Coincidence doesn't exist. That's what he always thought, but after that fateful day, he started to think otherwise. Though he was not totally convinced, in that particular moment when he stood at the gate, those thoughts died right then and there.
"Keith?!"
"Akira-san?!"
The two of them exclaimed, their cheeks an equal amount of red. Then they both said in unison, their expressions looking comical.
"What are you doing here?!"
Akira's two friends looked confused while witnessing their somewhat awkward encounter. Rina Kojima was on her left with a surprised expression flashing on her face, and on her right was Shiori Fujiwara, who looked at Keith with astonished eyes.
It was as if her heart wanted to leap out of her chest as she stood there staring at him, her face taking a turn from her earlier carefree expression. On the other hand, Akira got closer to Keith and looked up at him as she smiled, her emerald eyes closed.
"I can't believe we go to the same school. What a coincidence."
Yeah, and don't I know it, Keith thought, his expression comical.
"Which class are you in?"
"Class 2-C. What about you?"
"I'm in Class 2-A."
"I see. Well, then I guess I'll be seeing you around," Keith murmured while walking through the gates, heading towards the school building.
Akira waved happily as she shouted with a smile her friends had never had the privilege to see, "Yeah, see you around!"
Keith waved back while still moving forward, while Akira and her friends stood at the gate. Rina was confused as to who Akira was talking to, while Shiori's eyes held a gentle light, her cheeks still pink. Rina noticed and inquired, "Say, Shio. Are you good?"
Shiori snapped out of it and looked at Rina with an embarrassed expression. Rina raised an eyebrow and glared intently at Shiori.
"I'm fine, I'm totally fine! Why do you ask?"
"Cuz you were spacing out. Get a hold of yourself, girl."
As they were talking, Akira yelled for them to hurry. And they did just that as they walked in through the gate and headed straight to their class. As it turned out, the three of them were in the same class.
Keith had made it to the main entrance. He took off his shoes and placed them in his locker, then he took his indoor ones and put them on as he headed inside. Each step carried a thought as he walked past the other classrooms, his hands in his pockets. He looked down, his gaze thoughtful.
What are the odds? This is ludicrous. How is it possible that we've been going to the same school and yet have never run into each other even once?
He walked up the stairs, passed Class 2-D, and made it to Class 2-C. He opened the door as everyone looked towards him. Not taking any notice, he went to his desk at the back of the third row from the door. Then he pulled his seat back and sat down, placing his bag next to himself.
Everyone continued their pointless chatter about new movie releases and new anime coming in the fall of 2025, but Keith took no interest in them as he placed his hand on his cheek. While glancing out the window, Keith looked at the green leaves of the trees, and then Akira popped into his head unexpectedly. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thoughts.
Then, without warning, he got a slap on the back. Snapping out of his daydream, he turned around and saw Shintaro Nagai, his one and only friend in the entire school. Shintaro chuckled while Keith looked somewhat annoyed.
"Oh, morning, Shintaro. Give me one good reason for smacking me like that."
"You were in dreamland."
"Even so, that shouldn't give you the right to smack me," Keith said while looking out the window, his voice and face both calm and collected.
"Just grow a pair, yeah? Toughen up."
"Would you like me to show you how tough I am?"
"No… absolutely not."
"Great. Then take your advice to someone else."
"Oh, come on, I was just joking. Why do you gotta be such a downer all the time? Anyway, did your Aunt leave already?"
"Yeah."
Shintaro pulled the seat next to Keith and sat down. Then he looked at the seat on Keith's left and leaned back in his chair. "So that seat has been empty since Mei left, huh?"
"You know that, so why are you asking?"
"Just curious, I guess."
"..."
Kinkon! Kankon!
Out of nowhere, the bell rang. All the students went to their respective classes. Then, the homeroom teacher of Class 2-C, Ms. Ogawa, entered, clapping her hands as she yelled, "Settle down, class! Now then, we have a new student who will be joining us today."
The class's hums were like a cacophony as all the students looked at each other with surprised looks.
"A transfer student?"
"At this time of the year?"
"That's crazy."
"You're telling me."
A few students said to each other while the rest were anticipating, wondering who was about to join their class. Shintaro was also intrigued as he said aloud, "I hope she's easy on the eyes."
Everyone looked at him and laughed while he retained his confident smirk. Then one of them asked, "Dude, how do you know it's a girl?"
"My instincts are telling me it's a girl."
While they were all getting excited, Keith still looked out the window, the blue sky reflecting in his eyes. Who transfers schools this late in the year? That's just weird.
Ms. Ogawa clapped her hands again. The class fell silent. And then she said, looking towards the door, "You can come in now."
The door slid open gently, and then one single step touched the ground, revealing a medium-length black skirt. A girl with a well-balanced figure emerged, her posture straight and disciplined.
Her long, champagne-blonde hair followed, enhancing her gentle blue eyes. She walked majestically from the door to the middle of the classroom, holding her bag in front of herself.
Everyone in the class was immediately captivated, her beauty a contrast to their impressed looks. Keith heard their commotion and turned his head slowly, and then their eyes met.
Both pairs of blue eyes widened as Keith stopped supporting his head, his mouth parting slightly. She then blushed and looked away, her heart skipping multiple beats.
Is that… He paused, and then his pondering mind continued while still studying her intently. ...Sophia?
