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The sun shone brightly over the city. Birds sang cheerfully, dogs barked as their owners strolled by, and the hum of passing cars filled the streets. Inside a small apartment, a boy slept peacefully.
In his dream, five children stood together.
"What high school are you going to?" one boy asked.
"What do you mean?" another laughed. "Of course, we'll all go to the same high school!"
"Are you sure?" a girl tilted her head with doubt.
The boy smiled confidently. "Yeah. Let's make a promise. We'll always be best friends."
They all stacked their pinkies together and shouted, "Yes!"
But before the promise could settle, a voice echoed.
"Wake up, big brother!"
Kinan Ayatsuki jolted awake. His younger sister stood by his bed, frowning.
"You'll be late for your first day at Hoshizora Academy," she scolded.
Kinan sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, yeah…"
"Father already went to work," she continued. "He told me to remind you—you need to buy groceries on your way home."
"Fine," he muttered.
She smiled sweetly and headed for the door. "Don't forget to lock up!" With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving only the soft click of the latch.
Kinan stared at the door for a moment before turning his eyes to the framed photo on his desk. Five smiling children stood together in the picture. His lips tightened into a faint frown.
My name is Kinan Ayatsuki. I'm sixteen years old… and I have no friends. I did once, back in primary school.
The memory flashed again—those same friends walking past him in middle school, laughing with others while pretending he didn't exist.
They forgot about me. Like I didn't exist at all. That's when I decided—I'll never make friends again. What's the point? You just get left behind.
He exhaled heavily, dragging himself out of bed. After putting on his black school uniform, Kinan stared into the mirror.
"I'm so tired… Can't I just sleep forever? If I don't wake up, I don't have to deal with any of this."
Shaking off the thought, he grabbed his bag and left the apartment.
–––
The walk to school was filled with chatter, laughter, and the sound of balls bouncing from the nearby sports fields. Kinan ignored it all, strolling at his own pace.
I don't care about being late. Running wastes too much energy anyway.
By the time he reached the gates of Hoshizora Academy, they were just about to close.
"Hah," he muttered, slipping through. "Made it."
Inside the classroom, labeled Class D, Kinan pushed open the door. All eyes turned toward him. Whispers and stares followed him in—his messy hair and expressionless face made him stand out.
Only one girl at the back didn't bother looking up. She quietly flipped through her book.
"You're late. On the first day, no less," the teacher scolded.
Kinan gave an awkward laugh.
"Name?"
"…Kinan. Kinan Ayatsuki."
The teacher scribbled his name and pointed. "Take your seat."
Kinan trudged to the back row and sat down, sneaking another glance at the black-haired girl. She was scribbling notes while everyone else chatted noisily.
When the bell rang, the classroom erupted as students bolted outside. Kinan yawned and stretched, his eyes drifting again to the quiet girl as she calmly packed her bag and left without a word.
–––
Wandering the school, Kinan passed the sports fields where students shouted and laughed with their teammates. He stopped at the bulletin board, scanning the list of clubs.
Soccer Club – 10 members
Netball Club – 10 members
Newspaper Club – 4 members
Art Club – 6 members
Drama Club – 7 members
Finally, his eyes landed on the last one.
Compass Club – 1 member
"Looking for a club?"
A cheerful voice startled him. A young teacher with warm eyes stood beside him.
"I'm Mrs. Hinari Nozumi," she said, smiling.
"…No."
She tilted her head. "No?"
"If I join a club, I'll have to work. And I don't want to work."
Her smile only widened. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but at this school, joining a club is mandatory. If you refuse, you'll be expelled."
Kinan froze. "Expelled… just for not joining a club?"
"That's right. And no other school will accept you."
For a moment, Kinan imagined it—freedom. No school, no people. Just endless sleep. A small, content smile tugged at his lips.
"Then I'll choose not to join."
Hinari raised a brow. "Kinan Ayatsuki, right?"
"…Yeah?"
"Then it's settled. You're already signed up for the Compass Club."
"…What?" Kinan's voice cracked. "What did you just say!?"
"Someone signed you up. The name was left blank, though."
Who would…? Kinan's mind screamed.
Before he could protest, Hinari guided him to a quiet room with a wooden sign: Compass Club.
"Why me…" he muttered under his breath.
Hinari slid the door open. Inside sat the same black-haired girl from his class, calmly reading her book.
She glanced up, her cool eyes narrowing. "You should learn to knock before entering."
Hinari laughed lightly. "You've got a new member, Yuzuki. This is Kinan Ayatsuki."
Kinan stiffened, but Yuzuki simply returned to her book, ignoring him completely.
"Her name's Yuzuki Arashiro," Hinari explained. "I hope you two become good friends!"
She waved cheerfully and left, shutting the door behind her.
Kinan stood frozen, glaring at Yuzuki as she turned another page without acknowledging him.
"…Why me?" he whispered again.
But Yuzuki didn't even look up.
The Compass Club had begun.
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