In the assumption that I do help him here, that does not mean it will translate to anything. And can the act of changing oneself include something this trivial? Anyhow, no matter what I do, it can only seem that I was about to do a mistake. On one hand, not helping him will be a neglect of my current potential objective. On the other, I will probably be mocked of showing-off again if someone sees me helping this guy.

Yet in the midst of indecisiveness, I was reminded of who I have been; who I need not change.

“But truly, you never did care about it.”

What a pain. Why do I still need to hear his voice even at the school?

The mathematics teacher then pressed his hand on top of his shoulder while sighing at the same time, exuding his disappointment yet again.

“Ronald, I'll give you 10 more seconds.”

And to show his ever-diminishing patience, he set off a timer. A time limit that was meant for Ronald but somehow was ticking for me too.

This guy just said that this was not rocket science, but decided to do a launch countdown? Talk about irritating.

I guess it’s not the time to be indecisive.

I hate to admit it, but that idiot is right.

In a flash, I decided to grab the notebook that was already in front of me with my left hand. And as I opened it to its last page, I reached for a pen with the other.

With not much time left to spare, I managed to beat the clock of Ronald’s dying will. Just seconds before he was about to do something irreversible, I stretched out my arms and hovered my notebook in front of his view. And as he was not expecting such a gesture, Ronald only stared meaninglessly, much to my annoyance.

“Last page.”

“Alright then, how abo-“

“W-wait! I c-can!”

Just when the teacher was about to give up on his student as much as Ronald was about to give up on himself, the boy shouted, raising his arms to halt the teacher of his judgment. Now smiling, he took my notebook out of my grasps, yanking it with enough energy to leave my hand with a cut. He then stood up and walked, now sanguine against the problem. And with assurance, he grabbed a marker and proceeded to write the solution on the whiteboard.

With a resurrected pride, Ronald put down the marker with certainty after he had finished writing down my answer. He then turned his back around, showing his front towards everyone else in the class.

In awe of his ability, the entire class was moaning in admiration, clapping their hands to glorify their savior. And once the messiah felt satisfied, he walked away from the whiteboard and passed by the teacher with smug. And still on his way back to his designated seat, the teacher also followed to applaud him.

“You actually got it correct. Even if it did take you some time, it seems that you have been listening. Good work.”

Without the need to look behind him, he had already found his much-needed solace in his teacher’s approval. Not to mention, the other students were acting as if they were Ronald’s loyal subjects, cheering for his heroic deeds. All he needed to do now was to look in front and sit down on his throne.

And on his way there, his eyes met mine, facing the woman who granted him power. As he was approaching closer, he tried to speak to me while he took his seat.

“Than-ks... You saved me th-“

But in the middle of his sentence, he suddenly stopped, turning his head around the room. Indeed, as he was still in the attention of everyone, their eyes were still glued to the boy before me. And noticing his fame, he turned his back to face me instead, preferring to leave a dent on his manners.

It seems that even after I helped the boy, he still was a pathetic show.

Alas, even if you mind about it, things do not always change. Even if you actually do something about it, many things will stay the same. And what was happening before me, was a repetition of what had happened when I was in primary school. Unfortunately, everything stayed the same since then. Because it was me who did the gesture, it was perceived as arrogance.

But it was a two-way street.

Just as how he did not understand that I was not demanding payment for any debt, I also did not understand why he chose a temporary ecstasy.

Again, I was reminded of how powerless I was. There is no bond I could create alone.

…

Not long after, a bell sound filled the whole classroom, reminding both the teacher and students that it was already midday.

“I guess that’s it for today.”

Again, without emitting much concern, the mathematics teacher bid his goodbye to the class. Actually, I could see a tiny smirk on his face as this festering excuse of a teacher started to walk out of the door. And without our class being able to send him our regards, his body was no longer there.

With the authority’s departure, the class was free to roam anywhere as it was lunchtime. And in possession of their own time, some of the students ran towards Ronald, dumbfounded with what he had achieved.

“Yo, Ronald! How did you get the answer?!”

“Yeah, that was awesome, dude!”

“I didn’t think that you were the type to study!”

Without much preparation, my territory was suddenly surrounded with these curious existences. Even if there was my desk separating me from them, I could not help but also be affected by their explosive aura.

Similar to how I was, Ronald was also visibly overwhelmed by the invasion as he jumped back on his seat. With the barrage of questions now locked towards his head, he tried to come up with the best counter.

“A-a… It was only luck!”

Jackpot! Best answer.

If he said that he had studied before, it would come up as hubris. And if he said that he did not know how, he would seem suspicious. Choosing to say that it was only luck would cut both of these possibilities and end any further questioning from there. Congratulations, Ronald.

As I had enough of the view that my eyes were presenting, I chose to spend my time somewhere more beneficial. Thus, I stood up from my desk while trying to make as little noise as possible, seeking to not rain on Ronald’s sunny day.

“Whoa, you’re amazing!”

“Yeah! Teach me sometimes!”

And while my feet were attempting to escort my soul away, the small crowd continued to focus their attention towards their hero. Coincidentally or not, their lines reminded me of my past.

“Aahahahah! I guess I will!”

Yet involuntarily, I found myself coming to a standstill, the only thing moving was my head which was turning to take a look at the previous scenery. And there was Ronald, cackling loudly, joyful of what this little incident has brought him. As it had happened to me similarly, I knew of its outcome.

Bullshit.

I who did not care much about what Ronald has gained, nor how the people around him acted, was now left with disgust.

The things that should change, did not. Yet the things that should not, did.