Misunderstood Vampire Bakasane-chan - Chapter 14: What Does It Mean to Believe?
Classes can be quite interesting.
Seeing how “impossible” things become understandable through the teacher’s explanations is fun. And I like the sound of chalk banging on the blackboard.
The teachers, often quite old, have unique personalities, and their writing is distinct and enjoyable to watch.
Like our modern society teacher, who looks like a bear with a beard, when I playfully call him “Bear-san,” he plays along with a “Gyao!” which shows his good nature. It shows the richness of character in older people.
“But homework after class is not fun…”
I’m disheartened by the several sheets of handouts distributed. Bakasane-chan, with her too-good memory, tends to forget recent things because she remembers too much ahead, which is a flaw.
So, homework that requires digging up memories is not my strong suit.
I’m worried that my lack of spirit might dishearten even the connected twins.
“Umm… they seem alright.”
I then squeeze the fluffy twin tails I’ve styled. It’s alright; quite comfortable.
It makes me understand the feelings of those romantic protagonists who playfully stroke a girl’s head and make her blush. But since touching others without permission is rude, I restrain myself to my own hair.
The buzz cuts of the baseball team members are nice, but the silky feeling of hair you can twirl around your fingers isn’t bad either. However, this doesn’t help clear the gloom in my heart.
That’s when I think…
“I’ll ask Misaki-sensei to let me copy her homework later.”
“Ah… You shouldn’t say that in front of the teacher, Futaba. And that usually gets secretly penalized, so it’s better not to do it.”
“Is that so? …Oh, Bear-sensei, why are you in the classroom during the break?”
“Well, I saw Futaba playing with her hair. Class is about to start, so put away your English printouts and prepare for social studies.”
“No way.”
Then, there in front of me is the squat and stocky Bear-sensei, aka Ohno-sensei. With his thinning hair and a thick beard, he’s a nice, understanding man.
Following his instruction, I put away my homework and took out the bulky set of social studies textbooks. Then, with nothing else to do until class starts, I can’t chat with my classmates as I’m seated in the front row. It’s too conspicuous, and I don’t want to get them in trouble with the teacher.
So, I watched Bear-sensei spread some handmade materials on the teacher’s desk.
His dark, sun-tanned, thick arms and round, large back remind me of something printed on my pajamas. Overwhelmed by this, I blurt out…
“…Bear-san!”
“Gyao! …Don’t make me do this on the podium.”
“Wow, the teacher is really into it.”
As the class is about to start, I’m excitedly playing around with Bear-sensei’s bear-like nature. It may be irresponsible and unlike Bakasane-chan, but such relaxation is nice.
The boys in the back discuss something soothing or suggest we build a zoo here. Bear-sensei’s bear-like nature was quite convincing.
But then I wonder.
“Sensei, aren’t bears supposed to go ‘guwa’?”
“Huh? I thought I was more of a ‘gyao’…”
“I think it’s more of a ‘gao’!”
“No, it’s definitely ‘guo’!”
“…’Ga’ is the classic.”
“I want to grate radish on sensei’s beard.”
“Isn’t it ‘gya’?”
“How about a ‘wan,’ just for a change?”
“Hey, why are you all so passionate about bear sounds… Did someone say something weird?”
“Whoa…”
As I voice my thoughts, a wave of opinions floods the room, including Satoshi’s strangely intense fascination with Bear-sensei’s beard, creating chaos.
However, this makes me realize how different our impressions of “Bear-san” can be. Judging people by one aspect can be dangerous.
For example, a boy who likes soccer could have exceptional talent in baseball. So, considering the foolishness of this class arguing over bear sounds, I at least…
“Still… bunnies go ‘pyon,’ right?”
That’s something I want to believe.