Chapter 1:The Lazy Boy
"Wake up… Arata."
The boy resting his head on the desk didn't move at all.
From behind, another boy kept shaking him repeatedly.
"Did you fall asleep again?"
No response.
The noise in the classroom slowly faded.
The teacher's eyes landed on him.
"Arata. Wake up."
Silence.
No reaction.
The teacher's expression changed slightly. She walked straight to his desk and lightly tapped it.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to sleep in class?"
Arata slowly opened his eyes and spoke in a lazy tone—
"Ma'am… I was just getting some rest."
The teacher looked at him for a second… then calmly said—
"Then go outside and rest."
A light wave of laughter spread through the class.
Without saying anything, Arata picked up his bag and walked out.
Outside, in the corridor, he stood against the wall.
Hands in his pockets. Expression completely relaxed.
"This class is weird…"
Inside, the lesson continued.
The teacher asked a question.
A few seconds of silence.
Then, a girl calmly raised her hand and answered.
From the back, two boys whispered—
"That's her, right… Ayame? The one who always tops."
"Total perfect student type."
"Sports, grades… everything."
The girl heard them and let out a small sigh.
"The pressure of being perfect… is annoying."
The bell rang.
Class ended.
Students began walking out.
Arata picked up his bag and headed toward the gate.
As he stepped outside, he glanced once at the school building.
"Boring… but big."
He continued walking toward the bus stop.
After a short while, a voice called out from behind—
"Arata! Wait up!"
He stopped and slowly turned around.
A boy came running toward him.
Arata looked at him and said lightly—
"Abe… Yuto?"
Yuto was slightly out of breath, but there was a complaining smile on his face.
"You were leaving again without saying anything… what's wrong with you?"
Arata shrugged slightly—
"I was just heading home. What's up?"
Yuto looked a bit frustrated.
"Look… we're friends, right? For two years."
Arata listened calmly.
"So?"
"I mean… you've never even invited me to your house."
Arata paused for a few seconds, then casually said—
"Not today."
Yuto narrowed his eyes.
"'Not today' basically means 'never.'"
Arata sighed.
"I'll invite you when the time comes."
Yuto stared at him.
"You always say that."
Arata didn't reply.
A brief silence followed.
Then Yuto shook his head slightly—
"Fine… I'm leaving."
He turned and walked toward his home.
Arata watched him for a second… then continued on his way.
The bus stop was now close.
And he stopped there.
"Late again today…"
After a while, a car pulled up.
The driver rolled down the window.
"Sorry, sir. I'm a bit late."
Arata replied casually—
"It's fine."
He got inside.
The car drove smoothly.
After some time, it stopped in front of a large mansion.
"Sir, we're here."
Arata stepped out.
The gate opened.
Inside—clean, rich, and quiet.
"Home…"
A maid came out from the kitchen.
"You're back. Should I prepare your meal?"
"I'm not hungry right now."
"But you haven't eaten since morning—"
"Later."
A simple tone.
He walked toward the stairs.
In his room, he placed his bag aside, changed his clothes… and came back downstairs.
"Has Ayame come back?"
The maid replied softly—
"Not yet."
After a while, the gate opened.
A girl walked in.
She looked a bit tired from school, but her energy was still bright.
"I'm back~"
Arata looked at her.
"You're late, Ayame."
"Traffic."
"…Hmm."
"Ahhh…"
"You're lazy."
Arata smirked slightly—
"Ha ha… and you're my Ayame—
not some 'perfect girl.'"
End of Chapter 1