"I'm Naoki Haru."
"A third-year high school student."
"A genius… that's what everyone calls me."
"I'm terrible at forming relationships—or rather, I've never tried."
"That's why I'm always alone."
"But… I've always wondered."
"Why do people think relationships are something necessary, and rush to form them?"
"Is it because they're afraid of loneliness? Of not belonging?"
"If that's the case, then the relationships I already have are enough—my mother, my family, the few people who truly care for me and whom I care for just as much."
"There is no need to add another person to the list and carry unnecessary weight."
"All I need to do is focus on myself—on what matters."
"Or at least… that's how I used to think."
"Until I met that boy."
Ryo stood at the door, watching Haru lying on the floor, reading his usual novel.
He waited for the right moment to approach, but the quiet was strangely heavy.
Then Haru looked up from his book—and saw him.
He sighed, then closed the book."What do you want?"
"Uh… nothing," Ryo stammered.
"Then why have you been staring at me all this time?"
"Ah… I was just wondering what kind of novel you were reading. Could you lend it to me?" Ryo said, laughing lightly to hide his nervousness.
Haru stood up silently and headed for the door.
"Wait, I didn't mean to bother you!"
Haru ignored him and kept walking down the stairs.
Ryo sighed, his shoulders dropping, then smiled at himself sarcastically."Guess I'll follow you then."
Their footsteps echoed down the stairwell.
Ryo put his hands in his pockets, humming lightly.
Halfway down, Haru suddenly stopped, turned, and met Ryo's eyes with a serious look.
"Stop following me."His voice was low and firm.
Ryo raised his eyebrows, surprised by his direct words, then slowly a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"But, this is my way too."
Haru's expression didn't change."I meant what I said. Leave me alone."
He turned around and continued down the stairs.
Behind him, Ryo stopped for a moment, watching him.The sharp tone in Haru's voice wasn't angry, but it was surprisingly straightforward.
"Well, I've decided to follow you… so there's no turning back now."
He ran down after him—but by the time he reached the hall, Haru was gone.
"Maybe he went back to the classroom," Ryo muttered, jogging down the corridor.
He slid the classroom door open and looked toward Haru's seat.
"Damn it, not here."
"What's wrong?"
"Whaaa!!" Ryo shouted in fright.
Nakajima stood behind him with a wide grin."Hey there!"
"Man, you scared me!"
"I saw you running through the hallway, so I wondered what's going on with you."
"Ah, it's nothing, really."
"Anyway, the P.E. class is about to start, we should join the others."
"Yeah, let's go."
By the time they reached the locker room, Haru was already there, changing clothes.
Kaito waved. "Hey," then turned to Ryo."Let me introduce you."
A tall boy with messy hair was tying his sneakers.
Kaito pushed him lightly."This is Okabe, he's on the basketball team."
"Well, I was," Okabe said, smiling. "I quit to focus on studying."
He smiled at Ryo."You're Takahashi-san, right? Welcome."
"Thank you," Ryo replied.
Another boy stepped up and offered his hand."I'm Kobayashi Haruma, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Kobayashi added, "I wanted to talk to you before, but I didn't get the chance."
"Glad to hear that." Ryo said.
"Hey, Ryo—look over here," Kaito called.
"Huh?"
"This is Saito Shun, class rep. you've talked before."
"Nice to see you, Takahashi-san," said Saito.
"me too."
The words hung for a moment after the sound of Haru slamming his locker closed echoed.
Everyone turned to see Him pulling on his jacket, walking out without a word.
The room fell silent as every eye followed him.
Ryo watched too, curiosity sparking behind his calm gaze.
"I heard that the teacher will organize a group race."Kaito said after Haru left.
"Yes, I heard that too," Okabe replied. "Four people per group."
Haruma sighed. "Man, I hope I'm not grouped with Naoki-san."
"Why's that?" Ryo asked.
Okabe chuckled. "Oh, just wait until you see Haru run. After the second or third lap, you won't be able to keep up with him."
A student leaning on the lockers chimed in, "I envy him. He's a genius in class and good at sports too."
"Guys, I have a theory."
"About what?"
"About the truth of Naoki Haru… He must be an alien."
"Pfft," Kaito snorted.
"Get out of here with your dumb theories," Haruma laughed.
"But I—"
"Alright, that's enough, Masaki-san," said Saito firmly."Haru is a normal student like us, he just works harder than we do."
He looked around at the others. "We have to be more serious. We're in our final year, and we should be examples to those who come after us."
