[Ganesha Hall]
The doors of Ganesha Hall swung open with their usual heavy creak.
Noel stepped inside, black apron tied neatly over his shirt and vest.
The apron itself wasn't ordinary trimmed with pink linings that caught the faint morning light from the windows.
His assistant, Claire, followed behind him, similarly dressed.
She carried a tray of metallic tools polished to mirror brightness.
The students were already seated at their long desks, pens ready.
But their eyes were not on the tools.
They were on the aprons.
"...Why is he wearing that?"
"Pink linings? Is this… a joke?"
"No way, the Senior Instructor?"
"Maybe it's part of today's lesson?"
The whispers darted around like insects.
Noel set down his satchel on the central desk and looked over the rows of students.
"I know exactly what you're wondering."
The hall stilled.
Even the faint ticking of the gear-clock at the wall seemed quieter.
"You're asking why I'm wearing this apron in class.
