The dark skies of early dawn shattered as sunlight pierced through them, like the night itself was breaking apart for a new beginning.

Spring mornings were always different from other seasons—calm, fresh, and quietly warm.

“My name is Manabu Kenji.”stepped out of the house for my morning workout.
This sure is cold here at this early morning..I felt a freshness rushing in my body.

Started my workout with running.

**“Hff… hhh… hff…”**

My breathing was heavier than the silence around me.

“Five kilometers today… I need to finish it,” I whispered while running, as if pushing away the voice inside telling me to stop.

By the time I reached the park, my legs were burning, but my determination was stronger than my tired body.

After some little stretches, time for some strength training

“**Hff… 46… 47… 48… come on… 49… 50!**”

The moment I finished, my knees gave out and I fell forward, panting.

**“Haa… hhh… uff…”**

*The regret of not doing something… is always heavier than pain,* I reminded myself as my heart throbbed inside my chest.

Walking back home after finishing my workout, I opened the door.

“I’m back, Mom,” I said.

“Welcome home. Go take a bath first,” she replied gently from the kitchen.

*Chhhkk… clink… shaaaaa…***

The sound of cold water hit my skin as I stepped into the shower.

Refreshing. Sharp. Waking every nerve up.

Drying my hair, I muttered,

“Need to get ready for school… haaah.”

My body felt light after the bath.

“Kenji, come have breakfast!” Mom called.

“Yes Mom, one minute!”

I put on my uniform—

A pure white shirt like fresh milk, navy pants like a calm night sky, and a red blazer over top.

*Tok… tok… tok…***

The wooden stairs creaked slightly as I walked down for breakfast.

“Let’s eat,” I said, sitting down on the chair.

While eating, I glanced up.

“Dad, what are you reading?”

He lifted his eyes above his glasses.

“Nothing new in the newspaper today,” he sighed.

I never understood how news papers worked.

They say it happened “today,” yet we read it early in the morning.

“So today’s your new school year, right?” Dad asked in his deep voice.

“Yes. New classes… everyone gets shuffled.”

Finishing my breakfast, I stood up.

“Thanks for the meal. I’m leaving now.”

“Take care on the road,” Mom said with her soft voice.

“Okay, Mom. See you in the evening!”

I walked outside.

The streets were already alive.

*Piiiip! Pooooop! Krrrk… krrrk…***

The horns and engines mixed with people’s chatter.

Shops opening, workers hurrying, buses rushing.

The daily life every town.

My school stood tall in the distance—a large building with a wide ground.

Students crowded the notice board.

*Step aside! Move! Hey! Let me see!*

Voices piled on each other like traffic noise.**

“Hff…”

I looked the list for my name.

“There… found it.”

All new names. Not even one from my old class.

A small heaviness settled inside me.

I walked to my classroom—**Class 1-A.**

Sunlight fell across the desk like tiny golden sparks.
My seat was near the window.

I touched the desk, opened the window, placed my bag beside the chair, and took a breath.

My mind went blank in a peaceful way.

But my heart felt quietly happy.

“Last year I couldn’t get a window seat… Finally, I got it,” I chuckled unconsciously.

Leaning forward with hands on the desk, I look around the room carfully, taking in all the new faces.

As I rested my head, letting my thoughts wander—

A girl entered the classroom.

Long black hair falling over her shoulders…

Her lower lip gently between her teeth…

Her calm breathing soft and quiet.

Her eyes scanned the room with curiosity.

“There it is,” she whispered, walking toward the seat beside mine.

I didn’t even notice her arrival.

“Good morning,” she said softly.

A sudden change in the atmosphere woke me.

My eyes slowly turned—

And landed on her crimson red eyes.

My heart *jumped.*

Not like when I run.

Different.

Sharp.

Strange.

“G-Good morning…” I replied, voice unsteady.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sakata Suzune,” she said with a breeze-like tone.

“N-Nice to meet you, Sakata…”

I froze.

A girl… sitting next to me…

This close…

She leaned slightly, her black hair brushing back behind her ear with grace.

“You didn’t tell me your name,” she said.

“I-I’m Manabu Kenji.”

Why am I like this…?

My body felt warm.

“There’s no need to be shy, Kenji-kun,” she said with a gentle smile.

The homeroom teacher entered.

“Good morning, everyone!”

A woman in her 20s, refined and elegant.

“I’ll be your new homeroom teacher.”

Class began.

Sakata sat quietly the whole time, like she was thinking about something far away.

“Don’t you have any old friends here?” I asked.

She looked at me gently.

My heart jumped again.

“No… Do you?” she asked.

“Yeah… none. All new faces.”

She smiled.

Her crimson eyes seemed like they were trying to tell me something unspoken.

Time passed.

The day ended.

“See you tomorrow, Kenji-kun,” she said, leaving the classroom.

Cute…

My ears turned red.

“What is happening to me today? Maybe I caught a cold or something…”

I shook my head, unsure.

*What… should I talk to her about tomorrow?*