Monday, January 8th, 18 NE (New Era). 06:00 AM.
I came down the stairs quietly, the smell of cooking drifting from the kitchen. I hadn't expected Alysha to be up yet; it wasn't even half past six. Not surprising, but a bit early, even for her.
Leaving her to her morning routine, I slipped back to my room to change into the uniform. It was formal and straightforward—white shirt, blazer, dark blue trousers, and a striped tie. It was decent, almost like business wear, but it felt more like armor than anything else, a reminder of the role I was about to play.
Drawing the curtains open, sunlight poured into the room, illuminating the cityscape outside. It felt worlds away from last night's strange tension of darkness. With a deep breath, I took in the scene, but my stomach reminded me that breakfast was still waiting.
When I reached the dining room, the smell of an omelet was enough to make my hunger more apparent. I found Alysha at the stove, dressed in a crisp school uniform with a checkered skirt, her long, dark hair tied back, and her blue apron neatly wrapped around her. She glanced over her shoulder, smiling.
"Good morning, Brother," she greeted me with a small smile as she turned from the stove, bringing a plate over to the table.
"Good morning. You're up early," I asked, settling into the chair across from her.
She placed the omelet down and sat with me. "Student Council. It's a bit rushed. I have to handle some paperwork for the upcoming festival. I wanted to get a head start."
I raised an eyebrow. "The first day, and they're already keeping you busy?"
She shrugged, sipping her tea. "That's how it is. And besides, you know I like to be prepared early than late." Her voice was casual, but there was a hint of stress she tried to hide. I'd seen it before, but she brushed it off, just like now.
I smiled faintly, taking a bite. "Better you than me. I don't think I'd last a week with the student council workload. I can't believe I even joined back in middle school. What was I thinking?"
She gave me an amused look. "You joined because Sister Imelda practically dragged you into it. And it was actually good for you."
I shook my head, remembering my own brief stint in the student council during middle school, mainly because I'd been roped into it by my old friend, Imelda. Never again.
We ate in comfortable silence, the clinking of utensils filling the room. Alysha seemed cheerful, her usual calm confidence shining through. I didn't envy her work, but I admired her dedication.
As we continued eating, I realized just how quickly things would shift for both of us. Protea was a new chapter, a fresh start for me, but I couldn't shake the memories of my previous school and what had brought me here.
After breakfast, we grabbed our bags and headed out together.
---
Protea High School.
About a five-minute walk from our dormitory. The road leading up to it was lined with cherry trees, their branches forming a canopy above, hinting at the beauty they'd hold in bloom. This was one of the top schools in Pillar Eight, one of the City of Pillars, and its high-ranking status was evident in the modern architecture and sprawling grounds.
"Brother, you should go to the teacher's office first," Alysha reminded me, her voice pulling me back to the present. "Need me to show you where it is?"
I shook my head, glancing around. "Thanks, but I can manage. Besides, don't you have student council business?"
"If you're sure," She hesitated but eventually agreed.
We shared a quick nod before she took off down the hallway, already absorbed in her own responsibilities.
Just as I neared the main entrance, I felt a strange tension in the air. Curious glances followed me, eyes filled with suspicion and jealousy—expected, considering my sister, with a charming face, good grades, athletic, and also have strong Power; was the most popular girl in school. But I shrugged it off and continued.
As I approached the main building, the sense of unfamiliarity was palpable. Protea was a renowned school, sprawling and impressive, nothing like where I'd been before. Yet, despite the prestige, it looked like a normal school at first glance. I made my way to the teacher's office, trying to familiarize myself with the layout.
Navigating the halls, I caught curious glances from students here and there. I kept my gaze forward, ignoring them as best I could.
The teachers' office was on the first floor, clearly labeled. I stopped in front of the door and took a breath.
As I reached the teacher's office, my hand hovered over the sliding door, but just as I was about to open it, the door slid back from the other side. Reflexively, I took a step back, coming face-to-face with a girl who seemed equally startled.
She froze for a second, her eyes widening before a soft blush crept up her cheeks. She had warm brown eyes that matched her shoulder-length hair, which was parted just above her right eye, held by a pair of star-patterned hairpins. There was something distinctly charming about her look. She looked young—probably a first-year, based on the green pin on her blazer.
"Oh… sorry!" I quickly took a step back, realizing I'd been staring a bit too long. There was something oddly familiar about her, though I couldn't place it.
"N-no, I'm the one who's sorry," she replied, bowing slightly, her voice soft but hurried. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she stepped aside, clearly in a rush to leave.
"Right, uh… okay." I tried not to look too interested, but for a reason I couldn't explain, her presence left me feeling unexpectedly calm, and oddly, a little nostalgic.
I tried to shake the sense of déjà vu. I'd only just transferred here, but somehow, she didn't feel like a complete stranger. She nodded politely, and without another word, continued down the hall, disappearing around the corner.
