My only wish for high school is... nothing. Just peace.
A month has passed.
And now, here I am—standing in front of Seiryu High School.
Seiryu High School──────────
One of the top schools in Tokyo. Prestigious, clean, filled with people I don't know. That's all I need.
I'm about to head into the entrance ceremony, but first...
Let's check what class I've been assigned to.
1-C.
I quietly entered the gym and found my seat for the ceremony.
They read aloud the names of the first-year students one by one, officially welcoming them into the school. I didn't really pay attention. None of the names mattered—except mine.
The principal gave a long-winded speech about "new beginnings" and "carrying the torch of tradition." A few older students said some encouraging words.
Then she appeared.
Sakaguchi Hayami.
The student council president. Beautiful, elegant, a third-year who commands respect and admiration. A top student. Someone everyone looks up to.
I don't care.
I didn't come here to admire anyone.
The ceremony ended, marking the true start of our high school life. Our homeroom teacher gave us a short campus tour. I didn't listen.
I worked hard. I studied hard. I chose this school specifically—because I knew they couldn't get in.They weren't smart enough.They weren't serious enough.
And that's all I wanted.To be far away.
Now, I can finally breathe.
…Can I?
Lately, I keep getting this strange feeling—like someone's watching me. Not a casual glance, but a constant stare. Eyes burning into my back.
I brush it off. Keep walking.
Headed to 1-C.
Window seat.
Lucky.
It's the start of something new. Something quiet.I barely recognize anyone here.That's perfect.
A few days later.
A school assembly.
The student council gathered everyone to introduce the school's various clubs.
Sports. Cultural. Music. Literature. Tea ceremony. Even things like archery and calligraphy.
I wasn't interested in any of it.
I'm part of the go-home club.
I'm not chasing friendship. Not chasing romance. I just want a quiet life.
But still...
The chill returns.The feeling that someone is watching me again.
Every day.From somewhere.From someone.
I try to shake it off, but today I can't.
So I head back early.
I walk fast. The footsteps behind me match my pace.
Quicker.
I duck behind a row of lockers, holding my breath.
Then, I hear it—
"Where did he go...? Ugh, this is so frustrating..."
A girl's voice.
I peek out.
Who…?
I step forward.
"Who are you? Why are you following me? What do you want?"
She turns.
"It's me!"
Huh?
"It's who?"
"I'm Saiki Ai!"
Saiki… Ai?
The name feels like a static shock to my memory.
But…
"Never heard of it. Whoever you are, stop following me."
I don't recognize her. But somehow, I do.
It's faint. Familiar. Wrong.
She steps closer, eyes wide.
"You… really don't remember me?"
Saiki Ai...?
That name…That voice...
It shouldn't be here.
Not in this school.Not in this life I carefully built.Not again.