By the time you’ve climbed what felt like Mount Fuji, your legs were burning and your patience was hanging by a thread.
"Pretty steep, huh?"
A voice appeared out of nowhere and you stopped mid-step, completely losing count of the amount of steps you’ve climbed so far as you glanced back.
A tall guy stood a few steps below you, dressed in what looked like a weird school uniform. White hair. Strongly built by the way he stood, but on the leaner side. A black blindfold was wrapped neatly over his eyes and… he was grinning at you, with a very smug expression on his face.
You narrowed your eyes and something about him immediately made you want to punch him. You thought he looked far too amused for someone who supposedly climbed the same amount of steps as you, potentially monitoring you as you hauled a suitcase up half a mountain, like he was enjoying your suffering.
But you bit your tongue. He was.. blind, by the looks of it. The least you could do was show a little grace and not assault a stranger within five minutes of arriving.
"It’s perfectly fine," you said between breaths. "Just… a regular day on the stairmaster." You tried to sound as casual as you could, not letting your exhaustion and anger show.
The blind guy just laughed. Then casually walked up the steps behind you like he wasn't even trying. Not ragged-breathed like you, not struggling to find his balance or even slightly phased by the distance between the entrance and the steepness of the steps.
"Need a hand?" He asked in flawless English and you realised he'd been speaking to you in it from the beginning.
He leaned a little closer as he spoke, tilting his head slightly like he was studying you or sniffing you.
What a weirdo.
You frowned and pulled back a little. You did not want him in your business, especially not after the long flight you've had, the tiresome taxi ride and the damned staircase cardio you were currently enduring all sweating and stuff.
No, thanks.
The offer would have been nice earlier, you thought as you rolled your eyes, somewhat thankful that he couldn't see you doing so.
"Thanks but I'm fine…."and you're clearly not capable of carrying my luggage blindly all the way up without tripping and potentially killing yourself on these stairs, you wished you could say but instead you smiled and continued politely, "I was too ambitious with the luggage… so no need for you to bother. Besides, I'm almost there anyway..", you glanced up the remaining steps, realising you’re not even remotely close to being there.
The blind guy smiled again and straightened saying, "okie doke."
He crouched slightly, tracing a small circle on the ground of the steps around him with his fingers and simply… disappeared.
"What the hell?!" You stared at the empty space where he was standing just a moment ago.
One brutal stairmaster session later, you made it to the top. By that time, you were panting and sweaty, and mentally drafting creative insults for the blind guy who abandoned you halfway up the mountain.
The green campus opened out in front of you and you paused midstep, to take it in.
Wide stone paths stretched between the old buildings, which were surrounded by trees and carefully kept gardens. The sight and architecture resembled Buddhist temples, as wooden beams supported the structures and curved roofs decorated their top. There were different statues of deities placed among the greenery and it looked peaceful, and appropriate, and….completely empty.
Strange. No students were roaming around and there were no teachers in sight, either.
Some hospitality, you thought again as you resumed walking, spotting the entrance ahead of you.
"You’re pretty quick."
You froze at the sound and turned around slowly.
It was that voice again..that smug blindfolded guy was now standing behind you. Like he’d been there the whole time.
Without even bothering to ask how he got there you just sighed, saying thanks, flatly.
"You’re the exchange student, right?" He stepped up beside you with such ease and confidence that looked like he definitely did not need help navigating while blindfolded. That raised several questions in your head at once but you set them aside.
"Yes," you confirmed. "Do you go to this school as well?"
"Yeah. You could say that." He chuckled softly.
Great. You thought, adding vagueness to the list of things you didn't particularly appreciate in people as you resumed walking.
"Long flight?" he asked, apparently still amused.
You frowned and looked at him again. He was walking beside you now and you resisted the growing urge to punch him. And was he implying you looked awful?
Jerk.
"Not terrible," you replied dryly. "But I could really use some coffee."
He nodded and stepped in front of you as you neared the entrance. He lifted his hand to the handle and opened the door for you.
Once you stepped inside the building, you looked around and a feeling of something lonely and sad enveloped your senses.
It must have been the building, you thought. It was just too quiet inside. Spotless and neat, yes, but somehow unsettling.
You took in the polished wooden floors that spread out in front of you, then noticed the simple yet tasteful design. The paper screens, the soft lighting and how everything felt traditional and carefully maintained, yet still completely empty.
"Is it always this quiet?" You asked as you glanced around.
"Nooo!” The tall male said, running a hand through his white hair, now guiding you down the corridor. "It gets pretty loud around here. You’ll see."
You hummed skeptically as he stepped into the long hallway and led the way.
Both of you paused in front of one of the many wooden doors and you watched him slide it open.
