"Kuu~ it feels good being a second year! Hi, kouhai~! You're new here right?" She greeted, slightly leaning on her shoulders as she held both her hands behind her.
"I ah... yes, I just transferred." Sota wanted to stuff himself in a hole and bury his body, taken aback by the surge of her amiable enthusiasm. Like a flashbang, her bright eyes and warm softened smile blinded him for a split second.
Her short hair perfectly framed her face, and there was just an air around her that was immediately captivating.
"I'm Tachibana Aiko," she said, extending her hand. "Welcome to our school! It's always exciting to meet new people."
Sota shook her hand, her grip firm and friendly. "I'm Kazemachi Sota. Nice to meet you, Tachibana-senpai." He said, as calmly as possible.
As someone who was once destined to be a star quarterback. Sota never dreamed of interacting with a girl since he had an unwavering determination to focus on his dreams.
Of course, it wasn't rare for him to see some fans here and there, but this was the first time he had personally interacted with someone, let alone an upperclassman who purposefully approached him.
"Hmm, hmm," She muttered, bringing her hands up as she formed a square using both her index fingers and thumbs.
After a couple of seconds of awkwardness on Sota 's part, Aiko then nodded her head and let her thoughts spill out. "Just the right amount of muscles... you've been working out, but not so much. All right, you're perfect!"
"..."
"..."
There was a pause as Sota didn't know how to respond. There he was, talking to her for the first time and she already mentioned something about being perfect? 'She's talking about my physique, right? Why does it feel so hot in here?' Sota said to himself as he bashfully turned his head away.
"I, ah— eh... haha~" Scratching her head, she fidgeted a little before smiling brightly. "Sota , huh? That's a cool name. So, what brings you here?" She continued in her poor attempt to change the topic.
Sota hesitated for a moment, the memories of his injury and the subsequent months of struggle flashing through his mind. But he decided to keep it simple. "I just needed a fresh start, I guess."
Glad that Sota jumped into the subject, Tachibana's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Well, you've come to the right place! There's so much to do and so many people to meet. What clubs are you thinking of joining?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'll probably look around and see what interests me." Sota hadn't given much thought to clubs, his focus having been on merely getting through each day
Tachibana nodded enthusiastically. "That's a great idea! There's a club fair this afternoon. You should definitely check it out. Who knows, you might find something that sparks your interest."
Her energy was infectious, and Sota found himself smiling. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
As they walked together, Tachibana pointed out various buildings and shared stories about the school. Her enthusiasm and friendliness made Sota feel more at ease, and he found himself relaxing. The anxiety that had gripped him earlier was slowly melting away, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity and anticipation.
When they reached the main building, Tachibana turned to him with a grin. "I've got to head to class, but if you need anything, just let me know. And don't forget about the club fair!"
"I won't. Thanks, Tachibana-san," Sota said, genuinely, thinking that it was probably fate getting back at him and giving him a once-in-a-lifetime encounter after everything that's happened in the past.
As Tachibana waved and hurried off to her class, Sota stood for a moment, taking in the bustling activity around him. The start of a new school year, the vibrant energy of his peers, and the beauty of the cherry blossoms all combined to create a sense of renewal. It was as if the world was giving him a second chance, a fresh start.
Sota walked into the school building, his spirits lifted by the unexpected encounter. The hallways were filled with students, and he navigated through the crowd, finding his classroom. As he took his seat, he glanced out the window, watching the cherry blossoms dance in the breeze.
It didn't even occur to him until later on that he was sitting on the far end corner of the classroom, right by the window.
— — —
The afternoon sun hung high in the sky as students bustled about the school grounds, excitedly exploring the various club booths set up for the fair. The atmosphere was electric, filled with chatter and laughter. Sota wandered through the crowd, glancing at the colorful displays and enthusiastic club members trying to recruit new members.
"Kouhai! With your build, I think you're fit for the archery club!"
"No, you should join us, the kendo club!"
"Here you go, you're always welcome at the afternoon tea club."
"Isn't that for girls only?"
"Ah, you're exactly what we're looking for! Your face, and that toned body? You're going to fit right in our drama club!"
Weaving through the crowd, Sota felt like he was a quarterback, weaving through the defenders with the agility of a cheetah. He couldn't believe that the footwork he drilled into his body would help him in these types of situations.
He had just finished inspecting the kendo club's booth when a familiar voice called out to him.
"Kazemachi-kun!"
He turned to see Tachibana Aiko waving at him, her bright smile cutting through the sea of students. She hurried over, her energy as infectious as ever.
"Tachibana-san," Sota greeted, returning her smile. "Checking out the clubs?"
With an eager expression, Aiko nodded as she naturally approached Sota and started walking beside him. "Yup! And I was actually looking for you. Have you found anything interesting yet?"
Shaking his head, Sota exhaled as he responded. "Not yet. Still looking around."
"Well," Aiko trailed off as her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, I've got a surprise for you. Want to check out my club?"
—
From afar, a silhouette of a man lingered just outside Sota 's field of vision. He had been observing Sota from afar, watching his every moment. A smile appeared on his face.
He had found him.