Chapter 1: Yuuki, Kotori, and the New Semester

Even on the day of the opening ceremony, Yuuki was, as usual, the first to arrive in the classroom.

Kotori, who had come with him, had gone off with her new homeroom teacher to get things ready, so Yuuki sat at his desk and started studying, just like always.

After a while, the classroom door slid open.

“My, aren’t we diligent, even on the first day of the new semester.”

He didn’t even have to look up from his textbook. That voice, feminine yet firm, could only belong to his one and only female friend, Shouko Ootani.

Haven’t seen her since summer vacation started, so it’s been about a month.

They talked a lot at school, but their relationship wasn’t the type to hang out after class unless there was a specific reason.

Once summer break began, Yuuki had been busy with studying and work, while Ootani had been busy preparing for some kind of convention held in the summer. They had only exchanged a few messages about Kotori.

Yuuki looked up from his textbook to reply to Ootani.

“Hey, Ootani, it’s been a while…”

That’s when it happened.

“Huh…?”

Something shocking met his eyes.

“...Um, who are you?”

“Still half-asleep? It’s Shouko Ootani, the girl who’s had the misfortune of sitting behind you since our first year.”

The voice and mannerisms were definitely Ootani’s, but…

To put it in a single phrase: Ootani’s insane weight loss.

An absolute beauty stood before him.

She’d always had well-defined features, but now, with the excess fat gone from her face, her jawline was sharp and defined. Her intense gaze had transformed into a cool, intelligent, and mature charm. Furthermore, the weight loss had primarily been around her stomach and face; the flesh of her ample chest and hips had simply tightened, retaining their impressive volume.

Her hair was a little longer, and she must have switched to contacts because her glasses were gone. It all served to accentuate a face that was more stunning than cute.

Seriously, who the hell are you?!

She was like a rule-breaking fusion of a top-tier gravure idol and a cool-beauty actress.

Yuuki had always thought she’d be a knockout if she lost weight, but this was far beyond his expectations.

As Yuuki stared, his mouth hanging open in shock, Ootani let out a small, sharp laugh.

“So…as you can see, I tried a little image change.”

“A little?”

That’s not the ‘little’ I know.

“Your thoughts?”

“Uh, well, I’m, uh, shocked.”

“I can tell that from your dumb face. I’m asking how you were shocked.”

“...Do I really have to say it?”

“Your. Thoughts. Please.”

Ootani jabbed Yuuki’s cheek with the corner of the novel she was holding—one depicting two men in a passionate embrace.

“Ow, ow, ow! F-Fine! It’s honestly embarrassing to say this stuff to you, but…”

Her cold, contact-lensed eyes glared at him.

Fine, I surrender.

“...It’s just, well. You’re so beautiful it’s shocking.”

When Yuuki said it plainly, Ootani nodded in satisfaction.

“I see… Thanks.”

With that, Ootani sat down in the seat behind him, opened the book in her hands, and started reading.

Her appearance had changed drastically, but that familiar sight was so typically Ootani that he felt a little relieved.

“...Still, I’m surprised. What was the occasion?”

“Nothing special… Just felt like a change of pace.”

Ootani didn’t look up from her book as she spoke.

“Is that all it was?”

He remembered Fujii saying once that girls will change their hair, makeup, or get their ears pierced and just call it a “change of pace.”

“But I was right, wasn’t I? You turned into a total knockout.”

Yuuki had been telling Ootani for a while now, “I bet you’d be a super-beauty if you lost weight.”

“Oh? It’s actually nice to be complimented so directly.”

“I don’t lie about this stuff. Though, you still can’t hold a candle to Kotori!”

WHACK!

“Gah?!”

The merciless flash of Ootani’s BL novel struck Yuuki square in the face.

“No need for the extra commentary, you cosmic-level moron.”

◇

Lunchtime.

As usual, Yuuki spread his bento out on his desk.

It was, of course, handmade by Kotori.

“Hey, Yuuki. Isn’t Kotori-san transferring to our school today?” Ootani asked, munching on a bread roll from the school store, also as usual.

“Hm? Yeah, she is.”

“I just figured the second lunch started, you’d be huffing and puffing, making a goofy face as you sprinted over to her.”

“Hold on, what kind of impression do you have of me?”

“Am I wrong? I just pictured you on your way home from work every day, grinning like an idiot and practically skipping because you can’t wait to get back to Kotori-san.”

“Wait, for real? How’d you know?”

Did she see me at some point? My job is in the opposite direction of her house, though.

