The morning sun had just begun to spread its soft light, casting long golden shadows across the quiet streets between rows of neatly arranged houses. At that moment, Arata Tsukishiro was walking toward school in his usual steady manner, his bag lightly slung over his shoulder, and his mind already immersed in the responsibilities waiting for him as class president.
Right in the middle of those thoughts, his attention suddenly shifted to an unfamiliar boy. He was wearing the uniform of the same school and was standing at the next turn of the road, almost as if by instinct. He looked quite handsome; his hair was light brown, slightly messy, and his eyes were large and warm—brown in color.
The boy stood there a little longer than necessary, looking once at the street sign and then in the opposite direction, as if he couldn't decide which path to take. His expression was calm but distant, as if he wasn't participating, only observing.
Arata didn't understand it at first, but his walking pace slowed slightly, and his gaze remained fixed on the unfamiliar boy. At that moment, the boy also looked up, and for a brief second, their eyes met—a silent, wordless connection that lingered just a little longer than necessary.
The boy said nothing, didn't ask for help, and didn't even seem troubled, yet there was something in his quiet presence that made it clear—he was lost.
Arata let out a soft breath, adjusted his bag slightly, and stepped forward. His voice carried a natural warmth, without any pressure.
"Are you going to Seishin High?" Arata asked, tilting his head slightly, as if he already knew the answer.
The boy blinked once and softly said, "hmm," then gave a small nod without adding anything more.
Arata smiled faintly and turned toward the correct path, gesturing ahead with an easy confidence.
"You took the wrong turn back there," he said lightly, as if it wasn't a big deal, "you have to go this way. I'm heading there too."
He didn't stop and simply started walking, but without looking back, he could tell the boy had started following him. Their pace naturally aligned, without any words exchanged.
They walked in silence for a while, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It felt natural, where the sound of their footsteps and the distant hum of the city were enough.
Arata glanced sideways once or twice, subtly, so it wouldn't be obvious. Then he suddenly turned his head and asked, "You're new, right?"
There was a small pause, then the boy replied in a low, steady voice, "...yes."
That was all.
No explanation, no extra words—just an answer, yet it somehow felt enough. Then Arata resumed walking.
Arata paused slightly in front of the school gate and looked back, giving a small nod, as if saying, "This is it," and then walked toward the main building.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Tsukishiro."
Arata stopped immediately and turned toward Hiroshi Takeda, whose presence alone was enough to maintain discipline.
"Good morning, sensei," Arata said respectfully.
Hiroshi Takeda is our homeroom teacher. He is a bit strict, but a very good teacher, and I respect him a lot.
Behind Takeda sensei stood that same boy. Then sensei said, "This is the new transfer student, Takahashi Nagi." I said, "Oh... it's you."
Sensei said, "You two already know each other? That's good. Let's head to class."
Arata looked at Nagi with slight surprise, now with a different perspective. Everything seemed to start connecting. "So he's the transfer student..." Arata thought.
Takeda sensei led them inside. "Come on, class is about to start."
As soon as they entered the classroom, the usual noise filled the room, but the moment Takeda sensei stepped in, everything went silent.
"Be quiet, everyone," he said, and all chatter stopped.
He looked at Nagi and said, "Come in."
"This is Takahashi Nagi. From today, he is your new classmate."
Everyone stared, and whispers began.
Nagi didn't move at all, as if none of it mattered to him.
"Tsukishiro, show him his seat," sensei said.
"Alright," I replied, pointing him toward an empty desk by the window.
Nagi quietly went and sat down.
Arata stood there a moment longer than necessary, then returned to his seat, but questions had already started forming in his mind.
During the break, Kaito Takahashi leaned toward Nagi and said,
"If you need any help, you can tell me."
Nagi looked at him, then replied shortly, "...thank you."
Arata watched from a distance, his curiosity growing even more.
The day seemed to pass a little slowly.
After school, Arata was returning home, his thoughts calm but not empty.
He was sitting in his room reading a book when he heard movement from the apartment next door. At that moment, his mother called him, "Arata..."
He stepped out of his room.
His mother said, "A boy has moved into the apartment next door. Take this and give it to him."
Arata knocked on the door. After a moment, it opened—and Nagi stood there.
Arata stared for a second, surprised. Their eyes met again.
"You... live here?" Arata asked.
"...yes."
"Alone?"
Nagi paused slightly, then said, "...yes."
A silence fell between them.
Arata smiled lightly and said, "Here."
Nagi reached out, took it, and said, "...thank you."
This small moment felt like it had led them somewhere. It wasn't just a coincidence.