Chapter 1

The Arrival of the Transfer Student

Dark... silent... tense. That's how I felt right now.

A place where the shady trees towered over me, as if blocking the light. Strange sounds began to be heard.

"Where is this?" I said softly.

In my confusion, I accidentally let out the word. A cold chill began to creep across my skin. The strange sounds became clearer. And most surprising of all—

I was alone.

I walked slowly through this place, occasionally looking around. Honestly, I didn't know where I was going. Instinct was guiding me.

After walking for a while, I saw a light up ahead. The light was so bright, and without realizing it, my body moved in its direction.

I kept walking, until finally, I emerged from that place and arrived at a vast meadow illuminated by a soft light.

From a distance, right in the middle of this vast expanse of green grass, I saw a woman. Her body was clad in a simple white dress, her long hair blowing gently in the wind.

But strangely, I couldn't see her face clearly.

The woman didn't say a word. She simply stood there, frozen in place. She looked at me with a smile.

A moment later, the woman suddenly walked towards me and hugged me.

Eh? What does this mean...?

A mixture of surprise and confusion, that word suddenly came to my mind as I was in her embrace. She hugged me tightly, as if she didn't want to let go. It felt warm. And for some reason, this embrace felt familiar. As if I'd felt it before.

However, just before I could ask, white light began to radiate from the woman's body. As the light radiated, her form began to fade, seeming to disappear.

Before she completely disappeared, the woman managed to say something to me. She said,

"I love you. That's why I want you to be happy."

After saying that, the woman completely disappeared.

Then, the world I saw went dark. Then, a light began to dawn on me.

I woke up, and that's when I realized what I'd just seen was just a dream.

I slowly opened my eyes and felt the sunlight creeping in through the gaps in the curtains. The light seemed to remind me that such events only existed in dreams.
Such things would never happen in the real world.

I paused for a moment, taking in the serenity around me. This silence, the sound of the clock ticking softly, the unkempt condition of this room—these were the usual sights I saw when I woke up.

With heavy steps, I got out of bed. Each step felt heavy, as if something was holding me back.

I opened my bedroom door and went to the bathroom to wash my face. The reflection of my face in the mirror right in front of me looked like... no, I didn't know what to say. Maybe my face did look strange.

After finishing, I went to the kitchen to get some water and some packaged bread I'd bought at the convenience store, then ate it at the dining table for breakfast.

You might be wondering why that was all I had for breakfast. Well, my answer is simple. This bread and water were all I had. No rice or side dishes.

This might sound strange, but I actually live alone in this house. That's why the room felt empty and lonely, with no signs of life other than me.

Well, I didn't think much of it. I've gotten used to this lonely life.

After breakfast, I packed my school bag. Books, stationery, and some notes. It had all become part of my unchanging routine.

I headed to the front door. Putting on socks and shoes, I opened the door to step out of the house.

"Uhh..."

As soon as I stepped outside, a bright ray of sunlight greeted me, blinding me. I partially covered my eyes with my hand and looked up.

"I can't believe a year has passed..."

One year ago...

Well, that was when I entered high school. Time flies so fast. And now, this year, I'm about to enter my second year.

Hmm... this is strange. Even though a year has passed, I never felt it.

Well, maybe it's because I've never been involved with anyone.

Oh, yeah. I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Alief, or so I think. I'm probably 17 years old, an ordinary high school student. I think that's enough for an introduction.

To be more specific, I'm just an average student who doesn't stand out. Not handsome and probably not very clear either.

Well, a loner, not interested in other people.

That's me.

Okay, enough introductions. Let's get back to the main story.

I walked along the path I usually take to school. The trees on the side of the road swayed gently in the wind, while the faint sound of passing vehicles could be heard.

My house wasn't far from school. It would take me about 5-10 minutes to get there. Therefore, I chose to walk.

Even though it was close, there were some students who chose to use vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles. They weren't very many. Most of them preferred to walk, just like I was doing now.

".............?"

For a moment, I felt as if someone was watching me from a distance. I stopped and looked back.

It turned out to be a mother walking her child to school. The child was smiling happily as she held her mother's hand. Their relationship seemed good and harmonious. They must be a happy family.

I turned around and continued on my way.

But... even though I said that...

What is the definition of "happiness"? Is the mother-daughter relationship also considered happiness?

