Reluctantly finishing all the food on my plate, I pushed back the chair and stood up, bowing politely to my stepfather and mother. Even though I was moving a little robotically, I was not attempting to show my disappointment.
"Ah, Yuki, wait a moment—here's your bento," my mother said just as I was about to leave. She handed me a neatly wrapped plastic food box. The towel covering it was decorated with a bear pattern, and its charming design caught me off guard.
"Mom, did you make this for me?" I asked, hesitating for a moment as I looked into her eyes. It had been a long time since I'd received a bento, and the unexpected gesture left me feeling unsure of how to react.
My mother shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, Shinji made it for you. He said he didn't have time to sit down for breakfast, but he didn't want you to leave without something to eat."
The words struck me unexpectedly.
He made it for me?
My eyes widened in disbelief, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I clutched the bento box tightly, overwhelmed by the thought.
A strange warmth bubbled up in my chest, a mix of gratitude and something unfamiliar. It wasn't just the bento—it was the simple, thoughtful act behind it that sent a ripple of happiness through me.
"Heh, so you like him?" she asked, her voice dripping with mischief as her sharp eyes caught my reaction.
A smug smirk spread across her face, and I felt my chest tighten.
Oh no, she noticed. If she kept pushing, this was about to get seriously awkward.
"No! There's no way!" I blurted, quickly turning my face away to avoid her gaze. I tried to sound nonchalant, adding a dismissive "I only view him as a brother!" to shut her down. But inside, my nerves were in chaos.
Why does she always have to be so annoying?
"Haha! Well, I wish you a happy new school life. And hey, don't look so moody all the time—Shinji might get worried!" Her laughter trailed off as she walked away, her teasing voice ringing loudly even from a distance.
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of frustration creeping up my neck. God, she's infuriating! I took a deep breath, letting out a heavy sigh, and decided to ignore her. Instead, I focused on the road ahead, heading toward the school building that felt more like a fortress than a safe haven.
Her parting words lingered in my mind, though. She wasn't wrong—not entirely. Socializing has never been my strength. In fact, it's my biggest weakness. Crowds, strangers, the noise, the chaos—it all made my stomach churn.
It's not just shyness; it's deeper than that. Social anxiety. Crippling, exhausting, ever-present. And my past experiences with bullying? They only made it worse, leaving me wary of people's intentions, afraid of being hurt again.
As I walked through the gates, a sense of dread crept in. Another new beginning. Another chance to mess it all up. But I had to try—because this time, I wanted things to be different.
Or not, I'm not sure.
***
I was wrong. As soon as I entered the room, everyone turned to gaze at me. Their eyes—so many of them—locked onto me, and I couldn't escape their weight. My chest tightened, my breathing shallow and quick, as though the air itself had been sucked out of the room.
"…H-Hello, everyone… I'm Yuki Hoshizora," I choked out, my voice trembling so much it barely sounded like my own.
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it wouldn't go away. The words felt jagged and clumsy; my introduction collapsed under the pressure. My heart pounded violently, and I could feel the heat rising in my face as I stumbled through the unbearable silence.
They're still staring.
Why are they staring?
I lowered my eyes to avoid theirs, but that only made things worse. The sheer number of people filled my vision, a blur of faces blending, each one somehow sharper and more suffocating than the last.
My hands, clammy and shaking, clutched the edge of my uniform, desperate for something to hold on to.
The room spun. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else.
Their expressions clawed at my confidence—some of them looked indifferent, almost bored, which somehow felt worse than outright hostility.
Others narrowed their eyes, their silent disapproval radiating toward me like a judgment I couldn't escape.
But the worst ones—those wide, unblinking stares—felt like knives. They sliced through me, dissecting me, laying every insecurity bare for the world to see.
I felt a sharp chill race down my spine as goosebumps prickled along my arms. I couldn't stop trembling, couldn't stop thinking that maybe they saw me for what I really was: a fraud, an outsider, someone who didn't belong.
Please stop looking at me. Please.
But they didn't. They just kept staring, their eyes burning into me as though I were on trial, a spectacle for them to analyze and judge.
My mind screamed at me to move, to say something more, to do anything to make this stop—but I was frozen, my legs rooted to the floor.
Not good. My stomach churned uneasily, and my body felt weak, trembling like a leaf. My hands clenched tightly as I tried to steady myself, forcing a faint, fake smile that barely hid the storm inside me. Looking into their eyes only made the seconds drag longer, each one suffocating me more.
Oh my god, I just want to hide somewhere. Anywhere.
I took a shaky breath and forced myself to focus. No. Calm down. You can do this.
Yes, Yuki; you can do it.
Still smiling as best as I could, I straightened my posture, pursed my lips, and steadied my voice. Finally, I managed to speak.
"I was born on the twelfth of December, and I moved here for family reasons. As for hobbies, there's nothing special. I hope everyone will take care of me!"
