Not only do you carry your bag to school, but also your past…
---
As the morning sun slowly rose over the Tokyo sky, there was only one breath, undisturbed by the city's bustling noise.
Leon.
He stood on the small balcony of his apartment. His school bag, one strap missing, was on his back, his old-fashioned glasses translating.
He looked up at a pale sky. In the two years since he'd returned to Japan from America, he hadn't fully adapted to either the language or the culture of this country. He could speak, yes. He could understand most of what he heard, too.
But the writing…
The writing was always like a wall to him.
He adjusted his glasses slightly. Holographic blue text appeared in the lower right corner of the glass:
> "Good morning, Leon. Today is your first day of school."
With a sigh, he turned back inside.
He looked at the old poster on the bed—the last photo of his parents together in America. That day… was the day everything changed.
He closed his glasses. He bowed his head slightly. "I'm fine," he told himself. But was it?
---
🚶♂️ Going to School
Only one person was waiting for him at the door:
Shinji-san.
The man who had adopted him two years ago. His smile was as cold but gentle as ever.
"It's your first day. I showed you where the school is on the map. You won't get lost with your glasses."
Leon nodded. "Thank you…"
Just as he was about to leave, Shinji spoke:
"By the way… Come by after school today, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's important."
Leon's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything. "Okay," he said, and descended the stairs.
---
🏫 School — Lumen Academy
The high school building was magnificent. Marble staircases, modern buildings blended with classical Japanese architecture…
Leon's glasses came into play:
> "Lumen High School — Tokyo Area Institute"
Everyone turned to him the moment he stepped through the door.
This tall, light brown-haired guy with glasses…
"He's American," someone said.
"A foreign transfer, apparently…"
"He's so cool, though…"
Leon ignored it. He tried to read the signs through his glasses, deciphering the class numbers.
But he failed to wear them.
> "Translation Delay — Weak Connection"
Just as Leon was gently nudging his glasses with his hand, someone bumped into him.
---
💥 Crash: The Most Popular in School
"Hey?! What are you looking at?"
When Leon looked up, he saw her.
Pitch-black, waist-length hair, sharp eyes, a porcelain face with well-defined features.
And… her school uniform was formal yet stylishly dressed.
The students around him whispered in hushed tones.
"This… Reina."
"The best in school… both grades and appearance…"
"She doesn't usually talk to anyone…"
Leon was taken aback. "Excuse me. My glasses got stuck… there was a mistake…"
Reina looked him up and down.
"You're… the American kid, right?"
Leon's glasses activated, translating the sentence.
> "You're that transfer kid from America, right?"
Leon nodded. "Yeah. Sort of."
Reina was silent for a moment. "Be careful," she said, and walked away.
Leon stood still.
The crowd parted, and the whispers continued.
But he only looked at the writing in the upper left corner of his glasses:
> "The collision is complete."
---
📝 Class Time
When Leon entered the classroom, everyone's gaze was on him again.
"Ah, Leon-san! Our new student!" the teacher said.
"Leon, please introduce yourself."
Leon stood up. "I'm Leon. I can speak Japanese, but… I can't write it, or read it. I'd appreciate some help."
A few people in the class laughed, some scoffed.
But a voice from the back stopped them abruptly:
"At least you should be ashamed."
Reina.
🕛 End of Day — Invitation
After school, he went to Shinji. They were sitting at home.
When hot tea was placed on the table, the man spoke:
"Leon… I owe you. It was an honor to raise you."
Leon nodded. "I know, thank you."
"But…"
Shinji became serious.
"I had one condition. Now is the time."
Leon frowned.
"What condition?"
Shinji pulled an envelope from his bag. Inside was a family contract, an engagement certificate…
> "You have to marry that girl. Her family is our company's biggest supporter. That girl… Reina."
Leon's eyes widened.
---
🎭 Closing Scene
That night, Leon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
His inner voice was dull.
> "One day. Just one day, couldn't I be normal?"
He took off his glasses.
And for the first time he saw the world with the naked eye, in its pure, though blurry form.
Leon was surprised, but he didn't turn away.
Something stirred inside him, but it was undefined.