The alarm buzzed faintly in the corner of my room.
I cracked an eye open, squinting at the dim light slipping through the curtains. 6:30.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. My chest felt heavy, not from fatigue but from the weight of today. School. Miyuki. Souta.
I dragged myself up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and checked the clock again. Right on time.
After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I looked into the mirror. The reflection still startled me. My cheeks sharper, shoulders broader. A week ago, this wasn't me. Now… I wasn't sure who I was anymore.
I dressed quickly, smoothing the shirt against my chest, then grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.
The faint smell of grilled fish and miso filled the air. Dad was already sipping tea at the table, and Mom was plating food.
"Morning," I said, sliding into my seat.
"Morning, Haruto," Mom replied, glancing at me briefly before turning back to the stove. There was a softness in her tone that hadn't been there before.
Dad looked up from his paper. "You're up early. Nervous?"
I gave a small smile. "A little. First day back."
He chuckled. "That's normal. Just take it easy."
Mom set the bowls on the table rice, pickles, miso soup. "Eat well. You'll need your energy."
I nodded and dug in. For a few minutes, the three of us ate quietly, the clinking of chopsticks filling the silence. It felt almost… normal. Almost like a family again.
After breakfast, I stood, slung my bag over my shoulder, and bowed slightly. "I'll be back later."
"Do your best," Mom said.
Dad raised his cup in a mock toast. "Show them you're fine."
I stepped outside, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. My grip on the strap tightened. Today I face them. No running.
The walk to school was strangely quiet. My shoes tapped against the pavement, and the sight of the familiar gates made my chest tighten.
I paused, staring at the building. This place hasn't changed. But I have.
Inside, students bustled in the hallway, laughter and chatter spilling everywhere. Some noticed me eyes widening, whispers starting. I pretended not to hear.
First stop: the office. I knocked and stepped in, greeting the principal and my homeroom teacher.
"Ah, Haruto-kun," the teacher said, adjusting his glasses. "It's good to see you back."
"I'm fine now," I answered firmly.
The principal smiled. "We're glad. Don't push yourself too hard."
After the formalities, I made my way toward my classroom. Each step felt heavier. My heart pounded.
Finally, I slid the door open.
Dozens of eyes turned toward me. For a split second, silence filled the room.
And then
"Haruto!" Miyuki's voice. She stood quickly, her chair scraping against the floor. Before I could react, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me.
Her scent, her warmth familiar, almost too familiar. My chest clenched.
"I missed you so much," I whispered into her hair.
She pulled back slightly, eyes shimmering. "Me too. I was so worried."
I forced a smile, though my gaze drifted past her. Souta sat at his desk, staring at us. I met his eyes and smiled at him. Calm. Controlled.
Classmates began crowding around, voices overlapping.
"Haruto, are you okay now?"
"You look… different."
"Wow, you got taller!"
I laughed lightly. "I'm fine. Thanks for worrying."
And then
"Haruto!" Yui burst into the classroom, breathless. She stopped, her eyes wide as she scanned me up and down. The room went quiet again.
"You…" she whispered. "You look… amazing."
Murmurs spread instantly.
I scratched the back of my neck, pretending to be embarrassed. "Guess the countryside treated me well."
Laughter rippled through the class, breaking the tension.
Souta finally stood, walking toward me with his usual easy grin. "Welcome back, Haruto."
I met his eyes again. "Thanks. Good to see you."
We shook hands briefly. His grip was firm, but I squeezed harder. Just enough to let him know. His smile faltered for half a second.
The teacher entered then, clapping hands. "Alright, everyone, back to your seats. Homeroom is starting."
The crowd dispersed. Yui returned reluctantly to her classroom, and Miyuki slid back into her seat beside mine, though her gaze kept flicking toward me.
I sat down, staring at the chalkboard. But inside, my thoughts burned.
Souta. Miyuki. This is only the beginning.
Miyuki's Perspective
When Haruto stepped into the classroom, my heart skipped a beat.
For a second, I didn't recognize him. His face was sharper, his body stronger, his eyes brighter. He looked… like the kind of boy I had always dreamed of. Confident. Cool.
And yet, when I hugged him, guilt stabbed through me.
I don't deserve this.
He whispered he had missed me. I whispered the same. But my words tasted bitter. Because behind that smile, behind his warmth, I remembered Souta's touch. Souta's whispers. The nights I gave myself away because Haruto had seemed so weak, so distant.
Now he was back changed. Stronger. Better.
And I was stained.
I sat at my desk, pretending to focus on homeroom. But my eyes kept sliding to him. His posture, his calm smile, the way the others gathered around him.
He looked like he belonged at the center.
If only I had waited. If only I hadn't…
My stomach twisted. I clenched my pen, forcing myself to look down at my notebook. But it was useless. My gaze drifted again.
And then I noticed it when he shook hands with Souta, there was something in his smile. Sharp. Dangerous.
My heart skipped again. Does he know?
I swallowed hard, pressing my lips together. I couldn't let him find out. If he did, everything would crumble.
But the way he looked now… maybe it was already too late.
Souta's Perspective
The moment Haruto walked into the room, my jaw nearly dropped.
That wasn't the Haruto I remembered. Taller. Sharper. His presence filled the room in a way it never had before. Even the girls looked at him differently. Even Miyuki—especially Miyuki.
I clenched my fists under the desk.
When she hugged him, something in my chest twisted. I forced a smile, forced myself to walk up and greet him. My hand in his.
But the way he gripped me harder than necessary. The way he smiled, eyes cold.
He was sending me a message.
I laughed it off, returned to my desk, but my thoughts churned.
If he stayed like this… if he kept changing… Miyuki would slip away. She already looked at him with that shine in her eyes, the one she used to give me.
No. I can't let that happen.
I tapped my pen against the desk, hiding my scowl.
If I wanted to keep her, I'd have to act fast. Tighten my grip. Make her mine completely before Haruto could take her back.
My lips curled into a faint smirk.
Let him think he's stronger. I'll find a way.
And so, homeroom began, the voices of the teacher fading against the storm of thoughts each of us carried.
The classroom hadn't changed. But everything between us had.
And none of us knew just how close the breaking point was.