My name is Mioki. Sixteen years old. Second year at a Tokyo high school.
I'm what you'd call "half-popular." Not the center of attention, but not invisible either. My grades are average, my family is cheerful and well-off, and my friends… acceptable. On paper, my life looks perfect, or at least, normal.
But there's one thing missing.
Love.
Yeah, I've tried dating. Every time, it goes horribly wrong. Most guys turn out to be jerks or perverts. Can't a decent one exist? Just one?
I sighed under my breath. If I could ask for anything more… it would be to fall in love.
"Mioki!"
A cheerful voice cut through my thoughts. I turned, already annoyed. Of course—it was Sukiyaki, my best friend.
"What are you mumbling to yourself? Lost your marbles?"
"Can't I think in peace? It's lunch break."
"Yeah, but you were like, 'ha bra bra brebb' talking to yourself. Creepy."
I pinched her cheeks without mercy.
"Ow—ow—ow! Stop, meanie! It hurts!"
"That's what you get for insulting someone. Don't even think about fighting back."
"Okay, okay, sorry!" She rubbed her cheek with a pout. "Hmph. I'm never talking to you again."
I rolled my eyes just as the bell rang.
Ding-dong!
The classroom filled with scraping chairs as everyone pushed their desks into neat rows. A moment later—
Clank.
The door opened and in walked a woman in her thirties, dressed in a black coat and jeans. Our homeroom teacher, Rarako-sensei.
She cleared her throat. "Good afternoon, students."
The whole class replied gloomily, "Good afternoon, teacher."
"You all know the third semester exams are coming. This time they'll be harder than usual. To prepare, I'll be holding a mock exam tomorrow. As for today—self-study."
A groan rippled through the room.
Then her eyes landed on me. "Mioki!"
I stood reluctantly. "Yes, Rarako-sensei?"
"Take this book to the teachers' room and put it on my desk."
Why always me? With a sigh, I took the math book and headed out.
The hall was quiet except for the faint chirping of birds outside. When I reached the teachers' room, I knocked.
"Enter," came a voice.
Inside, a teacher tapped away at her computer. She glanced up. "Mioki, right? What brings you here?"
"Rarako-sensei asked me to drop this book off."
"Ah, I see. Thank you."
I set it on the desk, forced a polite smile. "Have a nice day, sensei. See you tomorrow."
"Study well!"
I slipped back out, shaking my head. Why did I even say goodbye?
On my way to class, I caught voices from the boys' bathroom.
"That Toro from Class A is such a freak, right?"
"Yeah, the guy with white hair. Even his eyebrows are white. Creepy."
"Hah, I bet even his that hair is white too!"
They snickered.
Toro… oh, that introvert. He's in my class, isn't he? Hardly noticeable except for the hair. Guess that's enough for people to bully him. I frowned, then shrugged. Not that it's any of my business.
Back in the classroom, Rarako-sensei was already scribbling on the board. "This will be on the exam. Also, the pentagon chapter—" She paused, noticing me. "You're back. Take notes."
I nodded and sat down. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him—Toro. Tall, quiet, white hair catching the light as he wrote diligently. Ordinary in every way, except for that hair. I turned away quickly. Whatever. Doesn't concern me.
I reached for my pencil case. Tch. No eraser.
Leaning over, I poked Sukiyaki. "Hey… Sukiyaki."
She turned with a pout. "What do you want? Still mad at you."
"Seriously? Over that? Stop acting like a child. Just lend me an eraser."
"Nope. Why should I?"
"Come on, I'm sorry, okay? I need it, now."
She smirked. "Only if you promise to come on a group date with me."
"What?! Why—"
"Take it or leave it."
I groaned. "…Fine. Hand it over."
She grinned, victorious, and passed me the eraser.
Shhhk, shhhk. I rubbed out the mistake and slid it back.
"Still don't get why I have to go," I muttered.
"Because you're prettier than me. I'll feel more confident if you're there."
Then why go if you're nervous? I mumbled under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Minutes dragged by. Finally—
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
I stretched. Fhaaah, finally. Self-study turned into two hours of torture.
Students packed their bags and filed out.
"Let's go on our date then!" Sukiyaki chirped, hugging me from behind.
"Don't make it sound weird…"
End of Chapter 1. Next: The Group Date.