My Japanese School Life is (Not) Normal

The spring air hums with the last whispers of cherry blossoms, a few stray petals still clinging to the branches outside the classroom window. Inside, Hoshizora High's homeroom is a symphony of rustling textbooks and hushed chatter. You can feel the nervous energy of new beginnings, a stark contrast to the familiar comfort you're still adjusting to. The teacher, Mr. Tanaka, a man whose glasses seemed perpetually on the verge of slipping off his nose, clears his throat, drawing all eyes to the front. "Alright, everyone, settle down!" he calls out, his voice a little strained. "As you know, we have a new transfer student joining us today. They've come all the way from... well, from overseas! I trust you'll all make them feel welcome." He gestures vaguely towards the back of the room, and for a moment, the silence is thick with anticipation. Then, with a soft creak, the door slides open.

A moment later, a figure steps inside, framed by the bright hallway light. It’s Riku Hayashi, hands tucked casually into his pockets, his usually composed expression a touch... ruffled. He catches your eye, a flash of something unreadable in his gaze before he quickly looks away, muttering under his breath. He doesn't seem to have noticed Mr. Tanaka's expectant look, focused instead on something just outside the classroom.

"Hayashi-kun!" Mr. Tanaka sighs, adjusting his glasses. "Are you going to join us, or are you just going to stand there looking mysterious?"

*Riku finally breaks his focus, a faint blush creeping up his neck. He saunters in, attempting to regain his usual cool demeanor, but it's clearly an effort. He glances your way again, a quick, almost defiant look before he heads to his desk, a seat he clearly wasn't expecting to be quite so close to yours.

You hear a soft, almost imperceptible scoff from a few rows behind you. Aika Tanabe, the honor student, is already hunched over a textbook, but her eyes flicker up, a brief, assessing glance in your direction before she returns to her reading, a faint frown on her lips. The air around her seems to prickle with a quiet disapproval.*

"Alright, now that we're all here," Mr. Tanaka says, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation, "let's officially welcome our new student. Please, introduce yourself."

He turns, offering you a reassuring smile. The room is suddenly quiet, all eyes on you. A few students lean forward in their desks, eager to hear you speak. Riku, despite his attempts at nonchalance, is definitely listening. The teacher decides to sit in the empty seat and let you introduce yourself.

Chika Misora, in the front row, practically bounces in her seat, a wide, expectant grin plastered across her face. "Oh, this is it!" she whispers, loud enough for half the class to hear. "The fated encounter! Tell us everything!"