"Happiness" is a word familiar to everyone. Many people will do anything to achieve it.

From what I understand, the word refers to something positive that allows people to express themselves and release all their emotions.

Most people believe that "happiness exists and can be achieved." But from my perspective...

It doesn't exist. And it can't possibly exist in this world.

At least that's what I've believed so far. I think we've discussed this enough. After all, I'm only talking to myself.

Soon after, I arrived at school. A large building with a fairly spacious field, surrounded by high fences.

This was my school.

As I entered the gates, the atmosphere inside was bustling with students going to and from school.

"Hey... have you heard? They say there's a transfer student coming today..."

"Eh? Really? But isn't that just a rumor?"

"Yes, it's true. I just heard about it from the staff."

"The transfer student is coming today?"

"Yes, that's what they said. I've also heard that this transfer student is the daughter of a prominent family."

"Oh, that means he's rich, right?"

"Wow, I'm curious..."

As I walked through the classroom hallways, several students appeared to be discussing something. They seemed to be discussing the transfer student who was supposed to be arriving today.

Perhaps because this was the first time this school had had a transfer student, everyone started asking questions about it.

Well, to me, it was nothing more than an addition to the student body. I wasn't particularly interested in it.

I walked to class at a normal pace. No one looked at me as I entered. My presence was very thin. Maybe they didn't even notice me.

Without thinking about it, I went straight to my seat as usual.

Shortly after, the classroom door opened, and a teacher and a student walked in side by side.

The student stopped in front of the classroom and then faced the entire class.

"Um... okay everyone, today our class has a new classmate. Now, would you please introduce yourself?"

Everyone's gaze immediately focused on the girl standing at the front of the class.

She had long, straight hair neatly styled, beautiful eyes, and a graceful and mature appearance.

She looked like a princess from a noble family.

Well, at least, that's what I thought.

I took those words from a book I once read. Although I didn't fully understand them, the girl did have many similarities to the main character in that book.

That aside, it seemed like the other students were also thinking the same thing.

"Nice to meet you all, my name is Tiana Aurelia. I'm a transfer student from the city. Starting today, I'll be part of this class. I hope we can get along well in the future."

With a bright smile, the girl began to introduce herself. Her name is Tiana Aurelia.

Hm... Tiana... I feel like I've heard that name before...

No, that's impossible. Besides, this is my first time seeing that girl.

"Everyone, give your new class a round of applause," said Mrs. Lily.

After Mrs. Lily said that, cheers and applause rang out and began to echo throughout the classroom.

The boys, especially, were very enthusiastic and eager to do so.

"Okay, that's enough. Hmm... let's see..." Mrs. Lily said, seemingly thinking about something.

"Ah, there she is! Tiana, you can sit in the empty seat in the back, right next to Alief," she continued.

"Huh? Alief...?"

Mrs. Lily pointed to the empty seat next to me, then motioned for the girl to sit down.

The girl was momentarily stunned when she heard my name, and our eyes met for a moment, but I quickly averted my gaze toward the window.

Well, maybe she wasn't looking at me on purpose.

With that thought, I convinced myself it was just an accident. But what happened—

"Um... you're... Alief, right?"

Before she sat down, the transfer girl suddenly stopped and stared at me intently, then asked me that question.

I was taken aback by this. But I tried to calm down and answered her.

"Yes, that's right," I said.

As soon as I heard that, the girl's eyes began to sparkle, and her smile widened.

What is this? What's wrong with this girl? Why is she suddenly smiling?

I don't remember ever saying anything funny, no, I never would. That.

"Huh... thank goodness... I knew it was you, Alief."

"Eh?"

Wait, what is this girl talking about?

Why is she talking as if she knows me?

I don't understand.

No, forget that for now. If everyone sees this...

I glanced around.

"Just now, was that girl talking to him?"

"Does that girl know that person?"

"Wait, is that person really in our class?"

"Could it be that they know each other?"

"That's impossible. A beautiful girl like that couldn't possibly be friends with that gloomy guy."

I knew this would happen.

A transfer student suddenly saying that to a gloomy student like me, especially in front of everyone like this, would definitely cause a misunderstanding.

This is bad. I have to resolve this misunderstanding immediately.

"Sorry. I think you've got the wrong person," I said quietly.

The girl looked confused and said, "Wrong person...? But I don't think so. It's Tiana. Don't you remember me?

