Arseniy Popov

September 1st. The school hallway was buzzing like a beehive, but this year, it all felt especially poignant. This is the last first day of school. From today until the end of the year, I am a student of class 11A. Due to the weather, the opening assembly was postponed to another day, so everyone headed straight to their classrooms. Our former homeroom teacher had gone on maternity leave, and my classmates were whispering impatiently, wondering who would become their new one.

The door swung open abruptly, and a strange man in a black shirt and trousers appeared in the doorway. A tall brunette with intelligent blue eyes and a pleasant scent of perfume.
"Hello, children. You're 11A, right? I am your new homeroom teacher. My name is Arseniy Sergeyevich Popov, and I'll be teaching physics. Instead of lessons today, I suggest we get to know each other—we'll chat, and I'll memorize your names. I also need to fill out the preliminary Unified State Exam forms to see what subjects everyone will be taking."

The man looked around the classroom and smiled.

"Please, raise your hands if you plan on taking my subject."