Back at home, I showered, ate breakfast, and changed into my uniform.
“Oh dear. You’ve become so handsome!”
I moved to the door as I tried to brush off my mom’s excessive praise. Lately, she had started praising me for every single thing I did, so much that I was starting to understand what nepotism—I mean, parental love—really meant.
I passed Namika on my way out. After three seconds of staring at me in my uniform, she whispered, “Have a nice day.”
“Thanks, you too.”
I rode my bike to the nearest station and got on the train. It was packed at this hour even though commuting by car was common in Gunma. I figured Miori would have taken either this train or the previous one, but I didn’t spot her in the crowd. What would I do if I found her? It’s not like we’re close enough to walk to school together.
Man, I remember taking the train to get to school every day. Really makes me feel like I’m a high schooler again. I smiled bitterly because I always used to ride the train with dead fish eyes.
Then, I felt someone watching me, and I glanced to my left. My eyes met a girl in the same brand-new uniform that I was wearing. I immediately turned away. She looked a little flushed, so I don’t think she was glaring at me. Her uniform is from Ryomei, like mine.
If I were an outgoing person, I would’ve struck up a conversation right then and there, but I didn’t have the courage. It was my policy to act cautiously and only make a move once I was fully prepared. In RPG lingo, I was the type of person who not only overleveled, but also attacked carefully. I didn’t used to be like this, but my failure in high school had likely influenced the change in my personality.
The train finally arrived while I was thinking of trivial things. It was only a five-minute walk from the station to the school. I still had plenty of time before the entrance ceremony would begin.
Cherry blossom trees lined the path to the school. Many students wearing my same uniform were walking underneath the picturesque full blossoms.
Someone among them caught my eye.
“Ah...” I uttered without thinking. It was a girl who was smiling and walking in the middle of a group of six. She had shoulder-length flaxen hair, which I knew was her natural color. Her face was stunningly gorgeous. And yet, she had an air of angelic innocence to her.
I wasn’t the only one staring. She was turning the heads of many on their way to school.
Her name was Hoshimiya Hikari. She was the type of girl who made the beautiful, blooming cherry blossoms look like mere supporting actors. In the past, I had fallen for Hoshimiya, confessed to her...and subsequently been rejected. I still hadn’t gotten over those feelings and continued to think about Hoshimiya even after seven years had passed.
Her smile was exactly the same as I remembered. Of course it would be! My racing heart only reaffirmed my feelings for her.
Up until now, I’d kept telling myself that I wanted to experience a happy youth full of color. It was a vague ambition that lacked clear direction, but now I had one concrete goal.
I want Hoshimiya to like me. I want to date her this time.
Our eyes met for a moment. However, we were still just strangers right now. I averted my gaze so I wouldn’t seem weird. She was still looking at me when I glanced at her again, and our eyes met once more.
Oh crap. She must have been thinking the same thing I was. We both awkwardly looked forward.
“Hikari? What’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing. Nothing at all. Oh, look, we’re here!”
Weird. Something like this happened on the train too. I keep making eye contact with people. This didn’t happen in the past. I feel like people are staring at me. Is there something strange about me?
I took out my hand mirror while I walked and checked myself out. Hmm, I look fine. My hair was done properly and my uniform fit was just loose enough to be fashionable, but not sloppy-looking.
What is it, then? I finally arrived at school while I was racking my brain.
I walked towards the crowd of students right away to see what everyone was doing. They were gathered around bulletin boards where the class listings were posted. I remembered what class I had been in, but I figured I’d double-check just in case.
Let’s see... Oh, there I am—first year, class two, Haibara Natsuki. Hoshimiya’s name was also listed. We’d been in the same class for the first two years of high school last time. So far, things were still the same this time around.
I happened to see Miori’s name listed under the class next to mine, class one—also the same as last time. I gave the rest of the list a quick skim to check if everything looked familiar, and it seemed to match my memories.
I couldn’t recall every person’s name off the top of my head, but I would recognize a name and think, Oh yeah, that guy. I even recognized quite a number of faces in the crowd.
“Ah! Look, over there! Yaaay! Rei, Tatsu, we’re all in the same class!” A loud voice rang out from behind me over all the clamor.
“You don’t have to yell. I can hear you.”
“Come on. Uta can’t help being hyped up; she’s a high schooler now.”