The deafening buzz of cicadas filled the air as the school bell rang, signaling the start of another humid summer day. Voices stirred through the classroom like ripples over still water, chatter bouncing from desk to desk as students settled in with lazy familiarity.
"Okay, good morning everyone," Uehara-sensei called out over the noise, his tone sharp but practiced.
"Good morning," the class echoed, their voices scattered and disinterested.
"We have a transfer student joining us today."
"A transfer? This late in the year? That's rare, isn't it?" someone whispered.
"Yeah, it's strange for a third-year to transfer now."
"I hope it's a pretty girl."
"Me too."
"Shut up, all of you," Uehara-sensei barked, his patience thinning. He turned toward the door. "Kenji, you can come in now."
With steady steps, Kenji Kawamura entered the room. His uniform was crisp, but his dark hair was slightly ruffled from the morning rush. His heartbeat thudded in his ears, but he managed a polite bow.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Kenji Kawamura. I came from a village called Koishiki. The schools there were quite excellent, but I wanted to further my education elsewhere." His voice was steady, but his stomach twisted with nerves. "Nice to meet all of you."
Uehara-sensei gave a small nod. "Alright, now that we've heard from you, go sit at the back. The empty seat is yours."
"Understood." Kenji made his way through the maze of desks, his shoes clicking softly against the polished floor.
Sliding into the seat next to a girl with shoulder-length black hair, he gave a tentative smile. "Hello. Looks like we'll be sitting next to each other from now on."
She glanced at him, her expression distant but not cold. "Yeah."
Before he could ask her name, Uehara-sensei snapped the class to attention. "Alright, open your books to page fifty-seven. We'll begin from there."
Kenji's stomach sank. He rummaged through his bag frantically. Oh no. I don't have my textbooks yet. What do I do? His hand trembled slightly as it grazed the empty space where his book should've been.
Without a word, the girl beside him slid her desk closer and opened her book wide enough to share. A faint, pleasant scent drifted from her hair—subtle, like fresh jasmine.
"Um… thank you," Kenji mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh… what's your name?"
"Madoka Nakano."
"I see. Thank you, Nakano."
The lesson pressed on, but Kenji barely absorbed any of it. His focus wavered as he scanned the enormous classroom, the tall windows, the sheer number of students—a far cry from the cramped, weather-worn schools back home.
When the bell finally rang for lunch, Kenji stepped into the hall, his stomach groaning in protest. This school is massive. Back in Koishiki, our schools were like pawn shops compared to this. I don't even know where the cafeteria is. Am I going to starve today?
"Hey, new kid. You look like you're completely lost."
Kenji turned to see a boy with an easy grin, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets.
"Yeah, you could say that."
"If you want, I can show you around. I've been here a while."
Relief softened Kenji's stiff shoulders. "Thanks, I'd appreciate it."
"Name's Kataoka Touki, but just call me Touki. Everyone does."
"Alright, Touki, could you show me to the cafeteria?"
"Sure, follow me."
As they walked, the hall buzzed with life—squeaking shoes, laughter bouncing off the walls, the faint scent of fried chicken and bread wafting through the air.
"This school's huge, huh?" Touki said, glancing back with a smirk.
"Yeah, it really is."
Soon, they reached the cafeteria—a cavernous room filled with clattering trays, echoing voices, and the mingling smells of curry, grilled meat, and freshly baked bread.
"It's always this crowded," Touki sighed, surveying the packed space. "I usually eat on the roof."
Kenji's gaze drifted and caught on a girl sitting alone by the window—the same one from earlier that morning. Her long, silky black hair shimmered faintly under the sterile fluorescent lights. She sat in silence, methodically eating, seemingly untouched by the chaotic storm of students around her.
Touki followed his gaze and laughed. "You've got good taste. That's Sayuri Tanaka. Class 2-A, sixteen years old. Top of her class. She doesn't really talk to anyone outside the teachers. Total mystery, but man, she's beautiful."
"Sayuri Tanaka…" Kenji whispered, letting the name linger in his mind.
His stomach growled violently, loud enough to draw attention from nearby tables.
"You were so mesmerized you forgot you were starving, huh?" Touki grinned, clapping him on the back.
"N-No! I was just… curious, that's all. Anyway, I should get something to eat."
"That's the line over there."
Kenji's jaw dropped. The line snaked through the entire cafeteria like a living beast.
"How can the line be this long?" he groaned.
