Hanamizu High, a school nestled near the coastline of Sagamihara, was considered one of the top schools in the city, with a reputation for both academics and culture that was rivaled by none. You can imagine how tough it was to get in. Somehow, with my average mindset and not-so-impressive track record, I still managed to land a spot. Maybe, just maybe, it was my uncanny ability to blend in and never stand out that gave me an edge. Or maybe I was just hallucinating. Who really knows?
The school had three floors, each dedicated to one of the three high school years. It also boasted a massive stadium that hosted basketball, volleyball, and pretty much any indoor sport you could name, along with a full-sized eleven-player soccer field. All in all, the campus was spacious, green, and surprisingly nature-bound for a place known for its prestige.
"Oh, I can never not be impressed with this school, hahaha!"
Katsui's loud laugh echoed in front of the school's gigantic gold-plated gate adorned with decorative lion heads. His booming laughter caught the attention of several students, and with his height and broad physique, it made the attention even more noticeable. I stood by his side, trying my hardest to act casual, but deep down, I was silently begging him to stop drawing eyes toward us.
"Can you not cause a scene on the first day? It's annoying if other classmates notice us," I grumbled, facepalming internally.
"Oh, come on, stop being so closed off. Being noticed isn't all that bad!" Katsui grinned, clearly unfazed.
"Speak for yourself-"
"Oi, Katsui!"
A large guy approached us with a grin that practically glowed. He was a head taller than Katsui, still not as big, but it was obvious he worked out. His long, silky hair was tied in a ponytail, and his small eyes were nearly hidden beneath his heavy brow. A fresh scar rested on his right eyebrow, its pale pink and white hues stark against his tanned skin. I stood between these two giants, and I swear, I felt like a midget, even though I was of average height.
"Ah! Shinogawa-senpai!" Katsui greeted him with a wide smile.
The two high-fived, and the loud clap echoed through the bustling noise of the back-to-school rush.
"Ready and energized for the new semester?"
"You bet! Let's win another tournament this semester, captain!" Katsui replied with fire in his eyes.
"HAHAHA! That's the spirit!" Shinogawa-senpai's laugh was deep and contagious, shaking the air around us.
Their conversation was loud, obnoxious, and downright ear-piercing, but somehow, it carried a sense of warmth and familiarity. It wasn't what you'd expect from two brutes talking, but it made sense. I tried to slip away as they continued reminiscing about past basketball tournaments, trading inside jokes like they were still back on the court. But my escape was halted when Shinogawa-senpai grabbed me by the back of my shirt collar, his bear-claw grip yanking me back into their conversation.
"Going somewhere, Haruto?!" Shinogawa-senpai bent down to my level, his grin nearly evil.
"Ehheheh, nowhere, nowhere at all. I don't know what you're talking about..." I averted my eyes, doing my best not to meet his gaze.
"So, when are you gonna stop ignoring my invitation to the team, huh?"
Shinogawa-senpai had been relentless in trying to recruit me to the school's basketball team after only watching me play one game. I had turned him down each time, claiming I wasn't suited for the team; my height and skills just didn't cut it. Playing for the team would be a hindrance more than anything, but he wouldn't have any of it. He insisted I was better than any 'average' player. He even went so far as to ask Katsui for my home address, planning to come over and speak with my parents about it. Thankfully, my parents had left all decisions about my school life up to me, so his plan failed miserably.
"You do realize being 'average' at a prestigious school like Hanamizu High is like being good or even best in other schools?" Shinogawa-senpai sighed; he sounded disappointed, to say the least.
"I know what you meant, but I am not the kind to play sport. That one game alone I played is because I was forced to. I have no intention of pursuing any sport while I'm attending this school..." I said, assuring him of my decision.
"Alright but the team welcomes you anytime, even if it just for some casual play!" Shinogawa-senpai smiled again, lightened up the mood.
"Alright, but the team welcomes you anytime, even if it's just for some casual play!" Shinogawa-senpai smiled again, lightening up the mood.
"I'll see you later, then, captain?" Katsui asked, checking if the team meeting was still happening after the first day of the semester.
"Yes, yes! Of course, see you later, Katsui!" Shinogawa said one last time before waving goodbye and walking through the school gate. Soon, he was joined by other teammates of his and Katsui's. Katsui sighed, glancing at me with a playful grin.
"You really are hard-headed, huh? Even the captain of the basketball team sees your talent, and you still deny it."