The words escaped in one breath, and I felt like I'd just climbed a mountain. I did it… but that was so hard.
Without daring to look at their faces, I closed my eyes, bowed quickly, and blurted, "Thank you very much!" I straightened up, hoping that this awkward moment would finally end, but my heart was still thumping in my chest.
Buy The worst is yet to come.
The moment I finished introducing myself, the silence shattered like fragile glass.
"Oh my gosh, you're so cute!" Someone squealed, their voice high-pitched and piercing.
"Where are you from?" Another demanded, their eyes practically sparkling with curiosity.
"Are you planning to join any clubs? You'd be such a great fit!" Someone else blurted, their excitement practically vibrating in the air.
"Hey, can I be your boyfriend?" a bold voice cut through the chaos, triggering a ripple of laughter and gasps around me.
It hit me like a tidal wave. Questions, compliments, giggles—they surrounded me, closing in tighter and tighter. As though to drown out the voices, my pulse thundered in my ears and my chest felt heavy.
Oh no. This is bad. Really bad.
My hands clenched at my sides, cold sweat prickling at the back of my neck. My vision narrowed, and the faces around me blurred, merging into a mass of overwhelming noise and heat. My breathing became labored and erratic.
Why are they looking at me like that? Why are they saying all these things? I didn't ask for this.
I didn't want this! I just wanted to blend in, to disappear, to be invisible. But now, all eyes were on me, as if I were someone special.
"Alright, alright, everyone calm down. Hoshizora, please sit in the last seat next to the window," the teacher said with a warm smile.
She must have noticed my nervousness because she laughed softly and gave me a spot at the very back, next to the window—out of sight and exactly what I needed.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief, placing a hand on my chest to steady myself. Grateful for the small comfort, I slipped into the seat, keeping my movements quiet and deliberate.
But my relief didn't last long.
The moment I sat down, I felt countless eyes on me, their stares sharp and probing. It was suffocating, and the faint murmurs didn't help. So annoying, I thought, resisting the urge to meet their gazes. I didn't want to cause any trouble, so I forced myself to endure it.
Determined to avoid their attention, I fixed my eyes on the blackboard and focused entirely on the lesson. If I stayed absorbed in the teacher's words, I wouldn't have to deal with their curiosity.
And it kind of worked. Somehow, I managed to make it through the first period unscathed. It wasn't easy, but it was a small victory.
After the class ended, I realized that my safe space had disappeared. Anyone could approach me at any moment, asking questions or trying to talk to me. It could be overwhelming. What should I do now?
Then I had an idea. I could just look out the window. If I kept my focus there, maybe no one would bother me. Yes, that should work.
That's right, if you keep looking out the window, no one will say anything...
But, of course, I was wrong. While normal people might respect my need for space, not everyone is so considerate. Some people just don't get the hint.
"Hello, Yukizora! I'm Hayato. Can we be friends?"
I turned around, stunned. It was a guy, maybe a little above average in looks, but nothing striking. He wasn't particularly handsome, just... ordinary.
There was nothing about him that stood out or drew you in. He had the kind of face that you would easily forget after a few minutes.
But the thing that irked me wasn't his appearance—no, it was the fact that he dared to completely butcher my name.
My name is important to me, and hearing it disrespected like that felt... well, ungrateful. Who did he think he was, calling me by a name he didn't even get right?
"Yukizora?" I frowned and turned to him, just to see his annoying face was grinning.
"Yeah right, when you combine the first and last names, it creates this—doesn't it sound good?" He said, his voice tinged with a self-satisfied grin.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes internally. No, I don't find it interesting at all.
In fact, I can't stand this guy. The smug tone of his voice made it clear he was expecting me to share his enthusiasm, but I wasn't having any of it.
"Um... yes, but can you back away, please?" I said, my tone polite but firm, the kind of politeness that people often mistook for being courteous when it was actually just a way to distance myself without causing a scene.
Turning away from him, I focused my gaze on the window, letting my eyes wander over the peaceful scene outside.
But the tranquility wasn't enough to calm the irritation simmering inside me. I just want to be left alone. The small talk, the forced friendliness—it was all exhausting, and I was done with it. I had no need for anyone's unnecessary attention.
And just to make sure there were no misunderstandings, I subtly activated my magic circuit.
A cool, sharp sensation filled the air around me, and I watched as a faint icy aura formed at the edges of my personal space. It wasn't visible to the naked eye, but the energy it radiated was unmistakable. The chilling presence was my silent warning: Stay away.
And it worked for the next period, as no one approached me.
But there was something still gnawing at my mind.
"Shinji..." I whispered under my breath, glancing around the classroom. He hadn't shown up, not even after the second period ended, and the weight of his absence felt more pronounced with each passing minute.
