[Past
Year: 2012
Time: 10:45
Date: 24th April
Scene: School In Yokohama]

"Kavei-san," a voice called out as Kavei walked down the bustling school corridor.

"Ah, Aroshi," Kavei replied, turning to see his friend approaching.

"How are you doing today?" Aroshi inquired, her expression earnest as she fell into step beside Kavei.

"Good," Kavei replied succinctly, his tone betraying little emotion.

As they continued down the hallway, the echoes of their footsteps mingling with the chatter of passing students, a comfortable silence settled between them. Despite the brevity of their exchange, there was an unspoken understanding that transcended words-a bond forged through shared experiences and countless moments spent in each other's company.

[Past
2012
School in Yokohama
Before Kavei and Aroshi became friends]

It was a typical day on the school playground, the sound of children's laughter mingling with the occasional squeak of sneakers against the pavement. Amidst the cheerful chaos, a scene unfolded that would forever alter the course of two young lives.

In the midst of a game of basketball, the shrill cries of a little girl pierced the air, drawing the attention of Kavei, then just a first grader. With a sense of unease gnawing at him, he approached the commotion, his footsteps echoing against the asphalt.

As he neared the source of the disturbance, Kavei's eyes fell upon a fourth-grader, his laughter mingling sadistically with the sobs of the girl he was tormenting. Without hesitation, Kavei intervened, his sense of justice outweighing his usual reluctance to meddle in the affairs of others.

"Stop it," Kavei commanded, his voice firm as he addressed the bully.

The fourth-grader turned, his annoyance evident in the furrow of his brow. Anger flared in his eyes as he lunged forward, his fist closing around Kavei's collar in a tight grip.

Unperturbed, Kavei seized the boy's hand, wrenching it away with a strength that belied his age. In a swift motion, he disarmed the bully, sending him tumbling to the ground with a deft maneuver learned from his sporadic forays into martial arts.

As the dust settled, Kavei's attention was drawn to the timid figure of the little girl he had just rescued. Beside her stood another girl, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

"H-hey! Stop hitting him!" the second girl, later revealed to be Aroshi, exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Kavei regarded her with a mixture of surprise and indifference. "What? Hah... this guy was bullying the girl next to you," he explained, his tone clipped.

The girl next to Aroshi nodded in silent agreement, her eyes wide with gratitude.

"O-oh. So you helped her... thank you so much," Aroshi said, her voice softening as she bowed respectfully. "But... I guess this much is enough."

Kavei shrugged nonchalantly, turning away with a dismissive snort. Despite his outward bravado, her words lingered in his mind, stirring a sense of introspection that was rare for a child of his age.

From that day forward, Aroshi made a point to seek out Kavei during lunch breaks, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic boy who had come to the aid of her friend.

[Continuing
The past
2012
Aroshi and Kavei began growing closer]

The sun beat down on the rooftop of the school building, casting long shadows across the empty space. Seated at his usual spot with his bento box open before him, Kavei enjoyed the solitude of the quiet lunch hour, the gentle breeze ruffling his hair as he ate in peace.

"Niram Kun!" Aroshi's voice shattered the tranquility, causing Kavei to look up in annoyance.

"You again. What do you want?" Kavei replied curtly, his irritation palpable.

"My friend didn't come to class today," Aroshi explained, her expression troubled as she approached him.

"And?" Kavei retorted, his tone bordering on exasperation.

"And... I'll be sitting here," Aroshi declared, plopping down next to him and leaning against the railing.

Kavei's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "Excuse me? This spot is specifically mine," he protested, attempting to assert his territorial claim.

"So childish. Now scoot," Aroshi teased, playfully nudging Kavei with her shoulder.

Kavei sighed in frustration, realizing that arguing with Aroshi would be futile. As he reluctantly made room for her, another boy approached them, accompanied by two friends.

"Hey, Kavei. Can we sit here as well?" the boy asked, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.

"Eh? Who are you guys?" Kavei questioned, eyeing them with mild skepticism.

"You're kidding, right? We're in the same class," the boy replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "I'm Kenma. This is Ojiro. And this is Narito."

Recognition dawned on Kavei's face as he recalled their classroom dynamic. "Kenma... oh! You sit behind me in class," he acknowledged.

"Yeah, that's right. Can we join you guys?" Kenma inquired, his eyes flicking between Kavei and Aroshi.

Kavei hesitated for a moment before firmly shaking his head. "No, of course not," he replied, his tone resolute.

"But Aroshi is here," Kenma pointed out, attempting to sway Kavei's decision.

"Oh. She's going to be leaving," Kavei stated matter-of-factly.

Frustrated, Aroshi stomped off angrily, leaving Kavei and the boys to their lunch in peace.

"Heh. What the heck," Kavei muttered to himself, bemused by the encounter. Despite his initial resistance, weeks passed, and Aroshi continued to visit him during lunch breaks, often accompanied by Kenma and his friends. Though Kavei maintained his aloof demeanor, a subtle shift occurred, and he found himself growing accustomed to their presence.

One day, as they walked home together, Kenma grinned at Kavei, his playful demeanor evident. "How come Kavei is here?" he teased.

"Don't delude yourself. My bike suffered a puncture," Kavei retorted, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Hehe, don't have to come off so cold. You live this way, I see," Kenma remarked, his tone light-hearted.

Kavei merely nodded in response, bidding them farewell as they parted ways. As he continued on his journey home, a sense of warmth settled in his chest, a subtle acknowledgment of the budding friendships that had unexpectedly taken root in his life.

After that chance encounter on the rooftop and the subsequent walk home together, something unexpected began to blossom between me and my newfound companions. Whether it was a conscious decision or simply the natural progression of things, I found himself spending more and more time with Kenma, Aroshi, Ojiro, and Narito. As days turned into weeks, the barriers that once separated us began to dissolve, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences.

It was a gradual process, marked by countless conversations, shared laughs, and moments of quiet understanding. Through our interactions, I discovered a side of myself that I had long kept hidden-a side that thrived in the company of others, that found solace in the simple pleasures of friendship.

Before I knew it, they had become my first group of friends, their presence in my life a source of comfort and companionship. Together, we navigated the ups and downs of school life, forming bonds that seemed unbreakable in our youth.

But as it went, not all was sunshine and laughter. There were moments of tension, of misunderstandings and disagreements that threatened to fracture our fragile unity. And it was one such moment that remains etched in my memory.

What happened next still haunts me, the memory of it is still vivid in my mind as if it had occurred yesterday.