Midnight was supposed to deliver a speech laden with profound disappointment to everyone in the room. His words were meant to cut deep, to convey a sense of loss and frustration that would resonate with every person listening. However, the lines that had just escaped his lips were not a replica of the original script. They had been subtly altered and tweaked to align more closely with the current situation. This ensured that the message resonated more deeply with the present context, making it all the more impactful.Ryoshu, who found himself in this role, starkly contrasted Midnight. Unlike someone who possesses everything but despises it all, Ryoshu is just an ordinary person devoid of any significant possessions. He didn't have wealth or status, but what he did have, he cherished deeply. His life was simple, yet he found joy and love in almost everything he owned, no matter how insignificant it might seem to others.Moments earlier, the audience had been engulfed in silence. Thei
After the grand opening ceremony—one that could only be described as rather tedious if we’re being honest—drew to a close, the upper-level students wasted no time descending upon the new students to recruit them into various clubs. It was a bustling scene, filled with vibrant pitches and lively discussions, each club trying to outshine the other to attract fresh members. Tables lined the sprawling campus green, each draped with colorful banners and adorned with flyers and posters. Donning distinctive uniforms or insignias, club members called out to the passing students, their voices blending into a cacophony of persuasive enthusiasm.Amidst this organized chaos, one individual remained conspicuously overlooked. He stood at the crowd's edge, unnoticed by the bustling upper-level and eager first-year students. It wasn't for lack of effort; everyone knew precisely why he was ignored, though it was a topic that seldom surfaced in conversation. His eyes, dark and thoughtful eyes, survey
"Look at that empty-headed loudmouth over there, wandering all by himself," one person remarked, their tone dripping with disdain. The speaker, a tall individual with a sharp, angular face, crossed their arms over their chest, eyes following the lone figure with amusement and contempt."With a personality like his, it's no wonder he doesn't have any friends," another chimed in, shaking their head in disbelief. This second voice belonged to a shorter, rounder person whose expression was an exaggerated pity as if they genuinely felt sorry for the solitary walker despite their harsh words."Did you see that fall he took just a moment ago? It was so mortifying that I felt like digging a hole and jumping in it on his behalf," added a third, barely suppressing their laughter. This person, a lanky youth with a mischievous glint in their eyes, could hardly contain their amusement as they recalled the recent incident where the lone figure had stumbled and fallen in a rather ungraceful manne
Standing before the petite girl with striking blue hair, Ryoshu reached into his pocket and retrieved a small bandage. He held it out to her, his expression a mixture of concern and mild impatience."Here, use this," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "It's better than sitting there crying."Luna, who had been lost in her world of misery, looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "H-huh? You are Blac—" she began but abruptly stopped, covering her mouth with both hands as if she had let a forbidden secret slip.Ryoshu was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected this reaction and was puzzled by the unfamiliar nickname she had almost called him. He had acquired a new moniker without his knowledge."Black...? Um, well, I'm Ryoshu, not Black-whatever," he said, shaking his head slightly. "Anyway, just take this," he insisted, extending the bandage closer to her.Luna hesitated, her fingers nervously fidgeting in her lap. Her discomfort was palpable, and she was clearly str
"Thank you... right?" Ryoshu's face was a picture of genuine confusion as he tried to decipher the awkward gratitude in her words. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out immediately.Azure's face turned a deep, crimson red like a ripe tomato freshly picked from the vine. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she quickly averted her gaze to the ground, her cheeks burning with a heat she couldn't control. Despite the moment's awkwardness, she nodded vigorously, so much so that it seemed as if her head might detach from her neck with the force of her nods.Ryoshu, noticing her discomfort, managed a gentle smile and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. "It's nothing, Azure. Just be careful," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that seemed to envelop her in a comforting embrace.With that, Ryoshu turned on his heel and continued down the path without a backward glance, his steps steady and sure. As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel
'Why is everyone in this world so weird!?' Ryoshu helplessly screamed in his mind, feeling a tumultuous mix of frustration and bewilderment. The day's strange events had already worn him down, and now this bizarre new predicament only added to his confusion.As he approached the dormitory gate, Ryoshu's stride was suddenly interrupted by an inexplicable sensation. His arm abruptly stopped as if it had struck an invisible barrier. It wasn't the typical resistance one might expect from an obstacle; instead of bouncing back, his arm seemed to sink deeper and deeper into the obstruction. Intrigued and alarmed, he pushed his hand further, only to witness a ripple effect, like water's surface when disturbed.The barrier was inanimate, yet it gave Ryoshu the unsettling impression of being almost alive. The sensation was eerie, sending a chill down his spine. Goosebumps rose on his skin as a cold, invisible force enveloped his entire body, heightening his dread.'I thought I was done with wei
They walked through it unharmed, and not only that, they managed to carry on a lively conversation, smiling as if they were taking a casual stroll. The air was filled with their laughter and light-hearted banter, starkly contrasting the tense situation at hand. "Do you think we'll be alright?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Ryoshu's mind was racing. He vividly remembered the second scene, every detail etched into his memory, and knew he had to act swiftly. The weight of urgency pressed down on him, his thoughts a chaotic whirl as he considered the implications. "I hope the scene hasn't progressed too far… I need to hurry…" he muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mount. Without wasting another moment, he took a deep breath and plunged into the invisible curtain that separated him from his goal.The instant he entered, an eerie sensation washed over him. Once responsive and under his control, his body began to betray him. It was as if an u
"Well, I only got 200 points, so I'm ranked 13th. But Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th," Charlotte sighed, her eyes scanning the paper in her hand with a mix of disappointment and resignation.Seeing the sadness on his friend's face, Haruki felt a pang of empathy and immediately sought to comfort her. His voice was gentle yet filled with a determination to lift her spirits."Both of you were so close, weren't you? If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers causing trouble at the end, our whole group might have made it into the top 10," he said, trying to inject positivity into the situation.Charlotte nodded slightly, appreciating his effort but still feeling the sting of their narrow miss. "I'm not so sure about that... but we should still celebrate the 2... no, now 3 of us who made it into the top 10! Maybe we could go out for dinner tonight... have a little party or something?"As she spoke, Charlotte absentmindedly twirled a lock of her shiny golden hair around her finge