“…” ← (The expression one makes when looking at a truly hopeless idiot.)

“Why are you giving me the same look you always give Fujii?”

“...I was just stunned by how predictable you are. But let’s put that aside.”

Ootani finished her cutlet sandwich and started unwrapping her second lunch, a curry bread.

“This might be none of my business, but I’m a little worried. You think she’ll be able to handle it?”

“Yeah.”

He knew immediately what she meant.

Because of Kotori’s unique upbringing, she had been an outcast at her previous school. The sheer strangeness of it all had scared everyone off, so it ended quickly, but she had even been a target of bullying at one point.

“You’re right. It’d be a lie to say I’m not worried about that, but…”

Through that whole series of events, Yuuki had come to know Kotori on a deep level. And that’s why he felt this way.

“I think she’ll be surprisingly okay. She might struggle, but Kotori is stronger than anyone. If I went over there, she’d probably worry about me and not have time to talk to her classmates, right?”

Ootani stared into Yuuki’s eyes as he spoke so clearly, and her expression softened slightly.

“...I see. You trust her. But if she looks like she’s bottling something up, you better listen to her.”

“Yeah, of course. We’re always together at home, anyway. I’ll know right away if something’s bothering Kotori!”

“RIIIGHT, WHATEVER. YOU TWO ARE SOOOO HAPPY.”

Ootani stared off into the distance and started stuffing the curry bread into her mouth.

Yuuki had absolutely no idea why she was looking at him with such an exasperated expression.

“Well, I’m not worried about that part, but…”

“Something else on your mind?”

“Well, you know. Kotori’s the cutest and kindest girl in the world, right?”

“I don’t know about ‘in the world,’ but yeah.”

“And we have fewer girls than guys at this school, right? So I’m just worried all sorts of guys are gonna hit on her, or that a war is gonna break out among the boys over her, and I’m just so, so worried.”

“OH, WOW, THIS CURRY BREAD IS SOOOO GOOD TODAY.”

And so, Yuuki was completely ignored.

◇

After the final bell, Yuuki found a bench near the school entrance and sat down.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message.

『Done with class. At the entrance now.』

A reply from Kotori came back almost instantly.

『I'll be done soon, too.』

It was a simple message, devoid of any emoji. For Kotori, who’d only just gotten a cell phone, the messaging app was purely a tool for communication.

『Aight.』

Yuuki wasn't the type to use social media for idle chatter either, so his reply was just as brief.

He sat on the bench and opened a textbook. The one in his hands covered third-year material, which Yuuki had already read through several times.

Sequences and series…they’re actually pretty fun to work through.

He mused, working through the problems in his head.

Incidentally, when he’d mentioned this to Ootani, she’d said, “Just looking at a sigma makes my skin crawl.” The look in her eyes was one of pure loathing, as if a summation symbol had murdered her parents in a past life.

He was engrossed in the textbook for a while before a voice pulled him out.

“...Yuuki-san.”

“Oh.”

Kotori was standing before him.

He’d seen her in it this morning, but the school uniform suited her perfectly. Her old uniform from the prestigious girls’ academy—a refined, black-based design—had suited her image perfectly, but the standard navy blazer she wore now had a wholesome energy to it that was just as good.

Yuuki stood up from the bench.

“Alright, let’s head home.”

“Okay.”

Yuuki put the textbook in his bag and started walking side-by-side with Kotori.

“So, how’d it go with your new class?” he asked casually.

“...Well…” Kotori hesitated for just a second before putting on a smile. “Everyone was very nice.”

“...I see.”

Kotori was fiddling with her hair.

So that’s how it is, he thought.

“Hey, my shift starts a little late today. Since we have the chance, wanna eat out? My treat.”

“Oh? Okay,” Kotori replied, looking puzzled.

◇

Yuuki had offered to treat her, but being a high school student, his budget didn’t exactly stretch to fancy French cuisine. So, their “dinner date” ended up being at a nearby family restaurant.

“I’ll have this seafood rice bowl set. Kotori?”

“Umm, then I’ll have this.” Her slender finger pointed to the pancake set.

“You always get that, don’t you? You sure you want that for dinner?”

“Yes. This is what I’d like.”

The waiter took their order and disappeared toward the counter.

“Once I’m a doctor, maybe I can take you somewhere a little nicer than this.”

“You don’t have to… I’m perfectly happy here, Yuuki-san.” Kotori waved her hands dismissively, looking flustered.

Well, that was just her. She’d gotten a lot better since they first met, but she was still terrible at letting other people do things for her.

