. Eve!”
Bubbles bowed along with her classmates and took her seat.
She had been assigned a spot in the front row, directly facing the teacher’s desk. While this was partly due to Ms. Eve’s attentiveness, it was mainly because Bubbles was rather short.
It wasn’t that she was underdeveloped; compared to other children her age, Bubbles’s height was perfectly normal. However, her classmates ranged in age from seven-year-olds like herself to thirteen-year-olds like Kyoko, the class president.
Despite the age gap, the children sat attentively, listening to their teacher, creating a surprisingly harmonious atmosphere.
“Today, we’ll be revisiting the history of the Federation. Those who haven’t heard it before, please listen carefully. As for the rest of you, I expect your full attention as well.”
“Three hundred years ago, the Blue Planet was a thriving world. Technology had reached unimaginable heights, far surpassing what we have today.”
“According to historical records, the first interstellar spacecraft had been successfully developed, and the ‘Second Home’ project was entering its final stages. Interplanetary migration was on the horizon.”
“People all over the world were united as never before. There was a popular slogan back then.” Ms. Eve smiled. “Can anyone tell me what it was?”
“Yes, Kyoko, you were the first to raise your hand. The floor is yours.”
Kyoko, seated in the back row, stood up and declared with a flourish, “Our journey is to the stars!”
“That’s right!”
Ms. Eve beamed. “What an inspiring, empowering statement.”
“If only everything had gone according to plan, perhaps…” A wave of emotion washed over Eve as she imagined the lost potential of humanity.
“But then… the Chaos came.”
…………………………………………………………..
Ms. Eve continued, her voice filled with emotion as she described the arrival of the Chaos and humanity’s struggle against the overwhelming disaster.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons… natural disasters of unprecedented scale ravaged the planet.
Grotesque, bloodthirsty, and utterly alien creatures, the harbingers of Chaos, descended upon the world.
The hostile environment and terrifying enemies were daunting challenges, but humanity refused to yield.
Countless heroes fought and died, their bravery and sacrifice a testament to the indomitable spirit of mankind.
The war raged for a century, and in the end, humanity emerged victorious, albeit at a terrible cost.
The environment, scarred by the taint of Chaos, remained hostile. Human civilization, once a beacon of progress, lay in ruins.
To make matters worse, remnants of the defeated Chaos still lingered, lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to unleash their fury upon the world.
Bubbles listened intently, only partially comprehending the gravity of Ms. Eve’s words.
The idea of restoring the Blue Planet to its former glory, of the Federation carrying the torch of their ancestors, was lost on her young mind. But if Ms. Eve said it was important, then it must be true.
And so, with a mix of understanding and wonder, Bubbles completed her first lesson.
“So, Bubbles, how was it? Getting used to school life?”
Kyoko, Bubbles’s roommate and the class president, approached her, her expression surprisingly gentle.
“It’s nice,” Bubbles replied with a nod.
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m the class president, after all.” Kyoko puffed out her chest proudly. “Bubbles…”
“Since when did you become so caring, Kyoko?” Kosan, a girl seated behind them, interrupted playfully. “You were never this nice to me.”
“Hmph.” Kyoko glared at her former roommate and resident troublemaker.
“Don’t you know?” Kyoko lifted her chin.
“Ms. Eve asked me to look after Bubbles.” She emphasized the words ‘Ms. Eve.’ “It’s a very important task, one that only the class president can handle.”
“Oh…” Kosan deflated slightly, realizing that her favorite teacher was involved. “I see.”
Kyoko pressed her advantage. “Besides, you have some nerve!”
“Who hid my backpack and made me cry for hours?”
“Who put a frog in my bed and made me roll off in fright?”
“Who scared me while I was eating and made me choke on my food?”
“Who…”
Kyoko continued listing Kosan’s past transgressions, her expression a mixture of mock anger and amusement.
“That’s awful! Who would do such a thing?” Kosan feigned innocence.
“You! It was you all along!” Kyoko pointed an accusing finger at her. “You’re a menace, Kosan! I bet you’ll be crying yourself to sleep in that empty dorm room of yours!”
“That’s what you think.” A sly smile spread across Kosan’s face. “Who said I’d be alone?”
“And for your information, I never cry.”
“Let’s see… there are twenty-two students in our class, and we share dorm rooms, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“So?” Kyoko gestured towards Bubble, then herself. “Now that Bubbles’s here, and I, being the kind and considerate senior that I am, moved in with her, that means…”
She folded her arms triumphantly. “You’re all alone, Kosan!”
“…Hahahaha!” Kosan jumped to her feet, looking down at Kyoko. “You thought you had me, didn’t you?”
“Huh?” Kyoko frowned.
“One, two, three, four… twenty-three.” Kosan counted the students in the classroom under her breath.
“Twenty-three divided by two doesn’t result in a whole number, Kyoko. You should pay more attention in math class.”
“…Don’t treat me like an idiot!” Kosan fumed. She had planned to drag out the suspense, to savor the look on Kyoko’s face when she revealed her trump card, but now she couldn’t wait any longer.
“Ms. Eve, she… she moved in with me!”
“What?!”
“Really?”
“No way!”
The children flocked around Kosan, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“It’s true! Ms. Eve spent the whole night with me!” Kosan basked in their envious gazes, her expression triumphant.
“With Ms. Eve, there are twenty-four of us. Twenty-four divided by two is a whole number!”
“Looks like you’re the one who miscalculated, class president!”
“Hee hee hee!”
“W-what? How is that possible?” Kyoko was devastated.
“How is it not?” Kosan smirked. “Looks like you’re stuck with the newbie, Kyoko. Ms. Eve is all mine!”
Her victory was short-lived.
“No fair! Ms. Eve belongs to everyone!”
“That’s not fair!”
“Kosan’s being selfish!”
The classroom erupted in protest. Ms. Eve belonged to all of them; they wouldn’t let Kosan monopolize her.
“I want to be with Ms. Eve too!”
“Me too!”
“No way! Ms. Eve is mine!” Kosan shouted back, her voice laced with panic.
“You don’t get to decide that! I’m sleeping over at your dorm tonight!”
“Me too!”
“Me three!”
“And me…”
Ms. Eve paused outside the classroom, hearing the commotion within.
‘What a lively bunch,’ she thought to herself, a fond smile touching her lips.
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