"You know I'll deny tooth and nail any claim that I have any sort of talent," I replied, walking through the school gate. Katsui followed closely behind. "Besides, I've got other things on my hands already; that's enough stress."
"Oh, yeah, the school's gaming club. I heard you guys got first place again last tournament. How hard was it?"
"Extremely," I sighed. "Just when we were about to proceed to the finals, the top players got sick, and I had to come up with a new strategy overnight, then teach the newbies the morning of the finale. I swear, luck was never on my side."
"Hahaha! That's the Haruto I know—always have a backup, even if it's last minute."
"I feel like quitting, but I can't just leave without training the newbies to be as good as the top players. The school might disband the club if our progress falters too much."
We continued talking as we walked toward the large stadium for the opening ceremony. The stadium was packed but not suffocating; thanks to the air conditioning and ventilation system, stepping inside felt like entering an entirely new dimension. The cool blast of air hit us immediately, and I could hear students audibly sighing in relief as they entered. The hustle to find seats filled the air, and Katsui and I quickly made our way to the second-year seating section, settling into our rows.
"Oh yes! Air-conditioned, this is the best place in the whole school, I swear!" Katsui leaned back in his chair, stretching out. His giant figure seemed to grow even larger as he did.
"Eh, our club room is colder than this, hehe."
"Shut up, hermit!"
"You two are still as close as usual, huh?"
A familiar voice chimed in from behind us, and before we knew it, a figure squeezed in between. He had a gentle smile plastered on his idol-like face, with black hair and red highlights. His bottom lip was adorned with a golden piercing, and earrings dangled from both ears. Yeah, he dressed like an idol, alright.
"Hey there, pretty boy!" Katsui reached back and put him in a headlock.
"Oi, oi, careful, Katsui! You're gonna choke me!" The guy kept tapping Katsui's forearm.
"New piercing, Shimatsu-san?" I asked, noticing the piercing on his bottom lip. My gaze lingered, worriedly watching Shimatsu-san's face turn pale.
"Huh? Yeah, like it?" Shimatsu-san grinned at me, signaling that he was fine, though his face still showed some discomfort as he pointed to the piercing.
"You're lucky our school is lenient on the dress code, or else you'd be dealing with the teachers by now. Haha!" Katsui laughed, finally releasing Shimatsu-san from the headlock.
"Oh please, I take precautions. No need to worry," Shimatsu-san said, taking a breather and caressing his neck as he adjusted his tie.
Shimatsu-san was part of the school band and the main singer; that alone was enough to show how much girls fawned over him. With his good looks, smooth voice, and devious, flirtatious nature, it was easy to see why anyone would fall for him.
"The band is doing well, I hope? I saw you guys on TV the other day, and boy, was it a lively concert!" Katsui said, giving Shimatsu-san a playful smack on the back, nearly sending him stumbling forward.
"Of course, we're doing well. With me in the spotlight, there's no way we could fail," Shimatsu-san replied, his ego practically spilling over as he spoke with unabashed pride.
"I wish I had that much confidence," I teased, my eyes scanning the crowd for any other familiar faces.
Soon enough, the sound of the speakers echoed through the entire stadium, cutting through the murmur of conversation. The atmosphere shifted quickly; what was once buzzing with noise now felt eerily silent. A middle-aged man in a gray suit and tie stepped onto the stage. His shoes made a sharp, audible thud with each step, reverberating through the entire stadium. His face, lined with wrinkles, made him appear much older than he was; he looked as if he were in his late forties, but in reality, he was in his early thirties. A few strands of gray in his otherwise dark hair added to his serious demeanor. He adjusted the microphone at the podium and spoke.
"Welcome back, students of Hanamizu High. I hope you all had a great summer, filled with memorable moments with family and friends. As we start this new semester, I expect each of you to be at the top of your game, both academically and in your extracurricular activities. Remember, the rankings we have in this school are for show. What truly matters are your results. So even if you're ranked last, it's okay, as long as your scores and achievements impress us."
The principal paused for a moment, allowing the murmur of the students to die down before continuing.
"Next up are the upcoming events: the school sports day and a unique event that the teachers will inform you about later. As all of you know, classes will compete in EVERY competition that day. No excuses for not participating—unless deemed valid by the school committee. Your class will lose points if you choose not to take part in one of the many competitions."
A chorus of sighs and groans rippled through the sea of students.
