The classroom gradually quieted as the sliding door opened.
A man in his early thirties walked in with a neat stack of papers tucked under one arm. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled just below his elbows, and despite it being the first day of school, he looked unusually relaxed.
He placed the papers on the teacher's desk before turning toward the class.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," the students replied, though not exactly in unison.
"My name is Saito. I'll be your homeroom teacher for Class 1-B this year."
He smiled lightly.
"I know it's everyone's first day, so don't look so nervous. By next week, you'll probably be asking when summer vacation starts."
A few students chuckled.
Even the atmosphere loosened a little.
Mr. Saito picked up the attendance sheet.
"Before we get into school rules and today's schedule, let's start with something simple."
He looked around the room.
"We'll do self-introductions."
A collective sigh escaped from several desks.
"...I figured."
"...Do we really have to?"
Mr. Saito laughed.
"Yes, you really have to."
"We'll go in alphabetical order. Just tell everyone your name, where you're from if you've transferred here, maybe a hobby, and anything else you'd like your classmates to know."
Simple enough.
One after another, students stood from their seats.
"My name's Aoki. I played baseball in middle school."
"My name is Endo. I like drawing."
"I'm Fujita. Please take care of me."
Some spoke confidently.
Others stumbled over their own words before sitting down with embarrassed smiles.
After the first few introductions, the classroom began to relax.
Occasional laughter broke out whenever someone made an awkward joke or forgot what they were about to say.
Maybe this won't be so bad.
Mr. Saito glanced at the attendance sheet again.
"Kisaragi, Haruma."
I stood.
"Do you know him"
"It's the first time I saw him, is he a transfer student?"
"Hey, hey he looks handsome right?"
"As I thought, they'll make a fuss about me being a transfer student."
"Sigh..."
"Being a transfer student really didn't help mom."
"My name is Haruma Kisaragi."
"I transferred here from Tokyo."
"I'll be in your care."
I gave a small bow before sitting back down.
For a brief second...
Silence.
Then—
"Tokyo?"
"He came all the way from Tokyo?"
"I've never even been there."
"I wonder why he transferred."
The whispers spread across the classroom almost immediately.
Some students turned around to get another look at me.
Others were already whispering to the friends beside them.
Mr. Saito clapped his hands once.
"Alright, alright."
"If you have questions, save them for lunch."
The chatter slowly died down.
"Thank you, Kisaragi."
"You may sit."
"...Yes."
I looked back out the window.
Just as I expected.
Being a transfer student attracts attention.
Beside him, Taiga remained completely still.
...
Haruma Kisaragi...
Tokyo...
Why does that name sound so familiar?
He tapped his pencil against the desk.
Once.
Twice.
Basketball...?
No...
Middle school?
No, that wasn't it either.
That's weird... I'm sure I've seen him somewhere...
"Kurosawa."
...
No response.
"Kurosawa Taiga."
Still nothing.
The class began turning toward him.
"Hm?"
Taiga finally looked up.
Mr. Saito smiled patiently.
"It's your turn."
"Oh!"
Taiga shot to his feet so quickly that his chair nearly tipped over.
"My name is Haruma Kisaragi!"
The classroom froze.
...
...
"...Eh?"
A second later—
"PFFT!"
Laughter burst out across the room.
Someone near the front slapped his desk.
"Oi, Taiga!"
"When did you become the transfer student?"
Another classmate pointed toward Haru.
"I think that's his name, not yours."
"Don't tell me you transferred from Tokyo too!"
Taiga's face turned bright red.
"W-Wait! That's not what I meant!"
More laughter followed.
Even Mr. Saito let out a small sigh, though he looked like he was trying not to smile.
"Kurosawa."
"...Your own name will do."
"S-Sorry, Sensei!"
Taiga scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I'm Taiga Kurosawa!"
"I play basketball, and... uh..."
He glanced at Haru for a split second.
"...Let's have a great year together!"
"That's much better," Mr. Saito said with a nod.
Taiga sat down, covering his face with one hand.
...
I can't believe I just did that...
Beside him, Haru quietly looked away from the window.
...
He's... an idiot...
For some reason...
The corner of his mouth almost lifted.
Almost.