The world around him was wrapped in a dense, suffocating gloom. The air felt heavy, as if it were laden with a strange silence, broken only by the sounds of distant chaos. In front of him, six dark figures moved swiftly, like living shadows, striking and knocking down anyone who crossed their path. There were no faces, only silhouettes twisting, crushing bodies against the ground.
Haruto tried to move, but his legs seemed anchored to the spot. He could see one of the shadows stopping just a few steps away, slowly turning toward him. There was no light in its eyes, only an oppressive void. That figure leaned slightly, and from its lips escaped a faint voice, almost like a whisper distorted by distance:
[I'm sorry… Haruto.]
His heart skipped a beat. That voice… there was something familiar, an echo of a memory he couldn't grasp.
The shadows kept advancing, and the world distorted, as if the ground and sky were merging into the same abyss. A muffled scream echoed in his head, but he couldn't see who it came from.
Suddenly, everything turned white.
Haruto's eyes flew open as he sat up abruptly in bed. His breathing was ragged, and cold sweat ran down his forehead. He looked around, recognizing his dimly lit room. The alarm clock marked the time, indifferent to what he had just experienced.
"It was just a bad dream…," Haruto repeated to himself over and over, until his breathing began to steady. He let himself fall back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, as if expecting to find some answer there. The silence of the room contrasted with the chaos he had just lived through in his mind, and little by little, the weight in his chest began to fade.
[I'm not going to let a dream ruin my day], he muttered to himself.
With a slow movement, he got up and walked toward the window. The city was already awake; he could hear the distant sound of hurried footsteps and the voices of people beginning their routines. That everyday atmosphere brought a faint smile to his face. It was as if, despite everything, the world reminded him that there were reasons to keep going.
[Today is a new beginning], he thought as he stretched to shake off the last traces of drowsiness.
He headed toward the small desk in the corner of his room. On top of it rested a couple of books and a new notebook he had bought especially for this stage. He picked it up, opening the first blank page. For a few seconds, he stared at it without writing anything, feeling that empty paper was like the day ahead of him: unknown, but full of possibilities.
[I'm going to fill it with good things], he told himself, placing the notebook carefully back on the table before starting to get ready.
Haruto was the boy's name. Haruto Akiyama was 16 years old and, at first glance, seemed like an ordinary boy, though those who knew him knew he was curious and thoughtful. He was reserved most of the time, but with his close friends, he showed an open smile and a constant willingness to help them. An observer by nature, he often noticed the little details others overlooked and, although he sometimes worried more than necessary, he always tried to remain calm before acting. He didn't look for trouble, but neither did he stay still if someone needed support.
His hair was straight, dark brown, slightly messy, with strands that often fell over his forehead, and his eyes, the same shade, reflected both his curiosity and the moments when he sank into thought. His expressions were an honest reflection of what he felt, even if he didn't always dare to put it into words.
Haruto enjoyed the company of friends with whom he could laugh, learn, and share interests. Though he could be shy around new people, he made an effort to be kind and considerate, seeking to create an environment where everyone felt comfortable and heard.
The Shiroi Academy uniform hung neatly on the closet door. The dark jacket and immaculately white shirt seemed to command respect by their mere presence. Putting it on, Haruto looked at himself in the mirror. He didn't see an insecure boy, but someone ready to face whatever challenges might come.
"Today I start my second year of high school."
He thought as he went downstairs to the kitchen, where he was greeted by the aroma of freshly prepared breakfast. His father had already left for work, his sister had gone early to the academy, and his mother was serving the dishes while humming a soft tune. Haruto sat down, feeling that the warmth of the food and the familiarity of the moment drove away any heaviness that might still linger in his mind.
[Thank you, Mom], he said with a sincere smile as he picked up his chopsticks. She looked at him with a faint approving gesture, as if she noticed that something in him had changed for the better.
As he ate, he thought about what this day meant. It was more than just the first day of classes: it was an opportunity to prove that he could adapt, learn, and maybe… find a place where he could feel like he belonged.
When he finished, he stood up and grabbed his backpack, making sure he had everything he needed. He opened the door of his house and took the first step out onto the street, with a new determination.
"No matter what happens, today will be a good day," he told himself mentally, closing the door behind him.
The morning air was fresh, filled with that constant murmur of the city that never fully went silent. Haruto walked down the sidewalk with a steady pace, though every now and then his eyes were distracted by small details: a bicycle leaning against a lamppost, the bread vendor arranging his goods, the metallic sound of a shutter being pulled up.
The path to Shiroi Academy wasn't long, but for him it felt like crossing a bridge into another world. The ordinary streets slowly gave way to a more orderly area, with tall, clean buildings, and a different kind of silence—more restrained, as if everyone there measured each word and each step.
When he turned the last corner, he saw it.
Shiroi Academy rose imposingly, with tall gray stone walls and a wrought-iron gate that looked more like the entrance to a fortress than a school. Above the entrance, the golden emblem of the institution gleamed with silent authority.
Haruto paused for a few seconds to observe. The façade of Shiroi Academy seemed to almost breathe authority. It wasn't just the size of the building, nor the meticulous order of the place, but that invisible sense that everything within those walls had to follow a very specific code.
[So this will be my new world…], he thought as he took a step forward.
Before he could fully cross the gate, a firm but not harsh voice sounded beside him.
[Haruto Akiyama, right?]
He turned his head and saw a young woman, probably in her late twenties. She wore the formal faculty uniform: a dark blue jacket, a knee-length skirt, and a perfectly white shirt. Her brown hair was tied up in an elegant bun, and her thin glasses gave her an air of precision in every movement.
[My name is Kaede Yoshino, I'm the teacher in charge of welcoming new students. Come with me, I'll show you where your class is.]
Haruto nodded immediately.
[Pleased to meet you, Professor.]
Professor Yoshino began to walk with confident steps, and Haruto followed her as she pointed out different places around the campus. They passed by the science building, the gymnasium, and a small inner garden where several students were talking in low voices.
[In this academy, punctuality and respect for the rules are essential. I hope you adapt quickly, Akiyama.]
[I'll do my best to meet all expectations], he replied, keeping a formal tone.
Kaede turned her head slightly to glance at him over her shoulder, as if evaluating his response, and then nodded.
[Good, your classroom is 2-C. It's on the second floor of the east wing. That's where you'll spend most of your classes.]
They climbed the stairs, the echo of their steps resonating in the spotless hallway. On the walls, portraits of distinguished alumni seemed to watch them pass, reinforcing the idea that this place was not just a school, but an institution with its own memory and pride.
When they reached the door with the plaque "2-C," Kaede stopped.
[You're about to begin an important stage. Go in, introduce yourself, and pay attention. First impressions here matter more than you might think.]
Haruto swallowed hard and nodded slowly. He knew that beyond that door, not only strangers awaited him… but an entirely new world.