When I came to myself, the first thing I noticed wasn't the classroom, desk, nor the sunlight glazing into the classroom.
it was the voices.
High-pitched, lively, and overlapping chatter. I blink my eyes confusedly and found myself surrounded by girls, not one or two. almost the entire class!
just like getting poured with a basin of cold water:This is some kind of a lame joke!
"Class, attention!" The teacher clapped her hand. "We have a new transfer student joining us today!"
and just like that, all pair of eyes staring at me, even a certain dead-fish eye in the corner also looked in this direction.
as an experienced student, a great scholar, and a number one employee of the month in previous world (he thinks) this wouldn't make him stage-fright.
Still standing at the front of classroom, smoothed out jacket uniform: "My name is Kurosawa Ras, nice to meet you, i hope... we can get along." while giving a slight bow of formality.
murmurs spread across the room, curious glances and giggles could be heard. Ras could feel the students sizing him up, one of the few boys in a world of female dominance.
Clap! Clap!
with claps from the teacher, the class returns to its itcondusive contition.
"You can take the empty seats beside Totsuka Saika over there" The teacher said.
"Yes hiratsuka sensei!"
Following her gesture, I froze.
Short hair, gentle eyes, and a smile so warm it could make the north pole blooms with brilliance. except this time, not the androgynous boy from the memory, but an angelic-looking girl!
If Hikigaya knew, he would be dying to exchange this seating! kek!
"Hello" she said softly as I sat beside her. "I'm Totsuka. nice to meet you Kurosawa-san"
Her voice matched her smile: kind, almost painfully so.
"Hello Totsuka-san, nice to meet you" Ras replied with a gentle nod.
She gigglef wuietly. as though my stiff politeness was amusing. the sound tugged me at a way i wasn't ready to admit.
After that, the class proceeds as usual.
while getting the attention like that of an exotic animal at the zoo, Kurosawa Ras also grasp the condition in the classroom, as expected of the "Oregairu" classroom.
Across the room, the sun: Hayama Hayato sat like the centre of the orbit, blond, polished, smiling in a way that made everyone feel included, even if they weren't. Girls leaned in , hung on his words, and laughed at hos mildest jokes.
Besides him were his satellites: Tobe, Ooka, Yamato. Boys in a world where boys were rare, elevated by a mere assosciation.
The girls around them shone brighter just by proximity: Miura Yumiko with her Queen bee confidence. Ebina Hina with her sly grin, and Yuigahama Yui waving too eagerly at anyone who looked her way.
Then, there was me.
A new "UFO" that hadn't decided where my destination will be.
Guess, I'll be thinking about that tomorrow.
-----
Lunch, I considered disappearing somewhere safe. Eating alone was preferable to becoming a curiosity. But before I could make my escape, I made a U-turn.
"Totsuka-san? Would you like to eat with me?"
His words were casual, but the classroom seemed to pause. Eyes followed us as we left, whispers trailing like smoke.
She blinked, then smiled as though she'd be waiting for this question. "Gladly!"
On the rooftop, the air was clearer. Totsuka opened a neatly packed bento: a fluffy omelette, rice sprinkled with sesame, and pickled vegetables lined with precision.
I pulled out a convenience store bento under the weight of shame.
"…You don't mind eating here with me?" she asked.
I blinked blinked. "Why would I?"
My tone was steady, without hesitation.
"I thought you'd prefer eating with the others."
Ras smiled faintly, looking at his food. "I like to eat in quiet place."
"How about you?"
"I usually eat alone. It's easier that way," Totsuka answered, looking at her bento.
"That's… kind of sad," I said.
"I don't think so," she answered, then added, softer, "But today feels different."
Because I was here.
I broke a piece of tamagoyaki from the bento and held it out. "Here, try this."
Her cheeks coloured slightly, but she nodded. "Only if you don't mind."
She leaned forward and took the bite. Sweet. Light. Perfect.
Then Totsuka gave out her omelettes.
"How is it?" she asked, eyes hopeful.
"…Dangerous," I said.
"Dangerous?"
"Because I could get used to this."
Then for a moment of silence, both of them laugh. quiet but genuine. In a world of women chasing stars, Totsuka shone without trying. and for the first time since arriving here, I realized something.
This place might not be so suffocating after all.