Chapter 15: Gumchi's School Adventure!

"See you later Gumchi!"

"By-ee! By-ee!"

Another school day for Kappei as Gumchi lay on his bed once he left the dorm room. It's been more than 2 months since he joined Kappei for his high school journey and Gumchi always hangs around, uses the computer and checks the mini fridge for snacks and sodas. Ever since meeting him, Gumchi bonded strong with him and adapted to much of the Earth's lifestyle.

But now, it appears he's feeling bored. Looking out the window, he can see boys and girls walking to school talking with one another. He then had an excited look on his face as he entered imagination mode.

In there, he imagined himself sitting on the desk studying various subjects. In another, he imagined himself playing sports like a pro and finally, in another which he considers his most favourite, yes, in the cafeteria, he has all kinds of food before him as he went into hungry mode gobbling up everything until he's full and had a loud and long burp.

After that, he exited imagination mode and knew what he could do today as a big smile appeared on his gummy face.

Some time later...

At 9am, Gumchi snuck out of the dorm room via the window closing it as he ventured out. "Schoo-lee! Schoo-lee!" He happily hopped and walked his way to the high school ready for an adventure.

He soon reached the main gate and thanks to his size, he snuck in. Looking around, he turned to the front doors and walked to it. When he arrived, he wondered how he can open the door when suddenly, it opened and the school janitor came out to clean the school grounds on the front. This is his chance and without ado, Gumchi snuck through and inside.

There, "Whee! Insi-dee! Insi-dee!" He cheered as he admired the interior. He ran around the floor, peeked a bit in some rooms and jumped around like there's no end to the fun he's feeling.

He then decided to look for Kappei and he noticed the elevator with the floor listing. Being a fast learner, Gumchi studied it and then, climbed his way to the button panel and pressed the button for going up. (All thanks to his gum body used for the sticking)

The elevator door opened and he went inside and pressed the button to go to the 3rd floor as it closed.

A while later, the doors opened and Gumchi has reached the floor. "Cla-see! Cla-see!" He wanted to find Kappei's class as he explored the hallway. He tried to peek into some lockers but couldn't see much. He even tried to pry them open but it's ineffective.

Then, he went to the restrooms and peeked on both genders of them. Wait, did he really see something in the ladies side? Oh wait, he just came out. I guess no girl is inside but seriously, Gumchi must learn to behave himself as he found some windows linked to the classrooms.

Climbing his way up, he finally found Kappei and his class in the mist of some chemistry lesson. Inside, "Can anyone tell me which element in the periodic table is used for nuclear-related projects such as nuclear reactors and missile silos?" Dr Burns asked.

"Uranium." Chantelle answered.

"Correct. Now tell me, how many protons and electrons are in uranium?" He asked another.

"There are 92 in each of them." Maeve answered. "In addition, 6 of the 92 electrons are valence electrons."

"Excellent. Now last one, hmmm...Kolton, name me the 2 common isotopes in uranium." Dr Burns has marked a student for the question.

"Um...sorry I have no clue." He apologized. "Anyone else?" The teacher asked around. During that part, Emma nudged Kappei and showed him something on the chemistry textbook. He flipped to the page of his book, read it and closed it. He then raised his hand. "Yes Kappei?"

"Uranium-235 and Uranium-238?"

"Perfect!" He told him as Emma gave him the thumbs up and he returned the gesture. "In addition, uranium-238 has 146 neutrons and and accounts for over 99 percent of the element on Earth." Kappei added and Emma was amazed.

"Wow...his academics is improving." Midori whispered.

"I heard somewhere Emma's been lending a hand on that." Miyumi whispered back.

Outside, Gumchi's eyes sparkle in excitement over the lesson and as Dr Burns continued on, "Huh?"

"Uh-oh." Gumchi disappeared as, "What's wrong teach?" Davis asked.

"I need to check something outside." He left the classroom and looked around the hallway. "I could have sworn I saw it by the window..." He then resumed the lesson as Gumchi peeked in again all the way until the next lesson.

Gym class...

In the gymnasium, the class is playing dodgeball as balls flew around hitting anything thrown by the students.

