The Ferry To Geishō Academy

Geishō Academy.

A place for prodigies and geniuses in every field of entertainment, painting, acting, singing, directing, anything you could think of probably had a club.

Each club served to discover and shape students into talents, preparing them to be scouted by “big names” of the higher class for reasons I won’t go into right now.

In simpler terms, the academy was known for both its academic and extracurricular excellence.

However, there was one thing that bothered me as I sat on the ferry heading to Geishō, gazing over the ocean.

The sun shimmered beautifully overhead, its rays dancing across the rippling water as the ferry cut through the waves. The salty scent of the sea felt nostalgic—probably because I grew up near the ocean... with Mother.

Remembering her smile, I sighed as the cool wind brushed past my cheek.

Where did things go wrong?

Just then, a voice came from beside me.

“Um... I’m sorry!” the girl blurted out, bowing and hitting her head on the seat in front of her with a dull thud, wincing at the impact.

My eye twitched involuntarily, just as another voice came from the seat in front of her.

“Peasant, how many times must you flaunt your peasantry and disturb me while I’m trying to read?”

The girl frantically apologized, as if she’d broken some priceless vase, while the boy, whose face and name I didn’t know, clicked his tongue in annoyance, muttering a curse in English under his breath I’d rather not repeat.

And like that, the two began to argue again. Well, one of them did.

I ignored them and glanced around the ferry.

Every passenger aboard was headed to Geishō Academy, meaning each one was a genius in some way, even the apologetic girl.

The strange thing I mentioned earlier was this: the ferry was nearly empty. Only five people, myself included.

I knew the entrance exam was supposed to be difficult, but...

“It doesn’t make sense, right?” said the girl beside me, her tone suddenly calm and steady.

“Y-Yeah,” I replied. “Wait, how did you—”

She turned her gaze toward me, eyes that seemed to see right through me, accompanied by a faint, knowing smile.

Her expression, her tone, even her posture... completely different from before. It was almost as if she were a different person altogether.

“This is probably why people think the academy treats some families better than others,” she said, crossing her legs and resting her hands neatly on her lap.

The boy in front snapped his book shut with a loud clap, joining in.

“Nepotism... That kind of talk could get you expelled before you even set foot on academy grounds.”

The girl chuckled softly, rubbing the ruby ring on her finger. “The world would probably end before they’d even think that through.”

Then she turned to me, her gaze piercing straight into my soul.

“And you? What do you think?”

Those blue eyes, beautiful the same as the angel’s, yet colder, darker. It was because of those eyes that I’d decided to attend Geishō Academy in the first place.

“I don’t really care, as long as it doesn’t involve me,” I said.

She looked surprised by my answer, and the boy in front let out a brief laugh.

The academy, the clubs, the system, I didn’t care about any of that.

I just wanted to see her again.

And ask her what she meant when she said—

> “I love you.”

Her words echoed in my mind, her sweet voice, her angelic face. Even after a year, I hadn’t forgotten. Not her, nor her scent... that faint fragrance of lavender.

Just then, that same scent brushed past me.

A girl with braided white hair and round, oversized glasses walked between the seats.

Before I realized it, my hand moved on its own, grabbing her arm, startling both her and the apologetic girl beside me.

My heart pounded. A smile crept onto my face.

It was her. It had to be.

But when the girl turned toward me, her eyes were black, and she looked... uncomfortable.

“Can I help you with something?” she asked politely, forcing a bright smile.

I released her sleeve, feeling foolish. It wasn’t her. She would’ve glared at me, or called me a pervert by now.

“N-No, I just thought you were someone else,” I said quickly. “Sorry for disturbing you.”

She waved a hand. “No, no, it’s fine. People say that a lot about me.”

Then, her eyes dimmed, her head lowering.

“It’s because I look so... ‘basic.’ So don’t apologize, it’s my fault. I should be the one saying sorry.”

She bowed lightly before walking off, dragging her feet as she went.

And then, another apology.

“I’m so sorry! I should’ve moved out of the way!” the apologetic girl shouted, voice trembling. “It’s my fault your pickup line didn’t work!”

“I’m so sorry!” she added again, bowing before hitting her head on the seat in front of her, again.

“Peasant girl! How many times will you disrespect me?!”

The boy roared in frustration.

I sighed. The usual argument.

Turning back toward the window, I looked out over the ocean.

My thoughts drifted back to her.

If only that girl in glasses had really been her.

Yet, I knew that I would find her at Geishō Academy, because I knew who she really was.

The Model known as Shizune Arisaka. Meeting her again.

That was my only wish as the academy finally came into view, rising proudly atop the island’s hill in the distance.