Knock knock knock…
A rhythmic knocking echoed from the other side of the door.
"Wake up, Sou! You'll be late for school!" a woman's voice called out — firm, yet caring.
The boy on the bed stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, still caught between sleep and reality. The voice reached him again, and he slowly sat up.
He pulled the blanket aside and shuffled toward the door. As it creaked open, he found a woman standing there — in a simple apron, with gentle eyes and a calm expression.
Without thinking, the word escaped his lips.
"…Mom?"
The woman blinked. "Sou?"
A sharp tug pulled at something inside him.
That's not my mother. But… why did I say that so naturally?
—And then, like a crashing tide, a memory surged forward.
In his past life, he'd rarely shown affection to his family. Not because he hated them, or was cold — but simply because it never felt necessary. He had always been locked in his room, absorbed in screens, devices, numbers. Emotions were distant. Family gatherings? He skipped them. Birthdays? Forgot them. Even when his parents passed due to old age, no tears came. Just silence.
I never thought family affection was important… or maybe… I never accepted the need for it in the first place.
Now, standing in front of this woman — Sou's mother — warmth flickered in a corner of his chest. A thought crossed his mind.
Maybe, in this life… I can yearn for something I missed. Even if she's not my mother — she's his. And sometimes, that's enough.
Anyone can be called "mom" if they fulfill the role of one. Even orphans don't always long for their birth mothers if they find someone who embraces them with true care…
Sou's mother tilted her head. "Sou? Why are you spacing out?"
He blinked and straightened. "O-Oh. Sorry."
She chuckled lightly. "Go wash up and come down for breakfast."
He nodded.
"Oh, and your sister already left for school. She had breakfast earlier."
As she turned and headed downstairs, her footsteps fading down the wooden steps, he stood still for a moment.
A small smile crept onto his face.
"…You were never alone."
He turned back into the room.
***
Steam drifted gently through the bathroom as the warm water ran down his skin. As he towel-dried his hair, he caught his reflection in the mirror — pale skin, bangs hanging low, faint dark circles under the eyes… and yet—
This face… it's actually handsome. Better than my original one.
He reached for the hairdryer and ran it through his hair slowly.
Why was he hiding this? Because of trauma? Shame? Fear?
He touched the edge of his bangs thoughtfully.
For now, I'll keep hiding it too… Just observe. I don't want to stir up more drama on day one.
He changed into his uniform. As he slipped on the blazer, his eyes caught a patch stitched into the pocket — a neat badge with gold embroidery.
Seiryuu High School.
So this is the school I'll be attending…
***
Downstairs, his mother was doing the dishes as breakfast waited neatly on the table. The clatter of water and ceramic echoed softly in the room.
She turned when she noticed him.
"Oh, you came down. Your dad just left for work."
"Okay," he replied casually.
She glanced at him with slight concern. "Did something happen?"
He paused. "No… it's just—"
"Is it your sister?" she guessed gently. "It's okay, Sou. She's at that age — puberty makes girls a little rebellious. Don't worry."
He gave a small nod. "Yeah."
He sat down and picked up the chopsticks. The food was warm. Simple. Familiar.
As he chewed silently, a thought bloomed inside him.
Eating while talking with someone… it's not bad at all.
What a small, warm feeling. I ignored this all my life — and now, I feel a bit of regret. What a pity…
He let out a short, self-mocking laugh under his breath.
After finishing, he stood, washed his hands, and grabbed his bag. As he opened the front door, sunlight spilling onto the step, he turned back.
"…Bye, Mom. And… thank you."
He wasn't sure if the words came from Sou's memories or his own emotion.
But either way… they felt real.
"Be safe, okay?" his mother called softly from the kitchen.
He turned and smiled again.
"…Yeah, I will."
***
He stepped outside, pulling out his phone. The screen lit up with familiar apps — muscle memory guiding his fingers. He typed in the school name written on his blazer badge and opened the map.
Seiryuu High School.
The blue navigation line glowed on the screen. He adjusted his bag and started walking, following its guidance through the quiet neighborhood streets.
Houses lined both sides — traditional wooden sliding doors, tiled rooftops, neatly trimmed hedges. The occasional cherry blossom tree swayed in the breeze, scattering soft petals onto the pavement.
Exploring Japan… it used to be one of my dreams, he thought. I always wanted to visit because of manga and anime — but I never had the time. Work kept me stuck. And now… here I am, walking as a high schooler.
His gaze wandered across the road — and something glimmered faintly under the morning sun.
He stopped.
Lying by the sidewalk was a silver-colored hairpin, elegant and slim, with two small square-shaped blue gems embedded in its center. He bent down and picked it up.
A hairpin…? Looks expensive. Japanese craftsmanship really is something else. The design feels delicate… admiring, even. But… whose is it?
He looked around. The street was empty.
Should I take it to the police station? Ugh… what a hassle.
He sighed and slipped it into his pocket for now.
***
A few steps later, near the corner of the next street, he spotted someone crouched by the roadside — a girl in a freshly pressed Seiryuu High School uniform. She looked young — probably a first-year student — and her shoulders trembled as she sniffled.
He hesitated, then slowly walked toward her.
"Hey… is something wrong?" he asked gently, offering a smile.
The girl looked up — her eyes were red, tears rolling down her cheeks.
His heart skipped.
Oh crap—she's crying?! I just talked to her!
His thoughts raced. What if someone sees this and thinks I made her cry?!
"D-Don't cry! It's okay, I'll help! I swear I didn't do anything!"
She sniffed again. "I… I lost my hairpin… It was a gift from my mom…"
"A hairpin?" he repeated. "How did it look?"
"It's silver… with two small blue square gems…" she said, voice shaking.
He blinked. "Oh—you mean this one?"
He pulled the pin from his pocket and held it up. Her eyes lit up immediately.
"Yes! That's it! Thank you so much for picking it up!"
She quickly took it from his hand, hugging it close like a treasure.
"Oh, you're from the same school as me… and you look like a senior!" she said, bowing slightly. "Let me walk with you to school and buy you something to express my thanks!"
He froze.
No, no — this is bad.
If she walks with me and people still remember Sou's reputation… she could stand out in bad way. Especially if they see her being friendly with me…
He smiled awkwardly and stepped back. "No need for that. I'm actually in a bit of a rush. Sorry!"
Before she could reply, he turned and walked off quickly.
Behind him, the girl stood quietly, watching his back until it disappeared around the corner. A breeze blew, lifting her bangs as she gently fixed her hair and smiled.
***
Not long after, he spotted it — a grand archway with the nameplate above it, decorated with red and white ribbons and flowers.
Seiryuu High School
Welcome, New Students!
He stopped in his tracks, reading the sign.
Seiryuu High… This is it.