The lie within that smile

The first day of high school is always the best and worst day of the year.

The best, because it’s a fresh start. New people, new experiences, and the small hope that maybe—just maybe—this is where I’ll finally become popular.

The worst, because… well, you have to meet new people. And get introduced to teachers. And try not to embarrass yourself before the school year even starts.

Yotsui High School is a prestigious school—the kind where the students are the sons and daughters of CEOs, politicians, and old-money elites. Basically, the kind of place where a normal guy like me doesn’t belong. Getting accepted here was tough, but hey, if you put in the work, it pays off eventually… right?

Still, getting to class was the real battle.

I mean, imagine walking through the hallways on your first day. You don’t know anyone. You have no idea if your hair is sticking up weirdly. Maybe your bag is open. Maybe you smell weird.

One mistake, and boom—your entire high school reputation is ruined.

By the time I made it to my classroom, the seats were only half-filled. Good. This is the crucial moment. You see, in a school like this, the first-come-first-serve seating system is basically a matter of life and death. Get stuck in a bad seat? Social suicide.

After carefully choosing a desk and wiping it off because who knows who touched it before me, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around—

—and froze.

“Akiha…?”

Standing there with his usual lazy grin was Akiha Tsugomi, my childhood friend. Well, technically, my friend from middle school.

We’ve known each other for years, but… how do I put this?

He’s a slacker. Like, the kind of guy who somehow always just barely avoids failing.

So seeing him here, in a school like Yotsui High, was nothing short of shocking.

“Shocked to see me?” he asked, clearly enjoying my reaction.

“I’m shocked, alright,” I muttered. “I didn’t expect a slacker like you to pass into a school like this.”

“Well, I’ll have you know,” he said, puffing out his chest, “I’m a pretty smart slacker.”

“…I highly doubt that.”

No, really. I’ve literally seen him take naps in class while pretending to read. How did he even get in?!

“What class are you in?” I asked.

“I’m in this class, I think.” He scratched his head. “1-A, right?”

“…You think? That’s kinda depressing that you don’t even know what class you’re supposed to be in.”

“Eh, it’s fine,” he said, waving me off like it was no big deal.

As we talked, more students started filing in. One by one. Some of them knew each other, chatting and laughing like they had been best friends forever. Others, like me, just found a seat and sat in silence, pretending not to be socially anxious.

Most of the students here were from rich, influential families, so it was safe to assume a few of them didn’t want to be acquainted with “peasants” like me.

That’s when Akiha leaned in with a mischievous grin.

“Yo, Rin, do you think I could get at least five numbers today?”

I blinked. “Isn’t that a bit unrealistic?”

“Hear me out,” he said, looking around. “The male-to-female ratio is leaning towards the female side. And I’m not that bad-looking either.”

“…You’re also not that smart.”

“That’s mean, bro!” He clutched his chest like I had stabbed him. “Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you should bully me!”

I sighed. “It’s not bullying if it’s true.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t have the looks!”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’ll have you know I dated tons of girls back in middle school” I said

“Yea, all the weird ones”

Before I could respond the bell rang and it seemed like that was the wake up call for everyone as our class started to fill pretty quickly.

Homeroom has started and it’s time for us to get acquainted with each other our teacher doesn’t seem enthusiastic about the introductions nor do the students but I guess because it is a norm I guess she follow through with it.

Introductions pass along until it was my turn.

“My name is Tokoyuki Rinami but most of you can call me Rin as it’s what I’m used to”

That wasn’t so bad after all, I tried my best to make myself seem approachable, I mean I would love to have some rich friends and not slackers but I guess I’ll have to wait until lunch time.

It was lunch time and I received a text message on my phone from my older sister. Truth be told she is also a student here. She was another reason why I enrolled in this school.

“Come to the resource room” the message said, if I didn’t know any better I would think this is a set up but I’ll trust her.

After pulling the door I saw someone crying as a matter of fact it was my sister who was crying

“Why are you crying ahira?”

“This boook…. It’s soo sad”

My sister has always been fond of literature so it was no surprise when mom told me she was the head of the literature club.

“How can I help you?” I asked

Her tears are quickly wiped away and then she went serious

“Could u….. watch my club for me until I’m done with a meeting?”

That’s a tough one. I mean, I’d rather be out meeting my soon-to-be rich friends than being stuck here watching over my sister’s club.

My mind wandered endlessly. Now that I think about it, Ahira and I were never really that close.

Our relationship was different from most siblings. Back in middle school, our parents divorced—Mom took Ahira with her, while Dad took me.

That’s when a rift formed between us. She was two years ahead of me, so we didn’t see each other every day like we used to. And even when we did, I guess words didn’t matter.

We had no control over it. But during my last year of middle school, we started talking more. I’d visit Mom whenever Dad was out for work, so I guess, in the end, it all worked out somehow.

Lunch break is only an hour, and I’ve been here for about fifteen minutes now. Scrolling through social media is getting boring—I can’t even tell how many times I’ve refreshed my feed at this point.

I sigh.

The door swings open. Two upperclassmen—a boy and a girl—walk in, already getting a little too close before they notice me.

The moment they do, they freeze, then quickly run off.

Now I see why Ahira stays in here every lunch break. Students sneaking off to mess around during school hours? Figures.

“Disgusting.”

The word wasn’t mine. Someone else had spoken.

Wait… someone else?

I turn around and see her—a natural beauty. Short hair, glasses. The way she carried herself was so elegant.

Where had someone like her been hiding all this time?

I could hardly believe my eyes.

“It’s not good to stare, you know?”

Her voice was calm yet distant, like she barely acknowledged my existence.

“S-Sorry,” I muttered.

“I didn’t even notice you were there… you kind of startled me.”

She didn’t react, just continued reading her book as if I wasn’t even there. The silence gnawed at me. Now that I was aware of her presence, the air felt heavier.

How long had she been sitting there? Had I done anything embarrassing? How had I not noticed her at all?

Panic crept in. It was my first day—I really didn’t want to mess up my social life already. But maybe I just did.

Then she whispered, almost too quietly:

“I guess it’s time now.”

I looked up, confused, as she calmly closed her book and slid it back onto the shelf. She dusted off her skirt, standing up with the same cool, detached expression.

But then—

In a single motion, she straightened her posture, brushed her hair back, and turned towards the door with a bright, radiant smile.

“Ah! There you guys are!” she called out cheerfully, her voice suddenly full of energy.

A group of students outside the library turned towards her, instantly lighting up.

“Minori! Where were you?” one of them asked, waving her over.

“Ugh, stuck in the library! But I’m free now—let’s go!” she laughed, sliding into the crowd effortlessly.

I blinked.

Just moments ago, she had been cold, unreadable, like she didn’t even exist. Now, she was glowing—radiating warmth, charisma.

Like she had always been like this.

As she walked past me, something caught my eye.

For just a split second—so brief I almost missed it—her gaze flickered back to me.

A sharp, knowing glint flashed in her eyes.

And then, she was gone.