Morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window.
Itsuki slowly opened his remaining eye and stared at the white ceiling.
For a few seconds...
He simply breathed.
"...Morning."
He rubbed his messy black hair before sitting up on the edge of his bed.
His hand unconsciously touched the black eyepatch covering his left eye.
"...Still here."
He smiled bitterly.
"I guess I'm getting used to it."
---
Knock! Knock!
The bedroom door suddenly burst open.
"GOOD MORNING, ITSUKI!!"
His aunt, Miyuki Hayama, appeared with an energetic smile while wearing a cute pink apron.
"I made breakfast!"
Itsuki sighed.
"...You didn't have to yell."
Miyuki crossed her arms.
"If I don't yell, you'll become an old man before turning sixteen."
"...I'm fifteen."
"Exactly."
"..."
She walked over and suddenly fixed his messy hair.
"There."
"Now you actually look like a high school student."
Itsuki smiled awkwardly.
"...Thanks."
---
A few minutes later...
The dining table was filled with breakfast.
Rice.
Miso soup.
Grilled fish.
An omelet.
Itsuki blinked.
"...This is way too much."
Miyuki proudly placed her hands on her hips.
"My nephew is still growing."
"So eat."
Itsuki chuckled.
"...Yes, Aunt."
For the first time in years...
Breakfast didn't feel lonely.
---
After finishing his meal...
Itsuki picked up his school bag.
"I'm leaving."
Miyuki waved both hands dramatically.
"Good luck!"
"And remember..."
She pointed a finger at him.
"Make lots of friends."
Itsuki smiled helplessly.
"...I'll try."
"Oh!"
"And if you get a girlfriend—"
"Aunt."
"—introduce her to me immediately."
"..."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
He quietly walked out while Miyuki laughed loudly behind him.
---
The streets were lively.
Students in different uniforms walked toward their schools.
Itsuki slowly pedaled his bicycle.
A cool spring breeze brushed against his face.
"..."
Maybe...
High school really could become a new beginning.
---
When he arrived at school...
Someone suddenly jumped onto his back.
"ITSUKI!!"
"...!"
Itsuki nearly lost his balance.
"Ren!"
Ren Fujimoto laughed loudly.
"Good morning!"
Itsuki sighed.
"You almost gave me a heart attack."
"That means you're awake now."
"..."
---
Another familiar voice came from behind.
"You two are noisy."
Yuna Aizawa walked toward them while holding three canned drinks.
She tossed one to Ren.
One to Itsuki.
"And one for me."
Ren grinned.
"Best childhood friend ever."
Yuna rolled her eyes.
"I only bought them because I knew you'd forget."
Ren laughed awkwardly.
"...Okay, that's true."
---
Yuna looked at Itsuki carefully.
"...Did you sleep well?"
Itsuki nodded immediately.
"Yeah."
"I'm fine."
Yuna remained silent.
She could tell.
He was lying.
The dark circles under his eye...
The forced smile...
He hadn't slept well at all.
But instead of exposing him...
She simply smiled.
"If you ever need someone to talk to..."
"I'm free."
Itsuki looked surprised.
"...Thanks."
---
The three entered Class 1-A together.
Many students were already chatting.
Some were introducing themselves.
Others were still nervous.
Ren immediately sat beside Itsuki.
"I'm starving again."
Yuna laughed.
"We literally just ate."
"I know."
"But thinking makes me hungry."
"...You don't think."
"I do!"
"You don't."
"I do!"
Itsuki couldn't help laughing.
"...You two are weird."
Ren proudly pointed at himself.
"We're professional idiots."
Yuna nodded confidently.
"Certified."
Itsuki laughed again.
"...Maybe I found the wrong friends."
"Too late."
Ren wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"No refunds."
---
A few moments later...
The classroom door opened.
Homeroom teacher Mr. Takahashi entered.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, sir!"
He placed several papers on the desk.
"I have an announcement."
"The school requires every first-year student to join at least one club."
The classroom immediately became noisy.
"A sports club?"
"I want the music club!"
"What about photography?"
"So many choices!"
---
Mr. Takahashi smiled.
"This afternoon, every club will hold recruitment sessions."
"Feel free to visit whichever club interests you."
"After today..."
"You must submit your club application."
---
Ren immediately stood up dramatically.
"I SHALL JOIN EVERY CLUB!"
Mr. Takahashi looked at him.
"...That's physically impossible."
Ren sat down.
"...Worth asking."
The classroom burst into laughter.
---
Yuna looked toward Itsuki.
"So..."
"What club are you interested in?"
Itsuki became quiet.
His fingers tightened slightly.
"..."
Badminton.
A forgotten memory surfaced.
His father smiling.
His mother cheering.
A small racket in his hands.
A happy childhood...
Before everything disappeared.
"...Badminton."
He whispered so softly that only Yuna heard him.
She smiled warmly.
"I thought so."
Itsuki blinked.
"...How?"
"You smiled."
"..."
"You only smile like that when you're remembering something precious."
Itsuki looked away.
"...You're scary."
She giggled.
"No."
"I just pay attention."
---
From the hallway...
A familiar figure quietly watched Class 1-A.
Hotaru Kisaragi.
Student Council President.
A black notebook rested against her chest.
Her electronic voice device hung around her neck.
She glanced inside the classroom.
Her eyes landed on one person.
Itsuki.
"..."
He was laughing.
Talking.
Smiling.
For a brief second...
She couldn't understand it.
How...
How can someone who hurt others...
Smile like that...?
Without saying anything...
She quietly walked away.
---
The school bell rang.
"Everyone."
Mr. Takahashi clapped once.
"After lunch..."
"You may begin visiting the clubs."
"Class dismissed."
---
Ren instantly jumped up.
"COME ON!"
"Adventure awaits!"
Yuna laughed.
"You sound like we're going to save the world."
"We are."
"The world of after-school clubs!"
Itsuki shook his head while smiling.
"...You really are impossible."
The three friends walked out of the classroom together...
Completely unaware...
That this single decision...
Would slowly begin changing all of their lives.