Chapter 9

The school bustled alive with the beginning of a new academic semester, the inflow of new students, and the promotion of old students. 

Teachers walked in, excited about the day ahead. Even if they were about to teach the same topics they taught the previous session, the excitement of teaching new faces and new minds floated through them, and their gaits were springy as they walked to the staff room, smiling and exchanging greetings with students who were friendly with them.

The atmosphere was filled with merriment as students reacquainted themselves with their friends they hadn't seen for a while.

Birds cooed, flying above the heads of the personnel, walking about the school, their song a slow and melodious welcome to them. 

Doors banged as janitors moved about their tasks, and junior-grade students ran around the classroom, chasing each other in and out, with huge boyish grins on their faces.

Girls trooped into the school with radiant faces