The Fateful Encounter || A New Chapter Begins || Shadows of Suspicion

(1)

Asahi Tanaka's heart raced as he ran from his house and boarded the crowded train, anxious about being late for the entrance ceremony at school. Amidst the unfamiliar faces, he found himself drawn to a girl who was wearing a similar uniform to his. Asahi couldn't help but be captivated by her mesmerizing eyes and face. He noticed that the girl was struggling with the crowded train, so he silently offered his help to ensure her safety.

When the next station arrived at his destination, Asahi saw the girl preparing to leave. As she getting out of the compartment, he noticed that she had dropped something, so he tried to pick it up and give it to her.

"Excuse me! Hey, you dropped your book!" Asahi said, his voice slightly shaky.

She turned around, displaying surprise on her face.

"Oh, thank you so much! I didn't even notice," she replied, taking the book from Asahi's hand.

"No problem. I'm Asahi Tanaka, by the way. Are you new here?" he asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"Yes, I recently transferred to Tokyo. I'm Kana Suzuki. Nice to meet you, Tanaka-kun," the girl said, her smile growing wider.

"Anyway, thank you so much, Tanaka-kun, for helping me on the train," Kana said, expressing gratitude. "You seemed uncomfortable, so I wanted to lend a hand," Asahi said shyly as he realized what he did on the train.

"By the way, you're also from Sakura High, right? Tanaka-kun? Can you show me the way? We should go together" Kana asked for directions.

As Kana asked for help, Asahi suddenly realized that they were running late for the school's ceremony. They hurriedly exited the station and rushed to the school.

(2)

Asahi and Kana ran through the gates of Sakura High, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. They had barely made it in time for the entrance ceremony, thanks to their chance encounter on the train.

As they caught their breath, Kana turned to Asahi with a grateful smile. "I can't thank you enough, Tanaka-kun. I would have been lost without your help."

Asahi laughed, feeling a strange connection with Kana. "No worries, Suzuki-san. We arrived on time. Let's go find our seats."

The two of them hurriedly made their way to the auditorium, squeezing past rows of students to find their designated spots. As they settled in, their eyes met, and they shared a silent understanding. This was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The principal took the stage, delivering an inspiring speech about the opportunities and challenges that awaited for the incoming freshmens. Asahi listened intently, his mind filled with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He glanced at Kana sitting beside him, her eyes shining with determination.

After the ceremony, Asahi and Kana joined the crowd of students flooding out of the auditorium. They found themselves walking side by side, their footsteps in sync. As they made their way to their first class, they couldn't help but strike up a conversation.

"So, Suzuki-san, what made you transfer to Sakura High?" Asahi asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

Kana smiled warmly. "Well, my family moved to Tokyo recently, and Sakura High seemed like the best fit for me. It's a fresh start, you know? I'm excited to make new friends and explore everything this school has to offer."

Asahi nodded, sharing her enthusiasm. "I feel the same way. Starting high school can be daunting, but having someone like you by my side makes it a little less intimidating."

Kana's eyes sparkled with appreciation. "Likewise, Tanaka-kun. Let's begun this new chapter together."

Navigating the bustling hallways, as Asahi and Kana searching for their classroom. He glanced at his schedule, trying to remember the room number. Just as he was about to ask for directions, a familiar face caught his attention.

"Yuta Nakamura!" Asahi exclaimed, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Yuta turned around, a look of surprise and joy on his face. "Asahi! Is that really you? I can't believe we're in the same school!"

Asahi and Yuta had been best friends since childhood, and they shared countless memories together. Their reunion felt like a sign that their high school journey was off to a promising start.

"Yuta, this is Kana Suzuki" Asahi introduced, his voice filled with excitement. "We met on the train, and we're classmates now!"

Yuta grinned, extending his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Suzuki-san.”

Kana shook Yuta's hand with a friendly smile. "Likewise, Nakamura-san. I'm grateful to Tanaka-san for helping me on the train."

The three of them made their way to Classroom 1-A, and Asahi and Kana found themselves seated next to each other. Throughout the day, Asahi found it hard to concentrate on the lessons. His eyes kept wandering to Kana, who effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone in the classroom.

During lunch break, Asahi and Yuta walked together to the canteen. They noticed many girls and boys inviting Kana to lunch, but somehow she looked troubled. It seemed like she was trying to make friends but was somehow unable to. Suddenly, Asahi took Kana's hand and led her to the canteen to have lunch with him and Yuta.

"Thank you again, Tanaka-san," Kana whispered to herself. At the canteen, they enjoyed their lunch. After finishing, as they were returning to the classroom, Asahi asked, "Is there something you wanted to say when I took you from the classroom?" Mustering up courage, Kana said, "I am really enjoying your company, Tanaka-san, but I really want to make friends and confidently talk to others, just like I am talking with you." Hearing that, Asahi said, "Then best of luck, Suzuki-san. You have my full support."

"By the way, can I call you Asahi-kun?" Kana asked hopefully.

Hearing this, Asahi said, "Then I will call you Kana-chan. Is that okay?"

"Yes," Kana happily answered.

(3)

Asahi and Kana walked back to the classroom, their hearts brimming with happiness and a deep sense of connection as friends. As they entered, their classmates glanced at them with curiosity, whispering among themselves, wondering how Asahi had come to know the new school beauty, Kana. Asahi felt a warm glow inside, knowing that he had indeed forged a genuine and special bond with Kana.

Their classmates started approaching them, unable to contain their curiosity, and asked how they had become friends so quickly. Asahi and Kana exchanged smiles and happily shared their story, recounting how they had met on the train, discovered common interests, and provided support to each other.

Just as they were recounting their tale, Asahi noticed someone discreetly observing Kana from a distance. The person's gaze seemed filled with irritation and anger directed towards Kana. Concerned, Asahi nudged Kana gently and whispered, "Hey, Kana, do you see that person over there? They seem to be looking at you with a strange expression. Do you know them?"

Kana turned her head to see where Asahi was pointing. "Who? Asahi-kun, there's no one there," she said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Eh?" Asahi's eyes widened in surprise. "Just a second ago, there was someone... Are they gone now?" he wondered aloud, scanning the area for any sign of the mysterious observer.

Kana followed Asahi's gaze, but there was no trace of the person he had seen. "I'm not sure, Asahi-kun. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding or someone passing by," she suggested, trying to ease his concern.

Asahi scratched his head, still puzzled by the situation. "You're probably right, Kana-chan. It must have been my imagination playing tricks on me," he admitted with a chuckle, feeling relieved that Kana didn't seem to be in any immediate danger.

However, a nagging feeling lingered in the back of Asahi's mind. He couldn't shake off the intensity of the stranger's gaze and the negative emotions it seemed to convey. Determined to ensure Kana's safety, he decided to keep a watchful eye, just in case.