Kazuki Yamada's day was slowly taking a turn he hadn't expected. After the initial loneliness and feeling like an outsider, the encounter with Haruka Takahashi had been a surprising relief. Haruka was the kind of girl who naturally drew attention wherever she went. Her presence alone seemed to brighten the room. With her long, silky brown hair cascading down her back, sparkling brown eyes, and a smile that could disarm the most guarded of hearts, she embodied the kind of beauty that left Kazuki momentarily speechless when she first approached him.
As he sat at the lunch table with her and a few of her friends, Kazuki found himself struggling to maintain his composure. Haruka's warm, welcoming nature was a balm to his nerves, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place among her lively group of friends. They were all effortlessly charming, the kind of people who seemed to glide through life with an ease Kazuki envied.
"Hey, Kazuki, right?" Haruka's voice broke through his thoughts, her tone light and friendly. She flashed him that brilliant smile again, and he felt his cheeks grow warm.
"Y-Yeah, that's me," Kazuki stammered, forcing himself to meet her gaze. He noticed how her eyes sparkled with genuine interest, making him feel more at ease, even if just a little.
"I'm Haruka," she continued, her voice like a sweet melody that Kazuki could listen to all day. "You seemed kind of lost, so I thought I'd come over and say hi. Why don't you join us for lunch?"
Kazuki hesitated, glancing around the cafeteria. He could feel the eyes of the other students on him, could hear the faint whispers of curiosity about the new guy who had arrived late. The last thing he wanted was to draw more attention to himself. But there was something in Haruka's smile, something in the warmth of her invitation that made it impossible to say no.
"Sure," he finally replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Haruka's smile widened, and she motioned for him to follow her. As they made their way to the table where her friends were seated, Kazuki couldn't help but notice how every head turned to watch her. It was clear that Haruka was popular, not just because of her looks but also because of her bubbly, outgoing personality. She had a way of making everyone around her feel included, like they were the most important person in the room.
As they reached the table, Haruka introduced Kazuki to her friends. There was Yuto, a tall and athletic guy with a laid-back demeanor; Mika, a petite girl with a bright smile and an infectious laugh; and Hiroshi, a guy with glasses who seemed more reserved but still friendly. They all greeted Kazuki with polite smiles, though he could sense their curiosity about his late arrival.
"So, Kazuki, where were you before this?" Yuto asked, leaning back in his chair as he took a sip of his drink.
Kazuki hesitated, not wanting to delve into the details of his accident. "I was… dealing with some personal stuff," he said vaguely, hoping that would be enough to satisfy their curiosity.
Thankfully, Haruka quickly changed the subject, sensing Kazuki's discomfort. "We're just glad you're here now," she said with another one of her dazzling smiles. "It's always nice to have new people around."
Kazuki nodded, grateful for her kindness. Despite his nerves, he started to relax a little, even managing to contribute to the conversation now and then. But just as he was beginning to feel like he might actually belong, disaster struck.
In his nervousness, Kazuki's hand jerked as he reached for his drink, sending the cup toppling over. The liquid spilled across the table, narrowly missing Haruka's tray but soaking his own lunch.
"Oh no!" Kazuki exclaimed, his face turning crimson as he scrambled to clean up the mess.
Haruka and her friends burst into laughter, though it was more amused than mocking. "Don't worry about it," Haruka said, handing him some napkins. "It happens to the best of us."
Kazuki managed a sheepish smile as he mopped up the spill, but inwardly he was cursing himself. He felt like an idiot, like he'd just confirmed every awkward stereotype that might have been forming in their minds. He couldn't believe he'd made such a clumsy mistake in front of Haruka and her friends, especially after they'd been so welcoming.
Despite the minor disaster, Haruka remained as kind and upbeat as ever. After lunch, she invited Kazuki to walk with her to their next class. Kazuki agreed, though he still felt self-conscious about his earlier blunder. As they walked together, he couldn't help but steal glances at her, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful she was. The way she moved, the way her hair caught the light, the way her laughter seemed to float on the breeze—it all left him a little bit in awe.
