My name is Aoi Nishimura.
I'm not someone special. I don't have outstanding grades, I'm not a sports genius, and I've never been the center of attention. But I can do those all in average.
At least, that's how my life used to be.
After finishing Grade 6, a lot of things changed. Not suddenly, not dramatically, but slowly enough that I didn't even notice at first. I started talking to more people—especially girls. Not because I tried to, but because conversations just… happened.
And now, here I was.
Walking toward my new school.
Everest High School.
The morning air was cool, and the sky was clear. I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder as I walked down the street. Students in the same uniform passed by me, chatting loudly, laughing, or walking half-asleep like zombies.
I exhaled quietly.
A new school meant new people. New routines. New problems.
Or maybe… nothing would change at all."Just stay calm," I muttered to myself. "It's just another school."
The tall gate of Everest High School soon came into view. The school looked bigger than my old one—wide buildings, clean paths, and a large yard that made it feel more like a small campus than a normal high school.I stopped for a moment in front of the gate.
Students were constantly entering, some in groups, some alone. I blended in easily. No one looked at me twice.
That was fine.
I stepped through the gate.
The moment I entered, the noise changed. Voices echoed from different directions. The smell of food from the cafeteria mixed with the scent of fresh grass. Somewhere in the distance, a whistle blew—probably a sports club already practicing.
I checked the paper in my hand.
Class: 1-B.
I looked around the building, scanning the signs on the walls. After walking for a few minutes and taking one wrong turn, I finally found it.
Classroom 1-B.
I slid the door open.
The room was still mostly empty. Only a few students were inside, some chatting quietly, others sitting alone. I walked in without drawing attention and looked around for a seat.
There.
An empty seat near the back, next to the window.
Perfect.
I sat down and placed my bag on the desk. The chair made a soft sound as I pulled it closer. Sunlight came through the window, warming the side of my face.
I leaned back slightly and looked around the classroom.
More students started entering. Some looked confident. Some looked nervous. Some were already laughing loudly like they owned the place.
Without realizing it, I began analyzing the room.
Who looked dangerous.
Who looked friendly.
Who might be popular.
Who might cause trouble.
Old habit.
A tall guy with sharp eyes—probably athletic.
A quiet girl reading a book—smart type.
A group laughing loudly—social types.
I watched carefully, but after a few minutes, I stopped.
"No point," I thought.
This didn't feel like a strange class. No obvious bullies. No overly scary atmosphere. Just… normal students.
A normal class.
I relaxed.
A chair scraped beside me.
I turned my head slightly.
A guy had sat down next to me. He had short brown hair and a friendly-looking face. He placed his bag down and stretched his arms like he had just finished a long journey.
He glanced at me and smiled.
"Morning."
"Morning," I replied.
That was it. No awkward silence, no forced conversation. Just two people acknowledging each other's existence.The bell rang a moment later, and more students rushed in, filling the classroom quickly.Soon, the teacher entered.She was a woman in her thirties, wearing glasses and holding a clipboard.
"Good morning, everyone," she said firmly.
"Good morning," the class replied.
She adjusted her glasses and looked around.
"Before we begin, we need someone to help with the student list."
She scanned the room and stopped her gaze on a student near the front.
"Yamato. Could you do it?"
The guy stood up immediately.
"Yes, ma'am."
He walked confidently to the front and took the clipboard.
I watched him quietly.
Yamato read out names clearly, checking attendance with ease. The way he spoke, the way the teacher trusted him—it was obvious.
This guy was close to the teachers.
After finishing the list, Yamato handed the clipboard back and returned to his seat.
As he passed by, he glanced toward the back.
Toward me.
Then he sat down—two seats ahead, slightly to the side.
A moment later, he turned around and leaned over his chair.
"Hey," he said casually. "You're new, right?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. I transferred in this year."
"Figured. I haven't seen you before." He smiled. "Anyway, your name?"
There was no way to avoid it now.
"Aoi Nishimura."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yamato Kuroda."
"Nice to meet you too."
He didn't pull back immediately.
"So, how is it so far?"
"Seems normal," I replied honestly.
He laughed quietly.
"That's a rare compliment."
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Is it that bad?"
"Nah. Just noisy sometimes." He shrugged. "But it's a good school."
The teacher cleared her throat, and Yamato turned back to face the front.
Class started.
The lessons were nothing special. Basic introductions, rules, schedules. I listened quietly, taking notes when needed. From time to time, I glanced around the room.
Everything still felt normal.
Lunch break came faster than I expected.
Students stood up immediately, moving desks together, pulling out lunchboxes, or heading outside. I stayed seated, opening my own lunch quietly.
Yamato turned around again.
"You eating here?" Yamato asked.
"Yeah." Aoi replied.
"Mind if I join?" Yamato added.
"Go ahead." Aoi accepted.
He sat sideways on his chair, facing me.
"So, Nishimura, where did you transfer from?"
"A school nearby. Nothing special."
"Everest might feel bigger at first," he said. "But you'll get used to it."
"I hope so." I nodded.
After lunch, classes continued as usual. When the final bell rang, students stretched, sighed, and packed their bags.
School wasn't over yet.
Clubs were starting.
Instead of heading straight home, I decided to walk around the campus.
I stepped outside and followed the sound of movement.
That's when I saw it.
A table tennis table under a small roof. Two students were playing, the sharp sound of the ball echoing lightly.
Further away, a volleyball court.
Several students were practicing serves and receives.Their movements were quick, energetic.I watched for a while.
Sports clubs. Lively atmosphere.
Not bad.
Eventually, I returned to my classroom to grab something I had left behind.
As I was holding my bag to go home, someone approached me.
It was a guy I hadn't talked to before. He had messy black hair and an excited look on his face.
"Hey, you're Nishimura, right?"
"Yeah."
"Yamato told me about you."
That explained it.
"I'm Haruki Sato." He grinned. "You play games?"
"Sometimes."
"Nice!" His eyes lit up. "We're playing tonight. Online."
I blinked.
"Tonight?"
"Yeah. You should join."
Before I could respond, he waved his hand.
"Oi, come here!"
A girl walking past stopped and turned.
She had long hair tied loosely and sharp eyes that gave off a confident feeling.
She walked over.
"What?"
"We're gaming tonight. You in?"
She sighed.
"Again?"
Then she glanced at me.
"Who's this?"
"New transfer. Aoi Nishimura."
She studied me for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm Mika Tachibana."
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"Nice to meet you too."
She looked back at Haruki.
"Fine. I'll join."
Haruki pumped his fist.
"Yes!"
He turned back to me.
"You too, right?"
I hesitated for half a second.
Then nodded.
"Sure I'll."
Just like that, it happened.
A connection.
Nothing dramatic. Nothing forced.
School was over soon after.
At the gate, Yamato waved.
"See you tomorrow, Nishimura."
"See you."
Haruki waved wildly.
"Don't forget tonight!"
Mika gave a small nod.
I waved back as I walked away.
As I left Everest High School, I realized something.
In just one day…
I had already connected with people.
Friends.
Maybe this school wouldn't be so normal after all.