Chapter 1: If You Don't Mind
Chapter 1 – If You Don’t Mind
Character Introduction
Zensuke Shinoda—19 years old, 5′9", with messy black hair, sides neatly trimmed. Intelligent and doing well in studies, but indifferent to his appearance. Quiet, reserved, with few friends. He often fades into the background, unnoticed by most.Sakuta Takahiro—19 years old, 5′10", with perfectly styled medium-length pink hair. Athletic, popular, and class president. His charm and confidence naturally draw people in, making him the center of attention.Yukari Hoshikawa—19 years old, 5′7", with long, midnight-blue hair that reaches her waist, with hints of berry-purple highlights. A natural leader — graceful, kind, admired by many. Balanced between introvert and extrovert, with a calm aura that makes her stand out.
The Morning Rush
“Hey, Sakuta! We’re going to miss the train!” Zensuke called out, standing at the entrance of Sakuta’s house, tapping his foot impatiently.
“Ten more minutes!” came Sakuta’s voice from inside.
Zensuke sighed and crossed his arms.How is he the class president with this kind of discipline?
While waiting, Zensuke glanced at the two bikes leaned against the wall near the porch — his own, neatly repaired and freshly oiled, and Sakuta’s, which still had a bent pedal and a loose chain.
The door creaked open halfway. “Oh, by the way,” Sakuta called from inside, “did you fix your bike already?”
Zensuke raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Two days ago. You said you’d fix yourslastweek.”
“Yeah, yeah, I had things to do,” Sakuta replied, finally emerging with a half-eaten piece of toast. “Sports committee, class duty, group chats... priorities.”
“You mean you were watching anime and fell asleep.”
“Also a priority,” Sakuta said with a proud nod.
Zensuke crouched next to the damaged bike. “I can fix this in ten minutes if you hand me a wrench.”
“You? The silent guy with hidden handyman powers?”
“I’ve been fixing your bike since middle school.”
“True,” Sakuta grinned. “You’re the best unpaid mechanic a man could ask for.”
Zensuke stood up, brushing off his hands. “I’ll fix it after school. If you even plan on using it.”
“Of course I do! Bikes are eco-friendly,” Sakuta said, then pointed at his legs. “Also, these calves weren’t built for walking.”
Ten minutes later, the door slammed shut. Sakuta appeared fully dressed, toast in his mouth, and slung his bag over one shoulder.
“Hurry up, Zensuke!” he called through the bite, jogging ahead.
Zensuke rolled his eyes but followed. Luckily, the train hadn’t arrived yet.
Train Platform & Ride
As they waited on the platform, Zensuke’s gaze drifted toward a familiar figure near the entrance.
It was Yukari Hoshikawa.
Sakuta immediately perked up. “Morning, Yukari! Heading to school?”
“Good morning, Sakuta,” she replied with a polite nod, her smile warm and composed.
Zensuke stood silently beside them, watching the exchange.They’re on first-name terms?He quickly looked away.
Before anything more could be said, the train rolled in. They boarded together and found seats, but Sakuta was immediately called over by a group of classmates.
“Sakuta!!”
“Right, right — coming!” he grinned and walked off, leaving Zensuke and Yukari seated side by side.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Zensuke broke the silence. “I didn’t realize you and Sakuta were that familiar.”
Yukari glanced at him. “Huh? Not really. We’re both class presidents, so we coordinate for school events. That’s all.”
Zensuke raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a lot of coordination.”
She smiled lightly. “Just wanted to be clear. It’s not anything beyond that.”
He gave a small nod. “Got it.”
The Train Ride Continues
Yukari tilted her head slightly. “By the way, Shinoda… what’s your first name?”
Zensuke blinked. “Zensuke.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Zensuke… feels familiar somehow. Like I’ve heard it before. A long time ago, maybe.”
He looked at her, confused. “Really?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Never mind.”
Zensuke couldn’t help but feel the same strange familiarity.Have we met before?
“Um, Hoshizora—”
“It’s Hoshikawa,” she corrected gently.
“Ah, sorry. Hoshikawa… you’re pretty involved in everything, huh? Must be a lot of responsibility.”
She nodded. “It can be. But I like helping out. It’s fulfilling.”
Zensuke nodded quietly.
Yukari hesitated, then offered a soft smile. “If you don’t mind… you can call me by my first name.”
Zensuke blinked. “C-Can I?”
She gave a small nod and looked out the window. “Hmm.”
Before he could respond, Sakuta returned.
“Yo! I’m back,” he said with a grin. “Sorry, got pulled into some drama.”
Both Zensuke and Yukari looked away at the same time, startled by his sudden return.
Sakuta smirked, sensing the odd vibe.Hmm… interesting.
“All right, next stop’s ours.”
“Right!” they both replied quickly, glad for the change of topic.
As they stepped off the train, the school banners came into view, fluttering in the breeze:
“Two Weeks Until the Annual Sports Day Festival! Prepare Your Classes!”
Zensuke glanced at the banner.Great… another headache.
Yukari smiled. “Lots of planning ahead. It’ll be fun though.”
“Yeah... if Sakuta doesn’t slack off,” Zensuke muttered.
“Hey! I heard that!” Sakuta laughed, slapping him on the back. “Don’t worry, we’ll make this the best sports day ever!”
Zensuke chuckled under his breath.
Somehow, I get the feeling this year will be far more eventful than just another school festival…
To be Continued......
