The second morning arrived but unlike yesterday.
Haruto Aoyama parked his motorbike in the same spot as yesterday, removed his helmet, and walked toward Everest Private High School with an unhurried pace. Unlike the previous day, there was no overwhelming nervousness tightening his chest.
He entered the classroom and went straight to his seat in the middle group.
As usual.
He placed his bag down, sat at his seat, and looked the seats around him. His group was still mostly empty, just like yesterday morning.
"Am I too early today? Maybe they were late." he thought.
The bell rang after a few minutes.
Students hurried in, filling the classroom with movement and noise. Haruto stayed quiet, watching it all with calm.
Then the door slid open.
The homeroom teacher stepped in, clapped his hands once, and called for attention. The class slowly settled down.
"Alright, everyone. Before we start today's lesson, we're going to decide the class leaders."
"We'll choose one male and one female leader. This will be done by voting." the teacher added.
The teacher began handing out small slips of paper, walking between the desks. When Haruto received his, he stared at it briefly.
Class leader… already? I don't know who to vote...
Before he could think much further, someone leaned closer to him from the side.
The tall guy named Riku Tanaka. The same guy who borrowed his pen yesterday.
Now that Haruto looked at him properly, he noticed the guy's sharp eyes and confident posture. He leaned in casually, lowering his voice.
"Hey, Aoyama."
Haruto turned slightly.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"Can you vote for Airi Shimizu." Riku Tanaka said.
Haruto blinked.
The request was sudden.
"Why?" he asked honestly.
Riku Tanaka grinned, clearly enjoying the reaction.
"Because she's my girlfriend. I want her to be the leader of class."
Haruto froze for a split second.
"Girlfriend?" Haruto amazed.
" Yeah, we started dating yesterday." Riku Tanaka added casually.
Haruto stared at Riku Tanaka.
"Yesterday…? It's only the second day of school."
Riku Tanaka chuckled, completely unbothered.
"Yeah. Things move fast." Riku Tanaka said.
He leaned back slightly, still smiling.
"So make sure you vote for her, alright?" Riku Tanaka reminded again.
Haruto hesitated, then nodded.
"Okay." Haruto accepted.
Satisfied, Riku Tanaka moved on, leaning toward another student to repeat the same request.
Haruto looked down at the paper in his hand.
Airi Shimizu…
His mind struggled to catch up.
Yesterday, he had been quietly added to a group chat. Today, someone was already collecting votes for his girlfriend. Everything felt oddly fast-paced.
When it was time to write, Haruto carefully wrote her name on the paper.
But he didn't know who to vote for male so, he casually wrote Ryo.
Soon after, the teacher collected the votes.
A few minutes passed as the teacher counted them.
"Alright," the teacher said. "For the male class leader, the one with the most votes is… Ryo Kanzaki."
A mix of reactions filled the room. Some clapped, others nodded like they had expected it.
Ryo stood up slowly.
Unlike the excitement around him, his expression was… tired.
"And for the female class leader," the teacher continued, "Airi Shimizu."
Airi stood as well, receiving cheers from her friends. She smiled politely, bowing her head slightly.
Haruto glanced toward Ryo.
Instead of pride, Ryo let out a quiet sigh.
"Again…" he muttered under his breath.
Haruto caught it.
Later, when Ryo sat back down, his shoulders slumped.
"You don't look happy," someone nearby whispered.
Ryo rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've been class leader every year since middle school," he replied. "I was hoping I could finally escape it."
A few students laughed sympathetically.
"Guess you're stuck again," another said.
Ryo gave a helpless smile.
"Looks like it."
With that, the teacher moved on, and class began.
The lessons continued normally. Haruto took notes, listened quietly, and occasionally glanced around the room. Airi sat straight, already acting responsibly, while Ryo handled small class matters without even being asked.
By the time lunch arrived, Haruto felt oddly disconnected.
As soon as the bell rang, Ryo stood up.
"I'll be back," he said to his group, already walking away with others.
Daiki followed shortly after. One by one, the seats around Haruto emptied.
Before he realized it, he was alone.
Haruto opened his lunch slowly, eating quietly at the group desk. Around him, laughter erupted from other tables. Groups of friends were naturally, sharing food and talking.
So this is how it is, he thought.
That was when a group of girls nearby turned their attention toward him.
One of them leaned forward, smiling mischievously.
"Hey, Aoyama. Are you being alone? Why don't you come eat with us?" the girl teased.
Another girl added.
"Yeah, sitting alone looks sad."
Haruto could tell immediately.
They weren't serious.
It was teasing. Lighthearted, but teasing nonetheless.
He gave a small shake of his head.
"I'm fine here." Haruto refused.
"Aww, really?" one of them said dramatically. "We were totally serious."
Their laughter followed him as he returned to his lunch.
When he finished eating, he packed his things neatly.
That was when a shadow fell across his desk.
Airi stood there.
"You were really quiet in the group chat last night," she said casually.
Haruto looked up.
"I don't usually talk much online," he answered honestly. "I just read."
Airi hummed thoughtfully.
"That's rare in these days."
Before the conversation could continue, Daiki walked over.
"Hey, do either of you have plans this weekend?"
Airi tilted her head.
"Not really."
Haruto shook his head as well.
"Then how about hanging out?" Daiki suggested. "Just something simple."
Airi nodded without hesitation.
"Sure."
Haruto paused.
He had never really… hung out like that before.
Before he could answer, Airi stepped closer.
Close enough that Haruto instinctively stiffened.
She leaned slightly toward him, her voice softer.
"You should come too."
For a brief second, Haruto's thoughts stopped.
Too close.
He quickly regained his composure.
"Yeah… I'll join."
Airi smiled.
"Then it's settled."
The lunch bell rang soon after.
As students returned to their seats, Haruto found his mind drifting.
Hanging out… with friends.
He had never done that before.
For the first time since transferring, the thought of the future made his chest tighten. His mind was filled up with it.
"But I'll try my best at least..." Haruto said.