Chapter 1:

Encounter

I Hate Normie But I Fell in Love With the King of Normie

(Aoi Yukishiro’s POV)

I don’t have any friends. And I chose to because I hate normies. People who laugh too loudly at things that aren’t funny. People who say “let’s hang out” like it means something. People who act like life is simple, like everything will work out as long as you keep smiling. They’re either lying to other people or lying to themselves. And I don’t have the energy to deal with either. Dealing with them is a complete waste of time

The classroom was already noisy when I entered. Voices overlapping. Chairs scraping. Someone near the back laughing like they were trying to be heard from another building. It’s the first day. Why are they already like this?

I stood by the door for a second, scanning the seating chart until I found my name. "Aoi Yukishiro". Third row. Window seat. Good enough. I mean, it's the protagonist's seat in anime.

I walked over and sat down quietly, placing my bag beside my desk. The sunlight from the window fell across my arm, warm and steady. Outside, the sky was clear. The kind of day people call “perfect.” But I didn't honestly care.

I opened my book, not because I wanted to read, but because it gave me something to look at. Something that wasn’t some annoying people.

“…Guess we’re neighbors.”A voice came from my right.

I didn’t look up. I didn’t need to. Casual tone. No hesitation. Like talking to strangers was the most normal thing in the world. A normie.

“Uh… can you hear me?”

I turned a page slowly completely ignoring him.Of course I can hear you.I’m ignoring you on purpose.

Before he could try again, someone across the room called out, “Nakamura! Over here!”

“Ah—coming!” His chair scraped back as he stood. No hesitation.

Of course. Called once, immediately leaves. Already has people waiting for him. I glanced up for just a moment.

He looked… normal. Slightly messy hair, relaxed posture. Nothing about him stood out. He glanced back at me, like he expected something. A response, maybe. I pretended like I've never looked at him. I lowered my eyes to my book again. A second later, he was gone. I exhaled quietly.

By the time school ended, nothing had changed. No conversations. No interruptions. Exactly how I wanted it.

I left the school building and took the quieter route home, away from the main road. The sound of my footsteps echoed lightly against the pavement. Then—

“…meow.” I stopped. The sound was faint, almost lost beneath the low rush of water nearby. I followed it toward the riverbank.

There, near the edge, a small cat struggled to keep its footing. Its paws slipped against the concrete, claws scraping uselessly as it tried to climb up.

If it falls, it’s over. My chest tightened.

I stepped closer. Then stopped. I can’t swim. The thought came instantly. If I go in, I’ll just make things worse. My hands curled slightly. Move. My body didn’t respond. I just stood there, watching. Useless. Suddenly—

Footsteps rushed past me. He was fast.

Before I could react— Splash.

Water surged upward, scattering light across the surface. I blinked.

That boy from before. Without hesitation, he swam straight toward the cat, cutting through the current like it was nothing. No pause, no doubt. He just keep swimming towards the car. He reached it quickly, carefully lifting it into his arms as it struggled. “Hey, hey—it’s okay.”

His voice was calm. I didn't like to admit it but his voice was somewhat cute. The cat slowly stopped fighting. A few seconds later, he made his way back, gripping the edge and pulling himself up onto the riverbank. Water dripped from his hair, his uniform clinging heavily to him. He set the cat down gently.

“…You’re okay now,” he said softly.

The cat shook itself once, then ran off without looking back. He watched it go, shoulders relaxing slightly. I was staring.

Before I realized it, I was already moving.

I ran toward him. "Are you… okay?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Why did I ask him? There was no way I was worried about him. He looked up at me. For a second, he just blinked.

Then he smiled. Not exaggerated. Not forced. He smiled so naturally.

“I thought you couldn’t talk.”

“…W-What?”

“You ignored me earlier,” he said.

There was no irritation in his voice.

I turned immediately and started walking away. This is exactly why I hate normies.

They step into your space like they belong there.

“…Hey.” His voice came from behind me.

I stopped.

Then, without turning around, I asked,

“What’s your name?”

“…Haruto. Haruto Tanaka.”