After the whirlwind experience of the acting club and the drama of trying to survive Max’s relentless energy, Htet was glad to be returning to the structure of his regular school day. At least, that’s what he told himself. However, “normal” at Mizuhara International Academy was a relative term. The school, with its cultural diversity and unique traditions, had a way of making even the most mundane days unexpectedly lively.
As Htet entered the classroom early in the morning, the familiar chatter of his classmates filled the air. Hana was sitting by the window, jotting down something in her notebook. Liam, ever the joker, was mimicking Mr. Nakamura’s dramatic teaching style to a small audience of laughing students. Leila was flipping through a travel magazine, likely reminiscing about the recent study trip.
Htet set his bag down and let out a sigh of relief. Today, he hoped, would be straightforward. But then again, this was Mizuhara, and straightforward wasn’t exactly in its vocabulary.
---
Class Scene: Homeroom
Mr. Nakamura walked in right as the bell rang, his presence commanding immediate attention.
Mr. Nakamura (clapping his hands):
“Good morning, everyone! きりつ (Kiritsu)!”
The students stood in unison.
Class:
“おはようございます、先生！(Ohayou gozaimasu, sensei!)”
Mr. Nakamura:
“Good morning. Sit down, everyone.”
Once the students were seated, Mr. Nakamura glanced at a clipboard in his hand, his expression unusually bright.
Mr. Nakamura:
“We have a few announcements today, but before that, I have a question. Who here likes surprises?”
The class exchanged curious glances. Liam, of course, raised his hand dramatically.
Liam (grinning):
“I live for surprises, Sensei! Bring it on!”
Mr. Nakamura (chuckling):
“Careful what you wish for, Liam. Alright, listen up! Starting next week, we’ll be participating in an inter-school cultural exchange program. Students from a nearby Japanese school will join us for a day to experience our curriculum and share their own traditions. I expect you all to be on your best behavior.”
The announcement sparked a wave of murmurs throughout the classroom.
Hana (leaning toward Htet):
“This sounds interesting. I wonder what kind of activities they’ll plan.”
Htet (nodding):
“Yeah, it could be fun. Or chaotic...Probably chaotic.”
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Liam (turning to them with a sly grin):
“Do you think they’ll let us show off our cafeteria food? Because I’ve been dying to prove that our curry bread is the best in Japan.”
Leila (rolling her eyes):
“Only you would think about food first, Liam.”
---
Class Scene: History Period
The first class of the day iss history, led by the ever-knowledgeable Mr. Suzuki. As the students opened their textbooks, he began writing on the board in his neat, precise handwriting: “The Sengoku Period: Lessons in Leadership and Strategy.”
Mr. Suzuki (turning to face the class):
“Today, we’ll discuss one of the most fascinating eras in Japanese history the Sengoku Period, also known as the Warring States Period. It was a time of constant military conflict, political intrigue, and remarkable leadership.”
He walked over to a map of Japan, pointing to key regions.
Mr. Suzuki:
“Let’s start with Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous daimyo of the time. Can anyone tell me what made him stand out?”
Elena raised her hand confidently.
Elena:
“He was known for his innovative strategies and use of firearms in battle, right?”
Mr. Suzuki (nodding):
“Exactly. Nobunaga’s ability to adapt to new technologies gave him an edge over his rivals. It’s a great example of how embracing change can lead to success.”
Htet scribbled down notes, intrigued by the parallels between historical strategy and modern problem-solving.
Mr. Suzuki (continuing):
“And what about Tokugawa Ieyasu? Why is he significant?”
This time, Leila raised her hand.
Leila:
“He unified Japan and established the Tokugawa shogunate, which brought about a long period of peace, right?”
Mr. Suzuki:
“Correct. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled for over 250 years. It’s a testament to the importance of strong governance and long-term planning.”
Liam, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly raised his hand with a mischievous grin.
Liam:
“Sensei, do you think if Oda Nobunaga had TikTok, he’d have gone viral?”
The class erupted into laughter, and even Mr. Suzuki couldn’t help but smile.
Mr. Suzuki (shaking his head):
“Perhaps, Liam. But I doubt he’d have time for social media with all the battles he was fighting.”
---
Class Scene: English period
After history, the class transitioned to English with Ms. Saito, who always had a way of making lessons engaging. Today’s topic is persuasive writing, a skill that would come in handy for the upcoming cultural exchange presentations.
Ms. Saito:
“Good morning, class! Today, we’re diving into the art of persuasion. Being able to express your ideas convincingly is an important skill, whether you’re giving a speech, writing an essay, or--”
Liam (interrupting):
“Convincing someone to share their fries?”
Ms. Saito (smiling):
“Sure, Liam. Even that. But let’s focus on more meaningful examples, shall we?”
She handed out a worksheet with examples of persuasive language techniques: ethos, pathos, and logos.
Ms. Saito:
“These are the three pillars of persuasion. Can anyone explain what they mean?”
Elena raised her hand.
Elena:
“Ethos is about credibility, pathos appeals to emotions, and logos uses logic and reasoning.”
Ms. Saito (nodding):
“Perfect! Now, let’s try applying these techniques. I want each of you to write a short paragraph convincing someone to visit a place in your home country. Think about which pillar of persuasion you’ll use.”
As the students worked on their paragraphs, Htet found himself writing about the golden temples and serene landscapes of Myanmar. When it was time to share, Ms. Saito called on a few students to read their work aloud.
Htet (reading nervously):
“Myanmar is a country of breathtaking beauty, where golden pagodas rise against the backdrop of lush green hills. Visiting Myanmar is like stepping into a world of peace and spirituality—a place where you can truly reconnect with yourself.”
The class clapped politely, and Ms. Saito smiled.
Ms. Saito:
“Well done, Htet. You used pathos effectively to create an emotional connection. Excellent work!”
---
Scene: Lunchtime Antics
By the time lunch rolled around, Htet was feeling more relaxed. He joined Hana, Leila, and a few others at their usual spot in the cafeteria. Liam, as expected, was already causing a scene at another table, trying to balance a spoon on his nose.
Hana (shaking her head):
“Does he ever stop?”
Htet (grinning):
“I don’t think so. It’s like he runs on chaos. A fascinating being to me at least hehe"
As they ate, the conversation shifted back to the cultural exchange program.
Leila:
“I wonder if the other students will find our school as fascinating as we find theirs.”
Hana:
“They might. Mizuhara is pretty unique. I just hope we make a good impression.”
Htet:
“We will. Besides, it’s not just about impressing them, it’s about learning from each other. I'm sure both sides will appreciate this experience.”
Hana smiled, clearly impressed by his perspective.
Hana:
“Look at you, sounding all wise. Maybe acting club is rubbing off on you.”
Htet (laughing):
“Or maybe I’m just finally figuring things out.”
---
Scene: The Rest of the Day
The afternoon passed in a blur of lessons, laughter, and anticipation for the week ahead. By the time the final bell rang, Htet felt a sense of accomplishment. The day had been anything but boring, and he couldn’t wait to see what Mizuhara had in store next.
As he packed up his things, Max appeared in the doorway, waving dramatically.
Max:
“My Dear kouhai Htet! Don’t forget, acting club tomorrow! We’ve got big plans, my friend!”
Htet groaned playfully, but deep down, he knew he wouldn’t miss it. Life at Mizuhara was never predictable, and that was what made it so special.