"Usagi... Usagi..."
A voice called from the kitchen.
Usagi let out a sleepy yawn and trudged out of her room, her hair sticking up at odd angles. She rubbed at her eyes and blinked away the last of her drowsiness.
"Good morning... big brother."
"Go get ready for school. It's your first day of junior high. He kept his attention on the stove as he spoke. Eggs sizzled quietly in the pan while steam curled up from the pot of miso soup. "Don't make a bad first impression."
Usagi gave a sleepy nod and shuffled toward the bathroom.
"And don't take too long. Your breakfast will get cold."
"I'll get ready as fast as possible!" she said.
She hurried down the hallway, but her foot caught on a loose wire.
Thud!
She hit the floor face-first.
"Ow... not again?!"
"You're still as clumsy as ever," he said.
Usagi pushed herself up and puffed out her cheeks.
"You could at least ask if I'm okay, you know!"
"You're fine," he said as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
After breakfast, he locked the front door behind them with a soft click.
"I've got everything. Let's go," Usagi said.
The early morning air was cool and quiet. Sunlight stretched across the street in soft bands, and a gentle breeze brushed past them.
Usagi swung her school bag from side to side, quietly humming to herself as she walked.
Beside her, her brother kept his hands in his pockets and continued down the street in silence.
As they turned onto a broader street, the squeak of sneakers and the steady bounce of a basketball reached their ears.
A few older men were playing on a run-down public court nearby. The net was frayed, and the painted lines had long since faded.
Her brother's gaze drifted toward the court.
One of the players grabbed a rebound, pivoted, and launched a high-arching shot. The ball dropped cleanly through the hoop without touching the rim.
A dull thud followed as it struck the pavement and rolled away.
"Hell yeah... I've still got it!" the man shouted.
Her brother stood still for a moment.
For an instant, he pictured himself on that court.
His fingers twitched at his side before he lowered his gaze and forced himself to keep walking.
Usagi glanced at him, then hesitated.
"Tetsuo..." she said. "You were watching them just now, weren't you?"
"I wasn't," he said.
"You totally were."
She lowered her gaze.
"Don't you miss playing?"
"No."
"Hmm..." A grin spread across Usagi's face. "Your voice got lower. That means you're lying."
Tetsuo let out a quiet sigh and quickened his pace.
"Just focus on your first day," he said. "That's more important."
"So, big brother," Usagi said as she caught up beside him, "how do you think you did on the entrance exams? You know those scores decide your class placement, right?"
"I'm aware," he said. "The exams went well. I got in, so they couldn't have been that bad."
Usagi puffed out her cheeks.
"You're so boring when you talk like that."
"Then don't ask."
She let out a small laugh and shook her head.
Tetsuo glanced at her, his expression unchanged.
"What about you?" he asked. "Aren't you nervous about starting somewhere new?"
"I'm not."
She puffed out her chest.
"I'll be fine today. I'm not worried."
"I'll take your word for it."
"If anything..." Usagi's smile softened. "I'm more worried about you. You haven't been to school in ages."
Tetsuo didn't answer.
He kept his eyes on the road ahead, his footsteps steady against the pavement.
Usagi tipped her head back and looked up at the clear morning sky.
"You'll be okay."
Her voice grew quieter.
I know you will... because you always are.
Beneath a blooming cherry blossom tree, a girl stood alone.
A gentle breeze stirred her long hair. She closed her eyes for a moment and let out a slow breath.
"I love this time of year," she murmured.
The wind feels great.
It's one of the best feelings when it brushes through my hair.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Cherry blossoms drifted through the air while groups of students walked past, their laughter and conversations blending into the morning bustle.
Time really does fly.
Just like that, I'm already in my first year of high school.
First impressions matter the most if you want to fit in.
She let out a quiet sigh.
"Haruko's taking her time."
I told her I had to leave early for a business meeting on Father's behalf.
She should've been here twenty minutes ago.
She lifted her wrist and checked the small watch strapped around it.
Does she want us to be...
Her thoughts stopped.
Two figures were walking past the foot of the hill.
Her gaze locked onto one of them.
Huh...?
That person...
Her eyes widened.
It can't be...
No.
That's not him.
It has to be my imagination.
Her breathing caught for a moment.
