Chapter 1 (Disagreements)
It was September again; schools had opened, new loves had begun, and students were excited.
But no one knew what was really going on in this school…
September 1, 1999 (Shongi University)
Shou was walking toward the school.
But he had no excitement for the new university because he was after mysteries. The weather was rainy and stormy; everyone was rushing around, with flying leaves and wind-tossed hair all around.
While everyone was running toward the school, Shou stood in the schoolyard, staring up at the roof.
He didn't care about getting wet or that classes were about to start.
A boy running with an umbrella said to Shou, "Hey, are you crazy? Come inside!"
Shou replied, "Okay, I was lost in thought, you go ahead, I'll come too," but he was still there.
Then he took his sharp eyes off the roof, started walking toward the school, sat on the stairs, and began to think: "Just thinking and helplessness."
A stone fell from the roof due to lightning, heading toward Shou's head.
A girl running toward the school pulled him toward herself; suddenly, they both found themselves on the ground.
Shou smiled lightly at the girl.
The girl said harshly, "Get off me!"
But she was the one who pulled Shou.
Shou got up and said, "You pulled me toward you."
The girl replied, "If I hadn't pulled you, you could have died, idiot," and walked slowly toward the school.
Shou, surprised and tense, headed toward the school.
As Shou was going to his classroom, he saw the girl was going there too.
The girl suddenly turned reflexively and bumped into Shou.
Shou said, "Hey, be careful, what are you doing?"
The girl said, "I got scared for a moment, why are you following me?"
Shou said, "You've gone full psycho, this is my classroom."
They continued arguing, but didn't notice they were right in front of the classroom door; with shame and regret on their faces, they entered.
The teacher first saw the girl's behavior and asked harshly, "What's your name?"
The girl answered quietly and fearfully, "Teacher, my name is… uh… Eiko."
Hearing this, the teacher regretted reacting harshly to the girl who had the highest grade in school on the first day.
"I'm sorry, dear, you may pass," she said.
Shou was given a five-minute standing punishment.
A few lessons later;
(A female teacher enters)
All the students greeted the teacher with surprise and smiles; some choked while drinking water, and others stood with their mouths open in astonishment.
Because the teacher who entered was so beautiful that even the trio of girls in the class watched her entrance with jealousy and amazement.
Teacher: "Hello, young ones."
"Hello, teacher!" everyone shouted loudly.
Except Shou.
The teacher introduced herself:
"Hello, my name is Tomoko, your new math teacher."
For Shou, although it was his first day at school, it had been terrible and stressful.
He was walking toward the bus stop to go home, but he saw that girl again—Eiko.
If he went, she would again scold him in front of everyone, "Why are you following me?"
But if he didn't, there was no other stop that went to his home. Taking a deep breath, he headed to the bus stop.
To avoid misunderstandings, Shou asked, "Which stop are you getting off at?"
But Eiko misunderstood again, "Are you following me again?"
Shou got annoyed and didn't answer.
They boarded the bus.
"I regret coming in; there's no seat to sit on," Shou muttered quietly. The bus was crowded with standing passengers.
After a while, not realizing he was speaking aloud, Shou said loudly, "Ah, damn message!"
Eiko tried to see what was happening by looking at his phone, but Shou deleted the message at that moment.
Passing through the edge of the forest, Shou pressed the button to get off.
Eiko wondered, "What is he going to do here?"
Shou got off and started walking toward the forest with a masked girl.