This is so embarrassing…
My entire dream high-school life — the quiet one where nobody knew me, nobody noticed me, nobody cared — it's over.
Shattered.
Gone.
Replaced with rumors, gossip, and the image of some random boy collapsing onto a tall, beautiful girl's chest like a full-on pervert protagonist.
God help me.
My heart pounds under the blanket. I drag the covers over my face, wishing I could evaporate on the spot.
Footsteps.
The curtains slide open.
A woman steps in — white coat, red cross stitched to her shoulder, brown hair tied neatly, green eyes staring straight into my soul.
The school nurse.
"You passed out from a heat stroke," she says, monotone.
No "Are you alright?" No "Take your time." Not even a "Here's some water."
Just:
You passed out. Get over it.
I blink, nod weakly.
She scribbles something on her clipboard, then:
"Get to class."
So cruel… throwing me back into the battlefield with no armor.
I slowly climb off the bed. My legs feel like rubber.
Where's Mina…?
Oh — right. She's a first-year. Probably back in her class now.
I wonder what her middle school was like…
No. Don't get distracted.
Time to face my personal hell, Haru.
Scene 2 — The Class Door
I walk upstairs, stopping behind my classroom door.
My hand hovers over the handle.
It's trembling.
Shit.
My heart starts beating fast again.
Come on, Haru. You survived yesterday. You survived her tea. You can handle this.
"Man up, Haru," I whisper to myself.
I hear the teacher talking.
Math.
Great — dying part two.
I slide the door open.
Instant silence.
I keep my head down and walk to my seat. Don't look at anyone. Don't make eye contact.
Just be invisible.
The room stays quiet until I sit.
Then the teacher continues talking like nothing happened.
Perfect. My invisibility spell worked.
I open my desk.
…Where's my bag?
My entire body freezes.
I look behind me. Under the seat. Next to the table legs.
Nothing.
Shit.
SHIT.
My breathing tightens.
If the teacher calls on me… without my bag… without my book…
They'll look. They'll comment. They'll stare.
My chest tightens painfully.
Think, Haru. Think. THINK.
My breath gets sharp and shallow.
My vision blurs.
Voices ring in my head—
"Look at the pervert who forgot their stuff."
"Such a loser."
"Die."
Middle school memories flood back like poison.
Behind the school. Shoving. Laughing. Faces sneering down at me.
"Haru, you should just die."
A girl's voice. I don't remember the face — just the cruelty.
My stomach twists violently.
I swallow hard.
Don't panic. Not here. Not now.
I grip my desk to steady myself.
Then—
"Hey… weirdo… want to share books?"
A whisper.
From my right.
I turn slowly.
Short black hair. Yellow eyes. Serious face.
Kurozawa.
She looks annoyed… but also strangely gentle.
Snap out of it, Haru.
"Y-y-yes…"
She slides her desk next to mine. Opens her book in the middle.
Her scent — faint cherries — floats over.
My breathing calms.
Thank god…
I almost had another panic attack.
Not again… not here.
I lower my head and pretend to focus, even though I can't read a single line.
The entire class period is a blur.
I just count the minutes until lunch.
Scene 3 — Lunch
The bell rings.
Finally.
I turn to her.
"Thank you… very much," I say quietly.
She nods once, grabs her things, and leaves without a word.
I'll repay her somehow.
My stomach growls violently.
I head to the cafeteria. Long line. So many people.
Eyes down, Haru. Ignore everything. Invisible. Safe.
I grab my tray.
Curry again.
Look down. Look at nothing. Hear nothing.
Just—
"HARU!!"
My soul leaves my body.
"HARU!"
Oh god no.
I turn—
Mina.
Sitting alone. Waving. Smiling like sunshine.
Shiiiiiit.
Stop. Yelling. My name.
I hurry over to her, cheeks burning, and sit across from her.
Awkward smile mode: on.
She stands up—
Then sits next to me.
Too close.
Her shoulder presses against mine. Warm.
"Haru? Are you okay?" she asks softly. "I know you fainted from the heat."
Heat…
Right. Sure.
Lie, Haru. Protect yourself.
"Y-yeah… I'm okay."
The guilt stabs me immediately.
I hate lying.
But I can't tell her about my past.
She'll think I'm weak.
A loser.
Someone not worth staying around.
And I can't lose her.
Not my first friend.
Not her.