Here at Meisumi High—a school overflowing with talent—I blend into the background. My name is Aoto Riku, i'm sixteen, with black hair, black eyes, and features so plain that no one ever seems to remember them. Most girls don't even notice I exist; I'm treated like a nameless NPC in someone else's story.
As I stared out the window, I caught a reflection behind me: a girl laughing softly with her friends. Long blond hair, crystal-blue eyes, and a smile so bright it felt like sunlight.
She looked like an angel—lively, radiant, completely out of my league. Someone I could admire, but never reach. She moves through people with ease, far better than a loner like me ever could. Her name is Kaori Aria.
I have a habit of reading novels on my phone everywhere—at school, at my part-time job, in my room, on the train… basically anywhere I can pretend to be busy.
Whenever I'm around her, I feel uneasy—nervous, small, like I'm not supposed to be there.
But I've learned to ignore her, to act like I don't even notice. Even though every part of me wants to look, to say something, I keep my distance.
I can already hear the boys whispering about her, their voices filled with that familiar mix of awe and admiration. It's like she's all they ever talk about, and no matter how much I try to block it out, their words always seem to find their way to me
''Hey look! Isn't that her? the top student?''
''Ye it is her dude, should we try to ask her out? no wait i should do that, back off!''
''No, i found her first!''
They act like a bunch of kids over there, laughing and fawning over her like it's some kind of game. It's almost embarrassing to watch, the way they lose themselves in it.
Okay, I'll admit it—she is kind of cute. Wait… no. What am I even thinking?
I'm getting my hopes up, I know I am. But then there's him—Akito Rion, the guy sitting next to her. The most handsome guy in school, the one every girl falls for. He's got a thousand times more chance with her than a quiet kid like me.
He shines so much brighter—his dark brown hair tousled just right, his ridiculously handsome face, and those striking yellow eyes that seem to catch everyone's attention. It's like he's built to stand out, effortlessly.
They seem to get along without even trying, like their conversations flow naturally, as if they've known each other forever. It's the kind of connection that feels effortless, while I can barely even muster a word when I'm near her.
''Hey Aria~, wanna go to karaoke? I have 2 free tickets to karaoke.''
''N- no sorry. I'm busy today, maybe tomorrow? Saturday? My mom wanted me to go shopping for new clothes.''
''That's perfect! Tomorrow it is~''
They're always hanging around each other, so close that it feels like they're already a couple. Everyone's been saying they'd be perfect together, and now they're one of the most talked-about "ships" at school, even if they haven't made it official.
Honestly, it doesn't matter to me whether they end up together or not. It's not like it affects anything in my world.
Deep down, I want to know her. I want to talk to her, to laugh with her, to be part of her world in some small way. But more than that, I just want to stop feeling like I'm invisible—like I'm not even a blip in her story.