"Hey, Sis! Sorry for the wait!"
Haruko jogged up the hill, slightly out of breath.
"I accidentally left my gym bag behind."
"Sachiko?" she said. "Are you alright?"
Sachiko blinked and turned toward her.
"Sorry. I zoned out for a second." She gave a small nod. "Shall we get going?"
Haruko studied her for a brief moment before nodding.
"Sure..."
The two of them started walking.
Sachiko glanced back over her shoulder one last time.
I wonder...
A short distance away, Usagi tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey, big brother, didn't that girl we passed just now seem familiar?"
Tetsuo shook his head.
"No. Not to me."
"Huh..." Usagi murmured. "I must've mistaken her for someone else."
As they reached the school district, Usagi's pace slowed.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
"Well..." She forced a smile and gave him a small wave. "I guess this is where we split up. Take care, big brother. Good luck today."
She sprinted toward the junior high gate, nearly tripping over her own feet again.
"Try not to fall," Tetsuo said.
Usagi turned around with a grin and waved one last time before disappearing into the crowd of new students.
Tetsuo stopped at the intersection.
His eyes lifted toward the tall school building in the distance while the voices of arriving students drifted across the street.
He glanced down at his uniform.
His fingers brushed across the sleeve of his blazer.
It's been years since I last wore one.
It still feels strange.
"First day of high school, huh..." he said quietly.
Definitely not as nerve-wracking as I thought it'd be.
Sachiko stood quietly beneath another cherry blossom tree near the school gate.
"What's with everyone today?" she murmured. "First Haruko, and now Naomi."
I bet she overslept again.
She always cuts it this close...
She suddenly went still.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Wait..."
Her eyes fixed on a figure walking toward the gate.
"It's him again."
The same person from this morning.
Why does he look so much like that boy...?
She drew in a slow breath.
Then she took a cautious step forward.
"Um... morning."
He walked right past her without so much as a glance.
Sachiko turned, her eyes following him as he continued toward the school building.
He... ignored me?
But why...?
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed across the pavement.
A girl came running toward the gate, her schoolbag bouncing against her back.
"Oh, crap! I'm gonna be late!" she panted. "I hope Sachiko isn't mad at me. I couldn't help it!"
Her eyes landed on the cherry blossom tree.
"Oh! Morning, Sachi!"
Sachiko looked up.
"Oh... Naomi."
"What took you so long?"
Naomi clasped her hands together in front of her.
"Yesterday was the last day of track camp, so I was completely wiped out. Sorry."
"Oh, okay." Sachiko gave a small nod. "The entrance ceremony hasn't started yet."
Naomi let out a relieved breath.
"Thank goodness."
The two of them headed onto campus together.
The gymnasium hummed with the restless energy of hundreds of students.
Voices overlapped throughout the room until the principal adjusted the microphone. A burst of static crackled through the speakers, making several students flinch before the gym fell silent.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Daiji Sato, and I am the principal of Toshigawa Academy."
His deep voice carried clearly through the gymnasium.
Some students straightened in their seats.
Beside Sachiko, Naomi's eyelids slowly drooped.
Seriously...
Wake up.
Sachiko nudged her lightly with an elbow.
"Each of you earned outstanding scores on the entrance exams, and I congratulate you on your hard work. You should all be proud of what you've accomplished. I'll now hand the podium over to our student council president."
A girl stood and walked to the stage.
"Good morning. My name is Hitomi Yoshida, and as many of you already know, I'm the student council president."
She offered a polite smile.
"I'd like to congratulate each and every one of you on earning a place at one of the most prestigious high schools in the prefecture. The entrance exam challenged every one of you, but your results speak for themselves."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"During your first classes today, you'll receive a student handbook containing information about our athletic programs, the school anthem, the school songs, and, most importantly, the rules and regulations that every student is expected to follow."
She gave a small nod.
"That's all from me. I hope you enjoy your first day at Toshigawa Academy."
A few boys whispered among themselves.
"She's cute."
The school bell rang.
Naomi nudged Sachiko with a grin.
"Let's sit together."
Sachiko nodded and pulled out a chair before taking her seat.
Naomi glanced at the class assignment sheet.
"Can you believe I ended up in the elite class, 1-T? I honestly thought I barely passed."
