𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 . baji / take

一

KEISUKE PUTS HIS BASKETBALL SHOES IN ITS separate bag, much smaller and in neon orange. Training's done for the day, however, he can't leave just yet because the class rep told him to go to the faculty before going home.

"Hey. 'You leaving with us? We're gonna stop by Smiley's shop for dinner." One of his friends-slash-teammate, Chifuyu, asked, crouching down beside him where another duffel bag was left open.

Keisuke shakes his head, "Not this night. I got called to the teacher's den." is what he calls the faculty where all teachers of the senior level are gathered and working on paper sheets and lesson plans. 

Chifuyu sniggers, "Favorite ka talaga ng mga teachers ngayon." ( You really are the teachers' favorite. )

Keisuke couldn't agree more, knowing what he meant by that. And he really shouldn't appear so proud of it yet he offered a mischievous grin as to agree to the other's statement before standing up with the duffel bag hanging on one broad shoulder. 

The new members skidded across the court, picking up and cleaning basketballs, mopping the floor clean, and taking other commands from their team captain, Manjiro. The regular players steps out from the huddle around their coach, who finished announcing what was needed to be announced.

"I'm heading out!" Keisuke says aloud, not feeling the need to face them when he heard assents and pleasantries bouncing back to him. Right when he has one foot out the door did the coach come behind him.

"Baji, you're going to the faculty?" Yanai asked, also stepping out when Keisuke managed to have both shoes on the concrete ground.

"Ah, yes. I was called to the faculty."

"Yeah, I did." Then the basketball coach, also a teacher, walked past the teen, leaving the boy stunned and only recovering when his brain started functioning again.

What? Keisuke scrambled and tailed after the elder into the building, "Uhm, sir, what is it about?"

"Your grades in my subject."

Keisuke internally winced at the forwardness of the other. But it really shouldn't be surprising because there's no need to beat around the bushes.

What surprises him, though, is what the teacher — the physical education's teacher, said. Confusion overtakes his face when the inner cringe subsided, wondering what could be the problem with the subject he's sure he excels in because it's the easiest subject.

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"Hindi naman porque nagbabasketball ka tuwing subject ko ay pasado ka na." ( Just because you always  play basketball during my subject doesn't mean you passed. ) Yanai dryly says, going through piles after piles, taking one certain worksheet from each stack and gathering it on his desk.

"But sir, I'm always active during your subject." Keisuke retaliates persuasively.

"Yeah, but your participation goes to your conduct, not to your report card. I'm talking about this," Yanai motions to the worksheets kept together by a paper clip, "You see, this is what makes your grade. Aside from assessment, my subject also focuses on paper."

"And you," the elder goes through the organized paperwork, flipping the pages in front of the third-year's face, ".. are currently collecting 15 and below scores in your written works and quizzes."