"As usual, each class starts the semester with 500 points. Winning an event will earn your class 100 points. Simple enough, as long as you coordinate your teamwork well." The principal paused again, waiting for the noise to subside. "In addition, if a club wins a tournament, 50 points will be awarded to the class of each member who contributed to that achievement."
A stunned silence fell over the stadium. Even the teachers were taken aback. You could almost feel the temperature rise as the revelation sank in, like a bonfire had been lit in everyone's minds.
"Yes, that's right—club achievements count as well. So do your best, everyone. The reward at the end of the semester is still the same: an all-expenses-paid trip to anywhere in the world, chosen by the winning class. And if your class excels, the trip will last up to a month."
The murmurs in the stadium grew louder as students excitedly discussed their dream destinations for the end-of-semester trip.
"However," the principal's tone grew more serious, "the penalties this year will also be more severe. Any failure to participate in a school-organized event will now cost your class 100 points instead of the usual 50—unless there's a valid excuse. So be cautious."
He gave the crowd a final, pointed look. "That will be all for today. Everyone dismiss."
A few moments after the opening ceremony and the bombshell dropped by the principal, every student had already settled into their classrooms, mentally bracing for the impending semester.
"Isn't this exciting, Haruto! With this, I'm more motivated than ever to win everything! HAHAHA!" Katsui, sitting next to me, flexed his muscles, already fired up.
"Yeah, yeah, just adds more stress for me," I sighed, gazing out the window as the sun's rays danced on the leaves outside.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic. Now your club members will be even more motivated, don't you think? They'll actually try hard, like you, haha!" Katsui said while practicing his basketball shooting form with an invisible ball.
"Let's hope so."
The metal door of the classroom slid open, and a young-looking teacher stepped inside. She had shoulder-length light brown hair, wore a dark pink blouse and a tight black skirt. She walked up to the teacher's desk, placed her things neatly in front of the class, tand hen adjusted her glasses before scanning the room with sharp, calculating eyes.
"Good morning, class 2-2A."
A chorus of 'Good mornings' came back in response, though not in unison, creating a muddled chorus of voices.
"I suppose I don't need to introduce myself since we all know each other by now, but for those of you who've forgotten after a looong summer vacation, my name is Megane Hiroka, and I will be your homeroom teacher this semester as well. You will call me Hiroka-sensei. I don't care how close we are; you will call me Hiroka-sensei, even outside of school, and that's final. No arguments."
Her voice was stern, with an edge of authority that sent a chill through the room, leaving no doubt she meant business.
"Now, as we all have been informed of the sports festival and how the scoring will be done. I expect excellence from you all from here till the end of the semester, so don't disappoint me. But don't let the sports festival distract you from the main part of your school life, which I studying. I won't tolerate any fallbacks. If you don't understand any of the subjects, I demand you to speak up and ask for more clarity. We teachers are here to help you learn and reach your best, so don't be shy to ask."
Her tone softened, looking at everyone in the classroom with care.
"Next on the agenda, we have a new student in our class this semester. Quite late for our school to be accepting new students, but with her incredible skills and achievements, our school had to make an exception. Please come in, Shihori-san."
The metal door slid open once more, and a small girl walked in. Judging by her looks alone, she was a head shorter than me, her uniform neat and pristine. The way she walked, with a grace that seemed out of place in a school setting, made it clear that she was used to being in the spotlight. She had long, flowing blonde hair with pink highlights, and she held her school bag delicately with both hands, the other shoulder carrying a violin case.
She stood at the front, exuding an air of quiet elegance. With a soft, graceful bow of her head, she spoke in a voice so smooth it could have been a melody itself.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Kazuki Shihori, and I look forward to spending this semester with you all."
The class fell silent, entranced by her beauty, her poise, and the soothing cadence of her voice. It wasn't just her looks that held everyone captive — it was the way she carried herself, with the kind of confidence that felt like she was from a world far beyond this classroom.
I wasn't prepared for this.
Our eyes met.
In that moment, something flickered in her eyes — a brief flash of recognition, maybe even surprise. I felt my stomach drop. Every fiber of me screamed to act like I didn't know her, to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary, but it was too late.
"No way..." I muttered, too loud, my voice breaking the tension.
Her eyes widened, and I could see the shift in her expression — the hesitation, the brief flicker of something unspoken. She looked at me for a long, silent moment, and then, almost too softly, she said my name.
"Haruto?"