“...But, well…” Kotori looked down for a moment in thought before lifting her head. “Since you’re offering, I’ll look forward to it,” she said with a smile.

Yep. She was definitely getting better at letting herself be spoiled, even if she was still a bit hesitant. Still, that only applied to Yuuki and a few others she was close to.

“...So, Kotori. Did something happen?”

“Eh…”

At Yuuki’s words, Kotori’s eyes widened in surprise.

“If it’s just my imagination, that’s fine, but you looked like something was bothering you.”

“…”

Kotori’s eyes darted around for a moment, but she eventually let out a deep sigh. “You can always tell, can’t you, Yuuki-san?”

“Yeah, ’cause I’m always thinking about you.”

“I-I see…” Kotori blushed.

Damn, when she looks that happy, it makes me blush, too.

“But, it’s really not a big deal. It’s not something I need to bother you with…”

Yuuki placed his hand over Kotori’s.

“I told you back then, didn’t I? I’ve decided to ignore that ‘I don’t want to be a bother’ thing of yours.”

“…”

He looked her straight in the eye.

“I want to help you for my own sake. So, will you tell me?”

“…”

There was a moment of silence, then Yuuki’s hand was enveloped in a soft sensation. Kotori had taken his hand.

“Thank you… Then, would you mind listening for a bit?”

“Yeah, tell me anything.”

“Okay. But like I said, it’s really not a big deal. Everyone in class was very welcoming.”

And so, Kotori began to recount the day’s events.

Apparently, there had been no problems when she introduced herself to the class during morning homeroom. In fact, the class had seemed excited about the off-season transfer student (though he suspected the excitement was because Kotori was a super-beauty, a detail he decided to inquire about later). Her classmates were kind, helping her catch up on what she’d missed, and plenty of people struck up conversations with her during breaks. Unlike the Kotori of the past, she was now amiable, polite, and a good listener. It seemed she would fit in with her classmates in no time.

However.

A problem occurred in the last class of the morning. The fourth period was P.E. Naturally, they had to change into their gym clothes, but…

“Ah, I see.” Yuuki understood immediately. “Yeah. The scars…it’s hard to change without showing them.”

“...Yes.”

What must the girls in her class have thought when they saw Kotori’s body?

By high school, especially for girls in sports clubs, they’d probably seen a major injury or a scar or two. But Kotori’s were on a completely different level.

Raw bruises and scars carved all over her body. No new wounds were being added. But the scars—inflicted over and over for years, layered on top of half-healed tissue since she was a child—were not the kind to fade in a month or two. Some would likely remain for the rest of her life.

To the girls in her class, who had lived ordinary lives, they were the authentic, horrifying marks of a violence they should never have had to witness.

And, as a matter of course, the story spread to the boys who were changing elsewhere.

The gentle, beautiful transfer student was, in an instant, transformed into an unsettling presence.

Fortunately, it seemed she wasn’t ignored or told heartless things, but…

“Yeah, I guess so. It’d make things a little awkward.”

“Yes. It seems everyone is unsure how to talk to me… I’d like to get along with everyone in the class, but I think I’d just make them uncomfortable if I tried to force a conversation…” Kotori said, looking down.

As I thought, Kotori worries too much about what other people think.

Telling her not to worry, that everyone would forget if she just acted confident…would be pointless. She couldn’t help but worry, and that consideration for others was one of her good qualities.

So Yuuki said, in the gentlest voice he could manage, “Yeah… You don’t need a ton of friends, but it’d be great if you could make one or two really good ones. I know you’re the type to worry about being a bother, but sometimes people are happy when you work up the courage to talk to them.”

“You think so…?”

“Yeah, especially a cute girl like you. Ah, but, preferably not with guys…no, never mind.”

Kotori tilted her head at his words. “Not with guys…what do you mean?”

“It’s, uh. It’s not that I don’t want you to talk to them. I’m just worried guys will try to hit on you…no, really, forget I said anything.”

“...Fufu.” Kotori let out a small laugh. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

“...No, seriously, forget it.”

“You’re cute, Yuuki-san.”

Kotori was beaming.

“...Gnnn.”

It was incredibly embarrassing…but the feeling of Kotori’s slender fingers stroking his hair was too pleasant to shake off. Yuuki was left in a state of complex emotions.

◇

The next day.

A chime echoed through the school, signaling the start of lunch break.

In the classroom of Year 1, Class 3, Shimizu Kotori sat alone at her desk, observing the scene around her.

