"Izumi-Kun wake up!, It's 7.30 already,"
"Just another 5 minutes, Mom," Izumi mumbled, from under his blanket in his room.
"Wake up, or you'll be late for school."
"Scho?....ol. *sigh* Oh, so today's the day, huh?" Izumi, still half-asleep, muttered to himself.
It had been three days since the Miyamura family's delightful picnic, and now it was time for students to return to school after the summer break. Izumi had enjoyed the freedom of those weeks, filled with sleeping in and family time. But reality had caught up with him, and it was time to return to the routines of school life.
With reluctance, Izumi pulled himself out of bed. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, took a shower and donned his neatly pressed school uniform. It was a ritual he knew all too well – a sign that the carefree days of summer were coming to an end.
As Izumi finished his daily routine and made his way down to the dining room, he was greeted by the sweet aroma of miso soup and rice wafting through the air. It was a comforting scent that signaled the start of a new day.
"Good morning, Izumi," Iori greeted him with a warm smile as he took his seat at the dining table.
"Good morning, Mom," Izumi replied, returning the greeting.
Iori set a bowl of steaming miso soup and a plate of rice in front of him. She then took a seat nearby, although she didn't prepare a meal for herself.
Izumi noticed that his mother wasn't joining him for breakfast and asked, "Mom, aren't you going to eat with me?"
Iori chuckled softly, her eyes filled with affection. "I have some work to do, sweetheart. I'll have breakfast after I finish my tasks."
Izumi nodded in understanding, appreciating his mother's dedication to her responsibilities.
Iori took a moment to inquire about Izumi's preparedness for school. "Are you all set for school today? Did you pack all your books and notebooks according to your schedule?"
Izumi, between spoonfuls of miso soup, replied, "Yes, Mom. I packed everything last night."
Iori raised an eyebrow playfully. "I didn't know you were so excited for school."
Izumi with a sigh said, "It's not that, Mom. It's just easier to do it the night before. Mornings can be a bit hectic."
As breakfast continued, the conversation between mother and son flowed naturally.
Iori couldn't help but inquire, "By the way, are you going to join the volleyball club in school?" She looked at Izumi with curiosity, wondering if he'd continue his passion for volleyball in a school club.
Izumi took a moment to think and then responded, "Nah, Mom. I don't plan on joining any school clubs until junior high."
Iori tilted her head slightly, seeking an explanation. "Is it because you already being a member of Rixe?"
Izumi nodded in agreement. "Partly, Mom. But it's also because I just don't feel like it right now."
Iori accepted his answer with a nod. "That's perfectly fine, Izumi. You should do what feels right for you."
After breakfast, Izumi returned to his room to pick up his school bag. He came back downstairs and headed to the shoe stand near the door to change into his outdoor shoes. As he was doing so, his mother approached him and handed him a tiffin box.
"Izumi-Kun, here's your tiffin box," she said with a gentle smile.
Izumi took the box and couldn't help but ask, "What's inside today?"
Iori chuckled softly. "It's a surprise."
Izumi let out a playful sigh but appreciated the effort his mother put into preparing his lunch. "Thanks, Mom," he said warmly. With his tiffin box in hand, he announced that he was off to school.
Iori wished him well with his day, saying, "Ride your bicycle carefully on your way to school, Izumi-Kun." She watched him as he headed out the door, ready to face a new day of learning and adventures.
With his backpack securely fastened and his tiffin box safely tucked away, Izumi hopped on his trusty bicycle. The school was just a couple of kilometers away, a pleasant ride through his familiar neighborhood.
As he pedaled along the quiet streets, Izumi felt the morning breeze ruffle his hair. It was a warm day, perfect for cycling. The streets were lined with houses, each with its own small garden, and friendly neighbors who greeted him as he passed by. The aroma of breakfast cooking wafted from open windows, adding a comforting scent to the air.
Izumi didn't rush; he enjoyed the leisurely ride to school. The rhythmic click of the gears, the gentle hum of tires on the road, and the occasional chirping of birds provided a soothing soundtrack. He passed by the local park, where some younger kids were already playing on the swings and slides.
The journey was brief, but it gave Izumi a chance to savor the simple pleasures of his neighborhood. He knew these streets like the back of his hand, and he felt a sense of belonging as he navigated the familiar paths.
As Izumi approached his school on his bicycle, he couldn't help but admire its grandeur. The school, known as Sakura Grove Elementary, was nestled in a serene, tree-lined neighborhood. A wrought-iron gate adorned with cherry blossom motifs marked the entrance. Beyond the gate, a cobblestone path led up to a stately brick building with ivy-clad walls, giving it a timeless and picturesque quality.
The school's sprawling campus was well-maintained, with lush green lawns and meticulously tended gardens. Tall oak and cherry blossom trees provided ample shade, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Izumi could hear the faint chirping of birds, adding to the school's natural charm.
Sakura Grove Elementary had a reputation for academic excellence, and its private status meant smaller class sizes and more personalized attention for students. It was the kind of school where parents dreamt of sending their children for a top-tier education.
Feeling a mixture of excitement and a touch of nervousness, Izumi parked his bicycle in the designated area and headed towards the school gate. The warm sunlight filtering through the leaves above enveloped him, and he took a deep breath, ready to start another day of learning at this prestigious institution.
Izumi, lost in his thoughts, walked briskly through the bustling schoolyard. His mind raced as he tried to navigate the sea of students.
'Too many people... I need to go to my classroom quickly or these social creatures energy will overwhelme me'
He made his way to the entrance and slid open the door, glancing back at the chattering students behind him. Inside, he located his shoe locker, exchanged his outdoor shoes for indoor ones, and turned to head up the stairs to the third floor, where his classroom was located.