"Our future depends on what we do now. Let's head to the field."
The students gathered on the sports field.The teacher shouted instructions and divided them into groups.
Four groups of four boys each.The girls—since there were more—were split into four groups of five each.
Team One: Kobayashi Haruma, Naoki Haru, Takahashi Ryo, and Yamada Kenji.
"Hurry, start warming up,"the teacher ordered.
"Really?! Out of all groups, I have to be with him?" Haruma groaned, collapsing dramatically.
"Everything always goes against me!"
"Why's he so down?" Ryo asked Okabe.
"Actually…" Okabe said, "Naoki-san and Haruma-san competed in last year's sports festival race, and Naoki won easily."
"I see…"
"Haruma is known for being athletic and fast at running, he used to be a member of the track club. But losing that race hit him hard, to the point that he quit the club."
Ryo nodded slowly. "Losing at something you've devoted your time and self to, to someone who always seems indifferent… that's something…"
"It's all in the past though," Okabe said. "I'm sure he's over it."
"Good luck out there."said Okabe.
"You too."replied Ryo.
Ryo stretched slowly, though his eyes remained fixed on Haru, who was warming up and showing no interest in the race.
The whistle blew.
Competitors lined up at the track.
"Three laps! Ready?" the teacher shouted.
"Yes!" they answered in unison.
"Naoki Haru, I admit you beat me before…" Haruma thought
"Three."
"There's no denying it. I gave it my all, and still… I lost."
"Two."
"But that won't be the end. I won't allow myself to be remembered as the one who lost to you."
"One."
"This time—I'll win."
The runners took off right after the teacher's whistle.
"Who do you think will win?" Okabe asked.
"Not sure," Kaito said.
"Easy—Haruma," Masaki answered confidently.
"Is that so? But Takahashi-san is here today," Okabe said, his eyes following Ryo.
"He might surprise us."
"You're right," Kaito said."If Ryo weren't here, everyone would expect Haru to win, But with him… this race just got interesting."
"Everyone wants to see the abilities of the new student against the school's genius."
"Look—do you see him?"
"Yeah," Okabe said with a grin.
"He's smiling."
The runners approached the end of the first lap—Haruma in the lead, followed by Haru, then Ryo, with Yamada trailing behind.
"I'll win, I'll win, I'll win!!" Haruma repeated in his head.
"Why is he so excited? It's just a race," Haru thought."Not like I gain anything from winning. I'll just finish the three laps and be done."
Then he frowned."Why is that guy still following me?"
"We've already finished the first lap,and he's still right next to me."
"Why is he staring at me now? so annoying."
Haru slowed down, leaving a clear distance between himself and Ryo."That smelly guy in the back… fine, this should be enough."
"Wait a second, why is he slowing down?" Kaito shouted.
"He's not tired, is he?" Okabe said.
"Impossible. We've seen Naoki-san run many times before, no way he's tired after one lap."
"That means… Haruma's going to win!" Masaki cheered.
"Yeah!! Haruma!! Go!!" Masaki shouted, and two other students joined him. Even some girls were watching closely to see who would reach the finish line first.
"Is he okay?" Ryo wondered. "Why'd he slow down?"
He decided to ask.
Ryo slowed too.
"Huh, Ryo's slowing down too. What's going on?" said Okabe.
"The second lap is almost over," said Saito, the class rep."I wonder what he's thinking."
"Hey… are you okay?" said Ryo, placing his hand on Haru's shoulder."If you're feeling tired, let's tell the teacher."
Haru ignored him, running in silence.
"What are they talking about?" Kaito whispered.
"Hey, why won't you answer me?" Ryo pressed.
Haru finally replied. "You're really stubborn."
"Huh?"
"I told you before—"
"stop following me."
He suddenly sprinted forward, flowing through the field, finishing the second lap at the same time as Haruma, who was shocked
"Im…possible," Haruma gasped.
Ryo blinked, amazed. "He's fast… really fast."
A smile spread across his face."You're incredible."
He picked up his pace.
"But your stubbornness is what makes me believe you'll reach what you want."He remembered his mother's words
"Yeah, I'm stubborn—stubborn as hell," he whispered,
"If I weren't stubborn, I wouldn't have come to this school in the first place.""Or stood up to my father for it."
"Right now, I want to catch up to you," he said, smiling with determination.
"And because I'm stubborn…"
"you won't be able to stop me."
He overtook Haruma, chasing Haru down.
The students stood astonished at the unexpected change.
