After Aya’s introduction, a quiet surprise rippled through the room. No one had expected that—a speech filled with fairy tale dreams and wide-eyed hope. At first, it seemed like something out of place, too earnest for a room full of teenagers. A few students blinked, half-expecting someone to laugh.

  But no one did.

  There was something in Aya’s eyes—an open sincerity that made people pause. It wasn’t just the words she said, but the way she said the words, like she truly believed high school could be magical. So instead of chuckles, her classmates exchanged glances, some smiling faintly, others nodding as if reminded of something they'd long forgotten.

  Aya’s dreams may have sounded far-off, but in that moment, they felt strangely close.

  Then, following Aya’s quiet, fairy-tale-like introduction, no one immediately noticed the next student standing at the front of the class. Her expression was composed—neither shy nor overly bold, just quietly present. She dipped her head in a small bow.

  “Good morning, my classmates. I’m Natsumi Inoue. I graduated from Sakura Aoba Middle School,” she began, then made a small gesture toward Shiori. “Same as Shiori, actually. We’ve been together since childhood—and honestly, that’s probably the biggest reason I enrolled here.”

  A few students chuckled softly at her honesty.

  She smiled faintly. “Her enthusiasm definitely dragged me along. But if I’m being real, what kept me here—what convinced me this was the right choice—was the school itself. What I experienced firsthand at Sakura Aoba is that the school prioritizes each student’s self-improvement through a comfortable, thoughtful approach, rather than piling heavy bricks on our shoulders. And I think that’s one of the most important values a school can hold when preparing students for their future.”

  Her gaze swept the room, a quiet seriousness glinting in her eyes.

  “Shiori might’ve pulled me into this, but this school’s gentle approach is what helped me become who I am now.”

  With that, she gave one last bow, then turned and walked calmly back to her seat.

  Everyone was quietly astonished by her introduction. Despite the seriousness of her expression, Natsumi gave off the impression of an honor student—sharp and composed—yet there was something warm in the way she spoke, something that made her feel approachable.

  At the front, Aoi-sensei clapped her hands together, a bright smile spreading across her face. There was no hiding the admiration in her eyes.

  With those heartfelt introductions, the mood carried on through the rest of the class. One by one, each student added their own color to the canvas of the room—some with quiet sincerity, others with bursts of laughter.

  For Aoi-sensei, it left more than just a list of names in her attendance book. As she listened, something bloomed gently in her heart. These students weren’t here just to study—they came with hopes of growing through friendship, kindness, maybe even love... and the quiet belief in something as fragile and beautiful as a fairy tale.

  The introductions were nearly at the end—only two remaining students needed to be introduced in front of the class. But something felt off. The next person didn’t seem to be standing at the front. Because of that, everyone turned their heads toward the very back of the room and saw someone sleeping soundly. His head rested on folded arms, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. Judging by how deep in sleep he was, they figured he’d probably been like that the whole time. The magical atmosphere of the classroom slowly faded away like stardust, the warmth of fairy-tale moments dissolving into silence. Then, without warning, someone reached out and tapped his back with an index finger.

  He had been asleep so deeply that when he finally awoke, his movements were slow, almost reluctant. He lifted his head, his gaze wandering to the back of the room. His eyes locked on a familiar face, and for a moment, his expression softened. Then, his eyes widened slightly, and a smile crept across his face.

  “What’s up, Hajime? I didn’t know we were classmates again this year,” he said, his voice carrying effortlessly through the room.

  The moment his words reached everyone, the atmosphere shifted—like a spark had been struck in the stillness, and everything felt just a little different.

  Hajime waved a hand at him. “So I am, Rei,” he said with a faint smile. “It’s your turn to introduce yourself to everyone,” he added.

  “Introduce?” Rei repeated the word, his gaze sweeping over the room. He noticed every set of eyes was locked on him, but instead of feeling uneasy, he yawned and stretched, placing a hand on his back as he slowly stood up.

  “I’m sorry for sleeping during the introductions,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft considering his towering height and imposing presence. His aura, however, remained calm, though still subtly intimidating. “I’m Rei Hachimura. I graduated from Sakura Aoba Middle School. I came here because I was scouted by the coach after watching my performance in a tournament last year,” he added, his voice steady.

  Aoi-sensei’s curiosity was piqued, and she leaned forward slightly. “What kind of sport do you play, Hachimura-san?”

  “I play baseball, sensei,” Rei answered, clearly surprised by the question.

  Aoi-sensei’s smile returned, warm and welcoming. “You can sit now. Thank you for answering my question,” she said, gesturing toward his seat.

  Rei nodded and gave a slight bow before settling back into his chair.

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  Aoi-sensei stood up slowly and perched lightly on the edge of the desk, her gaze fixed on the final student yet to introduce himself. A gentle smile spread across her face as she watched him rise from his seat, unhurried but steady.

  Aya, from her place in the classroom, found herself unable to look away. Her breath caught slightly.