The moment the teacher finished, her classmates scattered—some dashing to the cafeteria, others moving their desks to join friends. Everyone looked like they were having fun.

It was a perfectly normal school scene.

And that was precisely why she couldn't help but wonder if someone like her truly belonged among them.

She knew, at the very least, that her upbringing had been far from normal. As for her father, the cause of it all, she no longer held any resentment. In fact, knowing she was part of the reason he had become that way, her feelings leaned more toward pity and guilt than hatred from the very beginning.

Still, being completely alone like this, with no one to talk to, was a little painful. At her old school, it had been the norm, but since meeting Yuuki, she had come to know the loneliness of being by herself.

Wait… is that her?

Just then, Kotori’s eyes fell on another female student who was also eating lunch alone at her desk.

Her name was Yoshida, if she remembered correctly.

She had a dazzling quality about her.

A slender, model-like figure, with silky, permed blonde hair. Her features were sharp and striking. Her eyelashes were beautifully defined with mascara, and her nails, coated in a faint red polish, lent a glossy elegance to her hands. In a school where most girls had a more subdued look, she was one who clearly put effort into her makeup and accessories.

Yet, it didn't come across as gaudy or overly flashy. To put it simply, she exuded a sophisticated sense of style.

Kotori had heard she was a model for a magazine or something. I can see it, she thought. If she were on a cover, she’d definitely catch my eye.

But at that moment, an unexpected situation was unfolding for this very Yoshida.

Her socks… I think she put on the wrong ones…

Her right sock was a simple black, but her left was a cute, fluffy white one.

Perhaps it was a fashion statement, but while the rest of her outfit felt incredibly refined even to Kotori’s untrained eye, that one detail stuck out like a sore thumb.

Kotori glanced around. A few other students seemed to have noticed, their eyes flickering toward Yoshida’s feet.

But for some reason, no one said a word to her.

…It’d be better if someone told her, right?

Kotori stood up and walked over to Yoshida’s desk.

“...Um, Yoshida-san.”

“Hm? You’re the new girl, right? Need something?”

Her voice was curt.

What if this is just being nosy?

The thought crossed her mind, but she pushed it away. For someone who took such care with her appearance, it would surely be worse to unknowingly continue looking like she’d made a mistake.

In a small voice, so that no one else could hear, Kotori whispered, “Um, your socks…”

“My socks…? Oh crap, seriously?!”

It seemed she really had put them on by mistake. And her surprised voice was higher and cuter than Kotori had expected.

Yoshida placed a hand on her forehead. “Damn, can’t believe I messed that up. I was in such a good mood ’cause my eyebrows came out perfect today.”

“Um, if you’d like, you can use these.”

Kotori took out a spare pair of socks she kept in her locker for rainy days.

“...Really?! Thanks so much!”

Yoshida beamed, a full-faced smile.

…She was a lot more energetic than Kotori had imagined.

“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver. I don’t really talk to anyone in class.”

“You don’t?”

Come to think of it, Kotori realized she hadn’t seen Yoshida talking cheerfully with anyone. Her mature aura and seemingly perfect appearance did make her a bit unapproachable. To Kotori, she had the impression of a solitary flower blooming on a high peak.

Wait? If that’s the case…

Would it be okay for her to eat lunch with her?

Maybe that would be the real nosy thing to do. Maybe she preferred being alone.

But then…

Kotori remembered Yuuki’s words.

“It’d be great if you could make one or two really good ones. I know you’re the type to worry about being a bother, but sometimes people are happy when you work up the courage to talk to them.”

…That’s right.

She had to be brave. If she just worried about being a bother, nothing would ever start. She herself had been saved because Yuuki had stepped into her life.

It had made her so happy. So if she could make someone else feel that way, even if it was just being meddlesome…

“Um… Yoshida-san.”

“What is it, new girl?”

“Well, um…”

Kotori fidgeted for a moment, then clenched her fists and said, “Can we… eat lunch together?”

She timidly looked at Yoshida’s face.

…Yuuki-san, I think I failed.

Yoshida’s elegant face was completely blank as she stared back at her.

Was she angry? Was she trying to think of a reason to say no?

“...Um, I’m sorry. That was—”

“...Say it again.”

“Pardon?”

“Say it again.”

Yoshida’s tone was sharper now. Coming from someone with such dazzling, sharp features, it was quite intimidating.

“Y-Yes. Um, if you’d like, would you have lunch with me?”

“...Sob.”

“?!”

