"Damn it!"
Right now, I'm sprinting to catch my second bus.
Don't ask why!
By some miracle, I make it just in time.
"Phew!"
I catch my breath as I head to an empty seat.
I notice a few people my age wearing the same uniform as me.
'Potential classmates?'
This time, I fight hard not to doze off.
Sleep's not tempting when it's the cause of your stress.
After a few minutes, I finally reach my destination.
The bus drops us off halfway, claiming it's not allowed to go further.
So, I continue on foot with my potential classmates from the bus.
Along the way, I see private cars passing us.
'Down with the rich.'
Swallowing my frustration, I manage to reach my destination.
Before me is a massive campus filled with students like me, lining up in long rows at the enormous gate.
A hostess directs my group and me to a line.
The crowd of students isn't even that overwhelming.
Compared to my middle school on the first day, it's nothing.
What makes it feel crowded is the hundreds of security guards and hostesses keeping order.
I don't wait long before it's my turn.
Security politely asks for my bag, and after a thorough search—finding nothing since I only brought what was allowed—the lady at the counter hands me a card and a map.
My registration's done.
'Wow.'
That's my thought as I step onto the campus.
The gate already hints at grandeur, but the reality blows my mind.
"It's huge. No wonder they gave us a map."
A newbie could never navigate this place without one.
This is definitely a government-run school.
I shake off being intimidated by the scale and check the map.
My classroom's circled. I just need to follow the directions.
With some effort, I find my room: 1-D.
The door's closed, but through the windows, I see students already settled.
In the distance, more students are approaching.
'Alright, let's do this.'
I make up my mind and enter.
'Number 14, number 14… got it.'
I was given a table number at the entrance.
That's how I find my assigned seat: No. 14.
My desk is between two others.
'My neighbor on the right isn't here yet.'
I think, glancing to my right.
I don't turn left because I already know that seat's taken.
'Should I say hi? No, that might come off weird. But not saying hi could seem rude. A simple "hello" should do, right?'
Yes, I'm overthinking just to greet someone.
Before you judge, let me clarify: if my neighbor were a girl, I wouldn't be stressing like this.
It being a guy changes everything.
'Whatever.'
"Hello."
I make up my mind, turn to my left neighbor, and offer a curt greeting.
He's got the weirdest posture.
'Doesn't matter.'
I'm about to look away, not expecting a reply.
"Hello."
But then he responds.
'I kinda wish you hadn't.'
That's my split-second thought before I fully see his face.
'Hot.'
Yup, no better word for it.
'Get it together. You're not falling for the first guy you see. You know yourself too well…'
"I'm Hasebe, Hasebe Haruka. You?"
Not wanting him to notice my moment of distraction, I keep the conversation going.
Admittedly, that line slipped out without thinking.
"Kōenji Rokusuke. Nice to meet you, Hasebe-san."
He replies with the same cheerful vibe.
'So his name's Kōenji, huh.'
"Same here, Kōenji-san."
I respond.
It's not so awkward after all.
But now I'm out of things to say. It's not like we're buddies yet.
'Did I just think "buddy"? With a guy?'
"Ready for classes to start?"
While I'm debating whether to keep talking, my neighbor takes the lead this time.
'Despite looking like a rich pretty boy, he's pretty friendly.'
"Uh, not really. You?"
I reply.
"I've got some reservations. This school's known for its unique teaching style. I'm kinda eager to find out why."
'A school nerd, huh.'
"Yeah, I'm curious about how this place works too. It's already massive."
I steer the convo to something I'm more comfortable with.
"Wanna explore the campus together after the welcome ceremony? What do you say?"
'Huh?! Did he just ask me out? Chill, no need to freak. I don't know why he suggested it, but it'd be more fun to tour with someone than alone. Plus, I can figure out his deal.'
"Uh, if it's no trouble, sure."
I accept his offer.
Just then, the bell rings, marking the start of the school year…
"Oh, what a crowd."
A brown-haired guy with bangs swept to the right says.
On the first day, he introduced himself as Ike-something. I wasn't paying much attention…
Right now, I'm with a group from my class heading to the gym for the club activities kickoff.
Yeah, our class is pretty tight-knit, but I think that's partly our rep's fault.
Speaking of, he's gonna pay for messing with me like that. Saying I can't function without him, that I'm dependent on him?
'Total nonsense!… Wonder what was so urgent he couldn't come… Ugh, who cares!'
"It's crazy impressive. Feels like they've got everything here."
Sudō says.
He's another classmate. Tall, with a bad-boy vibe.
Normally, he's the last person I'd hang with, but due to some weird circumstances, he's the second person I've clicked with here.
He's shown me you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
"Bet you're joining the basketball club."
I say to him, keeping my voice low.
Though I get along with him, I'm not there with everyone yet. Plus, I hate crowds.
"Hell yeah!"
Sudō beams at my words.
I thought our chat would fly under the radar, but I was wrong.
"Oh, so Kōenji-san was right when he said you're into basketball, huh."
A glasses-wearing, nerdy-looking guy pops up behind us and joins in.
His name's Yukimura Teruhiko.
I remember him because he's gonna lead my study group soon.
'Why'd that narcissist have to suggest something like that?'
Yup, our rep's fault again.
Though he pitched the study group idea to Sudō and me yesterday, I doubted he'd convince the class.
But I was dead wrong.
Somehow—I know how—he got the whole class to unanimously agree to the study groups.
It's no exaggeration to say he's got the entire class wrapped around his finger.
"So, Yukimura-kun, you joining a club too?"
Sudō scratches his head awkwardly and turns the question back on Yukimura.
'What kinda question is that, Sudō-kun? Look at his face.'
"Of course not. I don't see the point in that stuff. I'd rather start the study group sessions…"
'Huh?!'
"…but Kōenji-san said they'll kick off tomorrow."
'Kōenji-kun, you're forgiven for all your sins.'
Enjoying the story?
☕ You can support me with a one-time tip on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/hemlet
📚 Want to read 30+ chapters ahead and get exclusive content?Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/Hemlet
Your support means the world — thank you! ❤️