A well-known school stood quietly on the outskirts of the City of Waterfalls. Students lingered near the gates, clutching admission forms, reluctant to leave the corridors they had known for nearly a decade.
Soon, the new session began. On the first morning, the class had barely settled when the classroom door opened.
Kine: Good morning, everyone.
Mr. Kinematics walked in with an easy smile, as if the classroom already belonged to him.
Kine (smiling): I'll be teaching Physics this year. But first, let's get to know each other.
Introductions started, one by one. At the back, attention wandered.
Girl 1: Physics might actually be interesting this year.
Girl 2: I know why… we have a really good-looking teacher.
Girl 3: Finally, a reason to actually come to class.
Girl 1 & 2: Definitely.
The bell rang.
Kine: Alright everyone, see you in the next class.
He left with the same bright smile. The rest of the day passed in a haze of introductions, new chapters, and the slow settling into final-year routines.
Two weeks later, routine had settled. Mr. Kine was teaching when a knock sounded.
The door opened. Ms. Fervor, the academic in-charge, entered with a tall, serious man beside her. The class went silent.
Ms. Fervor: Class, this is Mr. Dipole. He will be your class teacher and Physics teacher this session.
Subtle glances and whispers spread across the room.
Di: Good morning. I look forward to working with you all this year.
Kine gave him a brief smile and stepped aside. The class remained stiff.
Girls (whispering): All the motivation is gone now.
Only Lily, the class representative, tried to restore order.
Lily: Please, focus. Sir is trying to teach.
Even her extra questions couldn't lift the tense atmosphere. The period ended in quiet dissatisfaction.
The next day, several students approached Kine.
Students: Sir… can you come back to our class?
Kine (lightheartedly): Sorry, but Mr. Dipole is your teacher now. You'll get used to him.
He glanced at Dipole, who read a book, unaware of the attention.
For nearly a week, no one approached Dipole with doubts. Instead, they went to Kine, a silent rejection. Kine tried to encourage Dipole from afar, but the distance only widened.
Dipole's mood became unpredictable, sometimes calm, sometimes sharp. Their interactions slowly turned colder. A cold war had begun.
One afternoon, the corridor was nearly empty.
Di: Don't interfere with my work. Stay away from my students.
Kine: Sorry… but the children like me more.
Di (folding arms): Oh really? Is that what you think?
Kine (grinning): They smile wider when I walk in. I can't help it if I'm popular.
Di turned to leave, then came back, eyes locking with Kine. Kine looks away in awkwardness
Di (softer): Perhaps… you should first know me, like me, before they do.
Kine's heart thudded. A slight blush crept across his face.