"Ah...I love the sound of balls hitting people." Coach Spruce thought to himself when, "BONK!"

"OW!" He got hit on the arm as, "My bad!" Declan called out but, "BONK!"

"Hit ya! Marcel called out as Ting Ting threw a ball and it hit his body.

On the bleachers, Gumchi was able to get a good view from high ground as he watched the class have fun in sports. "Spor-tee! Spor-tee!" Just then, a dodgeball was thrown and Bull swat it aside. Gumchi then saw the dodgeball flying out of the court and, "Uh-oh."

"SPLAT!"

Down there, Bull went to get the dodgeball he deflected and found it but at the same time, "What's that?" He went to check the row of bleachers. "Odd. I could have sworn I saw something yellow. Like a banana peel or something..."

What he never was that Gumchi got squashed flat by the dodgeball and he crawled away while still flattened like a pancake. "Ou-chee...ou-chee..." He groaned as gym class continues on as usual.

Lunch hour...

"You know, we're gonna get started on swordplay today." Archie told the group as he cut his steak.

"Are we gonna use shinais or something?" Jeong asked.

"We might use wooden katanas called bokkens." said Kappei as he ate some mashed potatoes. And then, Davis arrived with lots of mashed potatoes as well. The 2 of them looked at each other for a moment. And then, chow time as they tried to beat each other on finishing their potatoes first. While this was going on, down under their table, Gumchi appeared to be feasting on any cafeteria food he can find and sneakily take for himself. He's already snuck out 5 dishes. "Yum-mee! Yum-mee!"

"Hey...did you hear something?" Vega asked.

"Hear what?" Emma asked while drinking her soup and avoiding a small glob of mashed potatoes that flew past her face.

"Um...ah never mind." Vega then took her club sandwich and started eating as underneath them, Gumchi polished off his meal. He then decided to get his hands on dessert so he snuck off.

A while later after searching around, he found the dessert stall and his eyes lit up over the varieties being sold there. Ice cream, pie, brownies, cookies, cakes, tarts and many more. As usual, he snuck in but instead of going back to his spot, Gumchi had a better idea. But is it really a good idea? Hmmm...

At the stall, "I'd like to order 2 chocolate tarts." A male student ordered. The one running the stall nodded and fished it out but instead, she found herself holding onto a plate which has Gumchi eating up most of the desserts fast and he realized he's been noticed. "Uh-oh."

The next thing it happened, "A MONSTER!"

Everyone in the cafeteria stopped what they're doing and soon enough, it was complete pandemonium. Students screamed and ran for the exit spilling lots of food and drinks. Some even pushed each other for the exit.

And then, ninja guards emerged via smokebombs as, "I see it!" One of them called out and shot out a kunai. Gumchi panicked and is on the run as ninjas are in hot pursuit. On the other hand, Kappei and his friends have already left before this entire bedlam took effect. "Hel-pee! Hel-pee!" Gumchi screamed for his life as the ninja guards kept shooting shurikens and kunais to subdue him. 2 of them even used rope darts but missed as the chase extends to outside as Gumchi ran across the hallway with the ninja guards tailing him.

In the dojo later on...

The whole of Class A is suited up for their ninja training and already, "Where's Sensei Tatsu?" Mikelus asked.

"He's involved in the recent uproar involving a monster." Yamikage replied.

"Monster? Oh yeah! Everyone in the cafeteria panicked hysterically and it was a very huge mess." said Hank.

"Heard from someone that the monster is small, yellow and very fast." said Kurt.

Upon hearing that, Kappei and Emma cringed. "Don't tell me..."

"I find it hard to believe Emma." He whispered back.

Just then, "BAM!"

All looked at the door and, "It's the monster!" Harry shouted as everyone screamed and backed away but then, "Gumchi? What on earth are you doing here?!"

All looked to see Kappei approaching him and when he noticed him, "WAAAAAAAAH! Sca-ree! Sca-ree!" Gumchi ran and jumped onto him while crying out loud.

"There, there. It's okay little buddy." Kappei comforted him with Emma standing beside him.