Sachiko smiled.
"Don't sell yourself short. You studied really hard to get here."
"You're right." Naomi laughed softly. "That last-minute cramming really paid off. Thanks for helping me."
"You're welcome."
Naomi's eyes brightened.
"Oh, and congratulations on placing second in the entrance exams! We have to celebrate."
She leaned a little closer.
"How about karaoke after school?"
Sachiko let out a small chuckle.
"Sure. I'd like that."
Her smile gradually faded.
That boy...
He looks exactly like Tetsu-kun.
A boy I knew years ago.
Why would he suddenly appear after all this time?
Their new homeroom classroom was already full by the time the teacher arrived.
She set a stack of papers on her desk before turning to face the class.
"Good morning. My name is Satomi Hayami, but you can call me Hayami-sensei. I'll be your homeroom teacher this year."
She picked up the attendance sheet.
"Let's start with introductions. We'll begin with the first row."
The first boy stood.
"My name's Makoto Kurai. I'm fifteen, and there's really nothing special about me. I'm just your average student,"
He dropped back into his seat and let out a lazy yawn.
Next, Naomi stood with a confident smile.
"My name is Naomi Nakamura. I'm fifteen years old. I enjoy reading, playing sports, and singing karaoke. My dream is to become a professional sprinter and represent this country in the Olympics."
Hayami-sensei smiled.
"With that kind of confidence, I'm sure you'll go far."
"Thank you, Hayami-sensei," Naomi said.
The next student slowly stood.
"U-Um..." He swallowed nervously. "M-my name is Sh-Shino Katsuragi. I'm fifteen years old."
His hands trembled.
"N-Nice to meet you all."
He bowed so quickly that he nearly hit his forehead on the desk.
A few quiet chuckles spread through the classroom.
Shino's ears turned bright red as he hurried back into his seat and let out a shaky breath.
Another student rose to his feet and strolled to the front of the room.
"Wassup, everyone? Name's Noboru Takemoto."
He slipped one hand into his pocket and flashed a smug grin.
"I'm fifteen, obviously. And yeah... I'm kind of a big deal around here, so you'll probably be hearing my name a lot."
Naomi rolled her eyes.
Not this annoying idiot again...
How did he even get into this class?
A few students laughed.
Others exchanged puzzled looks.
Noboru folded his arms.
"I like sports, I like winning, and I like talking."
His grin widened.
"But don't worry. I'm pretty easy to get along with."
He gave a playful wink toward a group of girls.
Whispers spread through the classroom.
"Who does this guy think he is?"
Hayami-sensei looked at him.
"Thank you, Noboru."
She paused.
"Next time, let's keep the introductions brief."
"Got it, Sensei," Noboru said as he returned to his seat.
One by one, the remaining students introduced themselves.
When it was finally Sachiko's turn, she stood calmly.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Sachiko Takahashi. I'm fifteen years old. I enjoy cooking, applying makeup and helping my dad in his work."
She gave a polite bow.
"It's nice to meet all of you."
"Oh my gosh, that's so cool!" one girl said.
"Maybe you can do my makeup sometime," another added.
Hayami-sensei raised a hand.
The classroom immediately fell silent.
"You may be seated."
"Thank you," Sachiko said before sitting down.
A few more students introduced themselves.
Then—
"My name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi."
He stood quietly at his desk.
"I don't have a dream yet."
His eyes shifted toward the window for a brief moment.
"But hopefully I'll figure it out someday."
He paused.
"I don't really do anything special in my free time."
He gave a short bow.
"It's nice to meet all of you."
Sachiko's eyes widened.
Tetsuo... Kawaguchi...
So he's the one who ranked first in our class.
Now that I think about it...
I never knew Tetsu-kun's last name.
Could he really be...
Hayami-sensei clapped her hands once.
"Now that we've all introduced ourselves, let's begin today's lesson."
A chorus of groans filled the room.
"Come on! It's the first day!"
Hayami-sensei folded her arms.
"This is one of the top schools in the prefecture. We start lessons on day one."
Her eyes swept across the classroom.
"So be prepared. Understood?"
"Yes, Hayami-sensei!"
Makoto slumped over his desk.
He rested his head on his folded arms and let out a long sigh.
"Today's gonna be a long day..."