The sound of the wall clock ticked softly yet steadily, filling the silence of the room still wrapped in the cool air of morning.
Tick… tick… tick…
Gentle morning sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, casting a faint glow across the neatly arranged bedroom. On the bed, a young man lay on his side, his breathing calm and even.
Slowly, Fujisaki Aaron's eyelids fluttered.
"…hmm…"
He blinked lazily, then opened his eyes fully. For a few seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling without really thinking about anything. But as his awareness returned, his hand reflexively reached for the phone lying beside his pillow.
The screen lit up.
05:00 a.m.
Aaron fell silent.
"…It's still five?" he murmured softly.
School started at seven in the morning. That meant he still had almost two full hours. Logically, it was more than enough time to go back to sleep.
But his body felt different.
His chest felt warm. His heart was beating a little faster than usual. There was a feeling that made it hard for him to close his eyes again—a mix of nervousness, excitement, and uncontrollable anticipation.
"Today…"
A small smile slowly formed on his face.
"…I start at Seiren High School."
The best school. A school he had only ever dreamed of. A school he had chased through hard work, practice, competitions, and long nights of studying ever since his days at Aoyama Middle School.
Aaron sat on the edge of the bed and let out a small breath.
"There's no way I can fall back asleep," he said with a quiet laugh.
He stood up, neatly straightened the blanket—a habit he'd had since childhood—then headed to the bathroom. The cold water splashing against his face sharpened his mind even more.
After washing up, he stepped out into the hallway.
Then his steps slowed.
The smell of food…?
A warm, familiar aroma filled the morning air.
"Mom…?"
Normally, the house would still be completely quiet at this hour. His father wouldn't be awake yet, and his sisters would still be asleep. But there was no mistaking that smell.
Aaron quietly walked toward the kitchen.
And there he saw her.
Tachibana Sakura, his mother, was already standing in front of the stove. A simple apron was tied around her waist. Her hair was neatly tied back, with a few strands falling softly along the sides of her face. Her hands moved skillfully yet gently.
"Mom?" Aaron's voice was filled with surprise. "You're already awake?"
Sakura turned around and smiled softly—a smile that always made Aaron feel safe.
"Good morning, Aaron."
"Good morning… but you usually wake up at six," Aaron said honestly.
Sakura chuckled lightly.
"I woke up early on purpose today."
"Huh?"
"I wanted to be prepared," she said while stirring the food. "I knew you'd wake up early because you'd be too excited."
Aaron immediately blushed.
"So you noticed…"
"Your face says it all," Sakura replied gently.
Aaron scratched the back of his head and laughed softly.
"I thought you'd still be asleep."
"There's no way I'd miss a day this important," Sakura said warmly. "It's my son's first day at a new school."
Aaron fell silent for a moment. Something warm spread through his chest.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Now go get ready," Sakura continued. "I'm making something special to celebrate your first day."
"Yes, Mom."
Back in his room, Aaron looked at the Seiren High School uniform hanging neatly in place. He put it on carefully, making sure every detail was just right.
He stood in front of the mirror.
His reflection was clear.
Sharp features with a well-defined jawline. Deep, calm black eyes that gave him a mature air. His black hair fell naturally, slightly messy, yet somehow perfectly suited him.
Ever since he was little, his face had always drawn attention.
"That kid would make a great idol."
"When he grows up, he'll definitely be an actor."
"He really has the aura of a celebrity."
Those words echoed again in his mind.
Aaron let out a quiet sigh.
"…I just want to live a normal life."
Still, he couldn't deny it—the uniform made him look different. More mature. More ready.
"…This really is a new beginning."
When he entered the dining room, the atmosphere was already lively.
His father, Fujisaki Haruki, sat upright while reading the newspaper.
His older sister, Fujisaki Miyuki, sat gracefully with a cup of tea in hand.
And his younger sister, Fujisaki Ayane, swung her legs restlessly, clearly unable to sit still.
The moment Ayane spotted Aaron—
"BIG BROTHEEER AAROOOON!!"
She jumped off her chair and ran over to hug him tightly.
"Good morning, Big Brother!"
Aaron laughed softly and patted Ayane's head.
"Good morning, Ayane."
Haruki lowered his newspaper and looked Aaron up and down.
"That uniform suits you very well," Haruki said with a faint smile.
Aaron blushed slightly.
"Thank you, Dad…"
Miyuki looked at Aaron with a small smile.
"You look like a main character now."
"Don't exaggerate," Aaron muttered.
Sakura came in carrying breakfast.
They ate together, chatting about the new school, Aaron's obvious excitement, and the family's hopes for him.
06:30 a.m.
Aaron stood up and picked up his bag.
Sakura said softly,
"Be careful on the way, Aaron."
Haruki added,
"Don't rush."
Ayane waved energetically.
"Good luck, Big Brother!"
Miyuki smiled.
"And don't forget to eat lunch."
Aaron smiled back.
"I won't."
The front door closed quietly behind him.
The morning air greeted him at once—cool, fresh, and calm. The street in front of his house wasn't very busy yet. Only the sound of birds and footsteps of people starting their day could be heard.
Aaron adjusted the strap of his bag and began walking toward the bus stop.
Every step felt light.
"Today really begins," he murmured.