"Ay mate! What's going on between you and that gum monster bloke?" Davis called out as they faced their friends.

"It's a long story." Kappei then told the whole class about his connection with Gumchi and how it all started between them.

"Whoa...I didn't expect the close encounters of the gummy kind." said Vega.

"But still, what are you doing here?" Emma asked Gumchi as the little guy who's still sobbing stopped immediately. He looked around the dojo and noticed a whiteboard which was not used at all ever since the first ninja training class. So he went there, took the marker and with the help from Kappei who let him stand on his hands, he started writing down some stuff.

"Hey...it's the chemistry lesson we went through just now!" Slick noticed.

"Don't tell me...Gumchi's been watching us?" Emma thought as the little guy started sketching.

"He's drawing stick men and balls?" Harry asked.

"Wait...dodgeball!" Bull realized. "I recall seeing something yellow but I assume it's my figment of imagination."

"You were there when we're in the midst of chemistry and dodgeball?" Kappei asked. "And were you also stuffing your face in the cafeteria?"

Gumchi nodded as Kappei suddenly laughed. "I see now. You wanna know what it's like to attend high school is it?" He nodded as Kappei told the class about Gumchi's intentions.

"On one hand, I think it's nice of him to know more of what we're going through. On the other hand..." Suddenly, Chantelle grabbed Gumchi and, "He's so adorable and cute!"

"Hey I wanna hug him!"

"Me too!"

All the girls except Emma gathered around Gumchi as they playfully took turns cuddling and adoring Gumchi. "Pre-tee! Pre-tee! Gir-lees!" He cheered as the girls continued their adoration.

Just then, Sensei Tatsu arrived. "I apologize for my lateness class. I don't know why but it's a waste of time to get me roped into some wild goose chase and-" He now noticed Gumchi as, "What. Is. That?"

"Oh, uh...I can explain." Kappei told Sensei Tatsu about his connection with Gumchi as the little guy went to meet him. "Hmmm...you look harmless." Sensei Tatsu spoke to Gumchi as he picked him up for some examining.

Gumchi looks very nervous as the teacher stared at it for a moment. Then, "How would you like to be the class mascot?"

His eyes brighten in excitement as, "We have ourselves a class mascot! I hereby welcome Gumchi to our class!" Sensei Tatsu declared as everyone cheered. Gumchi was so happy that he transformed into an IPPON Katana.

"Whoa! I didn't know he can do that!" Davis cheered as Gumchi transformed again into a DJ Scratch. "Hey show up a Trick Ball!" Cruz requested as Gumchi did as told and underwent more ninja gum weapon transformations amazing and hyping the entire class.

After that, Sensei Tatsu picked him up. "I can clearly see that you have the potential to boost class morale. I am most honoured to meet you and take you in Gumchi."

And to show his appreciation, Gumchi drew out his shinai and, "WHACK!"

"OWIE!" That was a hard blow as Sensei Tatsu ended up on the floor covering his head as the whole class roared with laughter.

As for Gumchi, he just smiled in elation. For this little adventure he went through has reaped some beneficial rewards for himself.

Hooray! Gumchi is officially part of Class A! Not as a student but as a class mascot to boost morale and preserve the class unity!

He really had fun exploring the school and learning some educational content. He was also sneaky enough to get his gummy hands on cafeteria food and devour it all!

So yes, we'll see him more in class and I always find this little guy adorable. That's why he's the main star for this chapter! And I'm still trying to improve on his style of speech.

Character of the Chapter

Name: Gumchi

Profile

Centuries ago, Gumchi landed on Earth via meteor and took up residence in a shrine in Iga. When Kappei was 13, they met for the first time and he likes him and even defended him from enemy attacks so Gen'unsai tasked his grandson to protect him and show him the way of life on Earth.

Gumchi accompanied Kappei to the WNA Academy for 3 years and often has fun hanging around and training with him. He even made friends with many students including the cat, Goro.

As of now, he's residing in the dorm room of Advanced WNA High, eats anything and has a strong liking for cute and beautiful girls.

For his power, Gumchi can morph into all kinds of ninja gum weapons for users to wield during combat.