For some reason, Yoshida suddenly burst into tears.

“Uuu, finally… for me too… uuu.”

“Ah, um, I’m so sorry! Did I say something rude?”

“...No, that’s not it, sob.”

Apparently, Yoshida had been held back a year for certain reasons. Being older and having a more sophisticated style than her peers, everyone had kept their distance. Yoshida had wanted to be friends with them as equals, but before she knew it, she’d been branded as “the upperclassman in our class.”

Eventually, strange rumors started spreading that her talent agency had ties to the yakuza and that one of its executives was close with her, making it impossible for her to talk to anyone.

“...I didn’t have any friends in my first year either, ’cause I was so busy with work… To think I’d finally, finally get to have lunch with a classmate… waaaaaah!”

“Ah, ahaha…”

Kotori was glad she’d made her so happy, but she was so overjoyed that Kotori couldn’t help but look on, a little overwhelmed.

◇

“...Kotori. Wonder if she was okay today.”

That night, on his way home from his part-time job, Yuuki muttered to himself.

Today, he had deliberately left for work the moment classes ended, not walking home with Kotori. He wanted to be with her every day, of course, but he felt it wouldn't be right if his presence deprived her of the chance to deepen her bonds with any new friends she might make after school.

Kotori might be feeling a little lonely, but he was steeling himself for her sake.

Until she met him, Kotori had been bound by guilt toward her parents, unable to experience the things everyone else took for granted. That’s why Yuuki wanted her to expand her own world, for her own sake.

Though Yuuki was trying to be distant for her benefit, if you asked him whether he was worried about her…

I’m sooooo damn worried!!!!

Honestly, he’d been so preoccupied with thoughts of Kotori at work that he’d been completely out of it.

He knew better than anyone that Kotori was a strong person, and he trusted her in that regard, but he couldn’t help but worry.

In the first place, now that they were at the same school, he really wanted to go see her during lunch and eat with her, and he wanted to walk home with her every day.

Agh, dammit, gotta hold it together, Yuusuke Yuuki…

There was no point if he became the one tying her down in place of her parents. He wanted to at least give her the time she needed to get used to her class.

…Well, if she’s feeling down, I’ll just have to comfort her with everything I’ve got.

With that thought, he arrived at his apartment building.

As always, he bounded up the stairs and opened the door to his room.

“I’m home, Kotori.”

Usually, Kotori would say “Welcome home” before he said “I’m home,” but he was so desperate to see her that he called her name first.

Hearing his voice, Kotori appeared in the entryway, her steps quick.

“Welcome home, Yuuki-san.”

“…”

Kotori was smiling.

And it wasn't the slightly forced smile from yesterday. It was a genuine, radiant smile that came from the heart.

The moment he saw it, Yuuki knew.

…So, you did it, Kotori.

“Kotori, was your classmate a good person?”

For a second, Kotori tilted her head, pondering the meaning of his words. But she quickly understood and nodded happily.

“Yes. She was cool, and very cute.”

Her voice was unusually cheerful.

“...I see.”

Seeing her so happy was so endearing that Yuuki couldn’t help but pull her into a hug.

Slender and soft, yet so warm in his arms.

Startled by the suddenness of it, Kotori’s body tensed reflexively.

“...Wh-What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Yuuki-san?”

“You did great, Kotori…”

“…”

Kotori slowly relaxed, burying her face in Yuuki’s chest.

“Yes… I worked up my courage.”

“...Yeah. That’s my girl.”

“It’s all thanks to my boyfriend, who’s always thinking of me…”

Yuuki stroked Kotori’s hair. As always, it felt wonderfully soft.

A quiet moment passed between them. The only sound was a car passing on the street outside.

For a while, they simply stood there, savoring each other’s warmth.

Just then.

“...The door’s open.”

“Eh?”

A voice suddenly came from behind him.

He looked back to see the little blonde, blue-eyed girl standing in the open doorway, watching them. It was the girl from next door but one, the one he’d seen on his way home from work before.

“Ah, um…”

As Yuuki struggled for words, the girl spoke.

“...Leaving it open is dangerous… y’know?”

“Y-Yes. Thank you,” Kotori replied. The girl gave a small nod and closed the door.

With a soft click, silence returned to the entryway.

“…”

Yuuki and Kotori pulled away from each other at the same time.

“Sh-She saw us…”

“Yeah…”

Kotori’s face was as red as it could possibly be. Yuuki was sure his own was just as flushed.

He had a feeling this might just be the most embarrassing moment of his entire life.