The Hoshizora High School, Uji-shi, Kyōto Prefecture.
Noisy.
One good word to describe class 2-A. The top class at Hoshizora High School, a place where top students gather. Yet, if one looks inside, no one would expect it to be a top-notch class.
The desks were messy, the voices never quieted, and the small clusters were all busy with their own matters.
Me, Souta Hoshino, has pretty much had enough of this. For me, no... I'm sure that for all of us in this class, this class is not only a place of learning, but also a battlefield. Almost everyone wants to be the best, including myself.
But there was one person who always managed to get in the way—Haruto Ishikawa.
Haruto is the school star. He has won many trophies in both academic and non-academic competitions and he has always been the overall champion since the first grade.
Whenever he entered a room, it felt like all the spotlight was on him. He was always by himself, as if he didn't need anyone.
I could never accept the idea that I was under his shadow. If one wants to be in this class, one should fight for it.
Therefore, I always tried to beat him academically. I would prove that I was more than just a smart student that was in a top class. I wanted to prove that I could be even better than him.
However, the rivalries in this class weren't just between me and Haruto. Almost everyone had their own ambitions. Every group wants to be the strongest, and wants to be recognized. Once again, this is a battlefield.
And I will not lose.
I was sitting on my desk, facing the slightly dusty window, paying attention to the cherry blossom petals fluttering in the air.
This day was the same as ever. Noisy. Chairs were pulled roughly, the sound of giggles mixed with vague chit-chat filled the room, and whoever was playing paper toss in the corner of the classroom.
"Oi, Souta!" A hand patted my shoulder pretty hard, making me look over. It was Ryuuji Kiryuu, my best friend since middle school. He came to sit next to me and soon leaned his head on the table, letting out a great deep sigh.
"What?" I asked curtly.
"The extra assignments from Mr. Mizuki is really killing me!!!"
I simply sighed as I listened to Ryuuji's complaints. Although he was in Class 2-A, his ranking was always at the lower end among the 30 students in the class. He was far better at non-academics than academics, especially in sports.
"I won't help you," I said straight away. I could already tell from his mannerisms that he was looking for me to help him with the assignment.
"Come on! Help me! I have a basketball tournament coming up, there's really no time to do this assignment. Souta, my sweetie baby!"
I snorted lazily. What the hell is he doing? That's ridiculous.
Ryuuji approached me with a pleading expression on his face, his lips curled up like a whining kid's.
"You look like a fucking clown," I comment flatly.
"I'm willing to be a clown for you! But help me!"
He even held my hand with that hideous expression. I shuddered in horror, then tossed his hand away. Unwillingly, I handed him my book.
"Write it yourself, damn it!" I said in annoyance.
"Oh! You're like a divine savior! A guardian angel!"
I really wish I could kick him in the fucking ass right now. Ryuuji was immediately busy writing or more precisely, copying my assignment.
After finishing, he returned my book with a huge toothy smile that made goosebumps appear.
"Why does your face always look so serious? Relax a bit, dude," he said with a chuckle.
"I'm just thinking," I replied, glancing out the window again. Ryuuji lifted his head, looking at me with a curious expression.
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about Haruto?"
I didn't answer, but it was enough to make him snicker.
"Souta, I don't understand the reason why you're so obsessed with him." Ryuuji chuckled softly.
"Yes, he's wonderful, but that doesn't mean you should make him your goal in life," he continued as he crossed his arms over his head.
I sighed softly. "That's not the problem."
"What then?" He asked intriguingly.
I paused for a moment, glancing ahead. Haruto had just walked into the classroom.
As usual, he walked calmly with no concerns for the environment around him. His gaze was focused straight ahead, as if there was nothing important enough to catch his attention.
I clenched my fist.
"Souta-"
I remained silent, my gaze fixed on his figure.
Haruto Ishikawa.
The man who was always one step ahead of me. And I still kept trying to chase after him. I turned to Ryuuji, smiling faintly.
"I want to make him see me."
"Huh?" I looked at Ryuuji in annoyance, why was this human being so stupid.
