Chapter 1 - First Meeting

Eleven long years slipped away like sand through an hourglass, marking the passage of time since my senior year in high school. A destined encounter awaited me—I met him. A pretty twenty-six-year-old average man crossed my path, his unassuming demeanor concealing the unforeseen role he would play as my first-ever boyfriend. The memories linger vividly in my mind.

Eleven years ago, At Ibaraki Prefecture High School

Akira Kaneko, a sixteen-year-old high school student, possessed a unique beauty with her short black hair, round gray eyes, and lovely brown complexion. With a sharp nose and standing at approximately 152 cm, her friends affectionately called her “Chibi,” a Japanese word for small. She was a hardworking student who cherished self-love but was delicate in matters of the heart.

On a beautiful sunny day during lunch break, a warm breeze tenderly graced her face as she sat at her desk, gazing out the window. The spirited basketball team commanded the quadrangle, and the harmonious chorus of cheering girls resonated through the air. Amidst this lively scene, Akira found herself the only inhabitant of their deserted classroom.

The day felt odd amidst the recent days of laughter, shouting, and boisterous commotion that had once filled the room. Yet now, she was the sole occupant, prompting a murmured query of why solitude had replaced the vibrant atmosphere.

Boredom gnawed at her as she let out a frustrated “Tsk.” The realization of forgetting her lunch added to her vexation. The thought of braving the crowded cafeteria held no appeal to her laziness. With a sigh escaping her lips, she lamented the passing of time, for it felt like an unwelcome companion. She longed to return home, but her remaining subjects held her captive. As she lay in discontent, the echo of approaching footsteps reached her ears from the corridor.

The sound grew closer, disrupting the silence of the empty classroom. Akira's curiosity piqued, and she turned her attention towards the door. The footsteps stopped, and a shadow appeared at the threshold. She straightened up, her heart quickening with anticipation. The door creaked open, and there he stood—a boy with an unassuming demeanor, his eyes meeting hers with a hint of shyness.

At that moment, Akira's world shifted. The solitude of the classroom faded into the background as an unspoken connection formed between them. Little did she know that this encounter would mark the beginning of a journey, one that would intertwine their lives in ways she could never have imagined.

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor, breaking the silence that enveloped Akira Kaneko. Sitting at her desk, she murmured to herself, curiosity and apprehension intertwining. “Oh, what is that sound?” The notion of ghosts in broad daylight seemed far-fetched, yet something strange was afoot.

Before she could ponder further, a gentle poke on her shoulder startled her. Swiftly turning around, her gaze met the presence of a man seemingly in his late twenties. Dressed in a suit, he stood out from the students and faculty.

Their eyes met, and a fleeting moment unfolded. His captivating hazelnut eyes sent a chill down her spine, entrancing her entire being. His medium-length black charcoal hair complemented his features effortlessly. The pink hue of his lips resembled plum cherry blossoms, and his perfectly pointed nose added to his charm. In short, he was undeniably handsome.

“Hi, Miss. Are you okay?” he asked, a slight smirk on his lips.

Akira, trembling with surprise and shyness, replied, “Umm... Hello. Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking.”

Trying to hide her nervousness, she inquired, “Um, what can I do for you, Mister?”

“May I ask you something?” he queried, his gaze locked onto hers.

“Yes, sure,” she responded eagerly.

“Do you know where Yozora is?” he asked with a hint of urgency in his voice.

“Hmm. Yuki Yozora? Yeah, I know her, but, umm... I think she's at the library,” she replied hesitantly, her uncertainty evident.

“Okay, thank you,” he said, swiftly exiting the room.

Akira couldn't help but watch him as he left, his handsome face carving itself deeply into her mind. As the door closed behind him, the memory of that brief encounter lingered, intertwining with the quiet moments of her day, leaving her both bewildered and intrigued by the mysterious visitor.

A few minutes later, Akira's classmates began to arrive, and the bell continued chiming. The afternoon class was about to begin, and their Math teacher, Miss Enna, started her lesson. Math had never been Akira's favorite subject, and throughout the entire class, she found herself lost in her thoughts, unable to focus.

She wondered why she kept thinking about the man she had encountered. His gaze was captivating, and his handsomeness lingered in her mind. Regret washed over her as she realized she had forgotten to ask for his name. Then it struck her—he had been looking for Yuki Yozora.

Yozora had been Akira's classmate since their first year. While they weren't best friends, they shared a close bond and often confided in each other about their secrets and personal matters.

Deciding to hold onto her curiosity until later, Akira resolved to ask Yuki about the man. Throughout the class, her mind drifted back to him, a smirk forming on her face as she dismissed the absurd notion of falling for a stranger.

As soon as the class ended, Akira rushed to find Yuki. She anxiously checked her surroundings and, after a minute, spotted Yuki descending the stairs. Hurriedly, she ran towards her, calling out with urgency. However, as she reached her, her words caught in her throat, and disbelief washed over her.

She saw something that left her completely flustered. The man from earlier and Yuki were together, engaged in an intimate conversation. The sight was incomprehensible to Akira, leaving her stunned and unable to process what she was witnessing.

“What the heck?” she thought, her mind reeling from the unexpected revelation.