First-Year Class A.
When Lin Zhi entered the classroom with Shouko Nishimiya, most of the seats were already taken.
Maybe it was the excitement of becoming high school students, or maybe it was the anticipation of meeting new classmates—but everyone's faces were lit with energy. On this first day stepping up from junior high, smiles filled the room.
For those with an embarrassing past from middle school, high school meant a fresh start. For others, especially those with a flair for the dramatic, it was the day of their "new life."
As Lin Zhi and Nishimiya walked in, most students turned to glance at them. When they noticed how close the two seemed, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Curious eyes, whispers—soon, they had become the subject of quiet gossip.
"Damn normies."
Lin Zhi caught the muttered complaint from somewhere in the room.
Normies, huh? His expression turned wry. Sorry to disappoint you—but I'm actually just a shut-in otaku.
Still, he noticed something important.
"You sit here," he said to Nishimiya, pointing to a seat in the second row. "I'll take the one in the back."
People had scattered themselves across the classroom, instinctively keeping their distance in a new and unfamiliar environment. But humans are social creatures. In time, these scattered individuals would naturally gather into small groups and cliques.
Nishimiya looked at him, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something, but her confused eyes only trembled for a moment before she pressed her lips together.
Lin Zhi smiled softly. "Go on—make some friends."
In a strange environment, people were more likely to approach others who seemed just as alone, rather than inserting themselves into established circles.
Her mother was strict but right—Shouko couldn't rely on others forever. Normal communication was something she had to learn and grow into on her own.
Lin Zhi took the seat by the window in the back.
Of course, it wasn't because of some silly "protagonist seat" myth that seemed to float around anime circles.
That whole idea only existed because animators liked to save effort on background details. None of them ever imagined their lazy choice would someday become an otaku legend.
No—Lin Zhi chose the spot for a simple reason: it had the best view.
Through the window, he could see the campus lined with cherry blossoms, and beyond them, the glimmer of sunlight on the sea.
Sometimes just looking at it cleared the mind.
Propping his elbow on the desk and resting his cheek in his palm, Lin Zhi tilted his head toward the window. His thoughts began to drift, filled with a faint nostalgia for his days at Asahi Hill.
It had been a long time since he felt this kind of school atmosphere—and truthfully, he wasn't sure he missed it.
Back at Asahi Hill, life was leisurely. He'd wake up late, take the bus even though the school was only a few kilometers away, and spend the day in a creaky old building that leaked whenever it rained. The wooden floors were rotted through, and stepping on the wrong plank might earn you a surprise drop.
There were only a handful of students, and the teacher spent most of the day half-asleep.
In their free time, they'd run wild through the countryside—time slipped by so easily that by the time they noticed, another peaceful day had already vanished.
Spring brought cherry blossoms, summer meant catching cicadas, autumn was for mountain hikes, and winter for skiing.
Nothing particularly productive, perhaps—but the memories were golden.
When Lin Zhi finally came back to his senses, the classroom had nearly filled up.
He glanced toward Nishimiya. A few girls had gathered around her, chatting and laughing.
Even though she couldn't speak, she communicated through her notebook, and the girls seemed touched by her gentle efforts. Their expressions were soft—full of sympathy and kindness.
Bullying might have been common in younger grades, but at this age, and in a respected private academy like this, students were usually more mature.
Satisfied, Lin Zhi turned his attention to his own surroundings.
The seats in front and behind him were now occupied—and surprisingly, both of his neighbors were also sitting in silence, heads propped on their hands, staring dreamily out the window.
Lin Zhi blinked. Don't tell me… this really is the protagonist's seat? Even the poses match.
But then he noticed something odd about the student sitting in front of him.
From behind, the boy had reddish-purple hair—and on his head… were those antennae?
Lin Zhi couldn't help himself. He leaned forward and lightly tapped the boy on the shoulder.
The student turned, frowning slightly—his eyes calm but strangely piercing.
"Um… excuse me," Lin Zhi asked cautiously. "Those two things on your head—are they some kind of new fashion accessory?"
"You can see them?" the boy asked in surprise.
Lin Zhi froze. What kind of question is that? he thought awkwardly. Of course I can see them—they're right there!
Perhaps realizing how odd his reaction sounded, the other boy's expression smoothed out. "Ah… well, let's just call it a personal preference."
"Haha, right… quite the unique look," Lin Zhi managed, smiling stiffly.
"Thanks."
For a few seconds, they just stared at each other, the air between them thick with awkwardness.
"Oh, right," Lin Zhi said, breaking the silence. "I'm Lin Zhi. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kusuo Saiki."
They shook hands briefly. Saiki studied him curiously. Strange… he can actually see my power limiters.
Lin Zhi, meanwhile, found the boy's gaze unsettling. Even behind those tinted glasses, Saiki's eyes felt… intense.
Just then, Lin Zhi sensed that the student behind him had snapped out of his daze as well.
"Hey," Lin Zhi turned around with a friendly smile. "I'm Lin Zhi. Nice to meet you."
The black-haired boy blinked, then returned the smile. "I'm Kirito—Kazuto Kirigaya."
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