Takuji Tsuburaya, 16 years old. Today my new life in high school had finally begun. I had been anticipating this ever since I got accepted in Sanyou High School. I wanted to enjoy being a student here by participating in clubs, making friends and hanging out, graduate and enter the best university in the country. Yes, that would be my goal.

I went to school by foot so I could enjoy my morning walk and breathed some fresh air. Inhale, exhale. Wonderful. I couldn’t keep myself from smiling. I met a lot of students with Sanyou’s uniform as I arrived near the park. But my peaceful morning was interrupted by a sudden yelp behind me.

I looked over to see a female student with Sanyou’s uniform was lying on the ground. Concern went through me. I walked over and called out to her.

“You okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” she lifted her face and our eyes met. They had the same colors with the sky, her face beside getting dirty by the dirt and dust had a cute feel, white as milk skin and short brownish hair with a small braid at the front.

“Um... I’m okay. I was running so I don’t come late to school, but I fell. Ugh, this is embarrassing.” She pouted and was getting mad at herself. My heart skipped a beat seeing it. Cute and clumsy one. I chuckled for a second before offering her a handkerchief.

“Wipe your face with this, you got lots of dirt there.”

“Thank you.” She took the handkerchief and my hand touched hers. It was smooth and small like you want to squeeze it to feel it more. Before I know it, she finished wiping off the dirt on her face. Her smile was pure and dazzling. I felt like it could heal people just by seeing it.

“You are going to Sanyou as well right? Wanna go together? The bell won’t start in 30 minutes.” I tried to ease her tension about running late earlier. She let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh dear, my clock must’ve broken again. Of course, I’d love to.” I nodded and we walked side by side towards school. Going to school together with a pretty girl in just the first day of school? Are RNG gods trying to screw me with normies luck?

---

Once we arrived at school, I was heartbroken because we didn’t go to the same class. Fortunately, she consoled me by reminding me that our classes were next to each other and that made me happy for a bit. Still, not the same without her here. Also, all eyes were directed towards us and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to be the center of attention. She, on the other hand, seemed to handle it pretty well. Figures.

Since it was the first day, we didn’t have anything to study and we only had to attend the opening ceremony in the auditorium then we were free to go home. The principal was giving us a speech. You know, just the usual formalities. I yawned around 5 minutes in while a guy next to me was having a nice trip to dreamland.

He got a clean facial, pointy nose, short straight chestnut hair, and look at them legs! He might be taller than me. The torture lasted for at least an hour before everyone’s started clapping. I followed suit and the guy next to me woke up with a loud yawn. Good thing I’m the only one noticed.

“Oi, you’re too loud!” I hissed at him and in return, he gave me a confused look.

“Ah? Why is everyone clapping?”

“The principal just finished his speech.”

“Really? Yeah!” Now he started clapping enthusiastically. What’s up with this guy?

After the commotion died down, we left the auditorium. I looked at my watch. Still 9 a.m., so I guess I can go buy mangas sooner.

“Hey, are you busy after school?” the guy from the auditorium called out to me while flashing a smile. I wasn’t expecting him to be asked like that, but I guess no harm talking.

“No. Why?”

“I was wondering to see the school for a bit since we get free time, and I couldn’t find my friend. So...” he stepped forward until we were so close. “Mind accompanying me?” he asked me while clapping his palms together and closing his eyes. Oi oi, no need to do that. Well, I can just buy the manga later. This is my chance to get my first male friend here.

“Okay, so where do we start?” he opened his eyes and patted my back hard.

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“Nice! The name’s Riku Morikawa. Glad to meet ya!” he offered me his hand and I shook it.

“Takuji Tsuburaya.”

“Hehe, okay Taku. Let’s start with the school garden.” He practically dragged me to the outside. Ahahaha, I might regret listening to him now.

---

The school was still packed with students. I could see some were having a nice chat on the garden, sports club were having practices, and some couples were having lovey-dovey time. I sighed once I saw that. Girlfriend huh? Now my mind wandered towards that girl. She would have so many guys aiming for her. I sighed again in despair.

“What’s up?” Riku asked. I shook my head.

“Nothing.” I tried to avoid talking about it, but that would seem to light up his curiosity.

