As Arata Sato went through the school gates, there was suddenly silence. Everyone stopped in their tracks to look at him.

Looking at the response of his surroundings, all he could do is sigh. 

 

He could do nothing but sigh at that situation. It’s always been like that at every “first day of school”.

Though not as intense as this. That’s because today was the first day of highschool so there were many new students as well.

Then the noise started to come back. But not because everyone started moving on their way, but rather those low whispers among them.

It was obvious that they were talking about him. Those finger points and those stares at him.

The reason? Hair. Rather,his blonde hair. And his eyes. Those dagger like eyes which seemed to pierce through you.

 

They have always been the grounds for every issue, ever since his childhood. It made him look completely like a delinquent.

He had never once thought of dying it, as his late mother also had the same hair. It was like a part of her was with him.

Thus, he was left with no choice but to endure these situations.

 

He thus ignored his surroundings and walked into the building. Changing his shoes at the lockers near the entrance, he accidentally looked over to a group of boys.

The boys, terrified, awkwardly tried to look away and quickly “escape”

Sato just ignored it as he went forward to go to his class.

Reaching the door, he opened it and the situation was as expected. Silence again.

Except that this time there was a guy who didn’t look at him the same as the surroundings did.

“Eyyyy it’s Sato-kun!”

“Ah...hey Kirihara-san”

The one, and only, friend of Sato, Kirihara Yuta. Just like his name, he was extremely popular and had the ability to make friends with everyone and anyone he’d want.

And of course, Sato was no exception.

“It’s been long...How long has it been since we last met? 3 months?”

“2 months and 2 weeks. That’s how long the summer break lasted”

“Ah, yes, now I remember. So, how was your grand entrance today?”

 

Yuta grinned, knowing exactly about what happened.

He always asked Sato this question at the start of every new year.

It’s not that he actually wanted to know, but rather was just teasing him about it.

Afterall, being together for 10 years, he understood Sato much better than anyone.

...And not to mention Yuta was Sato’s only friend, so if anyone knew anything about Sato, it would be him.

“...You know exactly how it went, don't tease me”

 

Yuta laughed.

“ Alright alright, but you always make a scene when you enter. The second I heard the silence I knew you had arrived. “

“Haa...I know...it never changes. Kinda feels weird to feel all those eyes at me, but what can I say? I’ve got used to it”

 

“Well, you better. It’s not going to change anytime soon”

He continued talking with Sato while they went to sit down on their seats. Both of them were seated on the last bench on the left side near the window.

“Oh, also, guess what?”

“...How am I supposed to guess whatever you want me to…?”

“Tsk, it should be obvious, look around.”

“Hmm…?”

Sato hadn’t paid any attention to my surroundings since he was talking to Yuta and didn’t want to waste his time looking at different expressions which surrounded him.

After getting seated the classroom’s atmosphere had died down quicker than he had expected, so he looked about.

Then he realized what Yuta was talking about, and also why the class had become so quiet

Sakura Ai, so she’s in the same class as me huh.

First seeing her this morning and now again in class, he could only sigh. It was like the heavens were now playing with him.

He, who people just can’t help but dislike, and then Sakura, who people just can't help but adore and respect.

She was also known for not making any friends and staying extremely cold to her surroundings.

People too avoided her, but for a different reason.

They couldn’t help but look at their differences.

“So...get what I mean?”

“Yeah, it’s going to get busy this year, one way or another.”

“Yup! That’s right!”

 

Yuta grinned again, obviously scheming something in his brain.

“And thus Yuta and the beautiful girl lived happily ever after...don’t even talk”

Yuta’s grin froze midway.

“...At least don't destroy my imagination”

Just like Yuta knew Sato, so did Sato know him. Afterall, he was the only one Sato actually knew.

 

Then the bell rang to show the start of the first period. The first few periods went in a flow and soon it was the lunch break.

 

“Yuta, you coming?”

“Yeah, gimme a sec, I’ll grab my stuff”

There were a few people calling him for lunch.

