Chapter 2: The Colorful Encounter
[Hayate Kurogane]
The next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the girl I had bumped into. Aoi Tachibana. That name echoed in my head like a strange melody. I couldn’t explain why, but I found myself wondering if I would see her again.
As I walked to school, I felt the usual emptiness around me, but there was a tiny spark in my chest, like something had been awakened. It was subtle, but it was there.
I entered the classroom, sat at my usual desk by the window, and tried to focus on the lesson, but my mind kept drifting back to her.
She had this bright energy that was impossible to ignore. I couldn't help but think that she wasn’t like the other people around me, who all seemed so... indifferent. She had a kind of warmth that I hadn't felt before.
But, as usual, I pushed those thoughts aside. It was easier to just focus on the routine. Still, a part of me wanted to know more about her.
Just as the bell rang to signal the start of the class, my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Hey, Hayate!"
It was my friend, Renji. He was leaning over the back of my desk with a grin on his face. Renji was the kind of guy who always had something to say. He wasn’t the deep thinker I was, but he had a way of making life seem more... colorful.
"What's up?" I asked, trying to sound uninterested.
"Did you hear? Aoi Tachibana is in our class now," Renji said with a mischievous grin.
My heart skipped a beat. Aoi? Here? I looked up to see her entering the classroom, her bright smile lighting up the room. She was as cheerful as ever, and her presence seemed to make everything around her feel... lighter.
She walked to her seat, which, to my surprise, was right next to mine.
My heart began to race for reasons I couldn’t explain.
---
[Aoi Tachibana]
I couldn’t believe it. I was in the same class as Hayate Kurogane! The boy I accidentally bumped into yesterday. He seemed so distant, almost like he didn’t care about anything, but I could tell there was more to him than that.
I had a feeling that today was going to be an interesting day.
When I walked into the classroom, I tried not to look at him, but my eyes couldn’t help but drift in his direction. He was sitting by the window, his gaze focused on the desk in front of him. It almost seemed like he was trying to blend in with the surroundings, hiding away from everyone.
I walked over to my seat, which, as luck would have it, was right next to his.
I took a deep breath. This was my chance to talk to him again. Maybe I could break through that cold shell of his.
"Hey," I said, smiling brightly at him. "Looks like we're in the same class!"
He didn’t respond at first, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had even heard me. But then, after what felt like an eternity, he gave me a small nod.
"Yeah," he replied in his usual monotone voice.
I could tell he wasn’t much of a talker, but I wasn’t going to give up that easily.
"So, um... you like any of the subjects here?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
He seemed to think for a moment before answering.
"I don’t really care about them," he said, his voice as flat as ever.
Well, that wasn’t exactly the warm and inviting response I was hoping for, but I didn’t mind. I wasn’t going to let that stop me from trying.
End of Chapter 2
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