October 21, Wednesday, unexpectedly cold in the early morning.
Skirts of pure black with a sheen reached the knee, slender, sturdy, fair, dark legs peeked out from underneath as girls sat in rows inside the gymnasium.
The boys, dressed in western-style school uniforms, couldn't stay still for a second, eagerly perched on the shoulders of those in front, craning their necks in all directions.
"Silence!" the PE teacher bellowed, and everyone immediately sat up straight with proper posture.
The principal, whose hair had turned gray but still looked vibrant, stood on the podium.
He pulled out a sheet of paper from his old-fashioned suit pocket, slowly unfolded it, glanced at the note, and said a few words.
"In this fruitful season of autumn, we at Goda High School, filled with joy, welcome the 56th sports festival with high spirits..."