"I want to be seen. Not just as one of the students in this class, but as a worthy rival that he should acknowledge."
Ryuuji was speechless for a moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. "You're really stubborn, huh?"
I didn't deny it.
Not long after that the school bell rang, and the classroom slowly began to calm down. The Math teacher entered, carrying a pile of exam sheets that instantly made the whole class grumble and tense up.
"All right, kids," the teacher said. "I'm going to hand out yesterday's exam results."
Suddenly, my heart beat a little faster. This was the moment I had always waited for-a battle of numbers on paper, the only possible way to beat Haruto.
One-by-one the test papers were handed out, and when mine landed on my desk, I stared at the number in the top right corner.
'99'
I cracked a small smile. This was pretty high.
But then, my eyes glanced at Haruto. He stared at the sheet for a moment, then placed it on the table expressionlessly.
I knew it wouldn't be a bad grade. But I wanted confirmation.
"Haruto," I called softly.
He looked over, a little surprised that I had started the conversation. "What are your grades?" I asked.
He stared at me for a few seconds, then finally lifted his sheet of paper, revealing the numbers written on it.
'100'
I fall silent.
Haruto didn't say anything, just gave a slight nod and then returned his eyes to the front.
Damn. I lost again.
I gritted my teeth, but tried to hide it with a subtle smile.
It wasn't the first time. Haruto was always like that. Almost perfect. But that's exactly what keeps me from stopping.
Ryuuji glanced at me, then patted my shoulder lightly. "Well... It's only one point difference. At least you're getting closer, right?"
I didn't answer him. One point difference still meant losing.
The bell rang, it was a language and literature class. This is my favorite subject. I even joined the Literacy club. But there was no sign of Mr. Mizuki came, the class became so noisy as usual.
I glanced at Haruto's seat, and I was confused. Usually that guy would be in class during the literature class. But now his seat is empty.
I was still gazing at the number '99' on my exam paper, as if I could carve it into my brain. "Ah shit!"
I shut my eyes, folding my hands on the table. Coincidentally, I sat on a desk close to the windows where the sunlight shone directly on my desk every morning and afternoon.
"Oi... Sousou..."
"Shut up."
"Souta~ my sweetie baby!"
"Disgusting."
"Sou-" I immediately slapped Ryuuji's lips. The little bastard winced and whined.
"That hurts..."
" Could you just leave me alone for a day?" I sighed.
"I just wanted to give you some information."
"You're too wordy." I stared at the window.
"By the way," Ryuuji nudged me gently, "Tomorrow there's a joint practice between clubs. I think the Basketball club will be at the same time as the Literacy club."
My eyes instantly lost their sleepiness and boredom, I wondered for a moment.
Haruto is the Basketball club captain, while I am a member of the Literacy club.
"Oi! Souta! You're lost in thought again!"
I immediately looked away, staring at Ryuuji who was wearing a perplexed expression. I let out a sigh.
"What are we going to do later during the joint training?"
Ryuuji looked thoughtful, I waited nervously. If only I had known earlier then I could have become the leader of the joint training.
"I don't know, I don't really know." I chuckled irritably at that answer.
" Who knew about this?"
"We're going to make a wall magazine and the topic hasn't been decided yet." I immediately turned my head when I heard that familiar voice penetrating my ears.
"Kazuya?" Kazuya Ito is the class president of 2-A. I was surprised that he suddenly approached, even though Kazuya was very fond of socializing with people.
"Hi, you looked like you were seriously discussing the joint training, so I thought I'd join." Kazuya smiled sweetly. I paused for a while, that smile is often given to many people but for some reason his smile made me flutter.
Maybe it's because I've liked him for over a year.
"Kazuya, how did you know about the joint training of Literacy and Basketball?" I asked curiously.
"Because I have a good friend in the literacy club." I frowned, a good friend? Who was the friend in question?
"I see, thank you for informing me, Kazuya." I smiled sweetly at him. All of a sudden my cheeks turned red as Kazuya pinched my cheeks and said, " So cute."
