The morning sunlight filtered through the dorm room curtains, casting a warm glow on Htet's still-sleeping figure.
*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*
His alarm clock blared, startling him awake in the most dramatic fashion.
Htet (startled): “Ahhh! I’m up! I’m up!” In his half-asleep state, he tripped over the corner of his blanket and fell face-first onto the floor.
Htet (muttering): “Oww.! My face, my nose. Urgh..Why does gravity hate me?”
He hurriedly got ready, quickening his morning routine skipping steps, grabbing his books and dashing out the door, only to realize halfway to class that he had forgotten his uwabaki.
Htet (panicking): “Oh no, not again!”
---
Htet rushed into the classroom just as the bell rang.
Mr. Nakamura (raising an eyebrow while sharply scanning htet): “Htet-kun, is it that difficult to arrive on time and with your uwabaki?”
The class erupted into laughter as Htet sheepishly held up his outdoor shoes.
Hana (smirking): “You’re really setting new records for how many rules you can bend in one day.”
Liam (grinning): “I’m betting five more before lunch.”
Htet (deadpan): “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Leila glanced over and smiled softly, clearly amused by the scene but choosing not to add to Htet’s misery.
—
Class Scene: Japanese Period
Today’s lesson in Japanese class is focused on 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba – tongue twisters).
Mr. Nakamura handed out sheets with a list of famous tongue twisters for the students to practice.
Mr. Nakamura (cheerfully): “All right, class, let’s see who can say these the fastest and clearest!”
Htet stared at the first line.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"隣の客はよく柿食う客だ。"
"Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da."
(The customer next door eats a lot of persimmons.)
Htet (muttering): “This… this is a trap. Must avoid making eye contact with sensei.”
Mr.Nakamura (encouraging): “Htet-kun, why don’t you go first?”
Htet’s face paled as he stood up.
Htet (stammering): “T-Tonari no kyaku wa yoku… kaki kuu…” “T-Tonadi no kaku wa yyokku..kyaku kuu..”
His tongue twisted in the middle, resulting in an incomprehensible jumble of syllables that sent the class into hysterics.
Liam (teasing): “That was beautiful, absolute bangers, man. Pure art.”
Hana (laughing): “I think you just invented a new language.”
Even Mr. Nakmura couldn’t hide his smile.
Mr. Nakmura (gently): “Good effort, Htet-kun. Let’s try again later. Let's see.. Elena chan, give it a try"
Elena, sitting nearby, gave it a flawless attempt, prompting a round of applause.
Elena (humble): “It’s just practice. You’ll get there, Htet. Ganbatte”
Leila, meanwhile, struggled to stifle her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she avoided meeting Htet’s eyes.
---
Scene: Lunch Break
The god of chaos surely didn’t stop playing tricks on Htet at lunch.
Htet had finally remembered to bring a properly packed bento, but as he opened it, a rogue gust of wind from a nearby window sent his chopsticks flying.
Htet (horrified): “Ohoo No nooNooo!”
The chopsticks landed directly on Liam’s tray, narrowly avoiding his sandwich.
Liam (dramatic): “ Bro, Is this betrayal? On the battlefield of food?!”
Hana casually handed Htet a spare pair of chopsticks.
Hana (teasing): “Geez..You really need a babysitter.”
Meanwhile, Leila sat down across from Htet and quietly pushed a small packet of sauce toward him.
Leila (softly): “Here, you forgot this.”
Htet (grateful): “Thanks, Leila. At least someone’s on my side today.”
The moment was interrupted by a sudden commotion at the far end of the cafeteria. A group of students had accidentally spilled an entire tray of drinks, and in true slapstick fashion, one of them slipped and fell into another, causing a domino effect.
Liam (grinning): “And here I thought we were the chaotic ones.”
Liam (while glancing at htet): " You sure you're not causing it buddy?"
Htet looking defeated just silently continues munching on his bento
---
Class Scene: P.E.
The afternoon brought another round of P.E. with Mr. Yamada. Today’s activity was tug-of-war, and the students were split into two teams. Htet found himself on a team with Liam, Hana, and Leila.
Mr. Yamada (yelling): “Three… two… one… pull!”
Both sides strained against the rope, but it was clear from the start that the other team had the advantage.
Hana (gritting her teeth): “Come on, we can do this!”
Liam (struggling): “No way, my arms weren’t built for this kind of labor!”
Leila, who had been pulling with surprising strength, suddenly lost her footing, causing the entire team to stumble backward in unison.
Htet (shouting): “Don’t let go—”
It was too late. The rope slipped from their hands, and the team tumbled into a pile on the ground.
Mr. Yamada (trying not to laugh): “That’s one way to lose gracefully.”
Leila sat up, her face red with embarrassment.
Leila (muttering): “Sorry…”
Htet (reassuring): “Don’t worry about it. I think we were doomed from the start.”
Hana, brushing dirt off her knees, grinned.
Hana (cheerfully): “ Heh! At least we went down together!"
---
Scene: Dorms
Back at the dorms, Htet was finally starting to relax when Liam barged into his room, holding a packet of instant ramen.
Liam (excited): “Htet! Emergency taste test. Which flavor is better, miso or tonkotsu?”
Htet (confused): “Why are you asking me this now?”
Liam (dramatic): “Because it’s a matter of life and dinner!”
Before Htet could respond, Hana appeared at the door.
Hana (grinning): “You two really are hopeless.”
Htet (surprised): “And how did you get here? The girls dorms is at far away opposite side.”
Hana (grinning): “Just bored. I invite myself”
The three of them ended up crammed into Htet’s tiny dorm and at the small space that he dedicated it to as his kitchen area, debating ramen flavors and accidentally starting a small fire when Liam forgot to turn off the stove.
Htet (yelling): “Liam, the pot! For God sake pay attention!”
Liam (panicking): “I thought you were watching it!”
In the chaos, Leila appeared, holding a fire extinguisher with a look of disbelief.
Leila (calmly): “Step aside.”
With one swift move, she put out the fire, leaving the others standing in stunned silence. Liam and htet applause with impressed expression behind hana.
Leila (sighing): “You guys are truly unbelievable.”
Hana (laughing): “At least it wasn’t a total disaster.”
Htet (groaning): “ Tell me about it."
Htet(with an appreciating smile): "Hooo…., today really was the day of endless embarrassments. Not my cup of tea but......not bad to have these chaotic times I guess.”
—(End of Chapter 11)---