I was dreaming.
My younger self and a girl by my side.
Back then, I was always crying. I couldn’t believe that I’d lost my father and mother and would never see them again. I didn’t want to believe it.
「It’s okay, it’ll be okay.」
The girl desperately comforting me. Even as a child, she had well-arranged features, and her beautiful black hair that reached her shoulders was striking.
I think it was probably around this time that I fell in love with her. I was frustrated to be comforted by a girl, yet happy that she cared for me.
「I’ll always be by Shou-chan’s side──」
That’s where the dream always ends. I guess deep down I don’t want to see what happens next.
I can feel my consciousness slowly waking up. Ahh, back to this colorless world again, huh──
「Mmm…」
I stretch while lying on my back, bringing my awareness back to reality.
「Ahh, right, school starts today…」
I mutter to myself, not expecting a reply from anyone. Glancing at the clock, it’s just past six.
Still feeling a bit sluggish, I slowly take off my sweats and put on my new uniform. I’m not quite used to wearing it yet, and moving around in it feels slightly awkward.
But I can’t be late on the first day, so I head to the bathroom to wash my face.
I brush my teeth, wash my face, and heat up last night’s leftovers in the microwave for breakfast. It must be tough for mothers who make breakfast every morning. With such thoughts, I finish my meal.
「Thanks for the food.」
Even alone, I find that habits are hard to break.
I return to my room and sling the school-designated bag over my shoulder. I grab my wallet and house keys from the desk, shove them into my pockets, and I’m ready to go. After checking that I haven’t forgotten anything, I leave the house. I look up at the sky to see what the weather’s like today. It seems a bit cloudy, but I guess it’s mostly sunny. I could check the weather forecast on my smartphone, but I decided it won’t rain and chose not to bring an umbrella.
「I’m off.」
After saying it, I lock the door with a wry smile, thinking “That’s a habit too”.
It’s still just before seven. At this pace, I won’t be late even if I walk leisurely.
The school I’m attending from today──or was it called an academy? Is said to be one of the top prep schools in Japan.
I say “said to be” simply because I’m not interested. It’s not like it was my first choice or anything.
I’m just attending due to certain circumstances. I don’t particularly have anything I want to do, but I don’t want to be a shut-in at home either. To put it bluntly, I’m just going with the flow. Well, in this day and age, I guess it’s better to at least graduate from high school, so I suppose I’m grateful for that.
Lost in such thoughts, after walking for about thirty minutes, I finally start to see students wearing the same academy uniform as me. Although it’s not my first time coming here, I feel somewhat relieved that I didn’t get lost.
「Oh, if it isn’t Shougo.」
Just then, I noticed someone calling my name. This voice, Daiki, huh.
「Ahh, morning Daiki.」
「Yeah, morning. Still got that gloomy face, I see.」
「Leave me alone.」
This overly familiar guy is called Amakake Daiki.
We’re not old friends, but due to various circumstances, he’s now my best friend… or rather, it’s more accurate to say I don’t have anyone else I could call a friend. Well, we get along well.
「New school starting today.」
「Yeah, looking forward to it.」
After that, we headed towards the academy while enjoying some casual conversation. Though I honestly thought it was none of his business when he kept telling me to cut my bangs or that glasses don’t suit me. You know the reason, don’t you?
After that, without meeting anyone else we knew, we arrived at the academy and headed to our class… or so I’d like to say, but since neither of us knows which class we’re in, we head to the staff room.
I felt the gazes of the students we passed by, but they were probably looking at Daiki.
After all, he’s what you would call an ikemen, a handsome guy, and also over 180 centimeters tall, making him a high-spec boy.
On the other hand, I’m just over 160 centimeters, so standing next to me, Daiki stands out whether he likes it or not. Well, but I’m still only a second-year in high school, okay? I’m a late bloomer, okay?
Before long, we arrived at the staff room and slid open the door. By the way, why are all the doors in school rooms sliding doors?
「Ara, if it isn’t Shou-niisama and Dai-niisama.」
「Geh, Asaki.」
I blurted out without thinking, seeing an unexpected person there.
「Geh, is quite the greeting, Shou-niisama.」
「Morning Asaki.」
「Yes, good morning, Dai-niisama.」
As expected of an ikemen. He doesn’t make the same mistakes as me. But why is Asaki in the staff room?
「You seem to be wondering why I’m here.」
And she totally saw through me. I look away since Asaki is glaring at me. I think I heard a sigh, but it must be my imagination.
「Kujou-san, are these acquaintances of yours?」
A woman, presumably a teacher, asks Asaki. Well, this is the staff room, so she’s almost certainly a teacher.
