Haruki, an eighteen-year-old young man, had recently transferred to a private university located in a suburb of Tokyo. He was tall, with black hair and sharp eyes that reflected his troubled interior. He came looking for a fresh start, escaping a past he hadn't revealed to anyone, hoping to find peace here... but he had no idea that what awaited him would be very different.
In his first week, during a morning lecture in a sun-filled hall, a girl who always sat in the back corner caught his attention. It was Ayai. A quiet student, her features were fixed, she didn't laugh much and didn't talk to anyone. Her eyes were always fixed outside the window, as if she were watching something.
Later that day, while he was having a cup of coffee alone in the cafeteria, a girl with short orange hair and bright eyes approached him.
"Hello," Rika said with a bright smile. "Are you new here?"
He slowly raised his head and said, "Yes..."
Suddenly, Ayai appeared beside her, standing silently, her gaze cold, her arms folded. She didn't seem very interested in talking, but she remained standing there, silently looking at him.
Rika took out her phone and said playfully, "Can you write your number here? Just... let's keep in touch!"
Haruki looked at her for a moment and then said in a calm tone, "I don't think I'm interested in making friends right now."
Rika shrugged lightly, but Ayai suddenly said in a low, dry voice, "Let's leave it, there's no point in wasting time."
Haruki was surprised by her words and stared at her for a long moment.
"What was that?" he whispered to himself, unable to find an answer.