"Haa… well it's not that bad anyways. Since we're friends already, this makes things better. Let's enjoy school together," Hayato said with a smile, the morning sun warming his face as they walked side by side.
They continued toward the school gates, the sidewalk still carrying the last traces of summer heat.
"So what club do you guys have in mind?" Takashi asked, swinging his bag lightly.
"Oh let me guess," Hayato said, pointing at them one by one. "You're going to the football club, and the nerd is thinking of the literature club."
"Hey… I never said I'm going to join the literature club," Tatsuya retaliated, narrowing his eyes.
Hayato turned around and started walking backwards so he could face them, one hand lazily behind his head. "Well, I didn't say you would join. I just said you were thinking about it. Was I wrong though?"
"Uh… no!" Tatsuya said hesitantly. Hayato's grin widened, clearly pleased with himself.
"What club do you have in mind?" Takashi asked, looking at Hayato.
"I haven't decided yet," Hayato replied. "Well, I'll just go with the flow since it's a new chapter of my lif—"
He bumped straight into someone and fell backward onto the ground with a thud.
"And… that's why you shouldn't be walking backwards," Tatsuya said, looking down at him with a smirk.
"Tch… quit smirking and give me a hand, you jerk," Hayato grumbled, sitting on the ground and rubbing his elbow.
"Hey, are you okay?" a soft voice came from behind him.
Hayato turned his head while still sitting. The sun was shining directly from that direction, blurring his vision for a moment before it cleared. A girl stood there, short hair swaying gently in the breeze. She brushed a strand behind her ear, she had a small cherry-shaped hairpin. Her lips had a soft gloss, and a tiny mole sat just below the corner of her mouth.
"Ahh… it's Hayato," she said, eyes widening in surprise.
Hayato's own eyes widened. He took a sharp breath. "You!"
"Oh! You remember m—"
"Who are you?" Hayato said with a completely dead expression.
She swung her bag hard into his face, sending him flat onto the ground again.
Takashi and Tatsuya stood there clapping slowly, impressed by the clean swing.
"It's Suzuki Yui. We were in the same class. Even better, your seat was right behind mine," she said, voice sharp with anger.
"Ahh…" Hayato sat up again, rubbing his cheek.
Yui's eyes lit up for a second.
"Yeah, doesn't ring a bell," Hayato said with a casual shrug.
"Hmmm, wrong answer," Tatsuya muttered, covering his face with one hand. Takashi nodded in agreement.
Yui started kicking him while he was still on the ground.
"Stop! I was just kidding. Of course I remember you. Suzuki Mio," Hayato protested.
"It's Suzuki Yui, you idiot!" Yui said, kicking him harder.
Yui let out a long sigh after the beating. She straightened her skirt, brushed off the dust, and turned to Takashi and Tatsuya.
"I- uh… remember you, Suzuki-san," Tatsuya said, trembling slightly.
"We haven't met before, dude," Yui replied flatly.
"Ohh!"
"What are you guys doing with that idiot?" Yui asked curiously.
"We're his friends," Takashi said cheerfully.
Yui turned to Hayato, shocked. "You have friends?" she asked in disbelief.
"Hey… why is that so shocking to you?" Hayato asked, still sitting on the ground.
"Seems like you have changed a little, Hayato," Yui said, a small smile forming.
"See you guys around," she added, glancing at Takashi and Tatsuya. Then she looked back at Hayato. "And you too, dumb-yato." She turned and walked away without another word.
Takashi walked up to Hayato. "How could you forget a beauty like her, dude?"
"Yeah, what are you gay or something?" Tatsuya asked, dramatically covering his chest.
"Tch, from which angle did she look like a beauty to you?" Hayato muttered.
A bag suddenly came flying and smacked Hayato right in the face.
"I can still hear you, dumbass!" Yui shouted from down the path. "Ah, and can you bring me my bag back."
Students filled the auditorium as the principal droned on about something no one was really listening to. Later they were guided to their classroom.
Hayato dropped into his seat. Takashi sat right behind him, and Tatsuya took the desk in front.
"Guys, will you come with me to check out the football club later for some support?" Takashi asked.
"Yeah, I don't have anything to do after school anyway. What about you?" Hayato asked, turning to Tatsuya.
"Yeah, why not. I still haven't decided on a club anyway," Tatsuya said, head resting on his desk.
"Thank you guys…" Takashi said, smiling brightly.
The sound of a chair pulling back interrupted them. "Ah, Suzuki-san, you're sitting near us," Takashi said.
Hayato slowly turned to the seat beside him. Yui sat there with a slight smile. "Hey, we meet again. And no need for the formalities," she said, waving at them. She looked at Hayato, resting her cheek on her hand, a small smile playing on her soft lips. "Looks like we're gonna be neighbors again, Hayato."
Hayato turned toward her, legs sticking out under the desk. "Ohh… how exciting I'm so happy…," he said sarcastically.
Yui lifted her leg and stomped hard on his foot. Hayato crouched in his seat, biting back a yelp of pain.
Just then, footsteps approached and the room fell quiet. The homeroom teacher entered — a young woman somewhere in her twenties with long black hair and glasses. She introduced herself as Yamada Haruka.
Time passed as everyone introduced themselves and chatted. Yamada-sensei spent the first day getting to know the class, her gaze constantly drifting between the students like she was searching for someone specific.
"We need a class rep and vice rep. Anyone interested?" Yamada-sensei asked.
Everyone looked around at each other.
"Hey, Hayato, how would you like me to make your life miserable?" Yui whispered, poking his arm.
"Sorry, Suzuki, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now," Hayato replied.
"Ohhh… is that so?" Yui stood up from her seat. "I would like to become the class rep."
"How does you becoming the class rep make my life miserable?" Hayato asked, confused.
Yui looked at him and gave a sweet smile. The realization hit Hayato hard. He straightened up, eyes widening. "Ohh fuck."
"I would like to appoint Hayato as the vice rep, if that's okay with everyone else," Yui said.
"Is that okay with everyone?" Yamada-sensei asked.
Hayato stood up from his chair.
"Object and I'll tell your little secret story to everyone," Yui whispered.
"Is there anything you would like to say, Hayato?" Yamada-sensei asked.
"No… I accept the position," Hayato said, accepting his fate.
"Then it's been decided," Yamada-sensei announced.
Hayato lowered his head, hands covering his face. "Damn you, Suzuka," he muttered.
"It's Suzuki," Yui corrected.
Takashi and Tatsuya tried to comfort him. "Good luck, dude."
Yamada-sensei's gaze lingered on them for a long moment. "I've found you, my dear ace."