I felt my stomach filled with butterflies, the nausea and pounding made me dizzy.
"I'll go to find Mr. Mizuki." I nodded quickly, concealing my nervous excitement. He quickly dashed away from my sight. I smiled a little.
A nudge woke up my reverie, Ryuuji with his silly face smiled mockingly at me.
"You look like you're being boiled." Ryuuji laughed, I held my cheeks.
"It's so bright red, Kazuya must have realized that." I punched Ryuuji's chest in annoyance. This made me feel embarrassed. I shifted my attention, accidentally making eye contact with Haruto who had been sitting in his seat since I don't know when.
He was looking at me, and it was odd. I don't like that look.
It made me hate him even more.
Today's lunch was pork cutlets and salad. By coincidence, it's my favorite meal. I sat alone at the cafeteria dining table. At first there was Ryuuji, but he had left his food tray in front of me as he was called away by the basketball coach.
I ate quietly while reading my textbook. I was also looking for ideas for tomorrow's joint practice.
"A wall magazine..."
I sighed. The food in front of me felt bland, as my head started to feel dizzy because I hadn't come up with an idea for tomorrow's joint practice between the basketball and literacy clubs.
"Come on, Souta!" I squeezed the chopsticks I was holding.
"Am I being stupid?" I muttered, biting my lip in worry, this was a habit that arose when I felt anxious. My breath was getting labored. I glanced down, trying to calm myself down.
"Everything will be fine. I can do it," I whispered softly to myself. Suddenly, there was a hand gently rubbing my back. I turned around with surprised eyes.
"Kazuya?" I whispered in a hoarse voice.
"What's wrong? You don't look well," Kazuya said while sitting beside me. My cheeks are heating up I'm sure they're flushed.
"I... feel worried because of the joint practice tomorrow." Kazuya looked calm as always. He smiled, that smile that always manages to take my breath away.
"I see. It must be because you want to be the leader of the joint training this time, right?" I nodded. Kazuya was very good at guessing my thoughts.
My anxiety was clearly guessed by Kazuya, he leaned his body towards me. This successfully made my heart beat wildly. He looked at me softly, I could even feel his breath against my cheek.
"You always want to do something perfect in front of everyone, don't you?" I nodded slowly in response to Kazuya's question.
That's right, I desperately wanted to do something perfect, so that I could be seen by everyone. Including that person.
"But sometimes, you also have to believe that they can shine from themselves," he said softly.
I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Rather than focusing too much on an activity that needs to be perfect, why not give them the space to express themselves? Something simple, but meaningful," he said, resting his chin on his hand.
I fell silent. His words settled quickly into my mind as if electricity had turned on the lights in my head.
"How about... after the practice, all members write a short journal? About their performance, what they felt, or even relate it to the book they read... It could be an exercise in reflection and expression as well." My eyes lit up, looking into Kazuya's bright brown eyes.
Kazuya smiled proudly, sweetly, and made my enthusiasm spark again.
"I'm sure you'll do well." he said, patting my shoulder. That touch lit a flame of enthusiasm in me. I could do it.
I looked down at shyness, my face must have been bright red by now.
"Thanks, Kazuya..."
Time seemed to stop for a moment when a gentle stroke landed on my ebony mane. I swallowed, my heart began to race.
Kazuya... he rubbed my head... he really rubbed my head.
"Because I like seeing you excited again," he whispered softly, barely audible, but it was enough to make my pulse race faster.
"Kazuya, I want to tell you something..." I said softly. Kazuya was still looking at me with that gentle gaze.
"Just say it."
"I-" But before the words could come out, another voice interrupted the moment.
"Kazu-kun!"
A blonde-haired man waved, a sweet smile etched on his face. I recognized him immediately- my literacy club president and senior, Akihiko Kimura.
"Ah... it seems like I won't have time. I should go first," Kazuya said as he stood up, throwing me a small smile before leaving.
There is a slight sense of disappointment in my heart. I just smiled faintly. "It's okay, maybe tomorrow... after practice I'll express my feelings. I, can."