The System In My Head

Bet to win the girl

This is when Ben learns that he has a phobia of public speaking and its physical consequences.

She had read about this last week in her 101st class of psychologists. This is a common fear. In fact, this is the most common fear, affecting 73% of the population.

In the most common phobia statistics, the fear of public speaking even precedes death!

People are more afraid of public speaking than death...

If you give 73% of people two options: public speaking ...

They will choose to die!

At least that's what the statistics say! Ben is a scientist!

He is also part of the 73%! The worst part was that he didn't know it until now. It seems like talking to an unknown woman is not the same as talking in front of a group of strangers.

Helpless in front of this judgment class, sweat formed on his forehead as he endured the heat of the dozens of eyes beaming at him.

Ben was silent for 10 seconds and the students started to whisper. He knew he had to say something. "I-nnnnn-my name is BBBBB-Ben-Ben..."

Zachary noticed Miyuki's worried expression. Returning his gaze to Ben, he narrowed his eyes and formed a mocking grin. "Okay thank you! Next one!" Zachary cut.

The interruption did not anger Ben, but instead provided relief. He's too nervous. Releasing a deep breath, he walked over to Zachary to get the nametag for his next group activity. Then she returned to her seat and placed the label on her chest.

Everyone had introduced themselves so the professor came back to the front.

Ben gripped the edge of the wooden table and closed his eyes for a while, taking a deep breath to calm his still-shaken nerves. When he opened it, he found people laughing out loud. The others ask what's funny and they point to Ben. After a minute, half the class at least laughed at him.

'Do I have anything on my face?' Ben rubbed his cheek.

"Jenjamin-san..." Miyuki looked sad as she pointed at her chest.

Ben glanced down to look at his nametag: "BBB-Benjamin."

He looked at Zachary who had an amused expression while writing some notes.

The professor was busy drawing on the blackboard and did not notice this development.

Ben frowned. He did not understand why this person would target him.

Miyuki reached out to remove the nametag from Ben's chest, took out a pen and crossed out an additional B. Zachary's eyes furrowed his brows because of this. Rather than being angry at Miyuki, she scowled at Ben.

That's when Ben understood. 'So that's it... Jealous of a girl.' He grunts. It was annoying, but he didn't have time for this right now. Ben ignored Zachary's provocative gaze and went back to listening to the lecture.

***

The first session of the seminar ended and most of the people had left. Ben was outside the classroom helping Miyuki move the tables and chairs inside as a thank you for her kindness earlier.

"Benjamin-san, do you know what speech you will give at the end of the week?" Miyuki asked.

He shook his head. He hasn't thought about it.

A grin came from the entrance of the classroom. Zachary sauntered out with an arrogant grin. "Speech? Can he even give a speech? If it was like today, it would take 3 hours to pass through it haha."

Ben and Miyuki frowned at this random humiliation.

"Zachary-san, you're not polite," Miyuki scolded.

"I'm just offering some advice to this scholar. Not everyone can speak in front of a group. Some people don't have the necessary courage." He glared at Ben when he saw how close he stood to Miyuki.

It would be best if he scared Ben today, then Miyuki would just have him speak in class. Although Miyuki worked for the same professor, they worked on different time slots, so there were not many opportunities to be together like this. How could he give that precious time to the snot-nosed brat?

Is it small? Sure, but this is the power that top teaching assistants have over students. Too bad!

Ben watches Zachary bluff and bluff. His intentions were written all over his face. 'Did he think he'd bully me out of the seminar with this? I've dealt with much worse. In high school, the man edited my face into a bestiality video. Everyone called me Ben the jerk for two years! You think you'll shake me?!?' He showed pride in life through that ordeal. Being oppressed is like surviving a war!

Ben's eyes shone as he dived into memories of air sirens and bomb shelters. 'Then the guy released a remastered edition, and I became Ben the goat! It's nothing! Get beginner skills!'

A veterinarian two wars!

Ben smiles. "Zachary, right? How about we bet?"

Zachary crossed his arms. He doesn't know where Ben's going with this.

Ben continued. "From what I've heard, your teaching assistant will also give a speech at the end of the week as an example to students. Don't you?"

"Continue?" Zachary asked.

"So this is the bet. During the last class, anyone among us who gave a worse speech would never bother Miyuki again!"

Zachary clenched his jaw. 'This little one.'

Miyuki standing there blinked. How did he get involved? When he saw Zachary grimacing and Ben glanced at him with a reassuring smile, he understood. 'Benjamin-san tried to help me...'

He realizes Ben notices Zachary bothering him. Ben tried to stop him, although public speaking was impossible for him. Miyuki looked at Ben and her heart became warm.

Zechariah speaks. "It's not that you have a chance to win, but what you say is ridiculous. He and I worked together. That's not possible. Moreover, are you even qualified to bother him? Do I have to compete with the lowly? a freshman like you to talk to him?!?You can't even string up sentences! What joke! Look son, you pissed me off! Get out of the seminar or I'll make your life into a living hell class!"

Miyuki now understands why Zachary made fun of Ben before. He also realized that he was the only one who could do something in this situation. With or without a bet, Zachary will make it difficult for Ben. He knew Zacharias. He can do a lot of dirty tricks.

When they first sat down, Ben told him how important this seminar was to him. It's also his fault he's here. He put up the pamphlet. She can't let him suffer or drop out of school because of him... "No. I will. I will go on a date!" Miyuki's face turned red as she said those words.

Ben and Zachary fell silent, staring at him, unsure of what he was saying. "What?" Zachary asked.

"I'll date the winner of the competition, but there's one condition. Zachary-san should not bother Benjamin-san during the seminar." Miyuki tries to be a good person, and she appreciates when someone tries hard to be nice to her.

New York City is full of people, but it is even more full of bitter cold. He knew how rare it was to meet someone like Ben who would humiliate himself to help him. Although Ben must have lost and he has to go with Zachary, it was only one date. It was the least he could do to let her take this seminar quietly."

"Miyuki, you don't have to do this." said Ben.

'Yes...Do this!' thought Ben.

"It's okay." Miyuki gave Ben a gentle smile.

Zachary put up a grin like a weasel. "We have a bet! That's perfect! Miyuki, you can ask the professor to rate the best speech. You have to believe he'll give you a fair assessment, right?"

Miyuki nodded.

Zachary had complete confidence in his victory. Although he is not an outstanding speaker, he has been a teaching assistant to professors for a year. He gained a lot of experience with public speaking.

Meanwhile, Ben couldn't even say his name without stuttering! His dating is a sure thing! 'How great this turned out!'

Ben is no longer a threat. Zachary changed to prioritize his professional image. He put on his teacher's face like nothing had ever happened. "Benjamin, let's see who's the better speaker at the end of the week. Good luck!"

Ben returned a cold smile. 'The only thing you will see is a star when I humiliate you in front of your precious boss and disciple!'