"I've often pondered why change remains the one unwavering constant in life. We're well aware that introverts and extroverts represent opposite ends of the spectrum, but I find myself unable to determine which has the upper hand.
This is my typical morning routine: reclining on my bed, lost in contemplation about various matters, questioning the 'whys' and 'whys not.'
"Senpai, are you awake?" A teenage girl in a panda-themed hoodie called out to me. She hails from Japan but has come to 'Orai' for her studies.
"Mmm... I suppose," I replied, my annoyance thinly veiled. Truth be told, I'm rather indifferent to her, especially when she puts on an exaggerated display of cuteness.
"So, would you like some breakfast? I'm waiting downstairs," she kindly offered before exiting the room.
Her name is Mitsuha, my housemate – or more accurately, we share accommodations due to our families having a mutual friend."
After I'd gotten myself ready for school, just as I was about to head downstairs, my phone suddenly began to ring, disrupting my morning routine. Glancing at the screen, I noticed it was my only friend calling. I picked up the phone, still lying on my bed, and answered the call.
"Hey, Ray, you've got to come to school with a gift," my friend urgently declared.
"Why's that?" I inquired. Honestly, I couldn't think of a good reason to give anyone a gift at this moment.
"Because today happens to be Kushina's birthday," he explained.
"Why didn't you tell me this yesterday? It's already so late, and why should I even give a gift to your crush?" I responded, slightly annoyed.
"I'm sorry about that, but you've got to give her something. Bring some money, and you can treat her in the school canteen," he rattled off in a single breath.
"What do you mean, 'your crush'?" he started. "I will come with some money" and then I abruptly ended the call. Kushina, a girl standing at five-foot-four, with a figure that turned heads. She was undeniably popular at my school. My friend Vaibhav, or 'Vab' for short, had a crush on her, which I found utterly ridiculous. Nearly thirty percent of the guys at our school had a crush on her, and he happened to be one of them. The competition in this world could be pretty frustrating.
"Ray, Senpai, I'm waiting!" Mitsuha yelled from downstairs.
"I'm on my way," I replied, rolling my eyes. She might be a bit of an oddball, but she did seem to care about me, in her own way.
I descended the stairs and indulged in a rather satisfying breakfast. "I'll be home late today," I casually mentioned.
"Going on a date?" Mitsuha chimed in with an air of amusement.
"Well, you could call it that, but it's not for me," I responded, a hint of laziness in my voice.
"Hahaha, I already knew that," she burst into hearty laughter.
"How?" I inquired.
She leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes and teased, "Because, honestly, how could any girl ever date someone like you?".
"Enough of that," I retorted, not in the mood for her playful banter.
My school was conveniently located just a stone's throw away from my house, a mere 300 meters down the road. It was a typical morning, and as I made my way, I couldn't help but observe the bustling scene that unfolded around me.
The pathway was teeming with students, all clad in the same standard uniform. Some were engaged in animated conversations, their laughter filling the air. Others, brimming with youthful energy, dashed past, their backpacks bouncing with each step. There were those who walked in pairs, engrossed in discussions of yesterday's adventures and today's aspirations.
And then, amidst this sea of conformity, there was a singular anomaly that caught my eye – a black dot in the midst of a sea of white. It was a girl, standing out in stark contrast to the uniformity of her peers.
She exuded an air of distinctiveness, transforming the mundane uniform into something uniquely her own. Her arms and legs seemed to stretch elegantly, adding a graceful touch to her presence. Her petite face, a canvas of delicate features, was framed by a cascade of dark hair. With a fashion-model build that boasted slimness and poise, she managed to make the school uniform look like a work of art.
Her choice of attire was equally intriguing – black tights that hugged her legs like a second skin, and a skirt that concealed the contours of her backside, giving her an aura of enigmatic allure. Amidst the uniformity, she was an exquisite anomaly, a captivating figure that drew my attention as I continued my journey to school.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment?" I heard a voice, tinged with a touch of curiosity, from behind. I turned to find a girl with a cascading ponytail of long, ebony hair.
"Of course," I replied, my interest piqued.
"The young lady whom you've been casting your gaze upon happens to be Sai's girlfriend," she informed me with a subtle warning in her tone. "And if he catches wind of your attention, you could find yourself in quite the predicament."
Sai was a fellow classmate, renowned for his striking handsomeness and physical prowess. I had no desire for unwarranted complications in my life, but I made a silent promise to myself that if anyone intentionally sought to provoke me, I wouldn't hesitate to assert myself.
With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I proceeded to enter the classroom, which was already partially occupied by my classmates.
Vab waved his hand in my direction, a friendly greeting that I mirrored with a casual nod. Our class was scheduled to begin in just 15 minutes, so I contemplated taking a brief nap. I lowered my head, closing my eyes in preparation for a brief respite.
However, just as I began to drift into slumber, an unexpected disruption shook me from my drowsy state. A strong grip on my collar yanked me upright, leaving me startled and disoriented. It was Sai, accompanied by seven of his friends, was the one who had grabbed me. To my right, Vab stood steadfastly by my side, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity as he observed the unfolding confrontation.