After the first exam ended, students gathered together to check their answers. Ketto and Addy joined one of these groups. Addy didn't really want to check his answers—he preferred to forget the exam as soon as it was over—but he stayed with them anyway. When they asked him what he had written, he would answer.
Ketto did not mention that Hanky had copied his answers. He kept that secret to himself.
Maybe he thought that if he told others—especially Lisa and Lily—they would definitely tell him to stop showing his answer sheet to Hanky. But it was very difficult for Ketto to refuse Hanky. Or maybe Ketto felt that he owed Hanky something. He believed that by helping Hanky cheat, Hanky might forgive him for the harsh words he had spoken before. Or maybe—just maybe—Ketto had already developed a different feeling toward Hanky. He didn't want to disturb Hanky. He wanted to protect him.
He couldn't explain it to himself.
There were only twenty minutes before the next exam. That was a very short break. Most students used the time to go to the bathroom—some to pee, some to poo, some just to wash their faces and calm their nerves.
When they returned to the classroom, conversations turned to the upcoming exam. Some students began to speculate about who their next invigilator would be.
A few boys said they hoped it would be the beautiful, warm-hearted art teacher. Every time they talked to her, she replied softly and shyly. Most students—including the girls—liked her.
Others hoped the homeroom teacher would be the invigilator. She was strict, so everyone would have to follow the rules. No one would dare to misbehave under her watch.
Ketto didn't care who the invigilator was. He just wanted to get through the exams.
Addy, however, was still complaining about his seat. "My seat is too exposed," he said. "When I sit there, I always feel like someone is watching me."
Ketto looked at him. "You're not doing anything illegal or wrong. Don't overthink it. You're not cheating."
Addy nodded. That was true. He wasn't cheating. So why did he feel so guilty?
They separated and returned to their assigned exam seats. The reminder bell rang, signaling that the next exam would begin soon. Everyone settled back into their previous positions.
When Ketto returned to his seat, Hanky looked at him—warm, sunny, handsome, full of energy. His gaze was almost loving.
Ketto made an OK gesture with his hand.
Hanky laughed. "You're very proactive. Haha."
Ketto opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it. He just sat down without speaking.
On the other side of the room, Billy looked up—and at that exact moment, Lisa also looked up. She thought Billy was staring at her.
"Don't look at me, you ugly person," she cursed. "Disgusting."
Billy shot back, "Bitch! Who wants to look at you? Ugly woman. I'd rather die than look at you."
Lisa replied coldly, "I don't want to speak with you. It's a waste of my time. Leave me alone. You'd better vanish from the world."
Billy felt incredibly unlucky. He didn't want any more interaction with this girl. He turned away and stared at his desk.
The next subject was math.
After the second bell rang, some students poked their heads through the hallway window, trying to see who was walking toward their classroom.
"Three teachers are coming our way!" someone yelled.
But after the teachers passed by and entered other classrooms, the same student reported, "No one is coming to our classroom."
The class sighed in relief. They kept watching.
Then, after several minutes, a familiar figure appeared.
"I see the homeroom teacher!" someone announced.
Billy's head shot up. "What?"
Lucas cursed under his breath. "Fuck. I hope she's not our invigilator."
"Oh no. Maybe she is—" the student at the window started to say.
But before he could finish, the homeroom teacher had already arrived at the doorway. She caught him in the act.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp. "Is there something beautiful out there? Why don't you share it with the rest of us?"
The student said nothing. He quickly returned to his seat.
The invigilator for the math exam was their homeroom teacher.
When she walked in, some students sighed loudly. Others whispered, "Why her? I beg..."
The homeroom teacher heard them. She stopped and looked around the room.
"Are you unhappy?" she asked. "What's wrong? You found out I'm the invigilator, and now you feel sad?" She paused, then added with a slight smile, "Are you all very afraid of me?"
No one answered.
She walked to the front of the room, placed her papers on the desk, and turned to face the class.
"Good," she said. "You should be afraid. That means you'll follow the rules."
The room fell into a tense, respectful silence.