Where it all begins

School. We all hate it. listening to boring lectures you don't care about, the drama, the gossip, the lot. For Akutami Futoshi, school was like his own eternal nightmare. Girls fawning over him left and right, getting asked out by a bunch of girls, it was like everywhere he went, girls were always trailing behind. To any other guy, this was the stuff of dreams, but for Futoshi, it was a different story.

What's their deal? I wish they'd leave me alone.

Despite how I look, I've always been awkward around girls. Not because I don't know how to talk to them, no, but because I never know when a new one's gonna try and get the drop on me. 

The 6 ft blonde, handsome, popular guy, that's all I was known to people, but I'm more than that; they all want this idealized version of me that's just not who I am. 

Futoshi sprinted to the nearest empty classroom, where the walls were painted white, and the sun leaked through the window pane. Honestly, it was nice. It was like a breath of fresh air after all that he had to deal with. This quiet place, if only for a moment, was his sanctuary. His gaze scanned the room, making sure no one was about.

"...Finally a moment to breathe." With that, Futoshi let out a sigh of relief. He was liberated(if only for a moment) from being in the public eye. He made his way to the open window, which was slightly ajar, before clasping his hand over the curtain and swinging it shut...

The room fell dark, the only people who were there in that moment were Futoshi...and his thoughts. This was the first time in a while that he got any peace. After fighting through the swarm of expectations, he was finally alone... or so he thought-

RUSTLE, RUSTLE 

What was that?

Futoshi's body jolted upright, seemingly tense from the situation he found himself in; his eyes couldn't make out anything in the room, the darkness swallowed everything in the room- including himself.

"Who-who's there?"Futoshi murmured, his voice breaking in between every breath. His breathing got heavier as his mind raced to try to find a solution.

First, I need to turn on the light

The Light, by the locker, was by the same door he entered through; there was only one solution to this predicament. He would have to retrace his steps. 

As he got closer to the locker, the sound grew louder, and along with that, he could make out a crying whimper coming from it.

"Someone help, I'm locked in here!"

The voice was seemingly high-pitched in nature. Futoshi let his thoughts wander once more. Hoping they would give him an answer on what to do next.

"A girl? Why was a girl stuck in a place like that?" He let his thoughts speak for themself, then the high-pitched voice let out another sound...this time with a bit more nuance to it. 

"Yes, I'm a girl, well done, Sherlock, how'd you figure that out? Akutami-kun, just get me out of here. I'm getting scared."

That voice...

 Futoshi finally reached the light; his heart rate began to calm down, and his breathing slowly steadied. He was stupid to assume it was the paranormal playing tricks on him, but sadly, that was the first conclusion his mind came to when this makeshift horror movie scene started. The room was lit up in an orange hue as his right hand grasped the key that lay on a nearby desk. 

As he unlocked the locker, he felt a sense of relief that the nightmare was over. Although one thing went through his mind. 

What happened to the girl to lead to a situation like this?

As his hand swung the locker door open, what was revealed was really a sight for sore eyes...

Sakura Reina is the school's prodigy and honor student. She was fairly popular with the guys, and for obvious reasons... She was a total bombshell. That's why seeing her in a state like this was truly a laughable situation.

Her hair, which was usually as beautiful as cherry blossoms, had been tainted by milk, her hazelnut eyes drowned in sorrow; anyone could tell from just a glance that she was going through it. Her expression was one of defeat. To be honest, who could blame her? 

Futoshi grimaced at the sight in front of him. It was a rather awkward situation for both of them.

"Need some help?" Futoshi said as he lent out his left hand towards Reina. As much as he tried to feign innocence, he couldn't help but be amused by the situation in front of him.

Reina's face was flushed from all the embarrassment, and her head landed straight into the palm of her hands. She didn't want to stare at Futoshi any longer, anymore, and she'd of probably died of embarrassment.

  "What are you doing staring so intently? What are you, some type of perv?" Reina shouted.

Futoshi's teeth gritted as his hands clenched. His demeanor changed in an instant.

"After I helped you, this is how you repay me? labelling me as some perv? Show some gratitude!" Futoshi barked back as his arms folded and his eyes averted from what was in front of him. 

Reina finally propped her body upright as she left the locker behind her. She dusted off her behind as her gaze fixated on the boy in front of her.

"...Thank you, Akutami-kun...It's not like I asked for your help, though, was it?"

Her gaze quickly averted his once more as she folded her arms and her cheeks puffed out.

Reina was the only girl who treated Futoshi normally, and to that end, he was thankful for the relationship they had. It meant a lot to him, and for what it's worth, Reina too, although...

Upclose Futoshi really is hot, huh? I can see why he's popular with girls. He's smart, athletic. Although I know how much of a klutz he can be... I mean, he still hasn't realised how much I love him...