  As he stood, the air seemed to shift. To her eyes, the world around him faded into a soft white blur—like the background of a dream. Sakura petals, carried by a breeze only she seemed to feel, danced around him in slow motion. And when she met his dark blue eyes, something in her chest tightened. There was no grand movement, no music, yet everything about the moment felt like it had been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale.

  It wasn’t just the way he looked—but how the moment made her feel, like she was being gently pulled into a story only just beginning.

  Hajime tapped his finger lightly against the desk, his eyes sweeping across the classroom. He didn’t make any move to walk to the front—instead, he simply stood there, a calm smile resting on his face.

  “Good morning. I’m Hayashi Hajime,” he began, his voice clear but unhurried. “I graduated from Sakura Aoba Middle School.”

  He reached out and placed a gentle hand on Rei’s shoulder.

  “This guy right here—he was one of my classmates back then.”

  Then Hajime turned his gaze toward Shiori and Natsumi. “And what they said about our school... it’s true.”

  He paused, the light in his eyes softening.

  “The reason I chose this school is because I believe it’s a place that can help me become the best version of myself—and maybe, in time, help me discover the value that’s sleeping within me.”

  He closed his eyes briefly, as though letting the thought settle inside him then he opened it..

  “We all have storms in our minds—battles we must face alone.. And to avoid being defeated by our own negative thoughts, we need to understand ourselves, to uncover the quiet knowledge that’s buried deep. I believe this school—its people, its way of teaching—has the power to help us find those tools.” he paused, then he bowed his head a little. “That’s why I can say, we chose the right school to study, that’s all, thank you.”

  He let the words hang in the air, leaving behind only the trace of a faint smile.

  As Hajime sat down slowly, a quiet murmur of surprise lingered in the air. No one had expected a classmate to carry such a perspective—not in their first day of high school. While most were still dreaming of laughter, youth, and carefree days, he spoke of inner battles and the pursuit of something deeper. Rather than chasing the fleeting joys of high school life, he was already reaching for the kind of knowledge that could shape his future.

  The room fell still. They understood his words, but the weight of them hadn’t quite settled. It felt important—just not in a way they could fully grasp yet.

  Suddenly, a crisp clap echoed through the room, drawing every gaze toward the front. Aoi-sensei stood there, her hands together and a wide smile spreading across her face.

  “That’s quite a deep and mature introduction, Hayashi-san,” she said, her voice warm with both surprise and admiration.

  He bowed his head slightly. “Thank you very much, sensei,” he replied.

  Then, with a single glance around the room, she caught the lingering surprise still etched on many of their faces.

  “Well then,” she said with a light chuckle, “now that everyone’s introduced themselves, just like I promised—the class is over. You’re free to head home… or spend the rest of the day getting to know your new friends.”

  She picked up the attendance book from the table, tucked it under her arm, and without another word, turned and quietly exited the room as her footsteps fading into the hallway.

  As soon as Aoi-sensei disappeared through the doorway, the room slowly stirred back to life. One by one, students stood from their seats, slinging bags over shoulders and chatting as they made their way toward the exit. Some grouped up near the door, excitedly planning a trip to karaoke. Others lingered in their seats, lost in casual conversation.

  Shiori rose from her chair with quiet ease, slipping her bag over one shoulder. Her eyes naturally drifted to Aya and Natsumi, who were mirroring her movements. There was no need for words—just a simple exchange of glances.

  “What should we do? I didn’t expect the class to end like this, and I haven’t even thought of a way for us to spend the day,” Shiori sighed.

  Natsumi placed a hand on Aya’s shoulder, her smile was gentle.. “How about we explore the school?” she suggested.

  Aya and Shiori glanced at each other, their eyes lighting up like stars in the night sky. Without a word, they both nodded in unison, their excitement bubbling up in their expressions.

  As they made their way to the door, they passed by Hajime and Rei’s seats, they noticed Hajime, who was staring out the window with a distant look, and Rei, still deep in his nap.

  Shiori slowed her pace just before reaching Hajime's desk. He caught her movement, his brow furrowing slightly as he turned to face her.

  “What’s up? Are you guys heading home already?” he asked, his voice casual but laced with curiosity.

  Shiori shook her head, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. “Nope, we’re planning to explore the school. How about you, Hajime?” she asked, her voice light but carrying a hint of curiosity.

  Hajime turned his head, catching the sparkle in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Me? I was about to go home, but I guess it’s too soon for that,” he replied with a shrug, his tone easy.

  Shiori didn’t miss a beat. “Come with us then. You’re free, right?”

  Her words were direct, almost too blunt, and it stopped both Aya and Natsumi mid-step. They exchanged quick glances, their brows furrowing slightly in surprise before returning their attention to Shiori.

  “Is that okay?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.

  Without answering right away, Shiori lifted her foot and gave Rei’s chair a light tap. The soft scrape of the chair against the floor made him stir, and he blinked up at Shiori, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  She shrugged casually, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

  “This guy can come too. It’d be a little strange if you’re hanging out with us alone, right?”

  Hajime’s lips quivered so slightly, a faint smile breaking through. “I guess so,” he said, his tone a little more relaxed.