The Sudden Change of Our Story, Yoshino and Ao

The cheerful chirping of birds outside battled the insistent ring of my alarm clock.

「Ughh… Another day, another trip to school… Can I just stay home? Haaah…」

Still sprawled on my bed, I, Yoshino Hoshikawa, dreaded facing the day. After what happened yesterday, how was I supposed to show my face to Kizuki-san? Would she silence me in some violent way?

And yeah, about yesterday… After she’d scanned the manga I bought at the convenience store, I bolted. She was probably shocked to see a classmate working there. But I still had so many questions swirling in my head.

Why is she working? Isn’t she the daughter of the famous Kizuki conglomerate? Seriously?

That was the biggest question. She wasn't just some normal girl you'd see anywhere but rather she was practically royalty. So why a convenience store? Had her family gone bankrupt? As far as I knew, there had been no news of that.

Well, I had a million questions, but ultimately, it wasn't my problem. No need to dwell on it.

I finally dragged myself out of bed, got ready, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and put on my winter uniform. Even though it was still fall, a chill had set in.

I live in my own apartment, paid for by my parents. So, I grabbed a piece of bread to eat on the way, locked the door, and stepped out, ready to face the day.

「Good morning, world. Here I am, ready to fight a battle with the world and its society!」

As I muttered that, I took my usual path to school. I felt a strong urge to avoid the alternative route, even though I knew it wasn't her shift yet. Still, it felt… dangerous.

Soon enough, I arrived at school, my mind at peace. Until I saw her. Kizuki-san. She was staring intently at me, waiting by the shoe boxes at the entrance.

Kizuki-san?! Is she waiting for me?! This is bad… Really bad...

I felt like I was panting just from seeing her. Her gaze was so intense, so pressuring, I wanted to turn tail and run back home. But… yeah, that wasn't an option.

Just then, her friends appeared and she joined them. Phew… That was a save. Thank you, friends of Kizuki-san!

I uttered those words only in my mind, a silent prayer of gratitude. They had no idea how much they'd helped me. I just hoped this reprieve would last until the end of class. "Please, god! Guide me through this day!" I clasped my hands together, pleading.

But yeah… the things I thought would go my way today, wouldn't. Well…

...

The final bell screeched, just like yesterday, echoing through the hallways and through the classrooms.

As the bell rang, I shoved my things into my bag and bolted out the door, tearing down the hallway as if my life depended on it. Why?

Because Kizuki-san had been chasing me since break time! I didn't care what my classmates thought of me running like an idiot. I valued my life too much to care about their judgment.

I reached the usual intersection wherein the two path through my home exists. There at the usual path, I was panting, and looked around. No one. It seemed she hadn’t followed me this far. I hadn’t heard any footsteps behind me.

「Nice, I can go home now.」

And there, I spoke too soon…

A hand grabbed my shoulder!

「KYAAAAA!!!!」

「Hahh… Hahhh… Whe-where… do you think you’re going, huh?」

I was done. Definitely done. She followed me on my usual path... Why did I take that alternative path yesterday?! Now, I was truly finished. Thanks, readers, this is where my story ends.

「I just want to talk to you, okay?! You've been making me chase you since earlier, I'm so tired! Haaah….」

She said, panting heavily.

「You… just want to talk to me?」

「Yeah, don't worry, I don't have a shift at the convenience store today. That's why… Hoshikawa-kun…」

Gulp…

「Yes? Kizuki-san?!」

「Let me talk to you about what you saw yesterday!」

「Yes, will do, Kizuki-sama!」

I answered as if my life depended on it. I mean, I couldn't afford to lose my life now.

And here… begins… the sudden change in both our lives, a turn neither of us expected. The sudden change that will bring an amazing story about the two of us.