Day 1
10:27 AM
Time insists on standing still. It's hard to believe this clock isn't broken. Not that I'm eager for the next class—far from it. However, this break also needs to end for the time to go home to arrive.
While I wait, bored, for the break to be over, I glance out the classroom window and see the same as always: cheerful girls and rowdy boys exuding that unmistakable aura of youth.
Nothing has changed. Day after day, I experience this and inevitably analyze my life the same way each time.
My thoughts are interrupted by the school's loudspeaker.
"Important announcement: All students must submit their vocational forms to the administration office by the end of the school day."
It's the voice of the student council president. She's a peculiar figure at this school, but I've rarely exchanged words with her—and when I have, it's been over bureaucratic matters, like getting hallway passes during class hours.
Wait.
Why does this feel so familiar? It's strange, yet at the same time, it's as if I've experienced this before. The static after the president's announcement is echoing in my head.
Déjà vu? No, it's completely different—it's almost agonizing. A sense of powerlessness is overtaking my body as if my chest is being suffocated.
Just as I'm about to lose my balance, I hear a classmate's voice.
"Ah... I wish I could be like Yukihara-senpai when I grow up," she says, gazing at the loudspeaker.
"Miyucchi, Kaichou is only a year older than you," replies Manabu, another classmate.
When did the two of them get here? Lately, I've been more distracted than usual.
"I know... But I'll never be like her. I'd at least like to be her friend," she says, sitting on a desk and letting out a sigh.
"Even though she's popular, she doesn't seem to have many friends. You know that, right? I think she only talks to the other council members about academic matters," Manabu comments.
From the little interaction I've had with her, I can confirm how complicated she is. I'd advise anyone to stay away from that creature.
While the two of them chat, a third person joins our group.
"Miyu-chan, don't compare yourself to her. You're adorable just as you are," Shou enters the classroom enthusiastically.
"That's easy for you to say, Shimizu-kun. Imagine how hard it must be to stand beside her and constantly be compared. Kobayashi-san must work so hard to deal with that," she says, resting her face in her hands.
Suddenly, the conversation shifts in my direction.
"Hey, Johann, why don't you try joining the student council? With your grades, it wouldn't be hard," Shou asks.
Damn, they noticed me. Why do I still fool myself into thinking I'll be left alone?
"And why would I do that?" I shoot back.
"Oh, to attract girls. Is there any other plausible reason?! Wait, maybe they prefer delinquents? How have I never thought of this before..." he ponders.
Miyu interrupts.
"It's not a bad idea. Joining the student council could be a great addition to your resume, Johann-kun, considering your good grades," she says.
"Interacting with others has never been my strength. Joining the student council would be the last thing I'd ever do at school."
"Miyucchi, Shoucchi, give it up. Johann's a NEET," Manabu says, patting my back lightly.
I am not.
"True, I've never seen him socialize," Shou comments, then dramatically exclaims, "No, Johann, I can't let you fall into the NEET club! Manabu's a bad influence on you!"
"Manabu is just my neighbor; it's not like he influences me."
"How did this conversation even get here?" Miyu laments, covering her face with her hand.
You hang out with these lunatics; you should know better than anyone.
Despite all the jokes and laughter around me, the atmosphere hasn't changed for me. Something feels off. No matter how much I look, everything seems to be in its place. Nothing contradicts the usual generic school day I'm used to, yet the whole environment feels wrong.
Deep inside, I'm screaming that this can't be happening again. How could it not? Statistically, it's the natural thing to occur.
12:35 PM
That unbearable class is finally over.
I leave my backpack at my desk because, unusually, we'll have class this afternoon. I exit the room, walking as fast as I can without breaking into a run.
No matter how fast I move, they're still on my tail. Is there no one else they can bother?
Frustrated, I ask Miyu, who has just caught up to me:
"Don't you have any other friends, Miyu?"