"Welcome to Jujutsu High, Grade One sorcerer,” he gestured inside with both hands.
At that point you were too exhausted to react or care for his theatrics. So you just looked around, taking in the warm and spacious room.
It was simple, yes, but it was thoughtfully arranged as well.
A wide window with pale blinds stood in front of you, letting in the first of the morning light. Beneath it sat a neatly made bed with white sheets and a pillow that looked like it was calling your name. Beside it, was a small bedside table, that held a paper lamp and a tidy stack of folders. On the other side of the room stood a wooden dresser with plain sliding doors, a mirror, and next to it was a small desk with a chair tucked carefully underneath. A study lamp and a clock rested on top of the desk, adding to the room’s understated order.
"This will be your dorm for the next three months. Get settled. Rest a bit. Grab some coffee if you want." The blind guy said in what sounded like a serious voice now.
"Orientation starts at six." He added and you just stared at him, forcing yourself not to immediately fire off every question spinning through your head like an idiot.
God, no. That would have been very unprofessional. But still, that didn’t stop the questions from piling up anyway. Like, where was orientation exactly? Who the hell was he? Why the entire place felt abandoned? And, above all else, what was with that stupid blindfold?
He grinned at you and the way he did it made you question if you’d somehow said all of those things out loud.
Yeah, you were clearly that exhausted.
He must have sensed it too, because he stepped back into the hallway almost immediately, one hand resting lightly against the doorframe as he began to slide the door shut.
“Oh,” he paused halfway and casually pointed to your bedside table. "Everything else you need to know is in those folders over there."
India Emerges as a Reliable Defence Supplier with Landmark Artillery Spare Parts Contract for UAE
155mm artillery gun by KSSL.
KSSL, UAE’s EDGE Group entity MP3 International Contract for Artillery Spare Parts: Abu Dhabi, UAE — In a historic move marking a significant step in India’s growing influence in the global defence market, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, has secured a landmark contract with the UAE’s MP3 International for the supply of…
We as a non-profit organization believes that education in abundance is the key to eradicate pain, inequality and overcome socioeconomic barriers for children. We use the human hand ✋ to achieve this goal. Check out and share our new Handwriting for Grade 1's video made by Rohini Pillay called Marvelous Max. https://youtu.be/fiVyd3mf2MU #gradeone #teachersofinstagram #teacher #literacymatters #handwriting https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxWtw0hLlY/?igshid=x2tteu20ht3h
I miss being in the classroom of Mrs. #Lucia #Salazar #GradeOne, Sta. Barbara Elem/Central School ZC where we are allowed to see and explore the horizon, applying what we were destined and what to do. One of the real mentor in my/our life, a teacher that leads us in our class in disseminating facts to know, things to learn and should know. Everyone are treated fairly, no discrimination, no favoritism, irregardless of tribe, status in life, gender with utmost respect well inculcated to each of her pupils. I cherished those mem'ries, as i associate with diverse of people, and learn to know each individual differences and whom to have high regards and to apply the #deserving #respect. Each even the minuteness of experience got a great impact that will be unforgettable. (at Al-Essa Clinical Support Office) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-t0iDtFEKKFvH3qZgOi3FO7coTJHnIcANxC2g0/?igshid=64ktm8vuewp8
This was an #example for my #gradeone #artclass. We decorated snowflakes and then did this #doily #snowman. The #kids absolutely loved it! Probably one of the more #successful #crafts this year! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #latergram📷 #artstagram #doilies #elementaryart #elementaryartteacher #primaryart #primaryartclass #pipecleaners #paperart #easycraft #easycrafts #artteacher #artteacherlife #artteachersofinstagram #artteachersofig #instartist_ #craft #artsandcrafts #wintercrafts #☃️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B6cxQgolAg_/?igshid=1onnt6vhptz1i
SO these #trees were examples of one of the first #artprojects I did with my #gradeone class in September. Afterwards, I did the little #squirrel and #mushroom and added it in later for different example. I don’t know about you but it no longer feels like #fall in my neck of the woods. Haha #pun was not intended but works great haha 😉 I always find that once Black Friday passes that time until the new year feels like winter madness and flies by! So this is me saying #adios to fall, we had a very short run this year! Share your thoughts on the upcoming season! 😊 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #artclass #art #artsandcrafts #artteachersofinstagram #artteacher #artteacherlife #artteachersofig #artteachers #artteaching #teachingart #posca #poscapens #poscamarkers #artwithkay #constructionpaper #paperart #elementaryartteacher #🐿 #🍄 #🍁 #🍂 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5iQfX0FVmW/?igshid=11u7ye04vili6
