Chapter 1 – A Spring That Wasn't the Same
The sky over Aokashi was clear on the first morning of the new semester. The gentle breeze of early spring carried the scent of sakura blossoms that floated down like snowflakes across the school courtyard of Shinryuu High. Uniforms were freshly ironed, laughter echoed through the gates, and new beginnings filled the air.
And yet, Akira Hayasaka walked through it all like a ghost.
He didn't smile. He didn't wave. His steps were quiet, purposeful, and untouched by the chatter that swirled around him. With neatly combed black hair, a perfectly tied maroon necktie, and polished shoes, Akira was as immaculate as ever.
"Hayasaka-senpai!"
"He's really here…!"
"He looks even taller than last year…"
Whispers followed him. Like always.
Akira had long since stopped reacting. His earphones were in—not because he was listening to anything, but because silence was a rare luxury. The illusion of it was better than nothing.
Near the sakura tree that marked the school's oldest corner, he stopped for a moment.
A single petal landed on his shoulder.
He brushed it off, staring briefly at the sky.
"Same season, same people, same masks," he murmured, and kept walking.
---
Above the classrooms, past the "Do Not Enter" sign that had long since faded, someone else welcomed the morning in a very different way.
Airi Tachibana sat on the rooftop floor, back against the fence, her legs stretched out as she turned the pages of an old paperback. The wind tousled her black braid, but she didn't mind. She preferred it like this—unruly, free, and silent.
She'd snuck up here before most students even arrived.
This was her world.
The rest—the morning meetings, greetings, gossip—could stay down there where they belonged.
She turned a page, underlined a sentence, and let the wind turn the next one for her.
---
In Class 2-B, things started to shift.
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Hirota, stood at the front with a clipboard.
"Due to updated scores and seating balance, a few adjustments will be made," he announced. "Hayasaka Akira—please move to the second row by the window."
A few girls gasped softly.
Airi didn't react. Until she noticed that the seat beside her, usually empty, was now being taken.
Akira sat down without looking at her.
He opened his notebook and immediately began reviewing yesterday's material. His handwriting was flawless. His posture, effortless.
Airi glanced once, then back at her book.
No greetings. No introductions.
They shared silence.
And somehow, it wasn't awkward.
---
Lunchtime came.
While most students rushed off to their clubs or groups, Airi took her lunchbox and slipped through the side gate leading behind the gym. It was quieter there. Peaceful. She could eat half her sandwich and spend the rest of the time reading under the trees.
Today, however, a soft meow broke the silence.
She stopped.
There, by the concrete drainage ditch, was a small gray kitten. Its paw was stuck between two rusted bars, and it was struggling helplessly.
Airi crouched carefully. "Easy there... Don't move…"
She reached out, trying to loosen the bar gently, but the kitten hissed, clearly in pain.
Then—
A splash.
Someone had jumped into the ditch.
Mud splattered. The shallow water rippled.
Akira Hayasaka stood in the middle of it, pant leg soaked, reaching for the kitten with one hand.
"You—what are you doing?" Airi blinked.
"You were taking too long," he said simply.
He gently pried the kitten's paw free. It whimpered, but didn't scratch.
As he climbed out, he winced.
"You hurt your arm," she said, seeing the red scrape.
"Just a scratch."
Without a word, she took a handkerchief from her pocket and wrapped it around his arm with careful, practiced hands.
Akira didn't stop her.
"You always carry this?" he asked quietly.
She shrugged. "I read a lot outside. Sometimes I get paper cuts."
He looked at her then—really looked. Not with curiosity. Not with calculation.
Just… surprised.
"Thanks," he said.
"Take the kitten to the nurse."
"I will."
She picked up her fallen book and turned to leave.
Then paused.
"You're not very smart for a genius," she said over her shoulder.
Akira blinked.
"You're not very polite for a stranger," he replied.
She didn't smile.
But her eyes flickered with something close to it.
---
Back in class, the buzz of rumors had already started.
"They say Hayasaka-senpai saved a kitten!"
"Did you see his shoes? Totally ruined!"
"Was he with a girl? Who was it?!"
Akira ignored them.
He sat next to Airi again. The silence between them returned.
But it felt… warmer now.
After the final bell rang and most students left, Akira remained seated. Airi packed her things quietly.
Then—
"Hey."
She looked up.
He didn't meet her gaze.
"Thanks. For not pretending."
She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
He finally looked at her.
"You didn't pretend to care. Or pretend not to."
Airi blinked.
She didn't smile.
But she nodded.
And for the first time in a long time, Akira Hayasaka felt like something had changed.
Not in the school.
Not in the season.
But in him.
---