“Eh? C’mon tell me! Maybe I can help you.” I honestly didn’t want to talk about it with anyone else, especially we haven’t really know too well.

“It’s really nothing. I just wanted to buy a food from the cafeteria but then I remembered it might be closed today.” Not really a lie though, I wanted to check the food they sell here. My mom usually cooked me lunch, but I told her no for today.

“Well how about we take a look then?” Riku suggested and I nodded.

We were lucky once we arrived there, the cafeteria was still open until afternoon and since not many students came here today, we got to buy a bunch of foods. I bought a chocolate bread and one milk while Riku bought three melon breads and a bento. We went to the rooftop after that.

“Are you really that hungry?”

“Nope. I’m just a fan of melon bread. Can’t have less than one.” Riku immediately ate the first bread. I ate mine as well. Riku sure liked to eat. Didn’t take long until he started sending the bento contents to his stomach.

“Mmm! Delicious meal! Still, not as good as Asuka’s but better than nothing.” Satisfaction painted on his face as he mentioned a name that interests me.

“Who is Asuka?”

“The name of my best friend I told you earlier.” Ah, the one he was looking for.

“Then why not contact him?” Riku sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he heard my question.

“I left it at home. I was afraid of coming late and just stuffed randomly on my bag.”

“Quite clumsy of you, despite having a handsome look.”

“Haha, is that so?” He laughed off my comment on him. Riku was surprisingly friendly and nice. We talked about his old school and how he was a national champion in soccer.

“And I’m aiming to aim for the high school trophy now. Watch me, Tsuburaya.” He finished his story with a fist pump. I could feel his passion in his eyes. I kinda envy those who have passion for things.

“Okay okay.” We finished our meals and decided to go home. On our way outside, we reached the hallway of our classrooms. He stopped near the stairs towards the first floor.

“I forgot something in my class. You can go home first, Tsuburaya.” Riku told me with an apologetic look. I gave a small grin and a nod.

“Okay then. See you tomorrow. Which class are you in?”

“1-1. You?”

“1-3.”

“Gotcha. Careful on your way home.”

We exchanged farewells and I went downstairs. Once I reached the front gate, I noticed someone familiar was waiting next to it

“Hey! I thought you’re going home already.” It was her, the girl I met this morning.

“Oh hey. Yeah, I went around the school with someone.” She seemed happy hearing that.

“Must be nice for you to makes friend soon.” Can’t agree more with her statement.

“I guess. Um, what about you?” she suddenly looked tired and gave out a dry laugh.

“I was having a chat with my classmates until I excused myself out. They all tried to talk to me at the same time until I had enough.” She huffed after telling me. I thought that she used to attention after what happened this morning, but I did not expect that she actually dislike being asked too much. Must be tough being popular.

“Uh huh. So, why don’t you go home now? Are you waiting for someone?” she let out a cute yelp and looked away. Her cheeks let out a hint of red.

“I’m waiting for you.” I had the urge to pinch myself. In my first day of high school, I met a cute girl in a cliché moment. Now all of sudden, she was waiting for me after school. No no no! This is just too sudden.

“Ah... Uh...” My brain couldn’t process words to be translated into my tongue. This was a new experience for me. No one ever waits for me after school. Especially a girl. Then she put her index fingers together, before saying something again.

“I want to know your name. I haven’t introduced myself properly to you. It doesn’t feel right.” My heartbeat started running normally again as I’m cursing myself for expecting too much.

“Um, I think I will introduce myself first. I’m Asuka Nishikawa from 1-2. Your class neighbor.”

“Takuji Tsuburaya, 1-3. Nice to meet you Nishikawa.”

“Same for me Tsuburaya” I guess it wasn’t really a loss. I got her name now and we exchanged e-mail address as well. We just met today, but she was the one who asked. I felt that I could take it slowly as our relationship progress.

“Wanna go home together?” I offered but she shook her head.

“I’m waiting for my friend. You can go ahead Tsuburaya. She should be here any minute.” I was unsure of leaving her alone, but eventually, I decided to go first and told her to contact me if something came up. I walked away from school and turned around a bit to see her waving at me. The first day went much better than I had expected. I only hope this could be the beginning of an eventful high school life. And I couldn’t believe I was in for surprises.