As I watched her leave, an odd calmness lingered. I couldn't quite put a finger on it, but something about her felt strangely familiar, like we shared some kind of bond.
Had I met her before? Or maybe she just reminded me of someone. But there was an unshakeable feeling—a pull—that made me wonder if this chance meeting meant more than I realized.
I chuckled to myself, pushing the thought away. Just nerves, I figured. I turned back toward the teacher's office, but something told me this wouldn't be the last time I ran into her.
I slid open the door to the teacher's office and stepped inside.
The room was spacious, with rows of desks filled with neatly stacked papers and files, along with a few teachers already at work, some chatting over cups of coffee. The faint hum of printers and the rustling of papers added a sense of purpose to the air, making it feel different from the quiet hallways outside.
I glanced around, feeling slightly out of place. It was my first day, and I didn't even know who my homeroom teacher was. I walked over to the nearest desk where a teacher was typing away at a computer.
"Excuse me," I said, attempting to sound confident. "I'm Ishimaru Naozumi, the new transfer student. I need to check in with my homeroom teacher, but I don't know who that is yet."
The teacher looked up, adjusting her glasses and giving me a friendly smile. "Ah, welcome, Ishimaru. Your homeroom teacher is Ms. Larisa. Her desk is just over there, in the corner."
I followed her gaze to a desk near the back. For a moment, her name rang a bell.
"Thank you very much." I gave a quick nod before heading in the direction he'd pointed. As I got closer, I couldn't help but do a double-take. Sitting there, flipping through a stack of papers with a familiar focus, was someone I recognized all too well.
"Sister Lisa?" I muttered before I could stop myself.
Her head shot up, and her expression shifted to one of delighted surprise. "Nao! Finally here, huh? I was wondering when you'd show up." She gave me an affectionate grin, clearly amused.
In shock, I managed, "Wait—Ms. Larisa… you're my homeroom teacher?"
She chuckled, setting her paperwork down. "Well, if you're going to be formal, sure. But don't worry about it too much, just act natural. Besides, I'm here to make sure you settle in smoothly."
Larisa Maki, or "Sister Lisa" as I'd known her since childhood, was a close friend of my family. She was practically like an older sister to me. She was only a few years older, and seeing her face here instantly took some of the edge off my nerves.
I scratched the back of my neck, and exhaled a sigh of relief, realizing I wasn't quite as alone as I'd thought.
"Well… that's definitely a surprise. I guess it's good to see a familiar face," I replied.
She chuckled softly. "Relax, you don't need to be so formal. And yes, I'll be looking after you here as well, so no escaping me now!" She teased with a grin. "I've already got all your paperwork sorted. Just follow me, and I'll take you to the classroom."
The bell rang at that moment, echoing through the school halls.
"Seems like that's our cue," she said, motioning for me to follow.
As we headed toward the classroom, Sister Lisa glanced over at me. "Nervous?"
"Maybe a little," I admitted.
She nodded, smiling reassuringly. "Don't worry, everyone feels a bit out of place at first. And remember, Alysha's in the same class, so you'll have someone there you know."
Hearing that made my tension ease a bit. Alysha in my class? I wasn't expecting that. She's known as one of the top students here, and our paths don't usually cross academically.
"Wait? Isn't she in the top class?"
Sister Lisa gave me a knowing look. "Did you think they'd let a transfer you into the lower classes?" She patted my shoulder, chuckling at my expression of surprise. "Besides, you're not exactly unqualified. It might not feel like it yet, but you're here for a reason, Nao."
I shot Sister Larisa a doubtful look, barely suppressing a sigh. She was making it sound so easy, but it didn't add up. I was decent academically, sure, but power level? And this was Protea—a school where Esper and Magician abilities were everything. My powers weren't exactly something I flaunted.
"Wait… Isn't top class more than just good grades in academics?" I asked. "I thought only high-ranking Espers made it into Class S. I barely use my powers—actually, I avoid it if I can."
She gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "You'll fit in just fine. Oh, here we are."
We stopped in front of a door with the plaque above it read, "XI-S Class, its polished brass plaque gleaming. The top class, filled with students who excelled both academically and in powers. My heart sank a bit. They put me here? Why would they do that?
"Alright, I'll go in first and introduce you. When I call, you can come in." Sister Larisa said with a wink, stepped inside then leaving me outside the door. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever came next.
I exhaled, watching her open the door and stride in with her usual confidence. From outside, I could already hear a few students shifting in their seats, curious about the new arrival. I took a deep breath, preparing myself. Even if I protest nothing will change.
Her voice carried easily through the room. "Class, we have a new student joining us. It's not every day we bring in a transfer to Class S, so please welcome him."
Then I heard it—the signal, my name echoing through the classroom.
"Alright, Naozumi, come on in!"
With one last breath, I straightened my blazer, opened the door, and stepped inside.