Spring has always been my favorite season.
Not because I'm a romantic, but because the atmosphere feels… quiet and warm at the same time.
The air carries a sense of hope, as if everything can start over.
But even though the seasons change, my life remains stagnant.
My name is Aoi Kento. I'm 17 years old. A second-year student at Minamizaka High School, a regular public school on the outskirts of Kanagawa.
My days are filled with routine: wake up, go to school, come home, sleep.
Friends? Maybe one or two. But I mostly keep to myself, preferring the corners of the classroom over the noisy cafeteria.
I didn't really mind.
The world was boring enough as it was.
Until that day came—the first day of the new semester.
---
That morning, I arrived earlier than usual.
Strange, considering I'm not the diligent type.
But the morning air felt fresher than normal, and for some reason, my steps felt lighter on the way to school.
At the school gate, cherry blossom petals fell like a slow rain.
A few first-years gathered nervously, full of energy and awkwardness.
I walked past them, heading to class—until I saw her.
A girl stood alone in the middle of the schoolyard.
She looked lost—gazing around with wide, curious eyes.
Her long black hair swayed gently in the wind.
She wore the same uniform as me, with a navy-blue ribbon on her collar—signifying second-year.
She seemed… unfamiliar, yet calming.
There was something in the way she stood, the way she looked at the sky—
as if she came from another world.
And when her eyes met mine, the world seemed to stop.
"Excuse me, are you a student here?" she asked.
Her voice was soft and calm.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Thank goodness…" She smiled. "I'm a transfer student. It's my first day… but I don't know the way to the teacher's office."
I pointed to the main building. "This way. I'll show you."
She nodded. "Thank you… I'm Hinata Yui."
"Aoi Kento."
We walked side by side.
Her steps were light, as if they didn't weigh on the ground.
Neither of us spoke much. I just listened to the sound of her shoes tapping against the floor and, sometimes, her quiet breathing.
"This school… feels warm," she suddenly said.
I turned to her. "Warm?"
"Yeah. It feels… like somewhere I've been before. Even though I've never been here."
I said nothing. I didn't know what to say.
But somehow, I understood what she meant.
---
After I brought her to the teacher's office, I returned to class.
Seats were starting to fill up.
I sat by the window in the back corner—my favorite spot.
The wind carried the scent of sakura through the open window.
Not long after, our homeroom teacher arrived. And behind him… was Hinata Yui.
"Everyone, this is our new student. Go ahead, Yui-san."
Yui stood in front of the class.
Some of the guys started whispering. "She's really cute…"
"My name is Hinata Yui. I transferred from Kyoto.
Nice to meet you all."
Her voice and expression were the same as before—gentle.
But this time, I saw a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
Maybe it was because everyone was staring at her.
The teacher pointed to the empty seat next to mine.
Oh no.
That was my neighbor seat.
She sat down quietly and glanced at me for a second.
A soft smile appeared on her face, then she turned forward.
I swallowed hard.
For some reason… I felt nervous.
---
The lessons went on as usual.
But I couldn't focus.
Every time I stole a glance, she looked… peaceful.
She took neat notes, occasionally doodled in the corners of her notebook, and looked out the window at the sky.
During lunch break, she ate alone, calmly.
A few classmates tried to start a conversation, but she just smiled politely and returned to her meal.
There was an air of calm around her.
As if she knew when to be close… and when to keep her distance.
And for some reason, I wanted to get to know her better.
---
After school, I walked to the bus stop like usual.
And once again, I saw her—standing alone by the sidewalk, gazing at the drifting cherry blossoms.
"Aoi-kun."
I turned. She had called my name.
"Thank you for walking me this morning… You're kind."
"Not really," I replied awkwardly.
She laughed. "Then… may I sit next to you again tomorrow?"
I nodded. "Of course."
She smiled again—a smile that, oddly, warmed my chest.
"Well then… see you tomorrow, Aoi-kun."
And she walked away, leaving behind the scent of flowers and a strange flutter in my heart.
That day, I realized one thing:
This spring… might not be as lonely as the springs before.