Ken
Ah, everything is as usual. Not that I want anything special to happen.
It's because I have social anxiety, and I've never liked attention anyway.
I'm Ken Murata, 18, and I'm graduating high school next year. My life has always been quiet; sure, I've had ups and downs, but I try to stay out of trouble. I don't like associating with other people because I'm scared. I don't exactly know what I'm scared of... Maybe it's people's expectations? Or maybe I'm scared of looking bad and being made fun of? Everything is just in my mind, after all, but it scares me. My thoughts haunt me all the time.
Class hasn't started yet since it's still a little early. All my classmates are just chattering and talking about things I'm not interested in. I'm just sitting in my seat, observing everyone. Yeah, I like observing; I like to think about how different everyone is. Maybe opposites do attract because, no matter how different everyone is, you'll still find people you'll get along with for the rest of your life.
My friends Yuki and Tadano are most likely going to turn up late because they're both too lazy. It's not like I'm not lazy; I'm just scared that if I'm late, everyone's attention will turn to me when I enter the classroom, and I'm scared of that.
Both of my friends are from kindergarten, and we've known each other for a long time. After all, our families are close, and we're all neighbors. Crazy coincidence, right? I'm not usually loud, but when it comes to my friends, I can share my thoughts freely.
Haruzuki Tadano is like the kindest guy you'll meet; he takes care of me and Yuki well. He's like a mom. Tadano is very understanding, and he listens well. He's always very calm and thinks of solutions. He studies well and is overall a great guy. Aizawa Yukitero is the complete opposite of him. Yuki is very loud, and he's a tsundere; he says things he means the exact opposite of, and that sometimes gets him into trouble. He doesn't think when he makes decisions, and he doesn't care what others think of him. And I'm right. Opposites do attract.
We're all very different, but we get along pretty well. I am very different from them, too. I don't usually speak; I listen more. I like to observe things and daydream a lot. I'm imaginative, and I like to create things like writing and art stuff.
"Good morning, Mamoru-kun!" Ah, he's here. "Good morning, Aira." And that's our class representative, Mamoru Reigi. Blonde hair with ocean-blue eyes. He's the exact opposite of me. While I only have two friends, he's friends with everyone,of course, excluding us.
I get scared of talking to other people; he always talks to other people first. I don't really do well in my studies, but he's smart and always on top, like Tadano. I hate math, and he's the best in math at our school. While I'm the best at art, he's not...really that good at it. But I guess it's true, nobody can have it all. Mamoru-kun has the face; he's also tall, smart, and has an amazing, sociable personality. A guy who's almost perfect as him is surely dating someone. Not that I care that much, but it's true that I like knowing about other people without being directly involved in their lives. I'm just a nobody since my life isn't that amazing.
"Good morning, Murata-kun." Wait, he just spoke to me.
"Ah...good morning." Crap, my voice was shaking. Well, I didn't expect him to talk to me! Well, he talks to everyone. It's not that unusual.
He keeps talking to everyone, and everyone seems to have a good time with him. Well, it's Mamoru-kun. He sure is good-looking; even for a guy like me, I agree with the girls. But the most beautiful part of his face is his smile. It's bright! So bright and radiant, like the sun. It's also contagious, making me smile like a fool. But it's not like I have a crush on him; I just think he's an ideal man. Maybe I want to be like him.
"Why are you smiling like that? Ugh, so creepy! It's making me want to puke." My smile turned into a frown. This bastard. "Shut up, Yuki; you look like shit as early in the morning."
"You bastard, you wanna go?"
"Come on, come on. Don't fight." My fight with Yuki was interrupted by Tadano, and I'm glad he did that. I don't want attention! What if Mamoru-kun heard that? He'll think I'm a delinquent who swears...well, ugh, it's not like I care about what he thinks. We're not even friends.
But I noticed something different about Mamoru-kun. Yeah, he's still smiling like always, but his eyes looked different. I don't know why, but I paid attention to him; his eyes looked sad, really sad. After all, even if you put on a smile, you can't hide how you truly feel through your eyes. I wonder what happened to an almost perfect guy like him? I hope he'll be okay.
Our teacher arrived, and first period started. School sucks, and whatever you say won't make me think otherwise. I'm way too lazy; I still want to sleep and read some mangas.
"Alright, for today, group yourselves into two and solve the problems on the board."
Since we're a trio, you might be wondering how we can pair up when there's three of us. Well, there's a way.
"Ah, excuse me, Sensei! There are 25 people in our class, so there would be a person with no partner. Can we group ourselves into three instead?" Tadano raised his hand, standing up. Yes, that's my mom. He's the way.
"All right, that's understandable," Sensei agreed.
"I'm so dumb at math; I'll just write the problem and whatever you guys say since my handwriting is neat," I said. Of course, there's no way I can be of help in solving.
"Then...since I'm dumb as well, I volunteer my paper and pen. How's that?" Yuki smiled.
Tadano sighed. "So that means I'm the only one answering the problems."
"Thank you for saving us, our sacrifice!" I slapped Yuki's back. "It should be 'master,' you idiot. We're very thankful, master!"
Time passed, and it's my second favorite time of the day: lunchtime. No question, my favorite time of the day is going home and lying down in bed.
"What should we eat today? Ah...I really want to eat those big katsudon," Yuki said, and Tadano laughed. "Yeah, we should buy that, but you should also eat your lunch. Don't waste food."
"Yeah, of course. I like my mom's cooking, y'know. I just want to get what those other students are hyping up." Tadano nodded.
"What about you, Ken?" Tadano asked.
"Ah..." Yuki looked at me. "Stop daydreaming; it's not real." Ugh, this guy really pisses me off. "Bastard. Tch."
Before Yuki could say anything in return, I had to go. "Tadano, you can go ahead. I forgot my lunchbox. I'll be right back."
"Don't come back, you idiot!" Yuki yelled, and I didn't pay any attention to him. I just ran back to the classroom. I stopped running because I'm not really the athletic type like Yuki; he's good at sports. It's not like I have to hurry up; lunch ends in an hour, and I will probably just be a third wheel to both of them.
Opposites attract in Tadano and Yuki's case...