It was another long day at school, and as the final bell rang, Naveen grabbed his bag, ready to head home. The air was cool and crisp, a refreshing break after the humid afternoons he had become accustomed to. He started walking down the hallway, weaving through groups of students as they headed out of the school gates.
As he stepped outside, he noticed a familiar figure ahead of him: Hayase. She was walking in the same direction, her golden hair catching the afternoon sunlight. Naveen hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should call out to her, but then decided against it. Why bother her? he thought. I've already been a troublemaker today.
They continued walking in silence, the distance between them slowly closing as they moved down the same path. Every step felt like déjà vu. The same street, the same people, the same shops lining the road. Naveen's mind began to wander as he wondered how often they'd find themselves in the same place, at the same time. It felt almost like they were walking in sync, as though the universe was nudging them to share this strange, quiet moment together.
After a few minutes, Hayase suddenly turned her head, catching Naveen off guard. "Stop stalking me," she said with a mischievous grin. "Just because I showed you around the school doesn't mean I have a crush on you. Although I am beautiful, and you... well, you don't deserve me."
Naveen stopped in his tracks, blinking in confusion. What? Stalking? He quickly glanced around, wondering if she was talking to someone else. But no, it was definitely him. "I... I wasn't stalking you," he stammered, still trying to wrap his head around what she'd just said.
"Then why are you following me?" Hayase teased, clearly amused by his confusion.
Naveen, flustered, took a deep breath. "Because... my house is this way too," he muttered, pointing down the road. "I live in a flat over there." He felt like he was making a fool of himself, but the words were out before he could stop them.
Hayase stopped walking and raised an eyebrow, her expression turning from playful to surprised. "Wait... you live in the same building as me?" she asked, her tone now more curious than teasing.
"Yeah... I didn't notice you before because you were always so early for school, but today you were running late, so... I guess I saw you," Naveen explained, feeling even more awkward by the second. This is going all wrong, he thought to himself.
Hayase let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Well, now that's a coincidence. I didn't expect that." She then stopped and looked at him, her face a little more serious. "But you should know, Naveen, just because we're neighbors doesn't mean you can keep following me around like this. Some people—" she paused, glancing at him sideways, "—they think everyone is beneath them. Especially people like me, who are... you know, a little more 'special' than others."
Naveen blinked. Was she really saying this? "Umm, what do you mean by that?" he asked, his confusion growing.
"I mean," Hayase continued with a shrug, "some people just don't get it. They think I'm stuck-up, that I'm all about attention, but in reality, I'm just trying to get by, you know? So, just because we're neighbors doesn't mean you should think I'm going to be all friendly and stuff with you."
Naveen stood there, completely unsure of what to make of her words. Hayase had always seemed so cheerful and kind—at least that's what she'd shown him during the school tour. But now she was acting like... like she was trying to distance herself from him? His mind was racing, and he couldn't quite figure out how to respond.
Before he could speak, Hayase threw him another glance, her grin returning. "But, you know, don't take it personally. I'm just messing with you," she added, her tone light and teasing again. "Just... try not to overthink it."
Naveen was now thoroughly confused. What does she mean by all that? He'd barely had time to process her words when she started walking again, clearly expecting him to follow.
He did, of course, still unsure whether she was joking or being serious. But as they continued walking side by side, he couldn't help but feel like there was more to Hayase than met the eye. She was unpredictable, and the playful teasing had thrown him off balance. But maybe that was just part of who she was.
As they neared their building, Naveen could feel the weight of the awkwardness between them. He decided to break the silence. "You know," he began, trying to sound casual, "if you think I'm following you because I think you're... uh... special, then you're wrong."
Hayase glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why are you following me?"
Naveen scratched the back of his head, trying to find the right words. "I'm not following you because you're beautiful or anything like that," he said in a rush, his words tumbling out. "I mean, I don't even know what you're talking about with the 'special' thing. I just live in the same building and—"
He stopped himself, realizing how much he was rambling. Hayase, to his surprise, burst into laughter.
"Wow, you really don't get it, do you?" she said between giggles. "You're so funny, Naveen. Honestly, just forget what I said. I was messing with you."
"Wait, you were?" Naveen blinked, completely taken aback.
Hayase just smiled, her usual mischievous glint back in her eyes. "Yeah, I was. Honestly, you're way too serious for someone who's just met me. But don't worry. I think you'll be okay... as long as you stop acting like you're in a Bollywood movie."
Naveen stared at her, his face a mixture of embarrassment and confusion. Bollywood movie? What's that supposed to mean?
But before he could ask, Hayase waved and turned to head toward the elevator. "Catch you later, Naveen. Don't worry so much."
