The Beginning of a New Semester
The spring sunshine gently bathed the school building. Students gathered eagerly around the bulletin board, checking their new class assignments. Subaru stood a little distance away, frozen in place.
A small battle was raging within him.
“What am I so scared of? It’s just checking the class list.”
He muttered to himself, trying to muster courage, but his feet wouldn’t move. A new semester—what kind of classmates would he have? Would he end up alone like last year? These anxieties made his body tense.
“…Amane-san is here too, so it’ll be fine, right?”
Remembering her gave him a bit of courage. Thinking about his promise to Maria to change himself, Subaru walked toward the bulletin board.
As he joined the line, the chatter of students reached his ears.
“We’re in the same class! Let’s get along!”
“I wonder who our homeroom teacher will be.”
Each laugh and friendly conversation widened the distance Subaru felt from the others. A bead of sweat trickled down his back as he finally turned his attention to the bulletin board.
Sorano Subaru—Class 2-3.
He traced his name with his finger, then slowly checked the names around it.
“Amane Maria… Amane-san is in the same class.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. Just knowing Maria was in the same class made the new semester feel a little brighter.
However, his relief was short-lived. Another set of names caught his eye.
“Reo… and Kanon.”
His heart pounded in an unpleasant rhythm.
Memories of yesterday flooded back—Reo’s mocking expression, Kanon’s cold words. And now, as Subaru tried to move forward with Maria, these two were in the same class.
(…Is this fate?)
A bitter thought crossed his mind. But he shook his head to clear it. The past was the past. As Maria had said, he had to look forward.
“Alright…”
Taking a deep breath, Subaru left the bulletin board and headed toward his new classroom.
He had a promise to keep. He had to change.
That determination was all that supported Subaru now.
Stopping at the entrance to the classroom, Subaru looked around. The room bustled with the energy of the first day of school. A group centered around Reo dominated one corner, their laughter ringing loudly.
Meanwhile, Maria sat in the far corner, quietly conversing with a black-haired girl. The girl—Yasaka Chiharu—had long, straight hair, an elegant face, and an intellectual air.
Chiharu was as beautiful as Maria, with a dignified demeanor. Her slender posture and calm expression created an atmosphere far removed from the noisy group around Reo.
Seeing Maria and Chiharu together was like viewing a masterpiece painting. Both carried a graceful beauty without flaunting it, sharing a serene aura in their corner.
Their beauty naturally drew attention, but they seemed oblivious, enjoying their conversation.
Shifting his gaze, Subaru noticed a boy sitting alone, eating something. The boy had brown hair and a muscular build, his focus entirely on a protein bar he was chewing methodically.
(Amane-san’s promise…)
Subaru recalled Maria’s words from the night before.
“When the new semester begins, try starting a conversation with someone. It’ll be a small step forward.”
Maria had made it sound easy, but to Subaru, it felt like scaling a steep mountain.
Another voice whispered in his mind.
“If you don’t, you won’t get the promised reward…”
Memories of their exchange flashed vividly—Maria blushing as she asked, “What kind of cosplay would you like?” He had suppressed his preferences from slipping out. The thought reignited his determination.
“I have to do this here and now!”
With newfound resolve, Subaru stepped into the classroom. Unsure where to go, his gaze fell on the boy eating the protein bar.
“If I bring up something they’re interested in, it’ll be easier to talk.”
Taking several deep breaths, Subaru psyched himself up. “You can do this. You will do this!” Finally, he spoke.
“Um… is that a training snack?”
The boy looked up, momentarily surprised. He wiped his mouth before answering.
“Oh, this? Yeah, it’s a protein bar. A must-have for anyone who trains.”
“I-I see. By the way… you have a great physique.”
The boy raised an eyebrow, then grinned mischievously, crossing his arms.
“Hey, are you hitting on me or something?”
“N-no, that’s not it!”
Subaru shook his head frantically.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just think… you know, your muscles are really impressive!”
“My impressive muscles, huh?”
The boy flexed his biceps with pride.
“Yeah, check out these biceps! And these triceps! Amazing, right?”
“I-I wouldn't look that closely!”
Subaru turned red, flustered.
Seeing Subaru’s reaction, the boy smirked even more.
“So, you’re just the looking type?”
“No, I’m not!”
Subaru raised his voice reflexively.
“I just think it’s cool…”
“Just think it’s cool?”
The boy narrowed his eyes.
“So, you’re satisfied just by looking?”
“What kind of interpretation is that?!”
Subaru clutched his head, but he couldn’t help laughing.
Recalling Maria’s advice, Subaru resolved to keep going. “Ask about something they’re passionate about.”
“So, what kind of training do you do?” Subaru asked nervously.
“Oh, that’s a good question!”
The boy crossed his arms, looking pleased.
“Weight training and cardio. Core training is essential!”
“Core?”
“Yeah! Like planks. Do them daily, and your posture improves while strengthening your core.”
“Oh, really? I could try that?”
“Of course! It’s perfect for beginners. You should try working out—it’s fun!”
Subaru mustered a small smile.
“I’ll think about it.”
The boy grinned and said,
“Great! I’m Kiritani Yuto. Call me if you need help.” He extended his hand.
“I’m Sorano Subaru. Nice to meet you.”
Subaru shook his hand and smiled. A small weight lifted off his chest—he had taken a step forward.
From the corner, Maria observed Subaru’s conversation with Yuto. Pretending to talk to Chiharu, her gaze kept drifting toward Subaru.
Seeing Subaru awkwardly but earnestly start a conversation warmed Maria’s heart. He was different from yesterday, and that small step made her proud.
“…What are you looking at?”
Chiharu tilted her head, noticing Maria’s gaze. Startled, Maria quickly looked away.
“Oh, um… nothing.”
She smiled, but Chiharu looked puzzled.
Maria couldn’t calm her heart—a mix of relief that Subaru was talking to someone and a hint of jealousy that she couldn’t talk to him herself.
“You’re doing great, Subaru.”
She whispered to herself, stealing glances at Subaru while trying to focus on her conversation with Chiharu.