Walking along the streets, you'd see a tall-ish boy with decent looks for his age.
Nothing strange at first glance…
But that boy?That boy is Akira Kurosawa.
And yes—he's smiling on his way to school.That's right. A real, honest-to-goodness smile.
[You're growing up just fine. That's my boy.]
Ignoring the morning rush, the chatter, and the world in general, Akira walked with a spring in his step, grinning like someone who just got an early Christmas.
Everything was going great...until he reached the school gates.
"Man, I don't know if I can keep smiling like this…"
That creeping feeling of anxiety slithered back in.The school gates had that effect—like they sucked out joy like a black hole of awkwardness.
"Maybe things will go well today. I don't need to stress… probably…"
Things had been going surprisingly well lately.No way today would be the day it all came crashing down, right?
…Right?
Bracing himself, Akira stepped through the gates and entered the battleground known as high school.
"No rush. Let things happen naturally."
He let time pass.
Period one came and went.
Akira spent it completely alone.
"…Maybe things aren't going so well after all. Sigh."
Resigned to a solo lunch, he grabbed his bento and searched for a peaceful spot.Eventually, he found it—under a tree, tucked away from the noise.
Perfect.
He sat down… completely unaware that someone was already there.
Yuu Ishigami.
A guy who, in more ways than one, was oddly similar to him.
Ishigami noticed Akira's arrival but didn't say anything.Just a nod of silent acknowledgment.
But fate—and anime logic—had different plans.
As Akira unwrapped his disposable chopsticks, one of them shot out of his hand like a missile… and smacked Ishigami square in the face.
Wait, what? Is that even physically possible? What kind of slapstick physics is this?!
Ishigami blinked in disbelief, plucked the rogue chopstick from his lap, and handed it back.
"Hey, dude. Your chopstick flew over here. Here you go."
He… started the conversation?! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
"T-thank you."
"No worries. Don't overthink it."
This convo is going to die so fast…
But then, in a flash of rare courage, Akira went for it:
"Uh… I'm Akira Kurosawa. W-what's your name?"
"Yuu Ishigami. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. Uh… what class are you in?"
I just asked a normal question in a normal conversation! Bow down, peasants—I have achieved social interaction![I'm so proud… I'm crying here.]
"I'm in Class 1-3. You?"
"Class 1-2. Right next door."
Somehow, miraculously, the conversation survived.
"Do you like games, Ishigami?"
He's already moving on to hobbies?! Our boy's leveling up at light speed!
"Of course. I like playing Red Dead Redemption."
"…No way! That's my favorite game!"
And just like that, they were off.
"Sometimes I play PUBG too. Helps me unwind."
"Totally get it, man."
For the first time in a long while, Akira was having a normal conversation—with someone he genuinely clicked with.
But then… Yuu's phone buzzed. He checked it and sighed.
"Sorry dude, I gotta go. Student council stuff."
"No problem… wait—student council?!"
How did I forget who he was?! That's Ishigoat! A living legend!
"People are usually surprised. Anyway, I'll catch you later."
Waving a casual goodbye, Yuu walked off toward the council room.
That went smoother than I ever imagined.Maybe it's because we're kinda alike.Maybe… we could actually become friends.
I already liked him in the anime, but in real life? He's just as cool.
Akira packed up his lunch, still a little dazed from the encounter.
But just as he stood to leave—
"Kurosawa-san?"
He turned—and nearly jumped in surprise.
"Shiina-san?! I-I didn't know you went to this school too!"
I keep forgetting this world's all mixed up… Anything's possible here.
"I've actually known you go here for a while."
So you've been watching me?! Trying to learn my weaknesses?! Waiting for my guard to drop?!Hah. Mahiru… you still have much to learn.
"I don't leave my class much. That's probably why we haven't run into each other."
"Still, I'm glad we can talk at school, Kurosawa."
Glad? Why would anyone be glad to see me? What a strange girl…
But still… what a beautiful smile. No wonder they call her an angel.
"I-I'm glad too. Actually… I don't have many friends here."
Stop lying. You don't have ANY friends.
HEY! That was unnecessary. I have feelings too!
While Akira argued with the invisible narrator, Mahiru's expression softened.
'So we are friends… I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way.'
Despite his quirks, Mahiru felt something curious about him.
'I don't know how to explain it… but he feels different from everyone else.'
"Hey, Kurosawa."
"Hm?"
She looked at him, eyes gentle, and asked:
"Wanna go home together after school today?"
WHOA WHOA WHOA. Slow down! That's a BOLD move! Is this the power of the popular?!I'm not emotionally prepared for this kind of character development!
"Shiina-san…"