Page 51 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

I look around the library as I head to the counter, making sure everyone in the library is doing well and they don’t need me. It is the in-between times of the opening hour, so most students are entertaining themselves instead of needing my help with borrowing and returning books.

If they need me, they can always ring the bell at the counter anyway.

I’m at the counter when...

There’s a mail showing up on my computer screen. I click that open to see...

No way!

The principal sent a mail saying that, in order to celebrate the start of another year’s floatball event; they are going to hold a teaching staff competition.

That won’t be an issue until the mail also said... everyone’s expected to join, and the team match up will be decided by drawing lots.

I look at the time of said drawing, which... has already happened...

Geez... I wasn’t even in the staff room at that time.

I suppose I didn’t have to be there for the lot drawing to go as planned, but at the same time... From announcing the competition to drawing lots, there aren’t even two hours in between...

I guess the principal didn’t intend for most staff to be present when he drew the lot...

Now... Do I seriously have to be playing floatball with other teachers?

Wait... It sounds like something Telke would do. He has always loved floatball and would love to share that with everyone.

But would the principal listen to that? Or... Maybe I’m just unlucky.

I take a sip of water, regardless. I’ll have to stay here until it is time to close the library. Then I’ll figure out what is happening.

Kime isn’t going to ask why I’m gone for so long, but...

Maybe I need something to occupy my mind again. Things just refuse to look better.

Chapter 23

Telke

I head upstairs to the staff room after I wave goodbye to the floatball team and send everyone home. The practice session is finally over, not that I don’t like that.

We are humming along and will be—

I halt before I bump into someone else from the other side of the corner. It won’t be fun if they have horns or spikes. And it won’t be good if they are smaller beings and I slam on them with my sweaty arms after the training session.

That is a student with an armful of books in his hand. He nods to me as he struggles to balance the books in his arms.

I ask, “Are you good?”

“Yes, Mr. Stek.”

Except he doesn’t seem to be doing it well.

“Let me help you. You’re heading to the parking lot, right?” I pick up all the books for him, which is okay for me, but not for him.

“Oh, thank you. Yes, my father should be there to pick me up.”

“No problem at all.” I’m always happy to help others.

Except... Maybe I wish I’m better at relationships with others and there’ll be someone who can help me.

---