The countryside air smelled different
Haruki Tachibana stepped out of the black car with polished shoes , more like sports shoes, and even more polished nervers . His suitcase was neatly wheeled behind him, a limited edition model that his mother insisted made him look
" scholarly and expensive " . As if expensive part wasn't obvious enough
Haruki came from a wealthy family that owned many successful companies. Despite his wealthy background , Haruki preferred simple lifestyle.
He adjusted his glasses and squinted towards the light coloured blue sky . No skyscrapers, no traffic, just wind brushing Through the tall grass in wide field . Front lay a quiet and peaceful town-like-village and a dog tied by a chain to a street light was barking in the distance .
This was .... different
" University of Western Ghats ", he read the signboard aloud .
The paints were chipped , the letters were slightly tilted . Rooster crowed behind the classromm building.
Welcome to middle of nowhere Haruki, he said to himself in a low voice
And then - wham
Something round , fast , and entirely unannounced hit him squarely on the side of his head .
He stumbled on one foot stepping in to a puddle , his sleek black blazer now speckled with dust and water . The suitcase tipped with a dramatic thud .
" Oh my god " a voice called out " I-I didn't mean- Are you okay ? "
Haruki blinked , dizzy . A figure ran towards him - shirt , tan, windflower hair , a soccer ball tucked under one arm, and eyes wide with alarm .
" I told my one of my teammate to pass it to me , not launch it like a missile- are yu hurt ?" the boy asked again , panting . "You're....um , You're not dead , right ?"
Haruki stared at him, then at the ball , then again back at him .
" No " he said , finally . "But I'm reconsidering to enroll here"
The boy grinned sheepishly , extended a hand . "Sorry , I'm Daiki Tanabe . Local football disaster. And clearly , professional stranger-attack . "
Haruki hesitated , then took his hand . Warm . Coroused. Real .
"I'm Haruki Tachibana " he said . "Transfer student . A clearly, professional target ".
Daiki laughed -a loud, unfiltered sound that didn't belong in Haruki's usual world of whispers and political claps .
"Well then Haruki Tachibana, " Daiki said, flashing a boyish smile that the wind seemed to play with " Welcome to the countryside "
And just like that , the wind blew again
This time Haruki didn't mind it so much .