As she disappeared into the building, Naveen stood still for a moment, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. One minute, she was teasing him, and the next minute, she was acting like nothing had happened at all. It was like trying to understand a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
With a deep sigh, Naveen finally walked toward the stairs, his mind swirling with the events of the day. This is going to be one interesting year, he thought, shaking his head. I just hope I can keep up.As Naveen entered his flat, he couldn't shake the strange feeling that had settled in his chest. He tossed his bag onto the couch, feeling both exhausted and confused. What just happened? he thought, running his hand through his hair. One minute Hayase is acting like I'm some kind of stalker, and the next minute she's laughing like it's nothing.
He wandered into the small kitchen and started preparing a quick snack—some rice and pickles, just like his mom used to make. Cooking always helped him clear his mind, even if it was just a simple task. But today, even the rhythmic motion of stirring rice didn't help. He kept thinking about Hayase and the way she'd teased him, not entirely sure if she was serious or just having fun at his expense.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, he thought. She probably just likes to joke around.
The sound of his phone vibrating on the table broke his train of thought. It was a text from his friend back home in Mumbai.
Ravi: How's Japan treating you? You surviving?
Naveen chuckled at the message, his thoughts shifting back to the familiar comfort of his old life. It felt like a lifetime ago, being surrounded by friends who knew exactly who he was. Here, in this quiet, unfamiliar place, everything felt uncertain. He quickly typed a response.
Naveen: It's... different. But I'm getting used to it. Mostly.
He hit send and then set the phone down. His thoughts drifted back to Hayase. What had she meant when she said everyone thought she was "special"? Was it just her way of messing with him, or was there some deeper meaning behind it?
And why did she think I was stalking her?
Naveen's mind replayed the encounter, analyzing every word, every glance. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized something—maybe Hayase wasn't just teasing him. Maybe, in her own way, she was trying to make sure he didn't get the wrong idea about her. Maybe she didn't want him, or anyone, to think she was easy to understand.
Naveen leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. I've got to stop overthinking everything.
The peaceful quiet of his apartment felt like a welcome break after the social chaos of school. His phone buzzed again, pulling him back from his thoughts. This time, it was a message from Hayase.
Hayase: Just so you know, I wasn't serious earlier. Don't think too much about it, okay?
Naveen stared at the message for a moment, then laughed softly. So, she was messing with me.
Naveen: Haha, thanks for the clarification. I'll try not to overthink it.
He put his phone down again and decided to relax for the rest of the evening. The confusing events of the day still lingered in the back of his mind, but for the first time since arriving in Japan, he felt like he might just be starting to figure things out. Or at least, he hoped so.
---
The next morning, as Naveen left his building to head to school, he found himself walking down the same street, the routine feeling a little more familiar. As he neared the school gates, he spotted Hayase up ahead, walking toward the school at her usual brisk pace. She was chatting animatedly with a few of her friends, and Naveen couldn't help but notice the way they all looked at her—like she was the center of their world.
For a brief moment, he felt like an outsider again. But then Hayase caught his eye. She paused mid-conversation, flashing him a quick smile and a wave.
"Morning, Naveen!" she called, before turning back to her friends.
Naveen was taken aback by the sudden warmth in her greeting. Was this her way of making amends for the awkwardness of yesterday? Or was it just a casual, friendly gesture? Either way, he couldn't help but smile back, feeling a little less out of place.
"Morning," he muttered to himself, his heart racing slightly. It was still too early to tell what Hayase's intentions were, but for now, he was content to take things one day at a time.
As the day went on, Naveen couldn't help but notice how things were slowly starting to click into place. The more time he spent with his classmates, the less he felt like a foreigner. People were starting to treat him like just another student, not the new guy who didn't belong.
During break, Ishida came up to him as he was sitting alone in the courtyard, his usual quiet demeanor softened by a faint smile. "You know, you're not as bad as I thought you'd be," Ishida said, sitting down next to him.
Naveen chuckled, looking up from his phone. "Yeah? What did you think I'd be like?"
"I don't know," Ishida admitted. "Maybe a little... awkward? But you seem like you can handle yourself."
"Well, I'm trying," Naveen said with a shrug. "It's just... everything here is so different. But I'm getting used to it."
Ishida nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I get it. But you're doing better than most. You'll find your place here."
The words, simple as they were, gave Naveen a small sense of comfort. It wasn't just the people around him that he had to adjust to; it was also the culture, the expectations, the way everything worked. He wasn't just trying to fit in with his classmates—he was trying to understand a whole new way of life.
As the day continued, Naveen found himself reflecting on his time in Japan. He had only been here for a few days, but already, things were changing. With each new encounter—whether with Hayase, Ishida, or anyone else—he was slowly carving out a space for himself in this foreign world.
Maybe, just maybe, he would be able to call this place home one day.