Chapter 1:
A Hundred Days
Love... What is love, really?
I don’t get it, if I’m being honest. I mean, I like the idea of love—watching people fall in love, be happy, get married, settle down. It sends a nice, warm feeling through my body. But in reality, that’s not all love is, is it?
It’s something we can’t fully comprehend. Me, least of all.
Maybe these are just the ramblings of a cynical idiot, but I don’t care. Love, relationships, all that—it just doesn’t come naturally to me. I don’t get the fuss. In fact, I’m shocked at how willing people are to fall in love. The risks outweigh the positives in today’s world. Especially for someone like me.
I’m immature. Stubborn. Childish. Outright hateful, sometimes.
Someone like me doesn’t deserve love. I’ve come to accept that. Me and love? We’re not compatible. Me and life? Even less so.
People my age chase experiences, memories. Why bother? Every step you take, every conversation you hold, every so-called precious memory—all of it fades. Forgotten forever.
I remember someone telling me once that the most precious memories are the ones you make with others. But those memories... they fade. One day they’re there, and the next, they’re just stories. Maybe that’s why I don’t bother to make them anymore.
What do I even have going for me? Half-decent looks? Kind of athletic? Smart, I guess? None of it matters. All people back home could say was how much I’d changed.
"Where did the social boy we knew and loved go?"
The truth? Nothing changed. I just got tired. Tired of being what everyone wants me to be, tired of pretending, tired of... trying. The old me was really only a mask, one I wore to avoid disappointing others. Now, I can’t be bothered anymore.
All I want is peace. A life where I can be left alone. No one bothering me about what I should do or who I should be. Maybe I’m lying to myself. Maybe, deep down, I still want something more. But who cares? That’s not me. That’s the mask I left behind clawing at me. Being alone isn’t so bad. But no one else seems to get that. They’re convinced I have a problem.
I don’t.
That’s why I hate love. And life.
"Really?"
Hiura-sensei’s sharp voice cut through my thoughts as she read my philosophy essay.
"What is this?"
"You asked us to write about life," I replied, unbothered. "That’s exactly what I did."
She didn’t let that slide. "This isn’t what I asked for, now, is it?"
"What was the theme again?" I rubbed the back of my neck, feigning ignorance.
Her response was immediate—a swift, painful hit to my shoulder.
"You know exactly what the theme was," she snapped. "You just wanted to be edgy and cool. Again."
"That’s not it," I protested. "You asked us to write about our most precious memories, and I explained why I couldn’t."
"That’s the excuse you’re going with?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Is there even a good answer to that question?" I muttered, shrinking under her glare.
"You’re making this up to me," she declared coldly, her tone sending an unpleasant shiver down my spine.
"How exactly?"
"You’re joining the Student Council."
"Unfortunately, I—" I began, only for her to step on my foot.
„But I really don’t have the time I swear. I just can’t do this. I’m not good with people, you know?” I continued to try and protest though I was aware it was in vain.
Hiura sensei glared at me just glared at me, her expression hardening.
„But I’m not exactly on good terms with the president.” I tried to protest for the last time in vain.
"You two always seem to be at each other’s throats. What exactly happened during your first week here?"
„No idea. I don’t think anything happened.” I brushed it off.
"No excuses. You’re doing this, and that’s final." She spoke coldly.
Resigned to my fate, I sighed. "Yes, ma’am."
Ten minutes later, I stood in the Student Council room, which I hadn’t even known existed. I didn’t realize universities even had Student Councils, but then again, this wasn’t exactly a normal university.
The only person inside was Ai Haniuda, the Student Council President—and my nemesis since day one.
Her expression soured the moment she saw me. "What’s he doing here?" she asked, running a hand through her blueish silver hair.
"I haven’t even said anything," I thought.
Hiura-sensei answered for me. "He’s joining the Student Council."
Haniuda snickered but stopped when she saw Hiura-sensei’s stern look. "Wait, you’re serious?"
"Dead serious. He’s intelligent, just lazy. I think the Student Council will be a good learning environment for him."
"A learning environment led by her? More like a prison camp," I muttered under my breath.
Apparently, not quietly enough. Both women glared at me, their sneers in perfect synchronization.
"What?" I said, confused. Hiura-sensei rewarded my comment with another shoulder hit.
After a brief exchange, Hiura-sensei left, leaving me alone with Haniuda.
The atmosphere was… hostile. To put it lightly.
Hiura-sensei’s parting words echoed in my head: "You’ll be in the Student Council for at least a hundred days."
What a drag. As if a mere hundred days will even be enough to better a person. Tch. As if. People don’t change. Least of all me.
What’s my role even supposed to be? I have no idea what I’m doing, and my overthinking isn’t helping. My only goal at this point is survival.
Haniuda smirked at me, breaking the silence. "At least now I can finally get my payback on you."
"For what? What did I even do to you?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"You really don’t know? You should drop dead," she snapped, chucking a half-empty water bottle at me. I caught it effortlessly, which only annoyed her further. I vaguely remembered something about my first week here which included Haniuda but I can’t really remember anymore.
So now my peaceful, quiet schedule is ruined. The precious solitude I had? Gone. This is a tragedy.
I sighed heavily.
"A hundred days, huh?"
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