Why don't you come to see me?
I thought to myself, biting down on my lower lip, frustration bubbling up inside me. Was it really that difficult for him to make an effort—to just show up? What's keeping you away?
A sigh escaped me, though it was only a quiet exhale in the privacy of my own mind.
My fingers fidgeted restlessly as they went to my lips, nervously biting on the tip of one of them as I stared at the clock, watching the seconds tick by, each one stretching out like an eternity.
Or maybe… Maybe he's deliberately avoiding me. The idea made my heart sink, though I quickly pushed it away.
No, that couldn't be it… Could it? I shook my head, refusing to entertain the thought any longer. It was too painful to think about, but I could not get rid of the nagging sensation.
I didn't want to have to ask anyone else about him, but what other choice did I have? Why was this so complicated?
"You're Yuki Hoshizora, right?"
"…Yes… Is something wrong?" While I was focused on finding Shinji, a female voice suddenly called out to me. There was an unmistakable hostility in her tone, suffocating and uncomfortable—just like that day.
My stomach growled, as if warning me of impending danger. So as always, I turned my face toward the window and avoided making eye contact.
"Hey, brat! When someone calls, you turn around!"
Brat?!
I flinched. This wasn't good. I could feel that I'd upset her. But why was she looking for me? Had I said or done something to offend anyone?
"…Sorry, I didn't mean it that way." I recoiled slightly, unsure.
I hadn't done anything wrong, so why were they trying to make trouble for me?
"Then why don't you turn around?!" She shouted, her voice growing even louder.
"That's right, why do you have to face the window? Do you think you're better than us?"
"Don't think just because you're pretty, you can get away with anything!"
This isn't good… they're even angrier now. I had scenery apologized, why is this happening?
"Sorry…"
"Sorry again? Is that all you ever say?!"
Knock! A loud thud echoed against my desk. This is bad… I've really upset them.
Trembling, I moved even closer to the window. I couldn't bear to face them; I couldn't stand the judgment in their eyes. I needed to get them away from me.
Yes, we had to make them leave.
Activating my magic circuit, a surge of cold energy rippled through me, amplifying the freezing aura that enveloped my body. The temperature dropped drastically, so much so that the air itself seemed to stiffen with the chill.
It was cold enough to make the skin tingle and start to lose sensation, a creeping numbness that would only intensify with prolonged exposure—but not enough to leave permanent damage.
I watched, eyes narrowed, hoping the intensity of this aura would be enough to force her to retreat. This should make her reconsider, I thought—surely, she'd step back.
But I was wrong.
Her eyes blazed with fury instead, and her expression twisted into a sneer. Rather than hesitation, she grew more determined, more hostile.
"You brat…" she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "You think I'm afraid of your petty magic?"
Her hands clenched into fists, and her aura flared in response—burning with a fierce anger that made the air around us crackle. "This Ogura has never known fear!"
With a snarl, she took a step forward, her resolve unshaken. Her footfalls were deliberate and purposeful as she strode toward me, her fingers reaching out to touch me despite the overwhelming chill that surrounded me.
No, please back off.
I tried to increase it further, and ice started to form from thin air, but she still approached fiercely.
A surge of bad memories washed over me. It hurt so much.
I'm going to freeze her.
"That's enough."
"..."
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended on the entire classroom, like an invisible force that wrapped itself around everyone.
It was as though the very atmosphere had shifted, and for a moment, the oppressive weight of it made even the boldest hesitate. The entire class fell into an eerie stillness, as though time itself had frozen.
That voice!
I couldn't help it. A smile tugged at my lips, and without thinking, I spun around, my heart leaping with excitement.
"Shinji!" I called out, the joy unmistakable in my voice. My stepbrother had arrived. He was here, finally! A wave of happiness surged through me, so intense that I felt my eyes water, the tears threatening to spill over.
From across the room, I caught sight of him. His gaze met mine, and seeing the familiar warmth in his eyes, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
He scratched his head awkwardly, a small, bitter smile playing at the corners of his lips as he surveyed the scene.
"She has social anxiety, don't bother her… is that okay?" He said, his tone casual but carrying an undeniable hint of pressure and authority.
He winked playfully as he spoke, before slowly releasing the intense pressure that had enveloped the room, allowing the tension to ease.
The way he carried himself was so effortlessly cool. The calm confidence he exuded was so awe-inspiring that my heart swelled with admiration.
Suddenly, all my worries vanished, and my heart began to beat normally again. Thankfully, he arrived just in time—otherwise, I might have turned those troublesome people into frozen statues.
"Let's just pretend this never happened," he said casually, releasing the pressure. The tension in the room lifted, and the person who had been bothering me quickly ran off.
He just effortlessly solved my problem.
So cool… I thought to myself, unable to contain the warmth that flooded my chest.
That is why he is my hero.
I loved him.