"Yeah, it's always like this. You either get used to it or bring your own lunch."
We didn't have time to make anything this morning, Kenji thought bitterly, clutching his grumbling stomach. I'm going to die…
By the time lunch ended, Kenji's stomach still felt hollow, his energy drained.
Classes blurred together after that. As the final bell rang, the classroom buzzed with after-school plans while Kenji stayed behind, cleaning the board by himself.
That bastard… he really left me to clean everything alone. I thought he was a decent guy.
Uehara-sensei dismissed the class. "We're done for today. Bring your thoughts tomorrow."
"Yes, Sensei," the students echoed.
"Stand! Bow!" the class rep called out.
"Thank you for the lesson," everyone chorused before filing out.
Kenji was about to pack up when Uehara-sensei halted Touki near the door. "Where do you think you're going, Mr. Kataoka?"
"Um, Sensei, I've got soccer practice. I'm the captain, so I really can't miss it. Please?"
"That's the same excuse you give me every time," Uehara-sensei growled. "No more excuses. Clean the classroom or else."
"Yes, Sensei…" Touki muttered, deflating.
His eyes darted to Kenji. "Oh, Kenji! My guy! Do me a favor, will ya? Can you clean the class for me? I've got practice—I'll owe you one."
Kenji hesitated but sighed. "Fine. It's the least I can do since you helped me earlier."
"You're the best! Catch you later!" Touki bolted out the door without another word.
Kenji watched him disappear beyond the school gates. I have responsibilities too, you know… we haven't even finished unpacking the house yet…
"Hey, big brother. You seem busy."
Kenji turned, smiling as his little sister Shiori approached, her dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
"Oh, Shiori. Yeah, I got stuck with cleaning today."
"But it's your first day."
"I know, but…"
"I'll help." She picked up a rag without waiting for permission.
"No, it's fine. You can just—"
"Don't forget, we still have a whole house to clean. Four hands are faster than two."
Kenji smiled warmly. She's grown so much. I remember when she clung to me and cried over scraped knees. Now she's more responsible than I am.
They finished quickly, their teamwork effortless.
"Well, that's the last of it," Shiori said cheerfully. "Let's go home."
"Yeah."
As they walked under the amber sky, Kenji asked, "How was your first day?"
"I was nervous introducing myself, but everyone was so kind. They really made me feel welcome."
"I see." Hopefully none of those idiots think they can date my little sister…
"What about you?"
"Well, it started off fine… but I spent almost the entire lunch waiting in line, starving to death."
Shiori giggled. "Don't worry! Starting tomorrow, I'll make breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
"I like the sound of that—"
A low, menacing growl cut him off.
Kenji's blood ran cold. Shiori's eyes widened in terror. "Big brother… what are those things?!"
Two monstrous flame hounds crept toward them, their eyes glowing like hot coals. Their bodies shimmered with embers, and thick smoke curled from their mouths.
One of them exhaled a blast of searing fire.
"Look out!" Kenji shoved Shiori to the ground, his skin blistering from the heat. Pain seared across his arm.
"Shiori! Are you okay?! Shiori!!" She didn't respond. His pulse thundered in his ears. Damn it, she's unconscious!
The hound roared, another jet of fire surging toward him. Kenji cradled Shiori in his arms and bolted, his breathing ragged, his legs burning from the sprint.
I've got to get out of its range!
The beast thundered after him, its heavy paws slamming against the pavement. Another blast of fire grazed Kenji's back, singing his shirt.
Before he could adjust, a second hound lunged from the side, its claws raking into his ribs.
"Gah!" Kenji crashed to the ground, blood spattering the concrete. Agonizing pain shot through his body. He coughed, the metallic taste of blood flooding his mouth.
"Shiori! Shiori! Please—wake up! We'll die if you don't move!"
The hound snarled, its molten jaws opening wide as it leapt.
I can't protect her… I'm not fast enough—
A sharp hiss sliced through the air.
Swish. Slit.
The beast yelped, crumpling in a heap. Its embers fizzled out as the second hound snarled, its courage failing. It turned and bolted into the shadows.
Kenji's blurred vision settled on the figure standing over them.
Long black hair. Calm, unreadable eyes. A sword blazing with brilliant orange flames.
"Sayuri…?"
His mind spun, struggling to process what he was seeing.
What the hell is going on…? That sword… those flames… who is she…?
His body finally gave in. Darkness swallowed his vision as the fire in her hands flickered in the distance.
And then, there was nothing.