As the sharp clang of the school bell echoed through the corridors, a stream of students flowed toward the cafeteria, some eagerly purchasing warm meals under the hum of fluorescent lights, others carrying their own lunches neatly packed in colorful boxes. The faint scent of cooking rice and miso soup wafted in the air, mingling with the chatter and laughter.
Sachiko's pulse quickened. I need to ask him if he was that boy I met in the past. I'm certain it was him. Their eyes are similar... I have to act fast, she thought urgently. She spun around on her heel and called out, "Hey, Kawaguchi!"
But the hallway was already thinning, and the boy she sought had vanished into the crowd.
"He already left? Why is he in such a hurry?" Sachiko murmured to herself, a crease forming between her brows.
"Sachiko, let's have lunch together," Naomi's voice broke through, warm and inviting as she pulled out her neatly wrapped lunchbox with a soft snap.
Sachiko nodded, sliding onto the bench beside her friend, the buzz of other students creating a comforting background hum.
Meanwhile, down the hall, Tetsuo strode with an easy confidence, his tall frame catching the light streaming through the classroom windows. Nearby, a group of second-year girls whispered, their eyes lingering on him with obvious fascination.
"Wow, that guy is really tall and handsome. I wonder if he's available," the first girl whispered breathlessly.
"Look, he's a first-year. Why would you be interested in a boy in a lower grade?" the other girl scoffed softly.
"When it comes to love and romance, age doesn't matter," the first girl replied with a sly smile.
"Honestly, what am I going to do with you?" the other sighed, shaking her head with a smirk.
Tetsuo, meandering through the corridors, suddenly bumped into a girl rushing by. "Sorry!" he blurted, stepping back.
She smiled faintly, gathering the books that had slipped from her grasp. Their eyes met briefly—cold, sharp, and as unreadable as his own. Something about her gaze made his skin prickle.
"I'm glad I studied hard to attend this school. It's more prestigious than I thought it would be. Well then, it's time for lunch," Makoto yawned as he stretched, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Kurai, wait up!" Shino called from behind, quickening his pace.
"Huh? What's up?" Makoto asked, turning.
"Um... you left your book on the desk in class," Shino said softly, twisting his fingers nervously.
"Oh, thanks. If that's all, I'll be on my way now. See you," Makoto replied, already stepping forward.
"Hold on a second! Please wait!"
"What's the matter now?" Makoto asked, turning back.
"Um... I was going to ask if you could accompany me to the basketball club, please. I want to sign up, but I'm sort of nervous and afraid to go alone," Shino admitted, cheeks flushing as he fiddled with his fingers.
Makoto's thoughts flickered. This guy is going to be a target for bullies. He's too weak and shy for a boy... I'll probably have to stick around him and prevent that. However, that's going to be a pain. What I don't understand, though, is why out of everyone in our class, he chose me to accompany him.
"Is that a yes?" Shino asked, hopeful.
"Fine, let's go. This is the first and last time I'll be doing you a favor—since you returned my book to me," Makoto said, shoulders relaxing slightly as they headed toward the gym.
Closer to the indoor court, the rhythmic thump of basketballs echoed, mingling with the squeak of sneakers sliding on polished wood. Through the open doorway, a figure leapt effortlessly into the air and slammed the ball down with a powerful dunk.
"Amazing! That was so cool!" Shino's voice rose with admiration, eyes wide.
"And that's game! Not bad, Takahiro, but you still haven't won against me to this day," the boy who dunked laughed, brushing sweat from his brow.
"Well, that's because you're as agile as ever, Yukio," Takahiro smiled.
Takahiro's gaze flickered to Shino and Makoto. He might be as good as his older brother when he was in his third year, he thought quietly.
"Hey, Yukio, looks like your dunk caught someone's attention. We're short on players—why not try to recruit them?"
"Short is an understatement; it's only the two of us. So it's worth a shot," Yukio said as he walked over to them, a friendly smile brightening his face.
"He's coming over here..." Shino's stomach churned nervously.
"Hey, you two are freshmen, right? My name is Yukio Hamaguchi. I'm a third-year and the captain of the basketball team," Yukio introduced himself confidently.
"Nice to meet you! My name is Katsuragi Shino! I... I came here to ask if I could join the basketball club!" Shino blurted, cheeks warming.
"I like your energy! Sure thing, you can start training after school today," Yukio said with an encouraging smile. "And you? Do you wish to join as well?" he asked, turning to Makoto.
"No, I'm not really a fan of the sport. I just followed him here so he could ask to join. Besides, it would be too much work for me," Makoto replied just as the bell rang sharply, slicing through the moment.
"Damn, lunchtime is over... I'm going to starve until school ends. Let's go, Katsuragi. Class is about to start."
"Wait up, Kurai! See you later, upperclassmen!"
"So, what did they say?" Takahiro asked eagerly.
"Let's just say we have an extra member," Yukio replied with a grin. "By the way, did you know that the observant one was famous in junior high for basketball? Makoto Kurai—one of the best point guards in the district back then. He stopped playing a while back... I wonder why?"
"This year is going to be one of the best, I'm certain," Yukio said to himself with a smile.
"I hope we can enter the tournament this year. If we don't, we won't make it to the inter-high, and we won't be able to reach our dream," Takahiro said, determination burning in his eyes.
"We will. I'll make sure of it," Yukio replied firmly.
In the classroom, Hayami-sensei's voice carried as he pointed to a diagram on the board. "As shown in this projection, we can see that oxygen is diffusing across the walls of the capillaries. This is known as the process of gaseous exchange. Furthermore—"
But the bell rang suddenly, signaling the end of the day.
"And the bell marks the end of the day. Read up more on the topic, and please note that starting tomorrow, I will not be teaching every subject. The handbook issued to all of you has the timetable for your classes. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow," Hayami-sensei said, gathering his materials.
Sachiko's heart thudded again. I can't miss my chance again, she thought, spinning on her heel.
"Hey, Kawaguchi—"
But the hallway was empty.
"What? He already left?! Why is he always in such a hurry?" Sachiko asked herself, biting her lip.
"Hey, Sachiko, let's go! Karaoke awaits us!" Naomi called, waving excitedly.
"Alright, let me pack my bag first."
Outside the school gates, Usagi waited patiently.
"Usagi, sorry for keeping you waiting. Were you waiting long?"
"No, I practically just got here."
"Okay, let's go home," Tetsuo said softly.
Usagi nodded happily, linking arms with her brother as they walked.
"So, how was your ranking in the entrance exams? Was it good?"
"You could say so... I came in first place."
"What?! Good job, big brother! What was your score?" Usagi's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"I got a perfect score in all the subjects I took."
"Whoa! That's so cool! I'm so proud of you!"
"Thank you, but it's not really all that great," Tetsuo said, shrugging modestly.
"Jeez, can't he at least be happy about his accomplishments?" Usagi thought with a pout.