Makoto had always been an unlucky boy. Ever since he could remember, misfortune seemed to cling to him like a stubborn shadow. If there was a puddle, he'd step in it. If someone's grocery bags were destined to break, it would be when he was nearby. His grades were average, not because he wasn't smart, but because he'd lose assignments, spill ink over his papers, or fall sick on exam days. If there was even the slightest chance of something going wrong, it would—and it would always involve him.
Despite all of this, Makoto never allowed his unfortunate circumstances to crush his spirit. He developed a resilience that was admirable, even if it was born out of necessity. Whenever he got caught in a mess, he'd laugh it off with a grin and a shrug, his dark eyes sparkling with a determination that wouldn't die out. No one really understood how he managed to keep smiling when life seemed intent on making him miserable. But, for Makoto, there was a light in his world that made everything bearable—his friends.
Makoto's friends, Riku, Daichi, Tenma, and Ichiro, were not just people he hung out with; they were his family—the only family he had ever known. He had grown up without the warmth of a traditional household, without parents or siblings to guide him. There was no one waiting for him at home, no family dinners, no comforting hugs after a long day. Instead, he found that sense of belonging with Riku, Daichi, Tenma, and Ichiro, who filled the emptiness in his heart with a love that was stronger than blood. They had met in elementary school, a random collection of boys who happened to sit at the same lunch table. Makoto had been the last to join them, an awkward, shy kid who had just spilled milk over his own lunch tray on the first day. Most kids would have laughed or ignored him, but not Riku, Daichi, Tenma, and Ichiro. They had welcomed him with open arms, offering half of their lunches without a second thought, and from that day on, they were inseparable.
Riku was the leader of the group—tall, athletic, and endlessly optimistic. He had a way of making even the worst situations seem manageable, and his deep, booming laugh could chase away the darkest clouds. Whenever Makoto's bad luck struck, Riku was the first to roll up his sleeves and get to work fixing things. Daichi was the quiet genius, always carrying a book, his glasses perched low on his nose. If there was a problem that needed solving, Daichi would think it over carefully, providing a solution with a soft-spoken confidence that everyone trusted. Tenma, the prankster, was the heart of the group, his mischievous grin lighting up every room he entered. He had a knack for turning Makoto's disasters into jokes, defusing any tension with humor and keeping spirits high. Ichiro, the calm and steady anchor, was the voice of reason. He rarely got flustered, even when Makoto's bad luck created chaos. His patience was infinite, and his presence was a grounding force in their group.
Together, they made up a strange but perfect balance. Makoto had found safety and acceptance in their friendship, and he would do anything to protect it. As the years passed, he learned to lean on them when things went wrong, even though he hated feeling like a burden. They, in turn, made it clear they were there for him, no matter what. His problems became their problems, his bad luck something they all joked about, never blaming him for the messes he seemed to attract.
It was a rainy afternoon when Makoto first realized how much his friends meant to him. They had gathered at their usual hangout spot after school—a small café tucked away from the busy streets. Riku, drenched from the unexpected downpour, teased Makoto about being the "human rain magnet," as he called it. Every time they planned something outdoors, it seemed like it would rain, and Riku was convinced Makoto's bad luck was to blame. Everyone laughed, including Makoto, who playfully protested his innocence.
But soon the laughter was interrupted by a sudden shriek from the counter. Makoto's eyes widened as he saw that his drink, which had been placed precariously close to the edge of the table, had tipped over, spilling all over his pants. The barista rushed over with napkins, apologizing profusely, but Makoto's face had already turned a deep shade of red. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened, and it wouldn't be the last.
Before he could say a word, Tenma cracked a joke about how Makoto had the incredible ability to make drinks jump into his lap, and the group burst out laughing. Riku threw his arm around Makoto's shoulders and handed him a towel, while Ichiro asked the barista for another drink, assuring her that they would pay for the mess. Daichi, as always, offered a kind smile, as if to say that nothing had changed in their eyes, that Makoto was still their friend—drink spills and all.
Moments like these solidified the bond they shared. The world outside seemed harsh and uncaring, but with his friends, Makoto felt invincible, even if he knew he wasn't. He often wondered why they stuck by him when he seemed to bring them nothing but trouble. It would have been easier for them to drift away, to leave him behind and live simpler lives without his endless misfortunes weighing them down. Yet they never did. Even when he accidentally knocked over Riku's favorite collection of model planes or ruined Tenma's meticulously planned birthday surprise by tripping and falling face-first into the cake, they stayed. They never judged him, never abandoned him. And Makoto, in turn, cherished them more than anything else in his life.
There were times when his bad luck genuinely scared him, moments when he thought he was cursed. He had read about people who carried misfortune wherever they went, and sometimes he wondered if he was one of them. But every time doubt crept into his mind, his friends would be there, like a shining beacon of light in the darkest storm. They weren't afraid of his bad luck; they faced it with him, laughing it off and moving forward as if nothing could touch them.
It wasn't just the little accidents and everyday mishaps that they endured together. They were there for each other through the bigger struggles too—the arguments with parents, the pressure of exams, the heartbreaks, and the failures. Makoto was there when Daichi lost his beloved grandmother, holding him quietly while he cried. Riku had helped him study all night for a history exam he was sure he would fail, keeping him awake with jokes and a never-ending supply of snacks. Tenma had dragged him out of the house after his first major heartbreak, refusing to let him mope around, insisting that no matter how hard life got, it was better to face it head-on. And Ichiro, with his calming voice, had always been the one to remind them that they had each other, that together they could face anything.
The deeper their friendship grew, the less Makoto cared about what the world thought of him. At school, he had a reputation for being unlucky, and the rumors followed him wherever he went. Some people laughed at him, others avoided him, and a few even pitied him. But it didn't matter—not when he had Riku, Daichi, Tenma, and Ichiro. They were his world, his safe haven, and the only opinion that truly mattered to him. He didn't need to be liked by everyone; he just needed them by his side.
He couldn't remember the exact moment when he realized they were more important to him than anything else. Maybe it was during one of their sleepovers when they stayed up all night playing video games until they collapsed in a pile of blankets, exhausted and happy. Or perhaps it was the time they huddled together under a single umbrella during a storm, sharing warmth and laughter while the rain poured around them. Or maybe it was just in the everyday moments—the quiet, unspoken understanding that no matter how chaotic life became, they would face it together.
Makoto knew he was unlucky. He knew that trouble would always find him, no matter how hard he tried to avoid it. But he also knew that he wasn't alone. His friends, his family in all but name, would be there, standing beside him every step of the way. It was enough for him to keep moving forward, to keep facing the challenges that life threw his way with a smile.
Because as long as they were with him, he was the luckiest unlucky boy in the world.