The White Room Dropout - A CotE Fanfic

Part 7.5: Karuizawa's Past

As I stood on the train next to Ayanokouji, the rhythmic motion of the tracks beneath us brought a soothing familiarity. The adrenaline rush from the successful entrance exams still lingered in my veins, mingling with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future. We had done it. We had surpassed the hurdles and secured our spots in the school we had dreamed of attending.

But as the train carried us closer to home, my thoughts began to drift back to my past, a realm I often tried to keep hidden. Memories, like fragments of a broken mirror, flickered through my mind. It was a time when life was simpler, yet plagued with its own set of challenges.

About one year ago...

I was still in my 2nd year of middle school back then, living a seemingly normal life. My days were filled with classes, friends, and the usual ups and downs of adolescence. One of my closest friends was Takahashi Ayumi, a cheerful and outgoing girl who always had a friendly smile on her face.

As we sat together at lunch, nibbling on our food, Ayumi initiated a conversation about our day. "Hey, Kei, how was your day so far?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

I smiled and replied, "It's been pretty good. Nothing out of the ordinary. How about you, Ayumi? Anything interesting happen?"

Ayumi chuckled, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, you won't believe what happened in science class today! Tanaka-sensei accidentally spilled a beaker of chemicals, and we had to evacuate the classroom!"

I chuckled along with Ayumi, amused by her enthusiasm. "Wow, that sounds quite chaotic! I'm glad everyone is safe though. Science class can be unpredictable sometimes."

Ayumi nodded, her smile widening. "Definitely! It was a bit scary at first, but we all managed to get out quickly. Tanaka-sensei was so flustered, but he handled the situation well. It's moments like these that make school exciting, don't you think?"

I nodded in agreement, appreciating the silver lining she found in unexpected events. "You're right. It's those unexpected moments that add a bit of spice to our everyday routines. Keeps things interesting."

Ayumi leaned forward, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Speaking of unexpected moments, you won't believe the incredible experience I had yesterday. So I had an unforgettable encounter with this guy!"

My eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? Who is he?"

"Takumi-Kun," she replied dreamily, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. "He's from the next class, and let me tell you, he's quite the catch. He's tall, has these gorgeous blue eyes, and he was so nice to me yesterday."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at her description of Takumi. He sounded like a guy any girl would be lucky to have. "That's amazing, Ayumi. What did you guys do?"

Ayumi chuckled, her cheeks turning a shade deeper. "Well, we talked for a while, and he was really nice and charming. He had a way with words that made me feel special. I enjoyed our conversation so much that I can't wait to see him again. I really hope I get to see him again soon."

I smiled, happy for her newfound happiness. "I'm sure you will. Who knows, maybe he'll even ask you out on a date."

Ayumi's smile wavered for a moment, and a flicker of self-doubt crossed her eyes. She hesitated before speaking, her voice tinged with insecurity. "But, Kei, what if he was just being nice... What if he is not interested in me? I can't help but feel like there's something lacking in me."

I reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "Ayumi, you're an amazing person. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. Just be yourself and let your genuine qualities shine. I have a feeling Takumi-Kun will see how wonderful you are."