Some great philosopher once said -
"The only constant in life is change."
Seasons change, societies evolve, technologies advance, and individuals grow and adapt.
Change can be seen in the natural world as plants grow and decay, rivers carve new paths, and mountains rise and erode over millennia.
On a personal level, we experience change in various forms. Our physical bodies age, our thoughts and beliefs evolve, and our relationships with others shift over time.
Career paths can alter direction, and personal goals may transform as we gain new experiences and insights.
The unpredictability of life often forces us to adapt, whether through joyous milestones or unexpected challenges.
Such a marvelous and accurate statement, isn't it?
However, somehow, I have forgotten who was that philosopher.
Well, I have already forgotten many things before.
And it's quite common for us to forget about things after our exams, and all. I mean, what significance does the facts and numbers we learned at school, have on our work life?
But some things, I have forgotten, feel like they have created a hole in my memory.
A void that distorts my conscience. An empty space that absorbs the entirety of it's surrounding.
Perhaps, that's the reason, I can't comprehend why I felt that way when I saw my mother's illusion, and why I couldn't recognize the two individuals at the hospital, who were claiming to be my friends.
This is a serious predicament for me.
Serious enough to make me want to play video games non-stop, so that I can forget about such things.
Don't get me wrong.
I want to brood over those things. I want to know why it is happening to me.
But, reality isn't that kind to let me do what I want.
For the past few seconds, I have been talking crap like some philosophical bastard, because my thoughts are in disarray, due to the appearance of such a bizarre situation in front of me.
Currently, I, Yuichi Amamiya, am inside this light novel world of a famous series known as 'Classroom of the elites', COTE in short.
And this is the second time, I have woken up in this world, after making a round trip to my own normal world.
Moreover, the absurd thing is yet to come.
When I woke up once again in the body of Yamauchi Haruki, I was sleeping in his room. The student who hated Yamauchi the most, Haruka, is currently sleeping on a chair with her head resting on my left side.
I just want to ask why, but I know that no one answers someone else's monologue anyway.
After, checking my surroundings, I sensed something was off.
If I had collapsed in front of that Keyaki mall, it makes sense that a student, present around, who is familiar with the first year dorms would be able to take me to my room.
However, I don't understand, why she entered into my room.
If it were the original Yamauchi, he would have definitely thought that Haruka has feelings for him at this rate.
But, I can bet all my private points on the fact that she had some other goals in mind.
'Oh, looks like she is up.'
"....What's the time now?" She asked me with a still-sleepy face.
I checked my phone, as I too, wanted to know what was the time gap between travelling between different worlds.
"...It's 4:39 AM.",I replied her, realizing that around 10-15 minutes spent in the real world, is equivalent to almost 4 hours in this one.
Her eyes widened slightly at the information. I couldn't tell if it was surprise or something else. As she sat there, still half-asleep, I couldn't help but wonder what role she played in this unfolding story.
Then she got up from the chair, and moved towards the door. My mind raced with questions, but I knew better than to bombard her right now.
"If you are still not feeling well, then contact Chabashira sensei. And make sure to call her in the morning." she said hurriedly, turning to leave my room.
"Ah, thank you very much for taking care of me." I said, trying to convey my gratitude.
She stopped for a moment at the door, her back to me. There was a brief pause, and I wondered if she was going to say something more.
Finally, she just nodded slightly and then left without another word.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I couldn't shake off the feeling that her presence here was more than just concern for a classmate.
Her actions, her hesitations—they all hinted at something deeper. Something I needed to uncover.
And here come the context I was talking about before.
The context of change.
A slight change in someone's personality is never noticeable, when you are not closely observing them.
However, I have observed each key characters of this novel for a long time.
I have seen them grow as students, and as individuals. I have tried to decipher everyone's personality, goals, and individuality.
As I have already said, this story is one of the escape routes for me, during my days of turmoil in high school.
And, I have forgotten many things of those high school days.
But, this story still remains as an unforgettable memory within me.
Therefore, I want to see them more.
I want to observe them.
I want to appreciate their efforts and see what they would do in a slightly different situation from the original storyline.
That's another reason why I am not willing to simply drop out of this school, and live a peaceful life in another normal high school.
.
.
.
Oh man, I feel like a mystery thriller protagonist right now.
Well then, let's get to work.
***
It was another day for me in the COTE storyline.
The morning was calm and serene, with a slight winter chill in the air. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft, golden hue over the campus.
The crisp air filled my lungs as I stepped outside, a gentle breeze rustling the remaining leaves on the trees.
The grass was coated in a delicate layer of frost, sparkling like tiny diamonds in the early morning light.
I could hear the distant chirping of birds, their songs creating a soothing melody that blended with the quiet rustle of the wind.
The sky was a clear, pale blue, promising a day of sunshine despite the lingering cold. The atmosphere was peaceful, almost meditative, providing a stark contrast to the turmoil in my mind.
As I walked through the campus, I could see my breath forming small clouds in the chilly air.
Students were beginning to stir, some bundled up in warm coats and scarves, others jogging to shake off the morning chill.
Now, I was starting to experience and understand how Ayanokouji felt while seeing this type of atmosphere everyday, after going through that hellish curriculum of the White Room.
However, my destination was not the classroom of 1C.
I moved gradually towards the special building to meet the person who called me this morning.
As I moved closer to our meeting point, I noticed that she was already there.
The sound of a cane clanking on the floor reverberated throughout the deserted building, albeit slowly, as she approached to greet me.
"Good morning, Yamauchi-kun," she said, her voice steady and calm.
"Good morning Sakayanagi." I replied, trying to match her composed demeanor.
After we exchanged pleasantries, she started shifting gears towards another casual talk.
"I was waiting for you, Yamauchi-kun," she said with a slight smile, her eyes scanning me as if assessing my condition.
She closed the distance between us a little more.
"Must be tough in this chilly morning. But rest assured. I am not like a certain lazy author who stops updating his fanfic just because he doesn't feel like writing." I brushed off her prying eyes.
"Fufu... To the contrary, you seem to be lively in this 'chilly morning'," she added, her tone slightly playful as always.
"Okay, quit with the pleasantries. Just say why you called me here," I responded, my patience wearing thin.
It was good to complete these kinds of secret meet ups quickly without anyone noticing.
"....If you are this much impatient, then it can't be helped, I guess," she said, her smile widening.
"Well then, Yamauchi-kun, I want to offer you a deal."