In the crowded high school hallway, Kenichi Sato was shoved to the wall, and the searing pain reverberated through his back. Before he could catch his breath—
Bam!
A fist struck his cheek, sending him crashing to the ground.
His glasses slipped from his face and clattered across the wooden floor. Squinting through the blur, Kenichi looked up, staring at the man looming over him.
Kyoya Futami stood tall, his cold blue eyes staring downward.
"C'mon, Mr. Perfect, aren't you gonna fight back?" Kyoya said.
Perfect? Kenichi thought, You're the one with the good looks, charisma, and can attract any girl you want. If anyone's perfect, it's you.
A sharp kick to the ribs silenced his thoughts. The sting jolted through his side.
"C'mon, do something. Or are you just gonna cry to your mommy?"
There's nothing I can do against you, idiot! It'd just make things worse.
Kenichi remained silent. Instead, he moved his hands in zig zags searching for his glasses.
Around them, students passed by as if nothing was happening. They weren't coming to help Kenichi; they never did. After all, who would want to stand up to Kyoya Futami?
Kyoya resumed his beatdown with a flurry of stomps.
Kenichi curled in on himself. He squeezed his eyes shut, just be patient. It'll be over soon. He thought as his mind retreated to his happy place.
Kenichi envisioned in his mind the woman who was his everything. The words she had said to him: 'Sato-san, you're a really cool guy.'
She was his one shining light that kept him going.
Ding-dong, ding-dong… Ding-ding, dong-dong…
The bell rang, signaling the start of class.
Kyoya took a step back, "Saved by the bell. But don't get too excited, I'll be back for some more."
Then "Ptoo," Kyoya spat, his saliva dropping on Kenichi's cheek before he turned and strode away.
Kenichi pushed himself up, his black hair disheveled and his clothes tattered. Even his backpack wasn't spared.
***
Kenichi entered the classroom and sat in the front row. His friends Akira Tanabe and Kiwato(Kiwi) Nakamura were sitting next to him.
The classroom had the smell of wood and chalk permeating, and the afternoon glow of the sun spilled through the windows.
"Is everything okay?" Akira asked.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Kenichi responded, his voice low and monotone.
The teacher entered the class, "Sorry, I'm late, guys." Kana Morikawa-sensei said. "I've got your grades, right here." In her hands was an envelope. She handed out grades for each student. As she got to Kenichi's table, she handed him his notes.
"As expected of Sato-kun,"
Kenichi looked at his paper; each answer had a circle marked in red ink, and at the top of the page was a score of one hundred.
The teacher walked to the back of the class, arriving at Kyoya's table, and handed in his grade.
"Gyahaha," his friend burst into laughter at the back of the class, his eyes gazing at Kyoya's grades. "13!? Bro, what were you doing?"
"Shut the hell up before I break your face."
"Here, look at mine."
"20!? You still failed, you moron!"
"Hey, at least I'm not the dumbass who got 13."
Kenichi watched the two arguing. Then he glanced to the side, and there he saw her.
Risa Amemiya. The queen bee herself. Her laughter rang across the room as she and the popular students would whisper and giggle with each other.
Everything about her—her sleek hair, her perfectly pressed uniform skirt, the casual confidence in how she occupied space—set her apart. She wasn't just popular; she was the queen.
Class began, and the minutes went by painstakingly slow. However, Kenichi had one thing on his mind. He glanced at Risa Amemiya.
Today's the day. I've gotta do it. I have to. Kenichi thought as sweat beaded down his forehead.
"C'mon, c'mon…" Kenichi said, staring at the time.
Why does every second feel like an hour?
"What's got you looking so flustered, Ken?" Kiwi said.
Akira, who was sitting behind, opened his mouth, "Don't play dumb, Kiwi, you know what day it is?" His lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"What are you on about?"
"Bro, it's February 14th."
"And…"
"It's Valentine's Day, you dummy."
Kiwi's head darted to Kenichi, gasping, "Ken! You mean you're gonna ask someone out? No way."
"Keep it down," Kenichi said, pressing a finger on his lips. "Y—Yeah. I—I am."
Kiwi placed his hand on Kenichi's shoulder, "That's suicide, man. But I believe in you."
Kenichi smiled faintly, "Thanks, Kiwi, I guess."
Akira leaned forward, "Wait till he tells ya who it is," he said, with a cheeky grin.
"Who?"
Akira jerked his chin toward the back of the classroom.
