Prologue - Hoshizora High School

That morning, the spring sun slowly slipped through the gaps in Rikuya Asahina’s curtains, casting a warm glow on his study desk, which was cluttered with books and school supplies. The gentle ticking of his old alarm clock forced his eyelids open. Slowly, he rubbed his half-asleep face and reluctantly pulled back the blanket.

“Jeez, first day at a new school… why does it have to be so early,” he muttered with a half-hearted complaint, but a quiet nervousness lurked beneath it.

From across the hall, he could hear sounds from the kitchen, a sign that his parents were already up and about. He took a deep breath, got out of bed, and started to get ready. His morning shower felt fresher than usual, the cold water splashing against his skin, making his drowsiness vanish.

While putting on his new school uniform, Rikuya paused in front of the mirror, observing himself. He tidied his slightly messy black hair, and his dark brown eyes stared at his reflection with a mix of confidence and apprehension.

His school bag, filled with books and, of course, his beloved polaroid camera, hung casually on his shoulder. The camera had been with him through every city he'd moved to, a silent witness to every journey in his life so far.

As he walked toward the dining room, the aroma of breakfast filled the air. His mother, with her shoulder-length black hair tied in a loose bun, was arranging plates and bread on the table, while his father read the newspaper, occasionally sipping a warm black coffee.

“Good morning, sweetie,” his mom greeted him with a warm smile as Rikuya entered.

“Morning, Mom,” he replied briefly as he sat down.

His father looked up from his newspaper. “How do you feel about your first day? Ready to face a new world?”

Rikuya shrugged. “Yeah… I just want one thing—to get through this year without any drama.”

His mother lightly patted his shoulder. “That’s a good plan. Don’t forget to eat enough, and don’t overthink things.”

Rikuya gave a small smile. “I promise.”

After breakfast, Rikuya went back to his room to make sure he had everything. His polaroid camera was now securely around his neck, a reminder that even if he tried to keep his distance, he wouldn't completely close himself off from new experiences.

Outside the house, a soft spring breeze blew, carrying the scent of blooming cherry blossoms. He headed to the bus stop, walking along a path scattered with slowly falling leaves, as if signaling a change of season and a new chapter in his life.

On the bus, the atmosphere was lively with other students heading to their schools. Rikuya sat by the window, watching the city scenery pass by. The tall buildings, small cafes, and shops just opening their doors painted a picture of a different kind of life than his old hometown.

His heart whispered, “I hope this year isn't too complicated.”

Arriving in front of Hoshizora High School’s gate, Rikuya got off the bus and walked into the school grounds. The three-story building looked majestic, with a cherry blossom garden on its left side. Soft petals fluttered down, welcoming his arrival.

He raised his camera, taking a picture of a fully bloomed sakura tree. The ‘click’ of the polaroid gave him the sensation that every moment could be captured, including those he might find hard to forget later.

In front of Class 2-B, the scene was already bustling. A few students were chatting, some were busy on their phones, and a couple of teachers were checking attendance lists.

As he opened the classroom door, a boy with dark brown hair and hazel eyes gave him a friendly smile.

“Hey, you’re the new guy? I’m Haruto Kaji. Welcome!”

Rikuya nodded. “Thanks. I'm Rikuya Asahina.”

A few other students glanced at him with curiosity, but no one greeted him besides Haruto.

Not long after, the classroom door opened again, and a girl with shoulder-length caramel-brown hair that faded to blonde at the tips entered. Her bright amber eyes scanned the class for a moment, then landed on Rikuya.

She walked to the desk next to his and sat down with a half-bored, half-wary expression.

“Hmm, new student, huh? Don’t expect me to go easy on you,” she said with a firm tone, but a small smile peeked out from her lips.

Rikuya raised an eyebrow. “Relax. I don’t plan on bothering you.”

“Then don’t cause me any trouble,” she replied, putting a pastel-colored hair ribbon on her head, a unique trademark that always made her stand out from the other students.

Classes began. The homeroom teacher greeted the class warmly.

“Good morning, everyone. Today we have a transfer student, Rikuya Asahina. I hope you all can welcome him warmly.”

Throughout the lesson, Rikuya tried to pay close attention, but Ayaka’s sharp gaze and her small comments between classes always made him flinch a little.

During the break, Rikuya was about to open his lunch box when Ayaka's hand snatched it away.

“Hey, that’s my food!” Rikuya protested.

Ayaka just smiled mischievously. “Let me see your lunch. Might be good enough for me.”

“Give it back,” Rikuya insisted.

“Up to you. But if you don’t share, I’ll tell the class president you’re always dozing off,” Ayaka teased playfully.

Rikuya glared at her. “You’re a pain in the neck.”

“That’s why you’re sitting next to me, so I can keep an eye on you,” Ayaka replied casually, taking a bite of a sweet bun from his lunch.

The afternoon passed quickly, and the last class ended. When the dismissal bell rang, Ayaka stopped Rikuya at the door.

“Got a minute?” she asked suddenly.

“For what?” Rikuya asked, hesitant.

“Drama club practice. They need a substitute actor for a guy’s part,” she said without preamble.

Rikuya almost refused, but Ayaka threatened, “If you say no, I’ll tell the teacher you keep falling asleep.”

Reluctantly, Rikuya agreed.

As they practiced in the club room, filled with costumes and decorations, Ayaka showed a different side of herself. She was cheerful, impulsive, but also seemed a little fragile when she was away from other people's eyes.