"Of course I do. I'm friends with almost everyone in the class. And I want to be friends with the whole school," she responds, smiling.
"Then why do you always hang out with me and these two idiots? Surely there's a more fitting social circle for you."
"Well, I've been friends with Manabu-kun since childhood, and I don't think it would be right to cut ties with him. You understand, right? And since you and Shimizu-kun are always with him, I end up keeping you company, too," she stumbles over her words, "But of course, I see you as great friends, too."
"I think I understand, but tell me, do you hang out with us because you feel sorry for us? Nobody wants to be around a complete pervert like Shou or a weird otaku like Manabu."
"That's not it. I genuinely like being around Mana—I mean, you guys," she says, blushing slightly.
Weird girl...
While Miyu pesters me in the cafeteria line, two guys ahead of us are talking discreetly. Even someone as uninformed about school life as I am knows who they are.
Both are part of the student council: Hasegawa Haruki and Tanaka Takashi. The first is one of the most popular guys in school, second only to that arrogant new student, Asahi. The other is the vice president, who's a bit more low-key than the other council members. It seems like he exists only to carry out our illustrious president's orders, and as a result, he's overshadowed by her brilliance.
I ignore Miyu and focus on the topic they're discussing.
"Takashi-san, do you know why Kaichou canceled today's meeting? She's usually so strict with the council's schedule. Could she be unwell?" Haruki asks.
"That didn't seem to be the case. She just said to cancel it, and so I did. Normally, she doesn't justify her decisions to me," Takashi replies.
I hate to admit it, but I'm curious about this. A particular concern crept into my mind when Haruki suggested the president might not be well, even though I have no rational connection to her.
"Well, at least we get to rest this afternoon. Can't complain about that," Haruki says, relieved. "But the one who seemed truly happy about it was Asahi-kun."
"By the way, where did that arrogant guy go? He didn't finish the tasks he was assigned," Takashi says, annoyed.
There's something Takashi and I agree on: I can't stand people like Asahi.
"He must be off with his 'fans' somewhere. He was already asking me to cover for him this afternoon, but it wasn't even necessary in the end."
"Hey, Johann-kun! Are you listening to me?" Miyu calls for my attention.
"Sorry, I was distracted."
We finish serving ourselves and head to a secluded table in the cafeteria. It doesn't take long for the other two to catch up with us. Before even sitting down, Shou starts talking excitedly.
"Johann! You won't believe what Manabu and I just found out! It's extraordinary, exceptional, amazing, fabulous!"
I sigh and look at him, signaling that he should continue.
"An exchange student! There's going to be a new exchange student at our school!" he exclaims, his eyes shining with excitement.
"And why should I care?" I ask.
"Didn't I tell you, Shoucchi? Jocchi is a fan of 2D girls," Manabu remarks, noticing my lack of interest.
"I've never seen him carrying dolls and toy guns in his bag," Shou counters.
"They're not dolls, they're action figures!"
"Please, leave me out of your stupid argument. I have nothing to do with this."
In the blink of an eye, Shou is staring at me frantically. Once again, he insists I say something.
"I beg you, Johann, tell me everything about foreign girls. I need to be one step ahead in this competition."
"They're... normal, I guess."
What does he expect me to say?
Shou pouts, clearly dissatisfied with my response.
"Why don't you try to befriend her? She probably doesn't know much Japanese," Miyu suggests.
"That would just be another hassle in my routine."
"You're no fun," she says, sulking. "But enough about that. I want to talk about something else. There's going to be a board game competition, and the prize is excellent!" She smiles at me and continues, "Johann-kun, what do you think? Want to join?!"
"I'm not interested," I reply.
"What? I thought you liked board games," Miyu says, surprised.
"I don't like games in general. They're boring."
"I thought you'd be good at board games because you're smart."
"My grades have nothing to do with that. Games, to me, are just boring."
"Wow, Jocchi. You're really strange," Manabu remarks.
You're the last person who should be saying that.