"A-amazing," said Nakajima, his eyes widening as he watched Ryo.
"He's keeping up with Haru."
Meanwhile, Haruma stumbled, fatigue catching up.
"Nothing… nothing has changed," he said, lowering his head.
He remembered last year's race."The difference between us was huge—"
"Why on earth did I think I'd succeed this time?"
"Nothing has changed."
"I'm still just a fool, led by illusions."
"Haruma!!" Masaki's voice cut through his thoughts."Come on! You can still catch them!"
Haruma looked up.
"Remember what you said last year!" Masaki shouted.
A faint smile returned to Haruma's face. "You're right."
Together they shouted,
"Keep going even when you're tired!""Keep going even when you're scared!""Keep going even when you're alone!"
"Because…"
"There's no other choice but to keep going!"
Haruma sprinted forward again.
"How annoying," Haru muttered.
"What, trying to run away again? I won't let you," said Ryo. chasing him.
Each time Haru sped up, Ryo did too.Behind them, Haruma pushed through exhaustion, while Yamada staggered hopelessly.
The finish line drew close.
Students cheered wildly.
Haru sped up.
"Wait, I can't… keep this up," Ryo panted. "My legs feel numb."
"I told you not to follow me,"
"Hehe, you jerk," said Ryo.
"Huh!?" Ryo stumbled, accidentally grabbing Haru's shirt. They both fell together.
"What?!" Everyone gasped, as the finish line was only a few steps away.
"This is my chance…" said Haruma."I'll—"
He stopped at the finish line and didn't cross it.
He looked down."No…This isn't the win I wanted."
Yamada Kenji crossed the finish line first, then Haruma.
The teacher blew the whistle."First place, Yamada-kun," he said.
Silence fell across the field.
Then Masaki broke it. "Haruma! Good job, man. Here, take your towel."
"Thanks."
"Ryo, are you okay?" Kaito hurried over, offering his hand.
"Yeah… I think so."
"Can you stand?"
"My legs hurt a bit."
"Lean on me then."
"Thanks."
"Naoki-san, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you fall," Ryo said.
Haru ignored him, didn't even look at him. He brushed off the dirt, went to the teacher to ask something, and after getting permission, left for the locker room.
Ryo watched him leave silently—and so did Yamada, glaring with contempt.
"That weirdo," Yamada muttered.
"Alright!" the teacher clapped. "Group Two, get ready!"
...
Class ended, the races concluded. The teacher kept the class rep behind and sent the others to change.
Chatter filled the room.
Haru sat quietly in the corner, towel over his head.
Ryo tossed his jacket into his locker, sighing. "Ugh, I'm starving."
"You did great out there," Kaito said with a smile.
Ryo chuckled.
"Man, you actually kept up with Haru!" Okabe said, patting his back hard. "That's insane!"
"Please stop, my legs can barely hold me up," Ryo groaned.
"You were grinning like crazy the whole time," Okabe teased.
"Hehe."
Two students approached them, curiosity written all over their faces.
"Were you part of a track club at your old school?" one asked.
"No, not really. It was just… coincidence. I didn't even know I could run like that."
"Seriously, you almost gave us hope someone could finally beat Haru!"
"That was the wildest race I've ever seen," Kaito laughed quietly."Who'd have thought Yamada would win?"
"Right?" Okabe agreed.
Haruma stood up, his tone calm."Takahashi-san, you were amazing."
"Ah, you're exaggerating," Ryo said modestly.
"No, really—you were. You caught up to Haru. That alone makes you incredible."
"Thanks," Ryo said, embarrassed.
Haruma smiled. "I'll consider you my rival from now on"
He offered his hand. "Next time, I'll surpass you."
Ryo shook it. "Good luck."
Then Haruma turned toward Haru.
"Naoki-san, I—"
Haru stood up, ignoring him.
"Please, just listen!" Haruma raised his voice.
Haru stopped after a few seconds, sighed, then turned to face him.
"I still remember losing to you last year," Haruma began, "and how I quit track afterward."
" But thanks to a friend's support, I came back—and I've decided to keep going no matter what."
"I learned something from that loss—that even if you fall once, it doesn't mean you've lost forever."
He smiled."You're my first rival. And one day, I'll surpass you."
He extended his hand.
The room fell silent.
Haru stared at him for a few seconds without saying anything.
The tension made Haruma's face stiffen and his body freeze.
Just as he was about to lower his hand in embarrassment—
Haru reached out and shook it.
"Kobayashi-san," he said. "I appreciate everything you said. And your honesty."
