Chapter 9: Transfer Student

Morning sunlight poured through the apartment windows.
The rain from the past week had finally disappeared.
For the first time in days...
The city felt alive.
...
Apartment 408.
A notification appeared on Shadow's phone.
Admission Result
He quietly opened it.
Congratulations.
Your application has been accepted.
Enrollment begins Monday.
He stared at the screen.
"..."
Then quietly locked his phone.
No smile.
No celebration.
Just a small nod.
...
Apartment 407.
Reina stepped into the hallway.
She immediately noticed Shadow.
"...Morning."
"Morning."
"You look... exactly the same."
"I usually do."
She laughed.
"I expected at least a tiny smile."
"I passed."
"You passed?!"
Shadow nodded.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"So..."
She folded her arms.
"We're classmates now."
"...Looks like it."
"I'm warning you."
"What?"
"My professors love giving homework."
"I'll survive."
"We'll see."
...
Monday arrived quickly.
The university campus buzzed with excitement.
Students hurried between classrooms.
Some complained about assignments.
Others simply enjoyed the weather.
Inside Classroom 2-A...
Professor Watanabe adjusted his glasses.
"We have a transfer student joining us today."
The room immediately became quiet.
The classroom door opened.
Shadow walked inside.
Several students whispered.
"He looks cool."
"He's tall..."
"I've never seen him before."
Professor Watanabe nodded.
"Introduce yourself."
Shadow looked around the classroom.
"My name is Shadow."
"I transferred here to continue my studies."
"I look forward to working with everyone."
Silence.
Professor Watanabe looked toward an empty desk.
"You may sit beside Reina."
"...Understood."
Shadow walked toward the seat.
Reina blinked.
"...Well..."
"...Hi."
"Hi."
Aiko's eyes widened.
She slowly looked at Reina.
Then at Shadow.
Then back at Reina.
"No way."
Reina sighed.
"...Don't."
"You knew?!"
"Since last week."
"YOU NEVER TOLD ME?!"
"I forgot."
"You forgot your mysterious handsome neighbor enrolled here?!"
Half the classroom turned toward them.
Reina covered her face.
"...Please stop."
Aiko leaned toward Shadow.
"So..."
"Are you really just her neighbor?"
"...Yes."
"Hmmm..."
Shadow looked confused.
"...Is something wrong?"
Aiko smiled.
"No."
"Just observing."
...
Lunch break arrived.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation.
Aiko placed her tray on the table.
"So..."
Reina sighed.
"Here we go."
"You and Shadow."
"What about us?"
"How long have you been neighbors?"
"A few weeks."
"You've been walking together every morning."
"It's on the way."
"You eat lunch together?"
"We haven't."
"Yet."
"..."
Aiko pointed dramatically.
"I'm watching both of you."
Shadow quietly ate his lunch.
"...The food is good."
Reina laughed.
"Wrong conversation."
"I noticed."
...
Another student approached the table.
He had short black hair and carried two drinks.
"There you are."
Aiko smiled.
"Kenji."
He placed one drink in front of her.
"Thanks."
Kenji noticed Shadow.
"New transfer student?"
Shadow nodded.
"Shadow."
"Kenji."
He offered his hand.
Shadow shook it.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
Kenji smiled.
"If Aiko starts asking weird questions..."
"Run."
"I heard that!"
"You were supposed to."
Everyone laughed.
Even Shadow smiled.
Very slightly.
Reina noticed.
"..."
There it is.
She thought.
He really can smile.
...
Classes ended later that afternoon.
Students slowly left the campus.
Shadow and Reina walked toward the apartment building together.
Kenji waved.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Bye!"
Aiko pointed at Shadow.
"Take care of our Reina!"
Reina's face immediately turned red.
"Aiko!"
"I'm joking!"
"...Mostly."
She ran away laughing.
...
Across the street...
Click.
The familiar camera shutter echoed once again.
The photographer lowered his lens.
This photograph contained four people.
Reina.
Shadow.
Aiko.
Kenji.
"..."
He quietly removed Kenji and Aiko from the frame.
Leaving only two people.
He saved the edited image.
Then opened a secure messaging application.
Attachment Sent.
No text.
Only the photograph.
A reply arrived almost immediately.
Continue observation.
The photographer slipped his phone into his pocket.
"...Understood."
He disappeared into the evening crowd.
...
That night...
Shadow unpacked several university textbooks.
He placed them neatly on a shelf.
Beside them...
A single black notebook.
No title.
No label.
He stared at it for a moment.
Then quietly closed the drawer.
Outside...
The city lights shimmered beneath the night sky.
Tomorrow...
A new routine would begin.
One that would slowly bring two lives...
Even closer together.