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(Some moments earlier)
The principal and the students expressed their gratitude, and while there was a considerable amount of time spent waiting in lines, it was a worthwhile experience. However, there were a few aspects that could be improved. The entrance ceremonies for elementary school, junior high, and high school all have the same objective, which is to mark the beginning of a significant challenge for children.
For students to derive enjoyment from their time at school, it is essential that they form friendships. However, there are only a limited number of key days following the entrance ceremony that provide an optimal opportunity for this to occur. Failure to do so signals the commencement of a rather unfortunate three-year period.
As someone who is averse to conflict, I resolved to cultivate amicable connections. I was previously unfamiliar with this concept and, as a result, had spent the preceding day in preparation, rehearsing a range of potential scenarios.
For instance, should I enter the classroom and actively engage in conversation with the other students? Should I discreetly distribute a slip of paper with my email address to facilitate the formation of a new friendship?
It was evident that I required further practice, given the stark contrast between this environment and my previous experiences. I was entirely isolated. I had entered the situation without support, as though I were venturing alone into a battlefield, with no option but to succeed or fail.
Upon surveying the classroom, I proceeded to the seat bearing my nameplate. The seat was located towards the rear of the room, in close proximity to the window. It was a suitable position, offering a view of the exterior whilst remaining within the classroom. Upon surveying the room, it became evident that it was already populated by a considerable number of students. The remainder were either absorbed in their respective course materials or engaged in conversation with other individuals.
It was possible that they had formed connections prior to this or had only recently become acquainted. In light of this, it was necessary to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Should I attempt to initiate contact with someone during this period of free time?
And if that were to be the case, how should I conduct with it?
Yesterday, there were vast-array of approaches I had come up with in my mind.
First, becoming a rather fully-energetic, loud, and terribly meddlesome individual who made-up an impression of a friendly and overly-familiar character then pretending to be someone's friend of sorts, dangling into some students, later screaming "Hey, this seems fun! May I join?!" followed with "Wow! This seems so cool!" as I had bursted into the scene, talking to them excitedly.
Second, passing a note with my e-mail address on it and a clear written message such as "Be my friend." or "I need a volunteer to be my company." along with my signature and full-name attached to it in the end.
Third, walking towards a group accross my seat then stared at them.
However, the situation was unfavourable to do any of these.
Immediately, I was experiencing a decline, a downward spiral.
Ultimately, I found myself unable to engage in any form of communication. Given the circumstances, it was inevitable that I would be left entirely isolated.
Had I been privy to the question, "Is he still all alone?"
Had I heard a sound that resembled laughter, albeit of an involuntary nature? It is possible that these experiences were a product of my own imagination?
One might inquire as to the precise definition of the term "friends."
One might inquire as to the manner in which friendships are formed.
Does the act of sharing a meal with another person result in the formation of a friendship? What about playing or taking a bath together with them?
It would be reasonable to inquire whether it is possible to become friends with someone after walking to the bathroom together for the first time.
As I continued to reflect on the matter, I found myself increasingly pondering the following question: What is the nature of friendship? Does it entail a profound and significant connection?
I attempted to construct a coherent narrative.
Attempting to establish a friendship is a highly time-consuming and exasperating process. Furthermore, it seems reasonable to posit that human relationships tend to form naturally. My thoughts were in a state of disarray, as though a raucously loud festival was being staged inside my head. While I sat lost in a haze, the classroom quickly filled. I decided to rise from my seat after a long period of conflict.
Wearing a bitter smile, I came to understand that the opportunity for cultivating a new friendship in that setting was not to be. In other words, I had been outmanoeuvred by others who had formed meaningful connections. Consequently, I felt there was no immediate incentive to pursue such a relationship, at least for the time being.
I was at my wit's end, stuck in useless navel-gazing. Reflexively, I let out a deep sigh. My high school experience seemed poised to be exceptionally dour. That was until I felt a shudder from behind my back, which is of an illusionary gentle tap.on my shoulder when someone sat down beside me.
String Quartet No. 8 2nd Movement.
This was the boss musi- such a movement of Shostakovich's piece that had been playing repeatedly in my head. As if I had visualised a battlefield, a war where there was nothing but do or die.
Upon realizing her figure, I immediately attempted to compose myself to diminish the anxiety that I was experiencing thus making up a pretension as if I never noticed her physical presence.
At this point, I decided to muster some energy and courage to introduce myself as a means of alleviating the discomfort that I was experiencing in the company of this disdainful female student.
Was it a luck or simply a mere coincidence? Who knows. After all, there are only four first year-classes at this school. Therefore, probabilistically-speaking, it's not entirely improbable.