“Sato-kun, do you want to join us?”

Sato looked over at Yuta, half surprised at that but at the same time kind of expected it.

Looking at the expressions of the guys who invited Yuta, he just refused and went on his own way.

He went towards the same destination as he had always gone for every lunch period since he had found this place.

It was a staircase at the end of the school building which led straight to the roof.

All the stairs around the school either didn't lead to the roof or were always locked. Only this one staircase, which no one had heard of, had it’s lock broken.

Ever since he came across it looking for a place away from everyone else, he had found it and now it had become like a personal place for him and him only.

Well, it was supposed to be for him only. But not anymore.

As he went up the stairs, the lock had already been removed. He’d have suspected that the school removed it because it was broken but if that were true- 

 

1. They would’ve put a new lock
2. The broken lock was neatly removed and...right there

He suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then carefully climbed up the stairs, trying his best to suppress all the noise.

Going closer, he saw the door was slightly open. He pushed the door and a bright light hit his eyes.

Looking forward, he saw a pair of eyes staring at him.

The reason he could only see those eyes was because they were just so beautiful. After a second of being stunned, he came back.

The heavens were really mocking him, Sakura Ai was sitting right there in front of him.

His mood went down yet again. This was really not his day.

Yet again, she appeared out of nowhere just to make fun of him, or so it seemed.

 

“...”

“...”

Both of them looked at each for a while, neither of them saying anything,

Slowly, Sakura opened her mouth.

“Will you complain to the teacher?”

Though she wouldn’t have wasted her energy to ask this question if this was someone else, but she could see the bad mood of Sato when he saw her

 

Sato on the other hand was surprised at that question.

“I don’t have a reason to”

He merely spoke facts, none of them had anything to do with each other, or wanted to either.

Sakura was surprised at that answer but didn't show it on her face. 

“And how do I know that?”

She didn’t seem convinced and asked another question.

It seems she cares a lot about her image, Sato thought, being right on target.

“First, I have nothing against you, and secondly…”

He raised his hand to show his lunchbox in his hands,

“How will I respond if asked the reason why I was there as well?”

 

His answer seemed to make Sakura convinced, but again both just stood there looking at each other.

 

“...You are not going to leave?”

“Why should I?”

Sato showed no sign of leaving, so she inquired instead.

It wasn’t as if he didn't want to leave, but rather if he did, he’d have nowhere else to go.

 

“...”

“Do you actually suppose I have a choice?”

Sakura seemed confused at that response. Sato noticing that explained further,

“You know exactly what people think of me. I definitely cannot go back into the class unless I want to ruin the mood and neither can I go to the cafeteria or the field.”

“...”

“What?”

Sakura had a peculiar expression on her face, looking at Sato seamlessly.

“What?”

“I never expected you to think about your surroundings”

“What are you trying to say?”

“You can easily enter the class and sit there but you choose not to do so because you don’t want to spoil others' mood. Rather, you come here to eat alone.”

“...”

Sakura said that in a relaxed tone rather than her typical cold tone. It took only a split second to go back to her usual self but Sato noticed that.

After hearing that, he really didn't know how to respond to that, half because of that sudden change he hadn’t expected.

 

“When did you first discover this place?”

Sakura asked.

“When I came here to give my entrance exams back in middle school”

 

“You did discover this place first. It does seem right for you to use it.”

“Thanks”

“But I won't be leaving either.”

That astonished Sato. A person like her, who is insanely popular, should have many places to go shouldn’t she?

Maybe she just wants a bit of peace

“I see…”

Sakura went back to eating her food as Sato sat down at the other side of the roof.

Time passed as they finished their food and Sato got up to leave.

Neither spoke anything while Sato went back to class for the next lesson.

The day soon got over and he went to the lockers to change back into his shoes and head back home.

Looking back he noticed Sakura changing her shoes alone.

But they had nothing to do with each other anymore, thus he just went on forward.

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CHAP 1 END