The morning assembly had come and gone, leaving Kazuki with a mix of nerves and curiosity about his new high school life. He and Rito parted ways after entering the bustling school corridors, each heading towards their respective classrooms.
Kazuki navigated the maze of students, occasionally catching curious glances. He was used to the stares; in a world where magical prowess defined status, being the only member of the Satoru family without magic was a rarity—and often a source of ridicule.
Finding his classroom, Kazuki took a seat at the back. As the classroom filled with students reuniting after the summer break, he kept mostly to himself. The chatter around him gradually faded into background noise as he contemplated the day ahead.
"Hey, you're Kazuki, right?" a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Looking up, Kazuki saw a friendly boy with tousled hair and a mischievous grin. "Yeah, that's me," Kazuki replied, offering a small smile.
The boy extended his hand. "I'm Takeshi. Nice to meet you!"
Kazuki shook Takeshi's hand warmly. "Nice to meet you too, Takeshi."
Takeshi leaned in, lowering his voice. "So, what's the deal with your sister? She seems pretty popular around here."
Kazuki chuckled softly. "Yeah, she's always been like that. Makes friends wherever she goes."
Takeshi nodded knowingly. "She seems cool. Anyway, if you need anything or have questions about the school, feel free to ask. I've been here since junior high, so I know my way around."
"Thanks, Takeshi. I appreciate it," Kazuki replied gratefully.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the first class. Takeshi grinned and gestured towards the teacher entering the room. "Looks like we're about to get started. See you around, Kazuki!"
As Kazuki settled into the rhythm of classes, he found himself gradually relaxing. The initial nervousness ebbed away as he focused on learning and observing his classmates.
During lunch break, Kazuki met up with Rito and her friends in the bustling cafeteria. They chatted animatedly about their morning classes and upcoming school events. Kazuki found himself drawn into their lively conversation, feeling a sense of belonging that he hadn't expected.
After lunch, Kazuki decided to explore the school grounds. He wandered through the courtyard, admiring the tranquil beauty of cherry blossom trees swaying gently in the breeze. As he walked, his thoughts wandered back to the encounter with Sutea and the red-haired girl from earlier.
Spotting Sutea sitting alone on a bench, engrossed in a book, Kazuki approached cautiously. "Um, hi Sutea."
Sutea glanced up, her expression guarded. "Oh, it's you... Kazuki, right?"
"Yeah, that's me," Kazuki replied with a small smile. "I just wanted to say sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to... you know..."
Sutea sighed, closing her book. "It's fine. I overreacted."
They sat in awkward silence for a moment before Sutea spoke again. "You're Rito's brother, aren't you?"
Kazuki nodded. "Yeah, I am. She talks about you a lot."
Sutea's cheeks tinted pink. "Oh... well, I suppose that's good."
They continued chatting, gradually warming up to each other. Kazuki learned that Sutea had a passion for literature and a deep interest in magical theory. Sutea, in turn, discovered Kazuki's knack for technology and his ambition to create innovative gadgets.
As the afternoon sun began to set, Kazuki and Sutea parted ways with a promise to meet again. Kazuki returned to his dorm, reflecting on the day's events. Despite the rocky start, he felt optimistic about the future.
Later that afternoon, Kazuki found himself drawn to the school rooftop—a quiet sanctuary away from the bustling hallways and curious stares. It was here that he felt most at peace, surrounded by the open sky and distant cityscape.
Leaning against the rooftop railing, Kazuki gazed out at the horizon. Thoughts of his armored suit project filled his mind. It was his way of compensating for his lack of magical abilities—a technological marvel that he had poured his heart and soul into.
Lost in his thoughts, Kazuki didn't notice the red-haired girl approaching. She had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she swung down from a nearby tree branch, landing gracefully beside him.
"You again," Kazuki remarked, surprised.
The girl flashed a playful smile. "Yep, me again. Name's Ayumi. Sorry about earlier. Didn't mean to startle you."
Kazuki chuckled softly. "No worries, Ayumi. You certainly know how to make an entrance."
Ayumi shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I say? It's my thing."
They stood side by side, watching the sky change hues as the sun dipped lower. Kazuki found himself enjoying Ayumi's company—her carefree attitude was a stark contrast to the rigid social norms of the magical world.
"You know," Ayumi began, breaking the comfortable silence, "not everyone needs magic to be special."
Kazuki looked at her, surprised by her insight. "You really think so?"
Ayumi nodded earnestly. "Absolutely. There are different kinds of strengths in this world. Your armored suit, for example—that's something unique to you."
Kazuki smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Ayumi. I needed to hear that."
As the rooftop grew quieter with the approaching dusk, Kazuki and Ayumi continued their conversation. They shared stories, dreams, and even a few laughs, forging an unexpected friendship amidst the backdrop of their magical school.
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**End of Chapter 2**