「Yes, these two are the ones I mentioned.」
「I see, no wonder I didn’t recognize them. You must be the transfer students.」
「Indeed, the tall one over there is Amakake Daiki-sama. The small one over there is…」
「Don’t call me small! I’m average, a, v, e, r, a, g, e!!」
「My apologies, the average one over there is Chihara Shougo-sama.」
Sure, I’m the one who said average, but somehow the way she says it feels malicious.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「Um, Amakake-kun and Chihara-kun, was it? Welcome to Kujou Academy. I’m Inagaki Satomi. I’ll be your homeroom teacher starting today. Nice to meet you.」
「Oh? By “you”, you mean…」
「Yes, I’ve arranged for Shou-niisama and Dai-niisama to be in the same class.」
「I feel like I just heard something terrifying said casually.」
She just said she arranged it!! Asaki, you used your influence as the chairman’s granddaughter to pull some strings behind the scenes, didn’t you!! Thank you very much!! Honestly, I was prepared to be a loner!!
「That’s great, isn’t it. Shougo.」
「What? Don’t make it sound like I’m the only one happy about this.」
「That’s not it, I’m happy too.」
Daiki says with a smile. Damn, this ikemen is so cool.
「O-Ou. If you say so.」
「Good grief, you two are as close as ever.」
「What? You want to join in, Asaki?」
「N-No. that’s not what I meant.」
「Good morning!!」
As I was teasing Asaki, a girl burst into the staff room, sliding the door open with great force.
「Fuu, I thought I was going to be late!! I’m safe, right!?」
「Yes, you’re fine, Hikari-san.」
「Oyo, Shou-nii and Dai-nii!! Long time no see!! How have you been?」
「Morning Hikari-chan. You’re as energetic as ever.」
「Morning Dai-nii!! You’re as handsome as ever!!」
Ohh… As expected of Hikari, who else would say that straight to someone’s face even if they thought it?
「Ehehe… We’re all together again.」
「Well then, sorry to interrupt, but it’s almost time for homeroom to start… Amakake-kun, Chihara-kun, please follow me. And um, you are…」
「Yes!! I’m Motoki Hikari!!」
「Motoki-san, is it? You’re in the same class as Kujou-san. Kujou-san, could I ask you to show Motoki-san the way?」
「Yes, leave it to me.」
「See you later!! Shou-nii, Dai-nii!!」
I wave lightly to Hikari and follow Inagaki-sensei with Daiki.
After walking for a while, Inagaki-sensei stopped in front of a classroom.
──2nd Year, Class 1
It seems this is our class. Being in Class 1 is easy to understand.
「Then, when I say to come in, please enter the room.」
「「Understood.」」
When Inagaki-sensei opened the classroom door, the noisy classroom quieted down a bit. It seems that whether it’s middle school or high school, the room doesn’t go completely silent just because a teacher enters.
「Alright, quiet down!! Good morning, everyone.」
Good morning. The students reply.
「Some of you may have already seen them, but today we have transfer students to introduce. Amakake-kun, Chihara-kun, please come in.」
At the teacher’s signal, I push Daiki forward and enter the classroom. At a glance, there are about forty students. I thought, it’s about the same as any other school.
「Then, please give a brief self-introduction. Amakake-kun, you go first.」
「Yes, my name is Amakake Daiki. Due to certain circumstances, I’ve transferred here with Shougo… Chihara, who’s over there. I’m not very familiar with this area, so I’d appreciate it if you could show me around. Looking forward to getting along with everyone.」
As Daiki bows slightly, applause echoes throughout the classroom. Some boys seemed to be clapping half-heartedly, but the girls were clapping as if their lives depended on it. Doesn’t that hurt?
「Hey hey, isn’t he super cool?」
「Yeah, yeah! And he’s tall too!」
「I’m going to talk to him right away!!」
They were being incredibly noisy.
「Then next, Chihara-kun, please introduce yourself.」
「Yes, I’m Chihara Shougo. As Daiki mentioned earlier, due to various reasons, I’ve transferred here with him. I’m actually quite familiar with this area, so please take care of Daiki.」
After my greeting, I’m welcomed with applause… the same kind of applause? Though this time, even the girls don’t seem particularly enthusiastic. I knew it, but still!!
「I wonder… compared to Amakake-kun earlier, he’s a bit…」
「Why does he let his bangs grow so long? Isn’t it bothersome having them in front of his glasses?」
「Amakake-kun is so cool.」
Yeah, well, that’s how it is. But you, the last one, you definitely weren’t listening to my introduction, were you?
「Alright, quiet down, please! Since Amakake-kun and Chihara-kun seem to know each other, it would be better if their seats are close. The seats at the very back by the aisle are both empty, so let’s have Chihara-kun by the aisle and Amakake-kun next to him.」
Oh, the very back by the aisle, huh. They’ve secured a pretty good spot for me. If I’m there, I can even sleep a bit without being ca…ught…
「No way… why…?」
I should have stayed composed, but I suddenly looked down. But it’s too late. Because our eyes have already met. Or rather, that’s my line.
I raise my face to cover it up and head to my seat, trying not to make eye contact this time. All while feeling piercing gazes on my back.
The only thing I can say is that it seems this world isn’t kind to me either.
After all, my childhood friend from that dream was right here in this place.