18 Steven Is Talented? At...

The cafeteria.

Although Steven wasn't particularly athletic, he could probably outrun Usain Bolt for the 100 meters dash when food was involved.

When he got there, there were barely any other people.

Steven sat down on a random seat, hoping no one would try to sit next to him and disturb him.

Slowly, people poured in.

"Hey Steven, mind if I sit here?" A guy asked.

It was Zero.

Steven did mind, but he didn't want to be rude so he said, "Sure, Zero."

"Hey Steven, are you gonna try out for orchestra or chorus?" Zero asked.

"Um... I don't really feel like joining them." Steven said, dismissively.

"Oh... do you play an instrument?" Zero asked.

"Well, I don't play AN instrument," He answered.

"Oh,"

"I only play piano,"

"Wait-"

"Violin, guitar, drums, flute, clarinet, and the harp." He finished off.

"Wait, then you should-"

"Alright, everyone. Quiet!" Mrs. Watson screeched into the microphone. "Does it have to sound like a metal concert EVERY- SINGLE- TIME- I walk in here?"

She paused. The students were silent.

"Anyways, I will call you up for lunch today. Today we're doing reverse order. Table #32, Line up quickly and quietly."

She waited a few seconds.

"Table #31."

. . .

"Table #27." Mrs. Watson called out.

"Steven, you should really join the auditions." Zero encouraged.

Steven sighed.

"Table #26." Mrs. Watson called out.

"How did you even learn how to play so many instruments?"

Steven looked away as if reminiscing about the past and then mumbled something softly.

"What?"

"Nevermind," Steven grumbled. It was indistinguishable at first, but clearer in the few seconds after, his normally cheerful voice held a tinge of melancholiness.

"Table #25." Mrs. Watson called out.

Zero didn't say anything for a while.

"Table #24." Mrs. Watson called out.

"Joining the orchestra is considered a second occupation so you get contribution points from it," Zero muttered, hoping this wouldn't be the only motivation for Steven.

Steven's eyes sparkled.

"Okay! I'll try out!" Steven exclaimed.

Zero was at a loss for words.

"Table #23." Mrs. Watson called out.

"But I haven't played an instrument in so long." he sighed, looking at his fingers. "Wonder if I can still play the piano."

"I'm sure you'll do great."

"Why did you ask me, anyway?" Steven asked.

"Table #22." Mrs. Watson called out.

"You'll see," Zero said.

Steven was quite curious, but he didn't ask any further. He didn't want to peer pressure anyone into doing anything. He would respect other people's wishes. He would respect other people's decisions. And he wouldn't bribe people to do something for contribution points... even if it was a good incentive and he could use those points to buy food.

"Table #21." Mrs. Watson called out.

'Speaking of food...' Steven thought to himself, as he ran-

"No running!" Mrs. Watson yelled.

Walked* on line.

He returned with Mt. Fuji, the mountain for weebs- otakus.