Ruri stepped out of the house, her bag slung over one shoulder, as the soft morning air brushed against her skin. The sky was clear, painted pale blue, just like her eyes. Her long blonde hair swayed gently behind her as she walked on the sidewalk, the quiet sound of her footsteps keeping pace with the stillness around her.
"My name is Ruri Asakura," she thought, "I'm 17 years old and a high school student from this place called Reiyama."
The road to school was long. As she continued, the house from the side started disappearing from her view, replaced by trees and the empty sidewalk. She didn't mind walking. It gave her time to think, to breathe, and sometimes to remember. And today, for some reason, the memories came back.
"When I was little, my parents were always overprotective. They wouldn't let me go anywhere alone." Her thoughts drifted, and a scene from the past flickered in her memory.
In the warmth of a childhood afternoon, Ruri sat on the floor of the living room, legs crossed. A kindly old woman visited often back then, always telling strange, ancient tales and stories about a lost civilization that once thrived in their town. The details were hazy now, just fragments clinging to the corners of her memory.
The memory faded as two students rode by on a bike and called out to her.
A girl greeted her with a smile, saying, "Good morning, Ruri."
Ruri replied, "Ah, good morning to you too, Reina and Minato," offering a slight smile in return.
Reina leaned in closer and asked, "You look tired. Did something happen?"
Ruri hesitated for a moment before responding, "It's nothing... just a bad dream, I guess."
Concerned, Minato asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Ruri nodded reassuringly, saying, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Reina replied, "All right then. See you in the club room. Bye!"
Ruri responded, "Bye!" as Reina waved at her while they rode down the road toward school.
As she walked on her way, Ruri's eyes wandered, and she noticed something at the edge of the nearby forest. A dark figure stood between the trees, observing from a distance. For a moment, her steps faltered. She blinked, and the figure disappeared. Shaking off the unsettling feeling, she continued walking along the sidewalk.
Just ahead, she spotted an elderly woman struggling with a heavy box outside a small store. Without thinking, Ruri hurried over to help her.
Ruri stepped closer and spoke with a smile, "Let me help you with that."
The old woman looked up and smiled, her eyes narrowing in recognition. "Oh my... I know you. You were just a little girl the last time I saw you."
"You used to visit our house, didn't you?"Ruri said softly.
"That's right," the old woman chuckled. "My, how time flies. You've grown so much."
They stepped inside the store, and Ruri gently set the box down on the counter. "Thank you, dear. Such kindness is rare these days."
The old woman rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a small, weathered charm. "Here. Keep this with you; it's more than just good luck."
"Oh, thank you," Ruri said, surprised.
"I should be the one thanking you," the woman smiled. "Now run along, or you'll be late for school."
"Right. Thanks again!"Ruri replied as she turned to leave.
The old woman whispered to herself, "It's been many years now... since you died, my little cat."
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The scene shifts outside the school buildings
The school bell rang just as Ruri slipped into the classroom. The teacher was already preparing for the first literature lesson, but before Ruri could sit down properly, Koharu leaned in close, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I saw something crazy this morning," Koharu whispered, practically vibrating with energy.
Ruri tilted her head slightly. "What is it?"
"There's this guy," Koharu said, lowering her voice even more. "Tall, dark hair — he's probably a new transfer. I saw him on my way to school... fighting off three gang members like it was nothing."
Ruri blinked, startled. "Gang members?"
"Yeah! The ones near the station. He handled them like he didn't even break a sweat. And he's handsome, too," Koharu added with a playful nudge.
Before Ruri could reply, the classroom door opened with a quiet creak.
The teacher straightened up and clapped her hands. "Everyone, settle down," she said. "We have a new student joining us today."
Heads turned toward the door as a boy stepped in, tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair slightly messy but somehow perfect, and sharp eyes that scanned the room coolly.
The air shifted, and students whispered behind their hands. "This is Ryo," the teacher announced.
"He'll be transferring here starting today. Please make him feel welcome." She turned her gaze toward the back of the room, where a few empty seats were scattered.
she continued to speak, "You can take that seat near the door, Ryo. It's beside Koharu and Ruri." As Ryo walked over, Ruri noticed with slight relief that another sleepy-looking boy was seated between them, creating a small, safe barrier.
"Also," the teacher continued, glancing at Ruri with a small smile, "Ruri, since you're seated nearby, I want you to help Ryo get familiar with the school after class. Show him around a little, alright?"
Ruri blinked in surprise but nodded quickly. "Yes, sensei."
"Good. Now, open your books to page seventy."Koharu nudged Ruri under the desk, barely hiding her excitement. "You're so lucky," she whispered, grinning. Ruri tried not to sigh. Somehow, she felt her peaceful school days had become much more complicated.
The shrill chime of the lunch bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of the first half of the day. Chairs scraped against the floor as students stood up, filling the classroom with a buzz of chatter and motion.
Koharu jumped up, grabbing Ruri's sleeve. "Let's go! If we don't hurry, the chocolate bread will be gone."
Ruri stood up slightly slower. "You and your obsession with chocolate bread…"
Before they could head out, Koharu turned to Ryo, who was gathering his things with quiet efficiency. "Hey, Ryo! Do you want to come with us? We're going to the cafeteria."
He glanced up, his sharp gaze meeting Koharu's with a hint of surprise. "Sure," he said simply.
They weaved through the noisy halls, past clusters of chatting students and rushing footsteps. In the cafeteria, the line was already forming, but they managed to grab a few warm buns and drinks before it got too crowded. Koharu led the way to a table near the window.
"Over here!" she chirped, sliding into her seat and motioning for Ryo to sit across from them. Ruri took the seat beside Koharu, quietly unwrapping her lunch.
"So, Ryo," Koharu said between bites, "You really did fight those guys near the bus station, huh? That was seriously cool."
Ryo shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. They were just messing around."
Koharu leaned closer, her eyes wide. "Still, that was crazy. Like something out of a manga."
Ryo offered a faint, amused smile. "...Is this place always like this?"
Ruri finally spoke up, her voice soft but clear. "Not usually. Koharu just tends to find the drama wherever it hides."
Koharu grinned, not denying it. "True!"
As the bell signaled the end of the lunch break, students began filing back toward their classes.
"Oh! Before I forget," Ruri said, standing and brushing crumbs from her skirt. "I'm supposed to show you around after class, remember?"
Ryo nodded.
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Ruri Asakara, a 17-year-old senior high school student from Reiyama HighSchool, has long, wavy blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and a quiet, calm personality, just like a neutral high school girl, and likes strawberries. She is intelligent and knows a lot about mystery textbooks.
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Koharu, a 16-year-old senior high school student from ReiyamaHigh School and childhood friend of Ruri Asakura she has a cheerful a mischievous streak. Kind-hearted but easily startled, she enjoys chocolate bread and has a bright, expressive personality.