Page 43 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

Wait... I have the important news that I must tell them. The tournament schedule! That’s what we’ve been waiting for. I could tell them about it during the after-school practice, but I can’t wait.

Well... I guess I’ll wait the ten minutes before it is time to get ready for the start of the school day.

“Guys! Ten minutes left, try harder! Did you even have breakfast?” I wave the bat, making it feel like training season even more.

We’re going to get training and get friendly matches with other students in the district, and we’re going to...

My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I pull it out to check.

It’s Shaq... who is the most annoying being on the planet who wriggles his tentacles all the time with his plots. I take it regardless. “Hello?”

His annoying voice comes. “Hello, Telke. It has been a while.”

“What’s up?” I want to cut the call and slam my phone in his face, yet... I have to maintain a friendly and polite front.

“The tournament is coming soon.”

“Yeah, that.”

“Are you equally confident this year?”

I roll my eyes at that. “Like always. I trust my kids.”

“Ah, I see. But we’re going to beat you this year.”

“You said that last year too, but that didn’t happen.”

“Haha, we’ll see.” He ends the call a second before I would have done it. I hate that. Maybe I’m overblowing it, but I don’t like that guy at all. He is the coach of the other competitive team in the other school, which has been rivaling my team for years. I’m not giving up the wins right now.

Now, my watch buzzes. I wave and shout for the team to gather. I have to make sure the students can get to lesson in time.

“Everyone, I messaged the tournament schedule for this year to your inboxes. Please check it. We’re here to dominate the game with our hard work again this year!”

Fine... Looks like I’m the only one who’s excited about that.

“Are we ready, team?”

The kids play along and they cheer with me. A few old-timers know me, and I hope they are at least hyped to train harder. Techniques may look the same and boring, but that’s how one gets good at a thing.

I usher the students to get ready for their lesson after they pick up the balls and return them to the bin.

I lift the bin and head to the storage room. There is an assembly to attend and more lessons to teach for the day. I already miss having Winnie’s soft body in my arms.

Is that... Maybe hugs from four arms aren’t as comfortable as I thought.

But...

I shake my head to clear my head. It’s time for roll call and I’m expected to be in the staff room.

Is Winnie going to be there? Most teaching staff will be there, but she doesn’t have to be when she can be in the library.

I head into the teaching building, letting out a breath when the air-conditioning is on and slaps me in the face. Sometimes, I wonder why it is that strong. I hope the kids won’t get sick. Maybe it’s just me and some beings need the lower temperature to feel better. At least I can put on a jacket, but they can’t go around naked.

There are a few kids hurrying to go back to their classroom.

“Don’t run in the corridors!” I shout at them, making sure they can hear me. They slow down, but I doubt that will last longer than they think it takes for me to turn a corner.

I rest my hands on my waist behind me. Winnie mentioned the accident yesterday. Maybe she didn’t like how I reacted to the situation.

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