As Izumi reached the second stair and prepared to ascend to the third floor, he unintentionally collided with another student. It was a moment straight out of an anime scene, as both of them stumbled backward in surprise.
Izumi quickly regained his balance and looked at the other student, a girl with short black hair and a somewhat distant expression. She seemed just as startled as he was, and for a brief moment, they exchanged glances filled with surprise and uncertainty.
The girl quickly regained her composure and let out an exasperated sigh. "Watch where you're going!" she scolded, her tone irritated. "I'm in a hurry."
Izumi felt a bit flustered by her reaction. "Sorry," he mumbled, still a bit surprised by the sudden collision. "I didn't mean to..."
Their brief encounter had indeed left a less than favorable impression on both sides. Izumi found himself unsure of what to say next, and the girl, too, seemed uninterested in further conversation. With a frustrated huff, she continued up the stairs, leaving Izumi standing there, slightly embarrassed by the encounter.
'what a wired girl, well no point thinking about it I better go to the class'
Afte a while Izumi entered his classroom, which was class 3-B, and walked to his seat, which was the one closest to the window. It was unofficially known as the "protagonist seat" among his classmates, as it offered a good view of the entire classroom and outside.
He sat down, and his mind quickly drifted back to thoughts of volleyball. Ignoring the chatter and activities happening around him, he found solace in thinking about the sport he loved.
However, his concentration was abruptly interrupted when the classroom door slid open gracefully. In walked their homeroom teacher, Mizuho Kazami.
Mizuho Kazami, the homeroom teacher, had wavy pink hair that was pulled back away from her face and cascaded down her back. Her eyes were wide and bright blue, with thick black eyelashes framing them. She wore an orange dress with white polka dots, which reached just above the knee. Her appearance was as vibrant and cheerful as her personality.
Mizuho Kazami approached the teacher's desk and greeted the class with a cheerful "Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful summer break. Welcome back to class!"
Her voice was as pleasant as the morning breeze, and her presence filled the room with a sense of calm and reassurance.
The familiar tone of her voice filled the room, signaling the start of a new school day, and the students responded with a collective greeting in return.
Her warm smile remained as she continued with her homeroom teacher duties. She checked the attendance list, making sure everyone was present. Then, she began to discuss the schedule for the day and upcoming school events.
"Today, we'll start our first class with Japanese literature," She announced. "I hope you're all ready to dive into some fascinating stories and poems."
Izumi listened intently, grateful that his first class was a subject he enjoyed. kazami- Sensei had a way of making even the most complex topics seem approachable. Her passion for teaching and genuine care for her students were evident in every word she spoke.
——————
As the first class came to a close, Mizuho Kazami, the homeroom teacher, moved to the front of the class. She stood with a warm smile, her eyes filled with enthusiasm for the upcoming project. The bell signaling the end of the period was about to ring.
"Class, I hope you're adjusting well to being back at school," she began, her voice carrying a tone of excitement. "Now, for this semester, we have an exciting project lined up as part of our Community Science and Ecology program. It's a fantastic opportunity for all of you to explore and learn more about the world around us."
The students listened attentively, their curiosity piqued.
"Each one of you will be working in pairs," she continued. "Your partners have been randomly selected to encourage you to collaborate and learn from each other."
With a nod to the blackboard, where she had prepared a list of student names in pairs along with the names of the supervising teachers, she said, "The list of project partners and their respective supervising teachers is posted on the notice board over here. I want each of you to find your name and your partner's name. You'll also see the name of your supervising teacher, who will guide you through the project."
Teacher Kazami paused, allowing her words to settle in. She could feel the excitement in the air as students eagerly anticipated discovering their project partners and topics.
"After lunch today, please meet with your supervising teacher at the designated topic areas. They will inform you about the specific project topic you'll be working on. It's going to be a fantastic learning experience, and I encourage you to give it your best."
"I believe this project will be a fantastic opportunity for all of you to learn and grow. It's a chance to make new friends, explore the wonders of science and ecology, and be guided by our dedicated teachers," she concluded, her smile unwavering. "Now, please check the board, find your partners and supervising teacher, and get ready for an exciting journey of discovery. Have a wonderful day!"
As the teacher left the class, the students excitedly headed to the notice board, eager to learn who their project partners would be and looking forward to the adventures that awaited them under the guidance of their supervising teachers.
As the students crowd lessen around the notice board, Izumi decided it was time to check his own pairing. Slowly, he made his way to the board, taking his time to avoid the rush of eager classmates.
'Now where is my name... yep! Miyamura Izumi there— now let's see who is my partner in this,' thought Izumi while touching his name on the notice board.
His eyes moved down to the adjacent name. "Toshaka Rin" he read out aloud
He couldn't help but wonder who this "Toshaka Rin" was. He certainly didn't recognize the name from his class.
Meanwhile, Rin had also found her name on the list— 'Toshaka Rin', her eyes followed to the next name on the list she read the name, "Miyamura Izumi"
As Izumi and Rin were engrossed in reading their partners' names aloud, they suddenly heard their own names being called out in the vicinity. The moment they heard this, they instinctively turned toward the source of the voices.
Izumi's gaze met Rin's, and vice versa. The utterance of their names had reached their ears simultaneously. Both Izumi and Rin froze, their eyes locking onto each other.
"YOU?!" They exclaimed simultaneously, stunned expressions mirrored. The morning's collision flashed in their minds. Fate, it seemed, had an odd sense of humor.
[A/N—I'm just clarifying this before anyone asks, This story does not follow a harem format, and the female lead is Kyouko Hori. As for Toshaka's introduced in the series, her role will primarily revolve around becoming close friends with Izumi, and there will be more characters like her that will be introduced in future!]