Chapter 1
Hello, my name is Aika Yukishiro.
I'm a student at Sakura High School. I'm 18 years old.
For the past year, I was sick—really sick. There were days I couldn't move from bed, days where I couldn't see the sun, or hear the laughter outside my window. But kind people helped my family… helped me. And now—finally—I'm healthy again.
As the school gates of Sakura High opened in front of me, my heart pounded with nervous joy.
This is it. My second chance.
My first day back in the world I left behind.
A soft breeze carried cherry blossom petals through the air. They brushed past her long black hair, tied neatly with a soft pink ribbon, like the beginning of a dream. Aika stepped forward, clutching her bag close. Her legs trembled just a little, not from weakness—but from excitement.
The bell rang. The room buzzed with morning chatter. Students were settling down when the homeroom teacher, Mr. Hirose, stepped in.
"Alright, quiet down, everyone. Before we begin, we have a new student joining us today."
His eyes softened as he turned to the door. "Come on in."
Aika stepped inside. Her uniform was crisp, her smile shy, her hands neatly folded in front of her skirt.
Mr. Hirose gestured to her.
"This is Aika Yukishiro. She was unwell for some time, but now she's recovered and will be starting school again—right here, with all of you."
Whispers passed through the classroom like a breeze.
"She's cute…"
"Yukishiro… wait, that name sounds familiar."
"She was sick? For how long?"
Aika bowed politely.
"H-Hello. I hope we can get along."
Her voice was soft, like wind chimes.
Mr. Hirose smiled. "You can take the empty seat by the window. Next to Kurogawa."
Aika nodded and walked carefully toward the back. Her eyes scanned the class and stopped—on him.
A boy sat alone by the window, resting his chin on his palm, staring at the sky. His black hair was slightly messy, and his uniform collar loose. His expression? Distant. Like he didn't belong to the world inside this classroom.
Renjiro Kurogawa.
She didn't know his name yet, but something about him... pulled her attention.
She sat beside him.
"Um… Hello," she whispered, hoping he'd respond.
No reply.
He blinked once, then let out a quiet sigh… and fell asleep. Right there. Head on desk.
Aika blinked.
What the…?
Lunch Break
When the bell rang for lunch, the classroom became noisy with laughter and movement.
Aika looked to her left. The mysterious boy had already left. She grabbed her lunch and stood, eyes searching. Eventually, she spotted him near the school's vending machines under a sakura tree.
He was sipping a bottle of iced tea, the wind brushing his hair, looking away from everyone—like a lone wolf in an anime.
She took a breath. Then walked up to him.
"Hi," she said, a little louder this time.
He turned his head slightly, one eye glancing at her lazily.
"You again," he muttered.
"You ignored me earlier," she said, puffing her cheeks.
"So?"
"So…" she stepped closer, "Why are you ignoring me?"
Renjiro's brows furrowed just a bit. He looked her straight in the eyes.
"I don't know you. Why would I talk to you?"
She blinked. "Because… I want to be friends."
He scoffed. "Sorry, girl. I'm not looking for friends."
He threw the empty bottle into the trash and started walking back.
Aika stood there, frozen.
The rest of the school day passed slowly. Aika tried not to show it, but her heart ached a little. Why was he so cold? Did I say something wrong? Everyone else had been nice to her, welcoming her back. But he…
When the final bell rang, she headed up to the rooftop. A place the nurse said she could rest when she felt tired.
The sky was golden. The breeze gentle.
And he was already there.
Renjiro Kurogawa. Sitting with one leg propped up on the bench, earphones in, staring at the clouds again.
Aika hesitated—but then walked over.
"Hey…"
He looked at her but didn't reply.
She sat down a bit away. "I wasn't following you or anything," she said quickly. "I just… wanted a quiet place."
Silence.
Then… a sigh.
"You're persistent," he mumbled, pulling out one earphone.
"I guess I am."
She smiled. "You're not very friendly, huh?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No. But it's a little sad." She hugged her knees. "I was alone for a long time. Being sick does that to you. So now that I'm better… I just want to talk to people. Smile with them. Laugh, maybe."
He didn't answer right away.
Then, softly—
"People are annoying. They lie. They leave. They don't mean the things they say."
Aika turned to him.
"Did someone hurt you?"
His jaw tensed.
"…Forget it," he muttered.
She stood up and walked toward the edge, where the wind felt cooler.
"I'm not like that," she said, without looking at him. "I mean it when I say I want to be your friend."
He looked at her, for the first time… really looked. Her hair flowed in the breeze. She wasn't pitying him. She wasn't forcing anything. She just… stood there. Smiling softly.
"…You're weird," he said.
"I get that a lot."
The Next Day
"Good morning, Renjiro!" she greeted cheerfully as he entered class.
"…You again," he muttered, but this time—there was a tiny flicker in his eyes.
Throughout the day, she kept smiling. Kept trying. Even shared her lunch.
"You really don't give up, do you?" he asked finally during break.
"Nope. I'm stubborn like that."
He stared at her… then chuckled. A quiet, short laugh—but a laugh.
"Fine," he said. "You want to be friends so bad?"
She nodded eagerly.
"…Then you better not regret it."
"I won't."
Later that week, they walked home together. Aika asked him about his favorite drink, his music, if he liked cats (he didn't answer), and he asked her one question in return:
"Why are you so… bright?"
She stopped. Thought for a moment.
"Because I already know what it's like when there's no light. So now… I choose to shine."
He looked away.
"Must be nice."
"You can shine too, you know."
He didn't reply.
But he walked beside her the whole way home.
One week later…
Sakura High buzzed with spring energy. Aika and Renjiro sat together during lunch, this time actually talking.
He took a bite from a sandwich she made. "Not bad."
She lit up. "You're smiling!"
"I am not."
"You totally are! I should take a picture!"
"…You're insane."
"And you're my friend now, Renjiro Kurogawa!"
He turned away, hiding the tiniest smile.
"Yeah, yeah… Aika Yukishiro."
The bell rang.
They stood up together. Two people—one quiet and guarded, the other bright and open—walking side by side. A story just beginning.