hat night, he couldn't stop thinking about the encounter. He told his parents everything—the dreams, the bird, and the pull toward Astrelia.
His mother's expression turned serious. "Astrelia…" she murmured, exchanging a glance with his father.
"Do you know something about it?" Haru asked.
His father shook his head. "Not exactly. But if you feel this strongly about it, maybe you should follow that instinct."
Though they were clearly worried, his parents agreed to let him transfer schools in the second semester to explore this mysterious province.
Arrival in Astrelia:
The day of the transfer came faster than expected. As the bus wound through the narrow streets of Astrelia, the scenery seemed to pulse with life. The trees swayed gently, though there was no breeze, and the air felt charged with a subtle energy.
The school was perched on a hill, its old stone buildings bathed in soft sunlight. As he walked through the gates, a gust of wind brushed past him, carrying a faint, familiar scent.
The first day at his new school was nerve-wracking. As he stepped into the classroom, a strange wind brushed past him, carrying with it a faint sense of familiarity. He scanned the room, his heart pounding. And then he saw them.Sitting near the back, a boy and girl looked up at him. His heart skipped a beat—he knew them. The girl's smile, the boy's laughter… they were the same faces from his dream.The girl's eyes widened in recognition, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped. "Take a seat," the teacher said, breaking the spell. He nodded mechanically, his mind racing.As Haru took a seat near the window, he couldn't shake the feeling of their eyes on him. The boy and girl whispered to each other, occasionally glancing his way. He tried to focus on the teacher's words, but his mind raced. Why do they look so familiar? Do they remember me too?
At lunch, he hesitated in the hallway, debating whether to approach them. The girl solved that dilemma by walking straight up to him, the boy trailing behind her.
"You're new here, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Uh, yeah. First day," he replied, feeling strangely nervous under her gaze. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching his face. "Have we… met before?" The question hit him like a thunderbolt. He couldn't tell if it was relief or dread that coursed through him. "I… don't think so," he said, unsure whether to lie or admit the truth.
The boy chuckled, breaking the tension. "Well, you seem familiar, but I guess that happens when you meet someone new." He extended his hand. "I'm Riku, and this is Hana."
"Haru," he said, shaking his hand.