Along the way, he passed rows of houses he'd known since childhood. Some porch lights were still on, while others were just opening their doors, dressed for work.
An elderly neighbor sweeping his yard glanced at him.
"Oh? A new uniform?" the man said with a friendly smile.
Aaron stopped and bowed politely.
"Yes, sir. It's my first day."
"A new school?"
"Yes. Seiren High School," Aaron answered without hesitation.
The man's eyes widened slightly.
"Ohh… impressive. Good luck, kid."
"Thank you very much."
Aaron continued walking, his chest warm. Simple words like that somehow gave him extra strength.
Before long, he reached the bus stop. Several people were already waiting—office workers, a housewife, and a middle-aged man reading news on his phone.
Aaron stood to the side, gazing at the road while occasionally adjusting his bag.
He noticed a few people glancing at his uniform—not with suspicion, but with curiosity.
Soon, the middle-aged man beside him spoke up.
"You're from that high school, aren't you?" he asked kindly, pointing at the emblem on Aaron's uniform.
Aaron was slightly surprised, then smiled brightly.
"Yes, sir! Seiren High School!"
"A new student?"
"Yes! It's my first day," Aaron replied quickly, his eyes shining.
The man chuckled.
"It really shows. Your face is glowing."
Aaron felt a little embarrassed.
"Sorry, is it that obvious…?"
"Not at all," the man said with a warm smile.
"That kind of enthusiasm is good. Enjoy your youth."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
Soon, the sound of a bus engine approached. The bus stopped right in front of the shelter, its doors opening slowly.
The passengers boarded one by one.
Aaron stepped inside, paid the fare, and stood near the window. The bus began to move, leaving the stop behind.
Through the glass, Aaron watched the morning scenery pass by—roads, shops just opening, and people beginning their routines.
He glanced down at his uniform.
"This is real," he whispered.
"I'm really a Seiren High School student now."
A small smile returned to his face.
The bus slowed and came to a stop beside the school.
"Seiren High School stop," the driver announced flatly.
Aaron stood, adjusted his bag, and stepped off the bus.
The moment his feet touched the pavement, his body froze.
"…Wow."
Before him stood Seiren High School in all its grandeur.
Tall buildings with modern glass walls reflected the morning sunlight. The campus was vast and beautifully arranged, filled with an atmosphere unlike any ordinary school. Trees lined the entrance road, and students in the same uniform walked by with expressions full of hope.
Aaron smiled unconsciously.
"This really is… Seiren High School."
His chest tightened—not with fear, but with emotion.
He thought of his family.
The Fujisaki family wasn't wealthy. They didn't have a big house or a fancy car. But they weren't struggling either. Their life was simple, average, and warm.
And because of that—
"I can stand here because of hard work… not money."
His thoughts drifted back to his days at Aoyama Middle School.
The academic competitions. The long nights of studying until his eyes burned. The pressure of the national exams. The tense moments waiting for the results.
He clearly remembered the day his name was announced as the top student of his grade—and the moment he received his recommendation to Seiren High School.
Aaron smiled softly.
"All of that… finally paid off."
He gently clenched his fist.
"I won't waste that effort."
As he stood there, still gazing at the school he had only ever seen in his dreams—
Tap.
A hand suddenly patted his shoulder from behind.
"Hey, buddy."
Aaron flinched slightly and turned around.
"You look like you're possessed or something," the voice continued jokingly.
Aaron paused for a moment… then smiled faintly.
"Haha… yeah, you could say that," he replied honestly.
"I'm just shocked seeing this place in person, from this close."
The boy in front of him laughed lightly.
"Fair enough. This place makes people zone out."
That was when Aaron noticed something.
The boy's uniform—
It was exactly the same as his.
Aaron looked at him more closely.
"Wait… don't tell me—"
"You're a student here too?"
The boy nodded casually.
"Yeah. New student at Seiren High School."
Aaron nodded slowly and pointed at his own uniform.
"I see… looks like you noticed too."
The boy grinned.
"Yep. Judging by your uniform, you're a new student too."
"Yeah," Aaron said with a smile.
"I'm new here."
The boy stepped forward slightly and extended his hand with a bright expression.
"Then let me introduce myself. My name's Saionji Itsuki."
Aaron was a little surprised by his openness, but he quickly took the offered hand.
"Fujisaki Aaron."
As they shook hands, Itsuki smiled widely.
"Nice to meet you, Aaron."
Aaron returned the smile—smaller, but sincere.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you too, Itsuki."
Itsuki glanced toward the school gate.
"Well then… how about we head in?"
Aaron followed his gaze.
The gates of Seiren High School stood there, as if waiting.
"…Yeah," Aaron replied firmly.
"Let's go."
They walked side by side, chatting lightly—about the bus ride, about first-day nerves, about small hopes they weren't ready to say out loud yet.
When they reached the front of the school gate—
Aaron stopped.
He looked at the grand building once more.
This time, not with shock—
but with determination.
Itsuki lightly patted Aaron's shoulder.
"For some reason," he said with a relaxed smile,
"I feel like… we're going to have a really fun story here."
Aaron stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then he smiled faintly—a smile full of meaning.
"Yeah," he said softly.
"You're right."
He stepped forward.
"This is the beginning of my story."
And with that, Fujisaki Aaron's first step toward the future truly began.