Haruto's alarm clock buzzed loudly, shattering the silence in his small apartment. He groaned and rolled over, pulling the blanket over his head. He didn't want to get up, but the first day of school wasn't something he could skip.
The apartment was empty, like always. His parents lived in Tokyo, too busy with their work to care for a quiet kid like him. Haruto had been living on his own since his 16th birthday, paying the bills with the allowance they sent him each month. He didn't mind. It gave him the freedom to stay out of sight, just the way he liked it.
With a sigh, Haruto sat up and rubbed his eyes. The place wasn't much—just a futon, a tiny desk, and a fridge stocked with instant meals. It felt more like a box than a home, but it suited him fine.
After getting dressed in his Kyoto High uniform, Haruto grabbed a piece of bread from the counter and left. The streets were already crowded with students, their laughter and chatter filling the morning air. Haruto walked alone, keeping his head down.
"Haruto!"
The familiar voice broke through the noise. He turned to see Kiyo jogging toward him, his usual goofy grin on full display.
"Hey," Haruto said flatly.
"You don't sound too excited," Kiyo teased, falling into step beside him.
"It's just school," Haruto muttered.
"Come on, man. A new year means new chances! Who knows? Maybe this time something interesting will actually happen."
Haruto rolled his eyes. "Doubt it."
Kiyo chuckled but didn't push him further. He was used to Haruto's quiet nature. They were complete opposites—Kiyo was loud and outgoing, while Haruto preferred isolation. But for some reason, Kiyo stuck around, and Haruto didn't mind having him as his only friend.
When they arrived at school, the courtyard was buzzing with activity. First-years looked lost as they searched for their classrooms, while groups of friends reunited after the break. Haruto tried to slip past the crowd unnoticed, but then he saw her.
She stood under a cherry blossom tree, the sunlight catching her long, dark hair. Her uniform was spotless, and she held herself with a kind of grace that made it impossible not to look. Yuki Imane.
Haruto had seen her before, but only from a distance. She was popular, the kind of girl who seemed too perfect to be real. She was way out of his league, and he knew it.
Kiyo nudged him. "You're staring."
Haruto quickly looked away, feeling his face heat up. "No, I'm not."
Kiyo smirked. "That's Yuki Imane. She's in our class this year, you know."
Haruto frowned. "How do you know that?"
"I just do."
Before Haruto could reply, the bell rang. They headed inside, and Haruto silently prayed for a seat in the back corner where he could disappear.
But his luck ran out.
"Haruto Ito," the teacher called, pointing to a desk near the middle of the room. "You'll be sitting next to Yuki Imane."
Haruto froze. Of all people, why her? He glanced at Kiyo, who was grinning like an idiot.
Haruto shuffled to his seat and sat down, keeping his head low. Yuki was already there, her notebook open and pen in hand. She glanced at him and smiled politely.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Uh, hi," Haruto muttered, not daring to meet her beautiful eyes.
She didn't say anything else, going back to her notes. Haruto stared at his desk, his mind racing.
So much for staying invisible. This year was already shaping up to be different—whether he liked it or not.