"Well then, everyone, this is our new student. She'll be a part of our class from now on. Why don't you introduce yourself?"
The girl took a deep breath and exhaled. Then she spoke, her voice like warm honey, though her face was a little flustered because of Keith staring blankly over there, looking as if he was peering into her very soul.
"Good morning to you all. My name is Sophia Marlowe. I moved here from London due to, uhm… circumstances," Sophia spoke softly while looking in Keith's direction, then continued while looking away again.
"My Japanese isn't that good, and my accent tends to slip out sometimes, so please bear with me. But even so, I look forward to being a part of your class. Thank you for having me."
Sophia bowed, and everyone clapped, their hands like a well-choreographed ballet. Then Ms. Ogawa told Sophia to take the empty seat at the back of the last row. She walked to the seat and sat down. Keith looked away from her while she looked at him, as if confirming her thoughts, and then she got ready for class.
"Okay, everyone, time for homeroom."
Miss Ogawa started homeroom, and everyone settled down and opened their books.
After a few periods, it was time for recess. The bell rang, and students vacated the classrooms while some stayed behind.
Some were going to the cafeteria, while others hounded Sophia, others went to the bathrooms, and some just lingered in the halls. The school was a huge hum itself as students went about their ordinary recess.
Keith, having heard the bell, took out his bento and stood up. Shintaro noticed and asked with a goofy expression on his face, "You going there again?"
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason, just askin'."
"Uh-huh… Well then, see you later."
"Later, my dude… don't hit on anyone, alright?" Shintaro chuckled.
"Like I would ever… you idiot," Keith muttered while exiting the classroom.
Sophia witnessed their conversation as she sat there, watching him until he walked out the door. Her fans had already left her alone to do their own things.
It's really him. He's gotten so tall. And so… no, Sophia, you're being weird again, Sophia turned bright red and then calmed down as she looked at the students out the window. The view from the second floor was a complement to her thoughts. It's been such a long time. I wonder if… he'll remember me.
While she was occupied by her thoughts, Keith went up the stairs until he reached the roof. He opened the roof door and went through, closing it behind himself. Then he walked across the roof until he reached the railings. He held his bento while leaning on the railings with his arms, looking down.
*****
"I'll be right back," Akira said while standing up.
"Where you goin'?" Rina asked.
"I'm just going to the bathroom."
"Okay. Don't take too long, though. But knowing you, you'll probably get sidetracked," Shiori said with a casual smile.
"I won't be long, but you can start eating without me."
As she said that, she walked out of the classroom. She took casual steps across the hall and then stopped in front of the door of Class 2-C.
"Hey, Akira, it's been a while."
"Hello, Shimizu-san."
"To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Oh, come on, stop being dramatic. I'm just looking for someone."
As they were talking, Sophia couldn't help but look at them, but then looked away just seconds later. Shimizu then inquired, her face overly curious, "Who? If they're in this class, then you're in luck."
"His name is Keith Yamasaki."
Sophia turned her head and stared at them again with surprised eyes. She listened while thinking, She's looking for Keith… Does she know him or something? Maybe she's his girlfriend. Keith does have above-average looks, so it would make sense for him to have found a girlfriend already, but I strongly hope not.
Sophia's face turned blue, her eyes narrowing as she bit her lip slightly, her hands clamped together tightly under her desk.
"Oooooh? You're interested in him too, heh heh heh… I don't blame you, though. He's got the looks, if nothing else. But don't even bother with him, because he dishes out rejections like free food—"
"No, you've got it all wrong. I'm not interested in him in that way."
Sophia breathed a breath of relief as she heard Akira's words, but Shimizu's next words made her mind wander. He rejects anyone who confesses to him?
As she thought that, an image popped into her head of a boy with blue hair and blue eyes who smiled while running as she followed with her own bright smile. The memory made her heart race as she held her shirt tightly. Is that so?
"Oh, my bad then, sorry," Shimizu said.
Akira waved her hand in front of herself as if dismissing Shimizu's apology. "Please don't worry about that, it's fine."
"Alright… Well, I last saw Keith heading up the stairs, but I don't know where he was going, though."
"Thanks, Shimizu-san. See you."
"Yeah, see yah."
Akira went towards the stairs, hastily leaving Shimizu standing there, and Sophia, who was sitting down along with the remnants of students in their class.
In the meantime, Keith had started eating his bento as he sat down on a step-like pavement next to the railings. Then suddenly the roof door opened. He looked towards the door and there she was. Akira walked towards Keith, her smile returning again.
"Why are you here by yourself?… Oh, that's right, you don't like being around people, right?"
How the heck did she find me? Keith thought while holding his chopsticks towards his mouth. Then he put them back inside the bento box.
"Since you're here right now, I'm guessing that means you found your keys."
"Yes, I found them the day I left your house."
Akira stood in front of him and glanced into his eyes, her lips curling up. "Great, I'm glad you found them."
Akira sat next to him, staring at him with a playful smile. "Are you as excited as I am?"
"Excited about what?"
She jumped up and walked around him, holding her hands behind her back, then stood in front of him again. She lowered her face towards him, her hands still behind her back, her eyes closed. "I look forward to being schoolmates. Tehee."
Keith blushed and pulled at his small bangs, then looked at her, a flustered smile etched on his face. "Likewise, Akira-san…"
The two of them lingered there, their hearts pounding like drums, their smiles a gentle light in each other's lives.
『To be continued…』