"So, we were placed in the same class, huh?"
There was no response, only a superficially everlasting piercing stare directed at me. I then had tried looking at the name plate on her desk but was already covered by her lofty medium-sized bag.
"I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokouji. Nice to meet you."
I encouraged myself to do a self-introduction as I deep down screamed to myself "This is an opportunity once in a lifetime!" in a dramatic fashion possible as I had been quite desperate.
"What's with the sudden self-introduction. Do I seem wanting to know you?"
My entire existence was ruined in milliseconds. Such a reply broke my heart.
"As sudden as it was, this is our second time talking to each other."
She then let out an exasperating sigh.
"Did you remember what I was saying before all of these?"
Ah, right. No wonder she was still upset.
"It is inevitable to begin with. Also, it would be awkward if we didn't know each other's names, even though we already sit next each other. Plus, we will be together for a year from now on."
"It would be perfectly fine, my name doesn't really matter."
It appears that she probably won't even tell her name. The girl showed no interest in the rest of classroom, as she sat down. Her back is straight and her shoulder up, legs crossing to each other.
"So, let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I have no particular niche hobbies, but I have an interest in almost everything. I don't have too many friends, but it would be good to have some few. Well, that's the kind of person I am."
"Excuse me? As I said before, do I seem interested in knowing anything about you at all? Also, that sounds like a description of someone who just wants to have a boring peaceful one, avoiding any of issues."
This girl, she just rejected my existence in a few sentences.
"Uh, is your friend in another class or something? It seems that you haven't really talked to anyone before but me. Or are you coming from a secluded school by yourself before joining this one?"
"If that's your way to persuade me, I won't tell you anything."
What a bi... I mean, troublesome girl. I just couldn't talk to her about anything, could I?
"Honestly, if you think of me as bothersome or dislike this conversation, just tell me to shut up."
I then buried my face into the desk, as if sulking but without letting out any tears.
As I thought the conversation was over but then by all of a suden...
"I'm Suzune Horikita. There. Happy?"
I mean, of course I was but honestly, I didn't expect to have my question answered in the first place, so that was quite a relief. But this girl... I mean, Horikita did introduce herself.
And for the first time, I saw her face, trying to get a good look out of it.
Oh, wow. She is cute.
I mean, she is such a beauty.
She also looks like as if she would be fitting for a second or third year student.
In other words, her facial features are quite mature even though she is from the first year.
"Uh, are you there?"
To be fair, I didn't even know that I could ever gain my first-
"Hello? Earth to Ayanokouji?"
"Oh, my bad."
Apparently, a few seconds ago, I was sent to moon, my mind had been wandering somewhere.
Hardly noticing that she- I mean, Horikita was trying to reach my consciousness.
I then tried to come up with a few topics in my head.
After all, holding a conversation is necessary in communication.
"Were you just thinking something about me earlier?"
Oh no. I mean, I wouldn't deny that but I couldn't say it either.
"Nope, not really."
"What ever."
"At this point, I will just pray that no more misfortune befalls me."
She continued her sentence as she held her hands with her palms pressed together.
"You have my sympathy, but I'm afraid that won't be the case."
I pointed at someone walking through the door at the classroom. And there was-
"HAHAHAHA! WONDERFUL! AMAZING! HOW MINDFUL! VERY MODEST! My my, the equipment of this classroom is placed perfectly in-order, just like what the rumor says!"
Yep, it was that boy who argued with a girl in a bus, refusing to give-up his seat.
"Ah, I see. That's definitely a misfortune then, without any doubt."
Honestly, I wonder if he understands "friendship", so I would observe him for a bit.
Without noticing... okay no, he just completely ignored his surrounding.
He combed his hair, jumping to his seat in a monkey-alike behavior, propping both of his feet on the desk with his name tag "Koenji" labelled to it, later taking out a pair of nail-clippers to do his fingernails maintenance.
I suppose his remarks on the bus have come from his own thoughts.
In all of a sudden or, to be precise ten seconds, the half of class backed away from him with most of these students were mostly 'divided' into 'factions' consisting of male and female students for each. His egocentric nature simply allured the class environment without any form of warnings.
Speaking of which, the one who sat beside me already ignored me once more, as I noticed she was picking up a book from her bag, titled "Crimes and Punishment" as seen from the cover.
Apparently, I had forgotten of what I said earlier on holding-up conversation as a key to communication, which means there goes hope of me making any friend today.
Either way, self-introductions were finished so we probably wouldn't talk any further later on.
Shortly after that, the first bell rang.