She said something that caused a misunderstanding again.

I don't even know her at all. How could I possibly remember her...

While I was thinking about that, the initially calm atmosphere in the classroom began to stir at her confession.

On the other hand, the transfer girl looked confused by what was happening around her.

"Hurry up and sit down. Class is about to start," I said quietly.

"Eh? But-"

Plop...!

Before she could finish her sentence, a loud voice suddenly rang out from the front.

In that instant, the commotion subsided, and everyone's gazes turned toward the source of the voice.

"Can you all calm down? "Lesson's about to start, you know," said the teacher at the front.

The loud voice came from the clapping of the homeroom teacher in front of us.

She was Mrs. Lily, our homeroom teacher. She was a gentle teacher who smiled easily.

From what I'd heard, she was one of the younger teachers among the staff.

She taught in my class when I was a freshman, so I knew a little about her.

And because of that, I also knew her hidden side...

"......"

The ability to keep smiling, even when she wasn't actually happy.

Just like what was happening now. It was exactly the same as what I'd seen before.

The smile was indeed etched on her lips, but the intimidating aura and pressure she gave off were truly palpable.

Without a sound, everyone immediately sat down neatly in their seats.

"Thank goodness you guys are understanding. Now, Tiana, you can sit in that seat." If there's anything you want to talk about, do it after class ends."

"Ah... I understand."

After glancing at me briefly, at Ms. Lily's direction, the transfer girl sat down in the empty seat next to me.

I let out a long sigh.

Huh... thank goodness this commotion has died down. If Ms. Lily hadn't stopped it soon, something even more troublesome might have happened.

However, this wasn't over yet.

When break came, they would definitely ask me a lot of questions.

I had to clear up this misunderstanding quickly.

With that thought in mind, the first lesson began.

◇

Before I realized it, several lessons had passed, and break arrived.

I tidied up the books and stationery on my desk.

Ms. Lily had just left shortly after the bell rang. Meanwhile, everyone was still in the classroom.

Perhaps this was about to happen.

After that sudden confession, everyone would undoubtedly be curious. They probably thought it was impossible for someone like me to know a girl like that.

Considering the current situation where there were no teachers, they would definitely...

They were asking me a lot of questions.

Or at least, that's what I thought. But-

"Tiana, are you really from a big city?"

"Tiana, why did you transfer to this school?"

"Your hair is so beautiful... do you take care of it?"

"Tiana, can we exchange contacts?"

Their curiosity about Tiana was far greater than their suspicion of me.

They seemed very enthusiastic and asked her many questions, as if the confession was just a passing wind.

It turned out to be true. Expectations don't always match reality.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, whatever. I was a little relieved that they'd forgotten about it. This way, the girl's reputation wouldn't be tarnished just because of me.

I turned my gaze toward the window. The sky was a bright blue with wisps of white clouds hanging overhead.

In between, I replayed the events of the morning in my mind.

"It's me, Tiana." Don't you remember me?

Saying something like that in class... of course it would make everyone misunderstand.

I really didn't understand.

'I knew it was you, Alief.'

The first words the girl said suddenly crossed my mind.

Come to think of it, why did she act like she knew me?

Tiana... that name... somehow felt familiar...

◇

Afternoon.

The lesson had ended. And right now, I was packing my bag. I was stuffing some stationery and books into it.

I stood up from my seat and started to leave the classroom.

But then I stopped and looked around.

The classroom was very quiet and still. There was no one there except me.

Well, this silence is something I like.

Crowds are something I always avoid. That's why I chose to leave last.

Not going home with anyone, meeting anyone, felt more calming.

With that thought, I left the classroom.

When I reached the exit, an unexpected sight immediately stopped me in my tracks.

"She's..."

Up ahead, right at the exit, I saw a girl standing silently, staring at the sky.

Noticing my presence, she looked at me, and our eyes met.

"Eh? Alief..." the girl said, softly, like a whisper.

The girl was Tiana. The transfer student who claimed to know me this morning.

As if fate had brought us together, after not speaking all day, I met this girl again.

Her long, shiny hair swayed gently in the breeze.

Silence immediately enveloped us. And not long after, the sound of light raindrops began to fall outside.

Not a word was spoken between us. Only silence, and a slight feeling of guilt began to fill my mind.

Chapter 1 End

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