Chapter 1
The last bell rang, and the classroom emptied in waves of noise.
Ryuzu stayed seated
He always did
It was easier to leave after everyone else Fewer eyes. Fewer chances for someone to "accidentally" bump into him.
Or "accidentally" laugh.
He packed his bag quietly. His movements were small, careful, like he was afraid the air itself might judge him.
Outside, the sky was painfully bright.
He didn't think it matched the day.
Instead of going straight home, Ryuzu walked toward the river.
He did that often. The path was quiet, lined with grass and one large tree that leaned slightly over the water. It was the kind of place that looked like it belonged in a painting.
Peaceful.
Far from people.
He sat down beneath the tree and rested his bag beside him.
A soft breeze moved through the leaves.
For a moment, he just stared at the water.
"I'm tired," he muttered.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
Just… honestly.
When he reached into his bag, he felt something crumpled.
A donut.
Powdered sugar. Slightly flattened.
He had bought it that morning, but never felt hungry enough to eat it.
He stared at it for a second.
Then sighed.
"I guess I should eat something."
As he adjusted his grip—
The donut slipped.
"Ah—"
It rolled down the small slope and landed near the edge of the river.
Right at the water.
Ryuzu blinked.
The river here was shallow.
There were no fish.
He knew that.
He had been coming here for years.
So when the water suddenly exploded upward—
He genuinely thought he was hallucinating.
A large tuna burst out of the river.
From the river.
It arched through the air with surprising grace…
And snapped the donut clean out of existence.
Powdered sugar scattered like snow.
Ryuzu froze.
The tuna landed back in the water with a dramatic splash.
Silence returned.
The leaves rustled gently again.
The river flowed as if nothing had happened.
Ryuzu stared at the empty space where his donut used to be.
"…That was mine."
The surface of the water trembled.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
A tuna head emerged from the river.
It looked at him.
Chewing.
There was powdered sugar around its mouth.
They stared at each other.
For a full five seconds.
Ryuzu raised a hand and lightly slapped his own cheek.
"Maybe I finally broke."
The tuna blinked.
Then, with deliberate calm, it dipped back under the water.
Gone.
Ryuzu remained under the tree, unmoving.
"…I need more sleep."
The next morning, the classroom was louder than usual.
"Did you hear? There's a transfer student."
"She's supposed to be really cute."
Ryuzu didn't react.
Transfer students never changed anything for people like him.
The classroom door slid open.
The teacher walked in.
Behind him—
A girl.
Long purple hair that caught the light.
Clear violet eyes.
A soft, almost playful smile.
The room fell silent.
Even Ryuzu looked up.
"…She looks unreal," someone whispered.
The teacher cleared his throat.
"This is Kaysa. She transferred here yesterday. Please make her feel welcome."
Kaysa bowed politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
Her voice was gentle.
But her eyes—
Her eyes were searching.
They scanned the room.
Past the popular boys.
Past the loud girls.
Past the window seats.
Until—
They landed on him.
Ryuzu felt it.
He stiffened slightly.
She smiled.
And began walking.
Every step felt slow.
Deliberate.
She passed several empty seats.
Several very hopeful boys.
Then she stopped.
Right beside Ryuzu.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked.
He blinked.
"…No."
She pulled the chair out.
And sat down.
The classroom exploded.
"EEEEH?!"
"WHY THERE?!"
"IS SHE BLIND?!"
Ryuzu remained frozen.
He could feel every pair of eyes drilling into the side of his head.
Kaysa leaned slightly closer.
Close enough for only him to hear.
"You dropped this yesterday," she whispered softly.
Something small and round touched his desk.
A powdered donut.
Perfectly intact.
With a tiny bite missing.
Ryuzu's blood ran cold.
"…You."
Kaysa smiled brightly.
As if they were sharing a normal morning conversation.
"Good morning, Ryuzu."