-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN-
-7:33 AM, NOVEMBER 2, 2017-
Morning sunlight spilled across the grand gates of Aurora Academy of Excellence, catching on the trimmed hedges and frost-touched pavement. Students filed into the elite campus in their navy-and-cream uniforms, their breaths rising in soft clouds.
Ichika Komori walked through the entrance with her usual grace, long pink hair brushing lightly against her coat. The school's polished hallways felt familiar and calm — as if nothing unexpected could ever happen within them.
"Good morning, Ichika!"
"Morning, Komori-san!"
Ichika answered each greeting with her gentle, composed smile.
Her day unfolded exactly as planned:
8:00–8:30 AM — Homeroom
8:30–9:30 AM — 1st Period
9:30–10:30 AM — 2nd Period
10:30–11:30 AM — 3rd Period
11:30–12:00 NN — Lunch Break
12:00–1:00 PM — 4th Period
1:00–2:00 PM — 5th Period
Nothing unusual.
Nothing stressful.
Nothing unexpected.
But sometimes, when her mind wandered between lessons, Ichika felt that same quiet tug in her chest — an echo of the boy she had spoken to last night. His tired red eyes. His bruised jaw. His quiet thank you.
She didn't know why she remembered him so clearly.
She didn't even know his name.
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN-
-2:07 PM, NOVEMBER 2, 2017-
When school ended, the courtyard buzzed with laughter. Students hurried toward afterschool clubs or lined up for their drivers.
"Ichikaaa! Walk with us?"
Kiyomi Mizuhara hooked her arm around Ichika's, her energy bright as always.
Misuzu Kanzaki adjusted her bag. "Only until the gate. I have tutoring today."
Ichika smiled softly. "Of course."
Their conversation was light — nothing complicated, nothing heavy. Misuzu soon turned toward her family car, waving gently.
"See you both tomorrow."
Kiyomi skipped off toward her own ride.
"Bye, Ichikaaa!"
And then, Ichika was alone.
She headed toward the corner street where the Komori family car usually picked her up.
Everything seemed the same as always…
Until she turned a corner.
And walked straight into someone.
"O–oh, I'm sor—"
Her voice cut off.
Because the person she bumped into wasn't just anyone.
It was him.
The boy with the vivid red eyes.
The same messy gray hair.
The same quiet, unreadable expression.
Only now—
now Ichika noticed something she hadn't seen before:
He was wearing the same uniform she was.
The jacket.
The tie.
The Aurora Academy emblem on his chest.
Her heart stilled.
He's… a student here? I knew he was familiar…
He looked down at her, his gaze sharp but calm.
"…You again."
Ichika swallowed softly. "I… didn't expect to see you here."
He blinked once—slow, unreadable.
"Didn't expect it either."
Students passed by them, barely noticing the stillness they stood in.
Ichika hesitated, her voice soft.
"You… go to Aurora Academy?"
He looked aside for a brief moment, as if deciding whether to confirm something obvious.
"…Yeah."
Something warm flickered in her chest.
A coincidence.
A connection.
A beginning she didn't see coming.
Snow drifted down around them, gentle and quiet.
And Ichika realized this day was no longer ordinary.
Not anymore.