"Huh!?" Everyone froze. Not because Haru spoke—but because it was the first time they'd ever heard him thank a classmate aloud.
Haruma's mind went blank for a moment.
Haru continued,
"But calling me your rival—that's an exaggeration."
"Still, I'm glad you didn't quit after losing to me. I wish you success."
"Ah… th-thank you."Haruma said, smiling awkwardly.
Ryo watched silently, puzzled."What's going on? He's been cold to me all this time."
"So, Naoki-san," Haruma asked, "would you race me again?"
Haru turned around halfway, still glancing sideways at Haruma.
"No."
"I'm not interested in racing you. And I don't want to be your rival."
"Just… leave me alone."
He turned fully and walked away.
Haruma stood frozen, words caught in his throat.
Before stepping out of the locker room, Haru stopped and said, without turning around,
"Don't hold on to that race from last year. My participation was just a coincidence."
Then he left.
Silence filled the room.
Haruma raised his head, staring at the ceiling.
"Haruma! You okay?" Masaki asked.
"Yeah," he said with a small smile.
"But—"
"Don't worry. I promised I'd keep going, no matter what. I'm not breaking that promise."
Masaki grinned. "Good."
"You're amazing," Kaito said. "If I were you, I'd have collapsed."
Haruma chuckled. Others smiled too.
"Tch, that arrogant jerk," Yamada muttered. "He really pisses me off."
"Yeah, he thinks he's better than everyone."
"Hey, Kazuma," Yamada whispered, "we're doing what I told you after school"
"Hehe, yeah."
"And don't forget to tell Murasaki."
The bell rang.
The students filed out of the locker room.
On the way to the next class, Ryo found himself surrounded by new friends.
Back in class, the sound of chalk and pens filled the room. Afternoon sunlight spilled across the desks as the teacher's voice droned on.
Ryo sat among his new classmates, while across the room Haru sat enveloped in silence as always.
Ryo couldn't help but glance at him every now and then, eyes half-lidded, fighting sleep.
A cool breeze drifted in through the window, fluttering the pages of his notebook.
"You really are strange," he murmured under his breath.
His eyelids drooped—and then the bell rang, ending class.
"Alright, that's all for today," said the teacher. "Don't forget to study."
The classroom erupted in noise.
Ryo stretched, packed his bag, and glanced toward the window—Haru was already packing up too.
"Takahashi-san!" Okabe called. "We're heading out. Wanna come?"
Ryo smiled, glancing once more at Haru—who was already gone.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Man, what a long day," Kaito yawned.
"I'm still tired from P.E.," Ryo said.
"Wanna go somewhere before heading home?" Okabe asked.
"Not sure," Kaito replied. "I think I'll just head home and study.."
"You're so diligent, Kaito," Ryo teased.
"Heh, not really. But hey, it's our last year. Gotta be a little serious."
"True," said Okabe.
"Aren't Haruma and Masaki coming with us?" Ryo asked.
"No, they've got bikes—and different routes home. Speaking of, there they are."
"Hey! See you guys tomorrow!" Haruma called, pedaling through the school gate.
"Later!" Masaki shouted, following behind.
Ryo waved his hand high. "They're really good friends, huh?"
"They've been friends since childhood," Okabe replied.
"Oh, really?"
"Didn't know that, huh?"
They continued down the street past the gate—when Kaito suddenly stopped.
"Uh… isn't that—"
Ryo turned his eyes in the same direction.
Naoki Haru stood in the middle of the street, upright, as if waiting for someone.
"He's… staring at you," Okabe whispered.
"Huh?! No way." Ryo said"Let's just walk past him."
"Takahashi-san," Haru called as they passed. "A moment, please."
Ryo turned. "Y-yeah?"
"I want to talk. Alone."
Ryo looked at his friends.
"Me? But—"
"Don't worry," Kaito said quickly. "We'll go ahead, right?"
"Yeah. See you tomorrow," Okabe added. "Take care."
After his friends left, Ryo turned back to Haru.
"So… what do you want to talk about?"
"Not here. Follow me," Haru said.
They stopped in a narrow alley, shadows swallowing the light between the tall buildings.
Haru stood opposite Ryo.
"Takahashi-san."
Ryo smiled lightly. "I'm surprised you remember my name."
"Stop being stupid," Haru said
Ryo sighed. "Alright, what is it?"
Haru looked him straight in the eyes.
"I want you to understand something."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Life isn't about chasing others."
"I'll warn you one last time—"
"Leave me alone."