Chapter 1: The Beginning
As Usami walked in the shining sun, though it was windy, he saw an umbrella fly off.
He looked up the stairs and saw a girl.
He could barely see her because of the sun, but he recognized her by the necklace she wore.
She's Mahiru, the new transfer student, right? Usami thought.
He shrugged it off, gave the umbrella to Mahiru, then walked away before she could thank him.
---
Class started.
Usami sat in his seat, occasionally taking notes.
Mahiru and Usami were two seats apart, so they couldn't talk much.
But Usami's mind was blank. Why did Mahiru even have an umbrella on a sunny day?
When lunchtime came, Usami was with his friends Haruto and Ren.
Haruto was the silent type, his bangs covering most of his face—though underneath, he was really handsome.
Ren, on the other hand, was average in looks and in scores.
"Excuse me," Usami said, standing. He went to the bathroom.
As he walked, he passed Mahiru, who was about to say something.
Mahiru, shocked, could only murmur, "Usa…mi," as he walked away.
---
Fast forward.
Usami went home, sat at his computer, and played games until 2 a.m.
At school, he always slept—in classes, during breaks, even on buses.
Mahiru noticed, since she lived nearby and sometimes saw him.
---
Later, in cooking class.
Usami was paired with Haruto and Mahiru.
He was shocked to be with the beautiful and popular transfer student, but relieved Haruto was there.
They discussed their dishes and planned what to bring.
After class, in the last subject before dismissal, Mahiru suddenly stopped him.
Usami blinked, confused.
"Thank you for the other day," Mahiru said.
Usami remembered the umbrella.
He replied, "No problem."
He walked away.
Mahiru watched him, feeling a little disappointed.
---
Fast forward to cooking.
Their dishes: miso soup and meat.
Usami went to the freezer for meat.
Mahiru was also about to get something, but then—
A classmate lost balance. Boiling hot soup nearly spilled onto Mahiru.
Usami reacted instantly and pulled her back.
He scolded the boy, and the teacher punished him.
Mahiru whispered, "Thank you."
But again, Usami only said, "No problem."
He left the freezer before Mahiru could.
Mahiru felt annoyed as he walked away.
---
That night.
Mahiru sat in her room, staring at the class picture.
Her eyes were locked on Usami.
---
Next day, math class.
As usual, Usami slept, notebook standing to hide his face.
But the teacher already knew this trick.
The eraser flew—smack!—hitting the notebook.
Usami woke up, and the teacher forced him to solve an equation.
He couldn't.
Everyone giggled. Even Mahiru.
Usami froze, shocked, but moved on.
---
Lunch time.
Ren sighed. "Exams are coming."
Usami and Haruto agreed, and the three continued eating.
Just then, Mahiru walked by with her friends, Hana and Yumi.
Usami glanced at them.
Mahiru was already staring at him—with red eyes.
"…You ok?" Haruto asked.
Usami looked away. "Yeah, I'm fine."