Kenichi followed the gesture. Staring at Risa.
Kiwi's jaw dropped. "Her!? On second thought, maybe you're biting off more than you can chew."
"I know, but… I still wanna try."
Kenichi knew that Kiwi was right, after all, the difference between her and him was night and day. She and those students were like nobles, and she was the queen. Meanwhile, Kenichi and his friends were more like commoners.
As if sensing the audacity of Kenichi's thoughts, Risa's seatmate turned his head.
Kyoya Futami. In terms of appearance, he could only be described as a fallen angel. His porcelain skin, blond hair, and cold blue eyes, along with his tall, muscular physique, made him stand out among others.
Kyoya's blue eyes narrowed, meeting Kenichi's, and an evil grin curled on his lips. Kenichi spun his head away, feeling a chill crawl up his spine.
Why am I even doing this? It's hopeless. She's out of my league.
Peeking behind, Kyoya's eyes were still locked on Kenichi. He's still looking, I hope I didn't upset him… Maybe I should just give up.
But then Kenichi's fist tightened under the desk. No. Today, I've gotta man up. No matter what.
The teacher's voice cut through Kenichi's thoughts.
"Hey, class isn't over yet. Why is everyone spacing out?" Kana Morikawa-sensei said.
The class went quiet.
Kana's lips curled into a cheeky smile, "Ahhh, I get it," she said, poking her index fingers in the air as though nudging the student's guilty thoughts into the open. "Is it because it's Valentine's Day? Ah, to be young and in love."
Some students chuckled nervously; others groaned.
Kana's eyes glinted mischievously. "Tell you what—before the bell rings, how about I share a little story? Something fitting for today."
Kenichi's curiosity was piqued; he leaned in along with some of the students and listened intently, while others went back to talking with each other.
"Long ago, on this very day, there was a fisherman and his wife. They loved each other, yes—but one day, they argued. The wife said the fisherman had it easy, going out to sea all day. The fisherman said she had it easier, staying at home. They shouted throughout the evening."
The entire class went silent; even Risa's group was interested.
Kana's smile curled. "And so, a yokai listening nearby grew amused. To settle their quarrel, it swapped their souls. The fisherman woke in his wife's body, the wife in her husband's. Suddenly, everything they thought they knew—flipped upside down…"
Ding-dong, ding-dong… Ding-ding, dong-dong…
The school bell rang, and the sound of seats scraping the ground as the students got up rippled through the classroom. The students all headed to the door.
"Hey, I wasn't done yet!" Kana shouted.
Kenichi chuckled, seeing Kana's frustration.
Swapping bodies, huh? I wouldn't want to swap bodies with Amemiya-san, but I think it'd be fun to sit with the cool kids.
While he was having that thought, he saw from the corner of his eye, Risa Amemiya walking out the door with her friends.
Crap, if I waste time, I'm gonna lose my chance.
Kenichi exited the classroom; his friends Akira and Kiwi were right behind him.
"Ken, are you sure about this?" Kiwi asked.
Kenichi nodded.
"Isn't she dating that Kyoya Futami?" Akira chimed in.
"No, they broke up last month."
"I heard about that. Rumors say he cheated on her."
"That bastard."
She was so sad these last few weeks, but today she looked so happy, Kenichi thought to himself. There's no better time to ask.
"Guys, I'm going," Kenichi said.
"You've got our full support," Akira said, and Kiwi gave a thumbs up.
Kenichi smiled and sprinted down the hall, his black hair flying as he dashed down the stairs.
He remembered what Risa Amemiya said to him a while ago while they were on the school roof.
'Sato-san, you're a really cool guy.'
No girl had ever said that to me. Back then, I didn't have the guts to ask her out. But now it's different. I'm gonna do it…
As he rounded the corner, Kenichi saw Risa, placing her indoor shoes in her locker.
"Amemiya-san!"
Risa turned and saw Kenichi. "Huh? Sato-san."
"I need to speak to you."
***
Kenichi and Risa were at the school playground. There were students in the distance playing sports. There was an old tree with red leaves between the two of them.
Risa opened her mouth, "So, Sato-san, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Amemiya-san, I..."
Kenichi tried to say the words, but they were caught in his throat.
Amemiya stared in patiently.
"S-School hasn't been exactly fun for me, but… When you said I was cool, it made me really happy. I guess, what I'm t-trying to say is…" Kenichi bowed, pouring his heart out, "Risa Amemiya, will you please go out with me?"