Tokyo in spring was quiet, save for the occasional breeze that carried cherry blossom petals across the streets. The city looked ordinary at first glance, but behind the tidy homes and bustling sidewalks, life moved in small, careful rhythms. In one such house, Hayashi Ren lay under his quilt, eyes half-closed, unaware that today would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
"Ren! Wake up! You're going to be late!"
Ren stirred under the quilt but didn't move.
"Ren! I mean it this time!"
The door slid open. Hayashi Akari, his older sister, stood there, hair tied neatly, uniform pristine. She leaned casually against the doorframe, one hand on her hip, a faint smirk on her face.
Ren opened one eye lazily.
"…Five more minutes," he murmured, calm and even.
Akari groaned softly.
"Five more minutes? Ren, we go to the same school. You cannot be late on your first big exam. Breakfast is ready — eat it before it gets cold."
Sunlight spilled through the curtains, casting warm stripes across the polished wooden floor of their surprisingly large Tokyo home. At first glance, it looked ordinary — tidy, quiet, normal. But the long hallway, high ceilings, and spacious rooms hinted at understated wealth.
Akari walked to the kitchen, her steps measured and calm. The faint clatter of dishes and the soft hiss of the stove filled the air.
"Ren, I made breakfast for you," she said, a touch of pride in her voice.
The aroma of miso soup, tamagoyaki, and steamed rice drifted through the house. Ren rose, buttoning his crisp uniform with deliberate care — tie straightened, shoes polished, every movement precise.
By the time he entered the kitchen, Akari had already set the tray neatly on the dining table, smiling softly.
"See? Everything's ready. Don't forget to eat well. Today's the entrance exam for Seiryu High School, remember?"
Ren gave a faint nod, his tone cool and minimal.
"I know. I'll eat."
Akari raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Still as cold as ever. Just… don't skip anything, alright?"
Ren didn't reply. He picked up his chopsticks and began eating silently, the soft clinking of dishes the only sound in the spacious kitchen.
After finishing breakfast, he grabbed his bag and paused at the doorway. The prestigious Seiryu High School awaited — one of Tokyo's top high schools, known for its elite students, high standards, and competitive environment. The thought didn't faze him. Calmly, he stepped into the hallway, passing his older sister.
"Don't forget your lunch! And good luck!" Akari called.
Ren paused at the doorway, glancing back briefly. His tone was calm and cold:
"I know. I'll manage."
He stepped out into the morning breeze, cherry blossom petals drifting lazily along the wide Tokyo street. Today, he wasn't just going to school — he was heading to Seiryu High School for the entrance exam, the first step toward the path that would decide his high school future.
The morning sun reflected off the polished floors of Seiryu High School, the wide hallways filled with students rushing to their classrooms. The air buzzed with quiet chatter, shuffled papers, and footsteps echoing off the walls.
Ren walked down the hallway, bag slung over one shoulder, calm as ever. His eyes scanned the students in the crowd, noting familiar uniforms, nervous faces, and a few who seemed unusually confident.
Then, across the hall, he noticed her.
A girl, slightly shorter than him, with hair catching the sunlight and eyes sharp yet composed. Their gazes met for a brief second — steady, quiet, nothing flustered — yet enough to leave a faint impression on both of them.
She returned his look with equal composure, an almost imperceptible curve at the corner of her lips, before glancing away to join the flow of students.
Ren's expression remained unreadable, his thoughts calmly noting, Strange… I don't know her, but she stands out.
For now, it was just a fleeting eye contact, a quiet acknowledgment between two strangers, each silently aware of the other, neither betraying surprise or curiosity.
The school bell rang, cutting through the hallway. Exams were about to start. Ren adjusted his uniform, straightened his tie, and stepped into his classroom, the memory of that brief glance lingering faintly at the back of his mind.
The corridor outside the exam hall buzzed with students, some reviewing formulas and notes, others flipping through last-minute flashcards. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, reflecting off the polished floors.
Ren walked calmly, bag slung over one shoulder, eyes scanning the crowd with sharp awareness. He noticed familiar faces, but his focus remained clear — nothing distracted him from the day ahead.
"Ren! Over here!"
A familiar voice called out. Kaito Fujimoto, his friend from junior high, jogged over with a bright smile.
"Kaito…" Ren said evenly, tone calm.
Kaito laughed softly. "Still as precise and quiet as ever. We survived junior high together — you think a little Seiryu exam can stop us?"
Ren's expression remained composed, almost unreadable.
"We'll see."
He acknowledged Kaito's presence but didn't waste energy on chatter. Good. His energy might be useful for morale, he noted silently.
Across the hall, Mei Sakuragi adjusted her notes, scanning them with a practiced, precise gaze. Yui Tanaka, her friend from middle school, hovered nearby.
"Mei, ready for this?" Yui asked softly, a little nervous.
Mei's eyes met hers calmly.
"Yes. Focused."
Yui smiled, reassured by Mei's poise, while Mei subtly observed the crowd, noting patterns, seating arrangements, and other students who looked nervous or overconfident.
For a brief moment, Ren and Mei's eyes met across the hall — two calm, intelligent observers silently noting the other. Neither flinched, neither smiled, but both registered the presence of someone sharp, someone to be aware of.