Chapter 1 - Black Hair Standard Language Alliance

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The sun is shining brightly, and the weather is warm and pleasant. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, their soft pink petals dancing in the gentle breeze. However, despite the idyllic setting, I can't shake off the feeling of dread in my chest.

"I don't want to go," I whisper to myself.

I was excited to attend Nekoma High School, but my parents had to transfer their workplace, and I had to enrol in a school in Hyogo instead. It was a major disappointment, but my family and I were planning on starting anew, which lifted my spirits. However, things took an unexpected turn, and their boss ended up making them relocate overseas.

My father had already bought an apartment, and he couldn't help but burst into tears when our family meeting ended with a sudden change of plans. I was left alone in Hyogo, far from everything I knew and loved.

Despite the upheaval, I try to stay optimistic. I don't have any specific difficulties, and my parents have been busy with their jobs since I was little, so I'm used to being on my own. I still keep in touch with the boy I sat next to at the entrance exam, and we talk on the phone whenever we have free time. However, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness knowing that we won't be able to meet up again.

Nevertheless, I remind myself that I have control over my own choices.

"If uniforms don't make me feel good, at least I can do something about myself..."

As I wait for the curling iron to heat up, I apply a thin layer of sunscreen. Then, I use a concealer and powder to even out my skin tone. For my eyes, I apply clear mascara to my lashes that I recently permed. For my lips, I keep it simple with a light shade. Next, I loosely curl only the ends of my hair with the curling iron and slightly create bangs.

"Oh my, I'm gonna be late! Gotta go now."

Bag - okay! Dress - okay! Everything - okay!

Alright! Let's go, let's head to the battlefield!

____________________________

In the classroom after the entrance ceremony, I felt alone and scared. It seemed like everyone else was already talking and joking around, using a Kansai dialect that I couldn't understand. I was grateful to have a seat in the back, but I felt so isolated that I wanted to punch myself for thinking that way.

Just as I was getting ready to give up and leave, I heard a voice from the seat next to me.

"You look pale, are you okay?"

I turned to see a boy with long, slanted eyes looking at me.

"I'm not feeling sick, so I'm okay," I replied weakly.

He seemed like the type of person who was genuinely concerned about others. Since the homeroom teacher hadn't arrived yet, I decided to talk to him.

"I don't know anyone here since I'm not from around here, and I can't understand the Kansai dialect," I explained.

"Ah, I see. I'm the same way," he said.

"Really? Where are you from?" I asked.

"I'm from Aichi. I got in here by recommendation for volleyball," he replied.

"I don't know much about volleyball, but I know it's amazing," I said.

"Do you really think so?" he asked, turning to face me.

Before I could answer, he asked where I was from.

"I'm from Tokyo," I said.

"Oh, that's kind of far away," he said.

"I feel like I don't fit in here," I admitted.

"I know the feeling," he said. "But don't worry, we'll get through it together."

I felt relieved to have found someone who understood me. I introduced myself and he did the same.

"My name is Kamine Yuki. Thank you for talking to me," I said.

"I'm Suna Rintarou. Nice to meet you," he replied.

We bowed to each other just as the homeroom teacher arrived and the conversation ended.

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Today, two weeks after the entrance ceremony, I was having lunch with Suna-kun.

"Suna-kun, don't you ever eat with the club members?"

"Everyone is in different classes and it's noisy."

Suna answered calmly while drinking tea. He has successfully joined the volleyball club and seems to be practising hard every day.

"I see. How about club activities?"

"It's tough, but it's fun. It's what I like to do."

"That's nice, what I like."

"Kamine-san, don't you have any hobbies?"

"...game."

"I feel like you'll play it until you lose track of time."

"I'm amazed by your instincts, actually I almost overslept today too,"

"On second thoughts..."

Just as Suna was about to eat the bread, the door next to him suddenly opened.

"Hey, Suna, lend me 100 yen!!!"

With the force at the door, the volume of his voice, and what he said was quite noisy.

"No, I don't think it'll come back."

"I'll give it back!... Tomorrow!"

"You should ask Osamu, not me."

"I just bought tea, so don't have any cents."

"If Samu hadn't bought bread, it wouldn't have happened!"

"it can't be helped, I'm too hungry!"

"Stop it, you guys are causing trouble for the people in the class."

Suna let out a sigh and muttered, "Seriously?" One by one, three large people came and surrounded Suna. It was a quiet lunch just now.

"Ah? Who is it?"

The blonde asked, turned his head towards me.

"Who are you?"

"We're classmates."

"Black Hair Standard Language Alliance"

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