“- Kazuo, let’s go look at the class board. “ The ceremony had finally ended.

“- Sure. “ Mabuchi took the lead towards the board as they left the gym. When they reached it there was already some students there that had left the ceremony early.

“- Look! We’re in the same class again Kazuo. “

“- So I'm not getting rid of you then? “ Kazuo says as he takes a look for himself. He looks down the list of names until he finds his name. As he finds it he also notices another name right under his.

“- Hayami Haruka… That the girl from this morning? “ Mabuchi says as he had noticed Kazuo looking at the name.

“- Mhm, looks like we are in the same class, hopefully it’ll be okay. “ Kazuo mutters.

“- Wow, you really don’t want anything to do with her, do you? “

“- It’s not that bad… She’s just annoying... “ Kazuo says as he pushes the bad mood away.

“- Ah, anyways, let’s go to the classroom. “ Mabuchi swings his bag over his shoulder as they head for the stairs. They reached the level which their classroom was at and started walking down the hall. To the front left of them was the teacher's office clearly marked with a sign, the classroom was just past that. As Kazuo and Mabuchi walks past the teacher’s office they hear a loud voice muffled from inside the room.

“- Jesus, someone’s already in trouble it seems. “ Mabuchi states. They stop as the loud rant continues.

“- Don’t tell me you wanna know about this drama too? “ Kazuo says after a look on Mabuchi’s face made him realize.

“- Nah, it's fine, I just thought it might be your friend in trouble, but something doesn’t add up. “ Mabuchi looks at Kazuo.

“- We only have one female teacher and I just saw her by the staircase and that’s a female voice right? “ Kazuo looked disturbed.

“- Don’t tell me she’s yelling at the teachers as well… “ Kazuo says as his anger comes back for a second. Suddenly the rant stops and loud footsteps could be heard coming from inside the room.

“- I’ve had enough! “ The sliding doors slams open and out comes Haruka with her friend tailing behind.

“- Huh!? Kazuo! “ She looked surprised as her hair freely swung about. She still had one hand on the door as she stood in the door opening.

“-Oh gosh, please stay calm Haruka. “ Her friend comes out from behind Haruka with a worried face. The friend looks at Kazou with a worried smile as she steps in front of Haruka.

“- I'm very sorry for this Nagahama, but please just don’t make it worse. “ She looked at Kazuo with sorry eyes.

“- Just… Don’t bother me. “ Kazuo noticed Haruka react with an angry twitch.

“- Yes yes, just don’t do anything on purpose. “ Harukas friend was serious.

“- I haven’t done anything… Just leave already. “ Kazuo sneered.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“- Alright. “ Haruka and her friend walked off towards the classroom. Kazuo noticed Mabuchi wanted to ask about something.

“- What? “ Kazuo asked before Mabuchi.

“- Oh, I just wondered… Do you know both of them well from before? “ It was obvious that Mabuchi had an interest for this kind of stuff.

“- That other girl, Akesaka Kayano, is Hayami’s friend… Seems they have both transferred here. “ Kazuo was starting to feel really grumpy.

“- Anyways, let’s just go to the classroom now. “ And so they went. When they entered the classroom everyone was already there, flocking around the board trying to find out where their seat was. Kazuo took a wide glance across the classroom and noticed Haruka sitting the furthest back by the window. That spot was Kazuo’s favourite. The seat in front of her was still empty even though all seats were almost taken. Kazuo mumbled a quick prayer before he looked up at the board to see if fortune was with him or not. He then noticed that Mabuchi was no longer behind him and he was the last person standing up in the classroom. He turned around thinking that that damned seat would be open, waiting for him. To his surprise, there was no seat open and waiting for him. The person sitting in front of Haruka was Mabuchi. The homeroom teacher suddenly came into the classroom and noticed that something had gone wrong.

“- Is there a seat missing? “ He said.

“- No it seems we have two extra students. “ One of the other students said.

“- Oh, that's right, we have transfer students here today. “ The teacher pulled out a note.

“- Hayami-san and Akesaka-san, is that right? “ Haruka and Kayano stood up but only Haruka answered.

“- Yes, I’m new here and I didn’t see my name on the board so I just took this seat because I like it the most. “ Kazuo looked at the board and saw his name on the furthest back seat by the window. He felt a bit annoyed but didn’t want to cause a scene.

“- Okey then, would you please let me have my seat then? “ Kazuo was trying his best at a friendly expression.

“- No, I need to sit somewhere. “ She looked like she thought she was completely in the right.

“- Well, so do I. “ Kazuo’s “friendly expression” was falling apart by the second. He looked at Mabuchi who was smirking and got even more annoyed.

“- No need to fight over it. “ The teacher finally stepped in the situation.

*- Now I’ll get my seat without having to deal with this pain of a person... * Kazuo thought.

“- Because Hayami here is new and Akesaka already has the extra seat I believe that Hayami should have the seat so that she can fit in more. “ Kazuo nearly bit his tongue off. Mabuchi was doing his best to hide his laughter and Kazuo could see Kayano sighing. What was even worse was that Haruka thought nothing was wrong and looked at him like he was an idiot. No one else said anything and just accepted this blatant abuse to happen.

“- B- but my name is on the board-. “

“- Now now Nagahama, behave like a responsible high school student and we shall get you a seat at the back of the classroom. “ Kazuo admitted defeat as no one took his side. Homeroom went by and as it was the first day, school was over. Kazuo had gotten his seat the furthest back in the classroom, all by himself. Being by himself was not something he was unused to thought. He had lived alone for almost three years now after he could no longer stay with any of his parents. He had a small apartment close to the school in a quiet neighbourhood. He was heading there now after he had left school an hour late because he had to listen to teachers about his grades. He walked up the street that he had walked down this morning and stopped by a corner store to get some food. He threw some junk food in his bag and went to pay for it. He didn’t care much for what he ate or how he slept, he just couldn’t be bothered as other things weighed him down. He stepped out of the store with his bag and saw a familiar face surrounded by light- brown hair swaying in the light breeze. Their eyes met and Kazuo saw her eyes were all red. He was shocked at first and then he realized what trouble he was in. He immediately lowered his head and turned to the right and started walking with decisive steps.

“- Hey! Wait! “ Kazuo heard her yell behind him. His face was still stunned in a nervous shock state.

*- I’m not fucking dealing with her now… * He though.

“- Stupid! Stop running, I want to ask you something! “ Her voice was cracked. Had she been crying? Kazuo had the thought in his head for a second.

*- No no no, I’m not getting involved with her again. * He then proceeded to sprint towards the next street corner and took a detour home so he would not meet her again.