Chapter 1 — The Class Loner
Daiki Mifune learned early that mornings were the loudest part of the day.
The train platform was crowded with students in identical uniforms, voices overlapping in careless laughter. Someone shoved past him. Someone else complained about homework. A group of girls giggled over a phone screen.
Daiki stood near the edge of the platform, bag hanging from one shoulder, eyes half-lidded. He didn't look at anyone. He didn't need to. Noise had a way of finding him without effort.
When the train arrived, he stepped in with the flow, choosing a corner near the door. He faced the window, watching his reflection instead of the people behind him. Pale eyes. Untidy black hair. A face that never seemed awake enough for the world.
"Tired again?"
The voice came from his right.
Daiki sighed internally.
"Saito," he muttered.
Saito Baku leaned against the pole beside him, grinning like it was already lunchtime. His tie was loose, shirt slightly wrinkled, energy spilling out of him like it always did.
"You should sleep more," Saito said. "Or smile. One of the two."
"Neither," Daiki replied.
Saito laughed anyway.
They'd been friends since middle school. How that happened, Daiki still didn't understand. Saito talked too much, laughed too easily, and cared far more than necessary. Daiki had tried—many times—to put distance between them.
Saito never noticed. Or pretended not to.
The train rattled on. Daiki stared out the window until the school came into view.
Kiyoto High School stood like it belonged somewhere else—clean, orderly, expensive. Tall gates. Wide pathways. A place where expectations weighed heavier than backpacks.
Daiki walked through the gates with his usual precision, timing his steps to avoid conversation. He passed classmates without greeting them. Some looked at him. Most didn't bother.
"Morning!"
He ignored it.
"Hey, Mifune!"
Still ignored.
People eventually learned.
Class 1-A was already half full when he arrived. He took his seat by the window, third row from the back. The same seat he'd chosen on the first day and never left since.
Saito dropped into the chair beside him.
"You know," Saito said, "people think you're scary."
Daiki pulled out his notebook. "Good."
"That's not a compliment."
"Didn't ask."
Saito chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "At least say hi to someone today. Just one person."
Daiki didn't answer.
Across the classroom, a small shift in atmosphere occurred.
Sasuki Hoshino had entered.
She didn't need to announce herself. People noticed anyway.
Her posture was straight, steps measured. Long hair tied neatly, uniform pristine. She carried herself like someone used to attention but uninterested in it. Airi Sato followed closely beside her, whispering something that made her roll her eyes.
Daiki didn't look for long. He didn't need to.
Everyone knew Sasuki Hoshino.
Top of the class. Beautiful. Untouchable.
She took her seat near the front, setting her bag down carefully. As she did, her eyes briefly scanned the room—and stopped.
On him.
Daiki felt it. That faint pressure of being observed.
He kept his gaze on his notebook.
"What's with her?" Saito murmured. "You steal her pen or something?"
"No."
"Then why's she staring?"
"She's not."
Saito leaned forward. "She totally is."
At the front of the room, Sasuki frowned.
Not because Daiki was handsome.Not because he was mysterious.
Because he was rude.
She'd noticed him before—of course she had. It was hard not to notice someone who cut conversations short with a single word. Someone who never bowed properly, never joined discussions, never looked like he cared.
She'd seen him brush past classmates like they were furniture.
Now, watching him ignore Saito completely, her irritation sharpened.
Tch. What's his problem?
Airi leaned over. "You mean Mifune?"
"Yes," Sasuki whispered. "Does he always act like that?"
Airi nodded. "Since middle school. Total loner."
Sasuki looked back at Daiki once more.
He hadn't moved. Hadn't reacted. Hadn't even noticed.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
So annoying.
The bell rang.
Class began.
Daiki wrote notes methodically, eyes dull, movements efficient. He answered questions when called on—briefly, correctly, without enthusiasm. He avoided eye contact. He avoided attention.
Exactly as he intended.
At lunch, he ate alone. At PE, he requested to sit out, citing fatigue. The teacher frowned but allowed it.
Saito complained loudly the entire time.
"Such a waste," he said, flopping down beside Daiki on the gym floor. "You're good at sports. Why do you keep dodging?"
"Not interested."
"Ever?"
"No."
Saito studied him quietly for a moment. "You know people talk, right?"
Daiki didn't answer.
"They call me 'the ugly loner's friend,'" Saito added with a grin.
Daiki's fingers paused.
"…Sorry."
Saito blinked. Then smiled wider. "See? You can care."
Daiki looked away.
When the day ended, Daiki headed home alone.
The apartment was small, warm, and familiar. The moment he opened the door, a voice greeted him.
"Onii-chan!"
Kira Mifune barreled into him, arms wrapping around his waist.
"You're home early!"
"Same time as always," Daiki said, placing a hand on her head.
She looked up at him, eyes bright. "Did you make friends today?"
He hesitated.
"…No."
Kira pouted, then smiled anyway. "That's okay! You have me."
Daiki nodded.
That was enough.
For now.
End of Chapter 1