As they made their way across the campus, Kazuki noticed how many people greeted Haruka as they passed. She seemed to know everyone, and everyone seemed to like her. It was a stark contrast to Kazuki's own experience so far, where he had felt invisible and out of place. But Haruka's presence was like a beacon, guiding him through the unfamiliar territory of university life.
They were almost at their next class when they ran into another student—a girl who stood out immediately, though for very different reasons than Haruka. Rina Yoshida was quiet and reserved, with an air of mystery that intrigued Kazuki from the moment he saw her. Her long, jet-black hair framed a delicate face with pale skin and deep, dark eyes that seemed to see right through him. She wore the school uniform like everyone else, but there was something about the way she carried herself that made her seem different, almost untouchable.
"Rina, hey!" Haruka called out, waving her over.
Rina approached them slowly, her movements graceful and almost cat-like. There was a calmness about her that contrasted sharply with Haruka's bubbly energy. When she reached them, Haruka introduced Kazuki with her usual enthusiasm. "Rina, this is Kazuki Yamada. He's new, just started today."
Rina's dark eyes met Kazuki's, and he felt a strange sensation, like she was assessing him, looking beyond his outward appearance to something deeper. It was unnerving, yet oddly captivating. Rina nodded in acknowledgment, but she didn't say much, just a soft "Hello."
Kazuki tried to make small talk, feeling the need to fill the silence. "It's nice to meet you, Rina. Are you in the same class as us?"
"Yes," Rina replied, her voice quiet but clear. There was no emotion in her tone, no indication of whether she was pleased or indifferent about meeting him.
Kazuki felt a little awkward, unsure of how to continue the conversation. Rina's reserved nature made it difficult to gauge her thoughts, and he couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. She was so different from Haruka, so enigmatic, that it made Kazuki even more curious about her.
"Rina's a bit shy," Haruka said with a smile, as if sensing Kazuki's hesitation. "But she's really nice once you get to know her."
Rina didn't respond to Haruka's comment, simply giving another small nod. The three of them continued walking in silence, with Haruka occasionally trying to draw Rina into the conversation, though with limited success. Rina remained mostly quiet, her eyes flickering between Kazuki and the path ahead as if she were lost in thought.
Despite the brief and somewhat awkward encounter, Kazuki found himself intrigued by Rina. There was something about her that drew him in, something that made him want to understand her better. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt a strange connection to her, as if she were observing him as closely as he was observing her. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, just… different.
As they reached the classroom, Haruka gave Kazuki a reassuring smile. "It's nice to have you with us, Kazuki," she said softly. "I'm sure you'll fit in just fine."
Kazuki smiled back, feeling a warmth in his chest at her words. Haruka's kindness had made his day bearable, and for that, he was grateful. But even as he took his seat in the classroom, his mind kept drifting back to Rina. There was something about her that he couldn't shake, something that made him want to know more.
As the lecture began, Kazuki found himself glancing over at Rina, who was seated a few rows ahead. She seemed focused on the professor's words, her face a calm mask of concentration. But every now and then, she would glance back at him, just for a moment, before turning her attention back to the lecture. Each time their eyes met, Kazuki felt a strange flutter in his chest, a mixture of curiosity and something else he couldn't quite identify.
The day continued, with Kazuki attending classes and trying to keep up with the material he had missed during his absence. Haruka remained a constant presence, her cheerful energy helping him feel more at ease. But even as he smiled and laughed with her, his thoughts kept returning to Rina, the mysterious girl who seemed to be hiding something beneath her quiet exterior.
By the end of the day, Kazuki was exhausted, both physically and mentally. As he made his way back to his dorm room, he couldn't stop thinking about the events of the day—Haruka's kindness, his own clumsiness, and the enigmatic Rina. He felt a strange mix of emotions, a
blend of hope and uncertainty about what the future held.
But one thing was clear: his life at university was going to be far more complicated—and far more interesting—than he had ever imagined.