Chapter 1 : The First Encounter

Aya Meets Ryu for the First Time

The first day of high school buzzed with excitement. The once-quiet campus had come alive as students, both fresh-faced and familiar, poured into the corridors. Voices overlapped as classmates reunited, new students searched for their classrooms, and teachers called out instructions amidst the cheerful chaos. The morning air carried a mix of anticipation and nervous energy, setting the tone for a day of new beginnings.

Aya stood with her close friends—Haru, Yumi, Mika, and Jun—in the middle of the bustling hallway. Her bright pink eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and her pink hair framed her face perfectly as she turned to her friends.

“Can you believe we’re finally here? High school!” Yumi exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

“Yeah, new classrooms, new teachers... and new classmates,” Mika teased with a playful nudge at Aya.

Aya laughed, brushing off the comment, though she couldn’t deny that a part of her was curious about what this new chapter might bring.

Laughing and chatting, they entered their assigned classroom, Aya’s chatter with her friends faltered. Her attention was caught by someone sitting quietly at the far corner of the room, near the window.

There he was—Ryu.

He sat alone, his posture relaxed but detached. His vivid purple eyes gazed out the window, unfocused and distant, while a stray lock of his purple hair fell across his face. The sunlight filtering through the window highlighted his sharp features, giving him an almost ethereal presence. He seemed oblivious to the noise and commotion around him, as if he existed in a world of his own.

Aya felt a strange shift in the atmosphere, as though the room itself quieted in his presence. For a moment, everything else blurred. The laughter, the introductions, her friends—it all faded into the background.

“Whoa, Aya, you okay?” Jun’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Aya blinked, quickly looking away. “Y-Yeah! I’m fine,” she stammered, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

Haru leaned in, a sly grin on his face. “Caught you staring. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Stop it!” Aya hissed, but her friends’ laughter only grew.

Mika followed her gaze and spotted Ryu. “Ooh, the quiet, mysterious type. I get it now.”

“Guys, enough!” Aya insisted, trying to change the subject. But as her friends continued to tease her, she couldn’t help but steal another glance at him.

Her Thoughts: Who is he? And why does he seem so… different?

Classroom Introductions

The bell rang, and their homeroom teacher, a cheerful woman named Ms. Takada, walked in, calling the class to order.

“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to your first day of high school. Before we dive into today’s lessons, let’s start with introductions so we can all get to know each other.”

The students, one by one, stood up to introduce themselves. Aya listened intently as her friends spoke with confidence.

“I’m Haru Tanaka. I love soccer, and I’m looking forward to meeting new people here,” Haru declared with a charming grin that earned a few chuckles from the class.

Yumi and Mika followed, their bubbly introductions filled with enthusiasm. Aya’s turn came soon after. She stood up, her heart pounding slightly.

“My name is Aya Fujimoto,” she said, her voice steady but warm. “I love painting and reading, and I’m excited to be here.”

As she sat down, her friends whispered, “You nailed it!” making her smile.

Finally, it was Ryu’s turn.

He stood up slowly, his movements deliberate, and glanced around the room. Aya noticed his hands fidgeting slightly as he began to speak.

“My name is Ryu. I… uh…” He paused, searching for words. The room felt heavier as silence stretched. “This is my first time attending school, so I’m not sure what to say.”

Ms. Takada offered an encouraging nod. “That’s okay, Ryu. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself? Any hobbies?”

Ryu hesitated, his voice quieter. “I like reading… and writing.”

“Wonderful! Thank you, Ryu,” Ms. Takada said warmly, breaking the tension.

Ryu quickly sat down, his shoulders visibly relaxing. Aya noticed the faint pink in his cheeks and the way he avoided eye contact with anyone.

Her Thoughts: He must be so nervous. I wonder why he’s never been to school before.

The First Lesson

The teacher transitioned into their first lesson, and while most students participated eagerly, Aya noticed Ryu struggling again. His pen hovered above the worksheet, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Aya leaned toward her friends. “He looks like he needs help,” she whispered.

“Oh, so you’re volunteering?” Haru teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Yumi joined in with a smirk. “Go on, Aya. Save the day.”

Ignoring their teasing, Aya stood up and approached Ryu’s desk, her heart pounding slightly.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Do you need help with the assignment?”

Ryu looked up, startled. His purple eyes met hers, and Aya felt her breath catch. There was a vulnerability in his gaze, a fleeting look of surprise that quickly gave way to calm composure.

“Yes,” he said after a pause. “Thank you. I’m... not used to this.”

Aya smiled, pulling up a chair beside him. “That’s okay. Let’s figure it out together.”

As Aya patiently explained the assignment, Ryu listened intently. He asked a few questions but mostly stayed quiet, absorbing her words. Aya noticed how polite he was, never interrupting her explanations and nodding in understanding when things clicked.

Ryu’s Thoughts: Why is she helping me? No one’s ever done this before...

For someone who had spent his life in an orphanage, Ryu wasn’t used to kindness from strangers. He had always managed on his own, used to being overlooked. But Aya’s genuine effort to help him felt... different. It warmed something deep inside him, a feeling he couldn’t quite name.

When they finished, Ryu turned to her, offering a small but sincere smile.

“Thank you,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”

Aya’s cheeks flushed slightly at the warmth in his voice. “It’s no problem. If you ever need help, just ask,” she replied, her own smile bright.

As Aya returned to her seat, her friends wasted no time.

“So,” Mika began with a knowing grin. “How was your little study date?”

“It wasn’t a date!” Aya protested, her face turning pink.

“Oh, but you looked so cute together,” Yumi teased.

“Quiet, you two!” Aya shot back, though she couldn’t hide her smile.

Jun chuckled. “You’ve got guts, Aya. Approaching the quiet kid on the first day? Respect.”

Despite their teasing, Aya felt a sense of accomplishment. For the first time, she had seen past Ryu’s reserved exterior and caught a glimpse of who he was.

A Lasting Impression

As the day continued, Ryu found himself thinking about Aya’s kindness. It wasn’t just her actions—it was the way she had spoken to him, patient and understanding, without judgment.

Ryu’s Thoughts: She’s different. Maybe high school won’t be so bad after all.

Aya, too, couldn’t shake the encounter from her mind. There was something about Ryu—his quiet strength, his politeness—that intrigued her.

Aya’s Thoughts: I wonder what his story is. He seems so distant, but there’s something special about him.

Unbeknownst to them both, this small act of kindness was just the beginning of a bond that would grow stronger with time.

And so, the first chapter of their story began. Though it was just a small moment of kindness, it would be the spark that would bring Aya and Ryu closer together over time. Ryu, who had always been used to doing everything on his own, had found someone willing to extend a hand. And Aya, who had always been curious about the world around her, found herself intrigued by the quiet boy with the purple eyes.

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