After a long scolding, Miss Ho led them to the office because she had found more and more people gathering on the playground. On the way, Lucas and Billy still looked nervous. Hanky noticed and said, "Come on, guys, cheer up! Show me some spirit."
Lucas gave him a quick glance and sighed. Still worried, Billy whispered, "We're worried because we don't know what she's going to do with us."
"Worrying isn't useful or helpful. You just have to take it," Hanky said, trying to comfort them. "Take me, for example. I'm used to being scolded, so I view criticism as a normal part of the day, like a meal." He continued, "You can count on me. I'll take responsibility, so don't worry."
Lucas lifted his head and said, "No, it's not that. We aren't blaming you."
"Ahem, what are you talking about? You've already made one mistake. Do you want to make another?" Miss Ho turned her head and glared at them furiously. She continued, "You three—but mostly you, Hanky. Are you an incorrigible troublemaker?"
They fell completely silent. The silence continued until they stepped into the office. Miss Ho sat down at her desk and they stood before her.
"Whose idea was it to play basketball?" Miss Ho looked at them and asked.
The room was silent for a moment before Hanky stepped forward. "Mine, Miss Ho. Don't blame them. It was my fault. I will accept all the punishment and take full responsibility. Please let them go."
Miss Ho let out a cold laugh. "So, you're the leader of your team, and you want to be loyal? Why didn't you think about the consequences before you made the mistake? You only know how to take responsibility after you've done something wrong. Why don't you try following the rules before you act? I heard you say that you aren't afraid of me. Is that right? If so, you are welcome to leave the school. You study for yourself, not for me. Understood?"
Hanky lowered his head and remained silent.
Then Lucas spoke up. "Miss Ho, we are prepared to accept the punishment, whatever you decide."
"Yes," Billy added. "We also made a huge mistake. You can't blame all of it on Hanky."
Miss Ho looked at them and said, "It's not about shouldering the blame. All three of you made a mistake, so of course you will be punished. This isn't just a punishment. It's meant to ensure that you never make the same mistake again."
Billy looked up and nodded, while Lucas stared at Miss Ho, his mouth wide with surprise.
Miss Ho had them stand facing the wall for a period of deep self-reflection. They were also to copy the class rules into their notebooks no fewer than three times.
They stood there, murmuring to each other.
They were standing far enough from Miss Ho's office that even if they talked loudly, she definitely wouldn't be able to hear them. Even if she heard noises in the hallway, she wouldn't be able to tell if they were from Hanky's group. They talked a lot, and their voices grew louder and louder.
Then, Ketto walked by on his way to turn in his in-class assignment. He paused and stared at them. Hanky noticed him staring and snapped, "What the hell are you looking at?"
Ketto replied, "Nothing. I'm just going to hand in my homework."
"Boring. Go away quickly," said Hanky. "I feel uncomfortable every time I see a 'role model' student."
Ketto was bothered and irritated by Hanky's rude attitude. He had only looked at them curiously, with no ill intent. He murmured under his breath, "Hanky, you are the worst person in the world. You should burn in hell forever." Then, he shot Hanky a disgusted look. Hanky was unaware and kept talking with Lucas and Billy.
Ketto left and went to the teachers' office. He handed his homework to the math teacher first and apologized for not submitting it on time. The math teacher smiled and said, "It's not a big problem." Then, he asked Ketto how he was feeling about his math studies recently and if he was having any difficulties.
Ketto replied that everything was going well so far, and he had grown accustomed to high school math. He added that he liked the teacher's teaching style because it helped him easily understand and remember new concepts. They chatted for a while longer about other things.
Ketto said goodbye and was about to leave when Miss Ho suddenly called out to him. "Ketto, on your way to the office, did you notice Hanky and the others standing facing the wall?"
Ketto turned his head in surprise. "Um?" He was clearly caught off guard by the sudden question. He continued, "Yes, I saw them."
"How were they behaving? Did they do anything else wrong?" Miss Ho pressed him for a truthful answer.
After a moment of silence, Ketto said, "Well, they were standing there, but they kept talking the whole time."
Miss Ho listened and replied, "I knew they would be like that. Thank you for the information."
Ketto opened the door and stepped out. To his surprise, Miss Ho stood up and walked with him. They headed together toward the classroom. When they arrived at the spot where Hanky and the others were being punished, the boys hadn't noticed Miss Ho's arrival and were still talking loudly.
Suddenly, Miss Ho called out, "It seems you're relaxing here, not accepting your punishment."
They spun around to see Miss Ho and Ketto. Ketto quickly left, a knot of nervousness in his stomach, worried that this would lead to something bad happening to him.
The three boys stood frozen, worried and speechless. Miss Ho continued to scold them. "Don't think this is glorious. It's embarrassing to stand here in disgrace. Do you think this is something to be proud of? I don't know how else to get through to you. You simply refuse to listen to a word I say."
She paused, thought for a moment, and then abruptly said, "Go back to class."
"Um?" Lucas couldn't believe it.
"I said you can go back. Didn't you understand me?" Miss Ho repeated.
Billy dared to ask, "Do we still have to copy the class rules?"
"That's canceled, too. You don't have to do it. I have lost my patience with you," said Miss Ho, her voice flat and devoid of expression.