Shiroi Academy
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On a sunny morning, the campus of Shiroi Academy stretched out before the new students like a world waiting to be discovered. For Haruto Akiyama, each step in this place was a personal challenge. However, he wasn't alone.
"Haruto!" a familiar voice called out across the courtyard. It was Renji Kudo, his best friend since childhood, wearing a calm yet genuine smile.
"Renji," Haruto replied, his face relaxing as he saw him approach quickly. Although the first day had been tough, knowing he had someone he could rely on made it more bearable.
The two met under a small tree on the edge of the bustling school grounds. Haruto dropped his backpack to the ground and sighed as Renji handed him a few sheets of notes he had been organizing earlier.
"How did it go today?" Renji asked, settling down next to him. "I saw you struggling with math."
"Worse than I expected," Haruto admitted with a fatigued expression, glancing over the numbers that had quickly become his worst enemy.
Renji chuckled softly, a gentle sound that eased even the heaviest thoughts. "It's only the beginning. Don't worry. The first week is always the hardest."
Haruto nodded, grateful for his quiet yet steady support. Over the years, Renji had been more than a friend; he was a refuge, an anchor during tough times. From childhood fights in the park to the high expectations imposed by school, they had faced it all together.
"Mikasa will help you with history, Yuta with literature, and I'll handle math and science," Renji said, carefully organizing the sheets in order with a precision that always impressed Haruto.
The mention of Mikasa Hoshino's name brought a slight change to Haruto's expression.
"She's… different, isn't she?"
"What do you mean?" Renji raised an eyebrow.
"She has this determined attitude," Haruto recalled how Mikasa had stood up for a classmate when one of the bullies tried to intimidate him. "She's brave, almost like a soldier in the middle of chaos."
Renji smiled and nodded slowly. "She is. But behind that façade, she's also someone who cares about others. Even if she doesn't say it outright, her heart is in the right place."
Haruto shared the smile as he leaned back against the tree trunk. Renji's words reassured him, giving him a broader perspective on the people now surrounding his world. Not everything at Shiroi Academy was dark and unfamiliar.
"Emi and Yuta are great, too," Renji added, speaking of the other members of the group they had formed. "They'll have your back whenever you need it. I promise."
"Thanks, Renji," Haruto whispered, knowing those words weren't just empty gestures. There was trust in his voice, and Haruto needed that support now more than ever.
They both fell silent for a moment, enjoying the warm sunlight on their faces. The warmth of friendship reminded them that, even though the road ahead would be challenging, they wouldn't have to walk it alone.
Finally, after a few minutes, Renji packed the sheets back into his bag and stood up.
"Come on, we've got more classes to face."
Haruto slowly got to his feet, feeling a slight pressure in his chest but also a small spark of hope.
"Yeah, let's move forward."
Shiroi Academy was still a complicated labyrinth, but with Renji by his side, the path felt less daunting.