(Edited: 13 Sept 2024)
Sou has a childhood friend who was so charming and accomplished that he couldn’t help but worry about her.
Unlike his unremarkable self, she was outstanding in every way: exceptionally talented in both literature and martial arts, and was always at the center of attention wherever she went. Her name was Nagine Hoshinomiya.
She looked as lovely as an angel and was as cheerful and gentle as one, too.
At the freshman entrance ceremony, after the headmaster’s long and boring speech, Nagine took the stage as the freshman representative. She earned this honor effortlessly, having achieved perfect scores on her entrance exams and having been crowned champion in her municipal swimming competition.
In contrast, Sou’s grades were mediocre, and he struggled with athletics too.
Whenever moments like this occurred, Sou often wondered, “How did such an outstanding and adorable girl end up as his childhood friend?”
From a young age, Sou was not particularly likable. With his plain appearance, introverted and gloomy personality, and difficulties in social interactions, he struggled to fit into any social circle, even from kindergarten.
He was the complete opposite of the dazzling and popular Nagine, who always drew attention and admiration.
They were supposed to be two people with no connection or interaction, yet Sou couldn’t understand why Nagine had persistently approached him in the past.
From then on, she seemed to always be by his side, never mocking or bullying him like the other children. Instead, she protected him from bullies and took care of him, despite how others treated him.
Thanks to Nagine, Sou’s troublesome personality improved, and he stopped being bullied throughout kindergarten and elementary school.
He had always received Nagine’s unconditional kindness. She saved him without expecting anything in return. Was he really deserving of being her childhood friend?
As Nagine walked up to the podium in the gymnasium, with her slender legs wrapped in black silk, the crowd of new students below began to buzz with excitement.
“Wow, this girl is something else.”
Rеаⅾ оn ΚαtRеαdіոɡСafе “Seriously, she’s adorable. I didn’t expect such a cute new student at our school.”
“Does she have a boyfriend? Maybe I should confess my feelings later.”
For teenage boys and girls, junior high school is often the time when they first become aware of gender differences and experience their first crushes.
Nagine’s perfectly straight and cute face, coupled with her black hair swaying as she walked, tugged at the heartstrings of the adolescent boys below.
As she stopped in front of the podium and looked up at the students and teachers, everyone got their first glimpse of her bright, clear, pitch-black eyes.
The audience below the stage was mesmerized by their brilliance. It was as if stars resided in those eyes, twinkling with an enchanting starlight that outshone everything else.
Her gaze captured everyone’s attention, making it impossible for anyone to look away.
“So cute…”
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Hey, is she like an idol or something?”
“This is amazing. I’m so glad I enrolled in this school!”
The freshmen were abuzz, captivated by the charm of this beautiful girl with dark hair. Even the teachers struggled to manage the chatter.
With each compliment directed at Nagine, Sou, standing at the bottom of the stage, felt a shadow cast over his heart.
Watching Nagine, who had become even more adorable with age, Sou felt a growing distance between them.
“But didn’t I see her holding hands with a boy intimately this morning?”
“Damn it, has someone already beaten me to it!?”
Rеаԁ оո ΚαtRеαdingСafе “Honestly, how could someone so cute be single? I’m so envious.”
Inadvertently, these comments entered Sou’s ear, igniting the dark little flame deep within him.
Exactly! The person standing beside her now was none other than himself.
“Greetings, esteemed teachers and fellow students…”
The noisy gymnasium fell silent the moment Nagine began to speak.
Her clear, beautiful voice echoed through the empty space.
On the stage, Nagine exuded an air of dignity and seriousness, her elegant demeanor contrasting sharply with her usual cheerful and lively appearance.
The noble aura she radiated was reminiscent of an unattainable beauty, and even after nearly ten years of knowing her, Sou found himself captivated by this new, serious side of his childhood friend.
As Sou marveled at this unfamiliar yet beautiful aspect of Nagine, a cold voice, tinged with displeasure, interrupted his thoughts.
“Let’s confirm. The boy who walked with Nagine-chan to school this morning—was that Tsukimi-kun?”
Sou winced internally at the question.
The voice belonged to a girl standing behind him.
She was a striking figure with long platinum hair styled in a side ponytail, a slender build, well-defined features, and bright red eyes like rubies.
She looked beautiful from every angle.
Notably, her slightly raised eyes gave her a fierce, feline quality.
Mana Hinata (陽向真奈)
Rеad οn KаtRеаԁiոgСаfe Alongside Sou and Nagine, Mana was also a childhood friend of theirs.
The three of them had met in elementary school, and since her family lived close to Sou’s home, they began playing together at a young age, forming an inseparable bond.
Mana, who inherited Nordic ancestry from her father, had rare platinum hair for someone of Asian descent, and her facial features were more defined and pronounced than typical for someone of Asian heritage.
She was a very different kind of beauty compared to Nagine.
While Nagine was approachable and warm, Mana was more aloof and haughty, often displaying a sharp tongue.
In kindergarten, Sou had once seen a boy from a different class break down in tears after Mana’s cold, unfeeling words.
“No, it was all Nagi-chan’s doing. She asked me to hold her hand…”
“It’s all Tsukimi-kun’s fault, you know. You’ve been indulging Nagine-chan so much that she’s become spoiled.”
“yes……
I’m sorry.”
Sou felt as though he could never win a verbal battle with Mana, past or present.
“Instead of apologizing to me, you should use that awareness to refuse better next time.”
Although Mana’s words could be venomous, those who got to know her well would discover the gentle nature beneath her cold exterior.
Unlike the all-encompassing Nagine, Mana was direct and unyielding, often pointing out Sou’s shortcomings so he could truly understand his flaws. For this reason, Sou was deeply grateful to her.
“Does this guy really understand his situation…” Mana muttered under her breath.
In Mana’s heart, she couldn’t stop worrying about her introverted and shy childhood friend.
Reαⅾ оn KαtReαdіnɡСafe It was one thing when they were in elementary school—at that time, people’s minds were still immature, and the intimate relationship between Nagine and Sou would only be met with teasing remarks from others.
But now, in junior high school, things could be different. People might harbor resentment, and what was once teasing could turn into malice, potentially escalating to physical assault, especially directed at kind and gentle people like Nagine and Sou.
Mana kept her eyes fixed on Sou, who seemed oblivious to the potential danger. She sighed inwardly and prepared to remind Sou to be mindful of his proximity to Nagine.
Mana caught a glimpse of Nagine standing on the platform. For a brief moment, Nagine and Sou locked eyes.
In that gaze, it was as if Nagine’s eyes were filled with endless starlight.
Then, Nagine smiled at Sou and gave him a playful wink.
“OOOOOOOHHH!” The boys in the crowd erupted in excitement.
“Was that a wink? Who’s she winking at?”
“Is it me? Could she be in love with me at first sight?”
“Dream on! Though, we must find out who it is!”
…………
Sou felt a chill run down his spine.
“Crap, am I in danger on the very first day of school?”
His danger sense was screaming in alarm!
Thanks Hadia Houssein and John Paris for the Membership.