Prologue
“Get out of the way!” I yelled, absolutely mortified at the thought of being late on my very first day! I pedaled my old bicycle like a madman, narrowly missing pedestrians as I flew by.
Damn it, I should’ve skipped high school! I could’ve gotten a job, saved up for a new console, or just lounged around at home on this hot spring day. But no – I had to apply to Tenshin High, just to be different from all my friends!
Though, to be honest, there was another reason: physics, math, and all the exact sciences had always fascinated me. That’s why I don’t believe in ghosts, spirits, curses, or even religion—though I do visit temples sometimes. Psychological horrors don’t scare me, especially if they involve the paranormal. “That’s impossible!” I tell myself, and immediately, I get bored. Still, a sudden sound or an unexpected jumpscare can send shivers down my spine...
When the slow, monotonous school bell finally rang, I, out of breath, burst into Class 10-A. I was met with bored stares and girls whispering. The young teacher stood by the blackboard and simply smiled, not yelling—what a surprise!
The only free seat was by the window—the second-to-last desk. Perfect! I sat down, and a cool breeze wafted over me. I felt like the main character in a school anime—they always sit by the window, right? I’m not the only one who’s noticed that?
Introductions began with our row: everyone stated their first name, last name, previous school, and something unusual about themselves. I desperately needed to think of something to say, or it would be awkward.
With each passing minute, my turn approached, and still, no interesting fact came to mind.
“Makoto Inudzuka,” I began when the teacher pointed a pencil eraser in my direction. “From Midorigaoka Middle School.”
It was time for the “interesting fact,” and my mind was blank. Maybe I should just ignore it? Who even cares about some silly detail about me? If they want to know, they can come and ask.
“Well... I like onigiri!”
I plopped back into my seat. Go ahead, laugh! What a dumb fact... But to my surprise, no one snickered. Apparently, there weren’t any rude people in the class. Though, maybe that’s normal—not everyone has to be a clown.
“Rei Tono!” a loud voice boomed from behind me.
I wanted to get a better look at everyone, but with such a pleasant breeze on my face, I was too lazy to turn around...
“From Rokkaku Middle School!” she continued. “And my fact is: I see ghosts. They’re among us, I’m sure of it. If there’s anyone else like me in this class—speak up!”
At that, I couldn’t help but turn around. How could I not look at such an eccentric person?
Her skin was fair, almost porcelain, with a slight blush on her cheekbones—as if she’d stepped out of a Japanese ukiyo-e print. Her pink lips were slightly parted as she surveyed the class with large green eyes—so bright that they seemed to reflect the spring leaves.
Her dark brown hair, tied in a short ponytail, swayed gently with every movement. Her bangs, perfectly straight as if cut with a ruler, framed her face, giving her look something stylish and mysterious.
A beauty. Nothing less.
Something fluttered inside me. Had I just fallen in love in five seconds? But I quickly pushed the thought away: “I definitely don’t need a girl with such ‘quirks’... unless she’s joking.”
“So, there aren’t any,” Rei clicked her tongue, and her gaze fell on me. “Do you see them?”
“No,” I replied curtly.
With an irritated huff, she settled back into her seat, adjusting the pleats of her sailor uniform skirt.
Perhaps I should have laughed? But from her expression, it was clear—she was absolutely serious. And now, it seemed, I had become just another skeptic for her to convince.
And so, my first day of high school began. Boring classes like Japanese language, geography, and all that other nonsense... If not for the events that followed, these three years would have been the most tedious of my life, and that girl—just a strange beauty with an overactive imagination.
