The sun shone gently over the school grounds, casting long shadows across the soccer field where a group of students laughed and played. On the other side, groups of classmates chatted by the vending machines, their voices blending into the noise of an ordinary morning.
And then—he appeared.
A boy with short black hair, wearing a black school uniform, walked across the courtyard with his hands in his pockets. His eyes were dull, his face expressionless, as if life itself bored him to death. He let out a long sigh.
> "My name is Kiyoa Takayama," he muttered under his breath.
"My life is just… boring."
Without another glance at the students around him, he walked into the school building.
> "I have no friends. And I don't need any," he continued in his head as he passed a group of girls laughing in the hallway.
"No goals. No dreams. Just one wish…"
He stopped at the classroom door, staring at it blankly.
> "…To sleep forever. That… would be peace."
With another sigh, he slid the door open and stepped inside. The classroom was quiet. Only one student was present—a girl with long black hair, sitting near the window, absorbed in a book.
Their eyes met.
Kiyoa's eyebrow twitched slightly, but he said nothing. He walked to the very back of the classroom and dropped into a seat behind her. His eyes wandered to the sky outside, half-lidded with disinterest. The girl returned to her book as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly—the bell rang, sharp and loud.
Students flooded into the room like a stampede, each rushing to their desks while chatting and laughing with their friends. Kiyoa sighed again, propping his cheek against his fist.
> "Making friends is pointless. In the end… they always leave you. Or use you."
He turned his eyes back to the window, pretending the world didn't exist.
The teacher entered moments later, slamming a hand on her desk.
> "Quiet down, everyone!" she snapped.
The class fell silent.
> "Ugh… I'm exhausted. Let's just start already."
Before she could continue, the classroom door burst open again. A girl with bright orange hair rushed in, panting heavily.
> "S-Sorry I'm late!"
The teacher frowned.
> "You're late, Asune."
> "I-I know!" she puffed out her cheeks playfully. "I got distracted. Won't happen again!"
> "Take your seat."
The girl grinned and skipped to a desk, plopping down like nothing had happened. Kiyoa watched her briefly, unimpressed, then lowered his head onto his desk.
The class dragged on.
While students whispered to each other or passed notes, only one person focused: the black-haired girl. She scribbled notes silently, her face unreadable. Kiyoa opened one eye to glance at her, then closed it again with a sigh.
The bell rang. Chaos returned as students charged out like wild animals. Kiyoa sat up, stretching, then looked toward the girl as she calmly closed her book and stood. Without a word, she left the room.
Kiyoa slung his bag over his shoulder and followed shortly after, wandering outside. He walked until he reached a large tree on the school grounds and collapsed under it, eyes drifting shut.
> "Just let me rest…" he mumbled.
Then—he heard it.
> "Hey, Kiyoa!"
His eyes snapped open. He looked around. No one.
His hand slowly covered his face.
> That voice…
It sounded just like her...
Suddenly—
> "Are you okay?"
The voice brought him back to reality. He looked up—and there she was. The orange-haired girl from earlier, standing above him with concern in her eyes.
> "I'm fine," he said flatly.
> "Oh! I forgot to tell you my name!" She pressed her hands together. "I'm Hinari Asune! Nice to meet you!"
Kiyoa blinked. "…Kiyoa Takayama."
Hinari tilted her head. "So… why are you lying out here all alone?"
> "This is the only place I can find peace," he muttered.
> "Really? That's all?"
He nodded.
> "Oh right!" she said suddenly. "I lost a game earlier, so now I have to buy drinks for my friends!" She laughed, sticking out her tongue playfully.
Kiyoa raised a brow. "…Really?"
She skipped over to the vending machine, inserted some coins, and the drinks dropped. She tossed one at Kiyoa.
> "Here! Coca-Cola for you!"
He caught it without much enthusiasm, staring at the can. Before he could say anything, she was already walking away, waving over her shoulder.
> "Bye, Kiyoa!"
The bell rang again. Kiyoa got up and slowly walked back inside, hands in his pockets once more. As he turned the corner, he spotted the black-haired girl walking ahead of him. He glanced at her, but said nothing and kept walking.
Back in class, he returned to his seat. The girl, now properly introduced as Yukine, placed her notebook on her desk and began to write again. Kiyoa looked away, sighing quietly.
The teacher walked in and started the next lesson. Kiyoa slumped forward, drifting into a nap as the words floated over him. Yukine kept taking notes, while Hinari laughed quietly with her friends.
The bell rang. Students rushed out once more.
But this time, the teacher called out—
> "Kiyoa. Stay behind."
He looked up, confused. Yukine stood as well, but the teacher raised her hand.
> "You too, Shirahane."
> "Huh…?" Yukine blinked. "What do you want?"
The teacher crossed her arms.
> "Neither of you have joined a club yet."
> "So?" Yukine said flatly.
> "So," the teacher continued, "if you don't, I'll revoke your library privileges. No more reading."
Yukine's eyes widened in horror. "What?!"
Kiyoa raised a brow. That serious…?
> "And you," the teacher turned to Kiyoa, "no more napping in class unless you join a club."
> "What kind of threat is that…?" Kiyoa muttered.
> "But," the teacher smirked, "if you both join the Service Club, I'll let it slide. You'll get your peace and quiet."
Kiyoa's eyes widened. Peace…?
He imagined it. Endless sleep. Silence. No one bothering him.
Yukine imagined it too—books, quiet, no interruptions.
They both spoke at the same time.
> "Fine. I'll join."
The teacher grinned. "I knew you'd see it my way."
She clapped her hands.
> "Congratulations, Kiyoa Takayama and Yukine Shirahane. You're officially members of the Service Club."
Kiyoa turned to Yukine. So that's her name… Yukine.
Yukine glanced at him with unreadable eyes.
> "Don't get in my way," she said quietly.
Kiyoa sighed.
> "Just don't talk to me."
---
To be continued...