“Your expression is like a statue,” she scoffed with a laugh.

“This isn’t my forte,” Rikuya said, unbothered.

But Ayaka looked at him for a long time. “But I don’t hate looking at it.”

On the way home, the atmosphere turned quiet. The spring wind sent sakura petals to fall on Ayaka’s shoulder.

She looked at Rikuya with an unusual gaze.

“Did you know? I’m only going to be at this school for one year."

Rikuya fell silent, surprised. 

“One year, then I have to leave,” she added softly.

Something suddenly shifted in Rikuya’s mind. One year felt short, but perhaps that year would become the most colorful one in his life.

They both walked along a small path behind the school, lined with neat rows of cherry blossom trees. The falling petals danced gently in the wind, creating a mood that, for some reason, felt more serene and intimate than in the classroom.

“I’ve never liked moving schools,” Ayaka said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Rikuya turned to her, a little taken aback. Usually, Ayaka had sharp words and biting remarks, but this time her voice was soft and almost expressionless.

“Why?” Rikuya asked, trying to fill the empty space between them.

Ayaka shook her head. “Nothing lasts forever. Everyone just… leaves, or I leave. It’s hard to get close to anyone that way.”

Rikuya stayed silent, trying to digest her words. For some reason, he felt a side of Ayaka that had been hidden was starting to reveal itself little by little.

“As for me… I just want this year to go smoothly,” he finally said.

Ayaka turned to him, her amber eyes now a little dim.

“Are you sure you can handle me? I’m… not an easy person to get close to.”

“That’s exactly it,” Rikuya replied. “I don’t want this one year to just pass by meaninglessly.”

They walked together until they reached the intersection near the bus stop. Ayaka stopped, taking a deep breath as if to gather her courage.

“Listen, Rikuya,” she said softly, “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’m not the type of girl who easily trusts new people, especially just for one year.”

They looked at each other for a moment. In Ayaka’s small smile, there was a vulnerability she had hidden behind her tsundere attitude.

“Well, just consider this the beginning of our friendship,” Ayaka said, then gave Rikuya a casual pat on the shoulder.

Rikuya chuckled. “A friendship with a tsundere girl, huh?”

Ayaka lightly elbowed him. “Don’t make me mad on the first day.”

Later that night, in his room, Rikuya sat at his desk and opened a small photo album containing a collection of polaroids from his life’s journey. On the last page, there was a picture of the sakura tree from that morning, with a small note written underneath: “A new beginning.”

He sighed and opened his laptop to type his first journal entry at his new school. Writing made him feel calmer and gave him space to process the feelings he had just become aware of.

"Rikuya Asahina, first day… and I’m sitting next to Ayaka Minazuki. A tsundere with a heart that's hard to read. A year… it’s not a long time, but I don’t want to miss a moment of it."

Outside his window, streetlights flickered, and the night wind blew in, carrying the promise of the colorful days to come.

The next day, as Rikuya headed to school, he was a little more enthusiastic. He made sure to bring his polaroid camera to capture any unexpected moments that might happen.

In class, the atmosphere was more relaxed. Ayaka, though still acting like a tsundere, seemed a bit friendlier. They shared a small laugh when the teacher told them to work on a group project and happened to sit close together when groups were assigned.

Suddenly, Haruto came over with a wide smile.

“Rikuya! You joined the photography club, right? We have practice today, wanna come?

Rikuya nodded. “That sounds good. It'll be a nice way to make some memories here.”

Ayaka narrowed her eyes. “Seriously? You’re not bummed I’m not coming?”

Rikuya smiled. “You’re in the drama club, right? So you’re busy.”

Ayaka nodded. “Yeah, that’s why I have to practice. But I might be the main character later, you know.”

The two of them exchanged a challenging smile. The classroom atmosphere, which had been stiff before, became more lively.

During break time, Mio Kanzaki, Ayaka’s best friend, came over and glanced at Rikuya. “Just don’t let her scare you off, okay?”

Rikuya smiled kindly. “Don’t worry. Ayaka’s… unique.”

Mio chuckled. “Unique is a polite way of putting it. She’s a true tsundere.”

The three of them shared a small laugh, and Rikuya felt a sense of comfort starting to grow between them.

In the days that followed, Rikuya began to realize that a year with Ayaka might not be as calm as he had imagined. However, something within him was ready to face whatever came their way.

One afternoon, after drama club practice, Rikuya and Ayaka sat on a park bench near the school. The sun was starting to set, and the sky was painted in shades of reddish-orange.

“I never say this, but I’m glad you’re here,” Ayaka said suddenly, her face turning a little red.

Rikuya looked at her, slightly surprised.

“Why are you only saying it now?” he asked.

“Because I’m not usually good at saying things like that,” Ayaka replied, trying to hide her embarrassment.

They fell silent for a moment, letting the sound of birds and the wind keep them company.

“A year might not be long, but I don’t want to lose a single moment of it,” Ayaka added softly.

Rikuya took her hand. “Me neither.”

In that moment, under the falling sakura blossoms, an unspoken promise bound the two of them together.

That night, before going to sleep, Rikuya looked at his polaroid camera. He knew that this year would be full of colors, laughter, and perhaps even tears.

But one thing was certain: he would live through those days with Ayaka, the tsundere who had already started to steal his heart.