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AKIRA SHINZAKI'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNFAMILIAR STREETS OF SENDAI HAD BEEN FAR FROM SMOOTH. As a Tokyo native, navigating this city posed a unique challenge; the unfamiliar alleys and winding paths had a way of turning even a simple walk into a labyrinth. She anxiously checked her phone, her brow furrowed with growing frustration. The directions weren't helping, and locating the high school her sensei had instructed her to visit was proving more difficult than anticipated. It was supposed to be near a rugby field, yet every turn seemed to lead her further astray.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, clenching her teeth. "Why is this city such a maze?"
Frustration boiled within her as she noticed an elderly man sitting by a nearby storefront. Taking a deep breath, she approached him for assistance. She held out her phone, displaying a picture of the school, and politely asked for directions. The kind man examined the image thoughtfully, his weathered face creasing in concentration. After a moment, he pointed her in a different direction, his smile reassuring as he spoke in soft, encouraging tones.
"Arigato, sir," Akira said, bowing low, her gratitude evident. The man nodded with a gentle smile, his eyes warm with understanding. She felt a flicker of hope reignite as she continued on her path, her feet moving with renewed determination.
"Such a pain," she grumbled, her eyes darting around as she navigated the unfamiliar streets, each step taking her closer to her elusive destination.
At long last, Akira arrived at the entrance of the high school, heaving a sigh of relief. Her mission, however, was far from over. Her sensei had been rather cryptic about why she needed to come here, only that it was urgent and she would "know what to do" when she arrived. Not particularly helpful.
Inside the school grounds, she noticed a crowd gathered around the rugby field. Amidst the players and spectators, one figure stood out-a tall, raven-haired boy clad in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, his posture relaxed but commanding attention.
Akira's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.
It couldn't be... him?
Of all people, his presence here was entirely unexpected and raised a flurry of questions in her mind. Determined to find answers, she moved closer to the rugby field, her gaze never leaving him. However, as she approached, doubt gnawed at her.
Does he even remember me?
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, but then, setting her doubts aside, Akira marched on, determination overriding her hesitations. She called out his name, her voice strong and clear: "Fushiguro Megumi!"
