You Know

Chapter 1: Spring Day

It was mid spring and almost the start of the new school year already. I was walking along the hallway trying to find my way heading towards the registration faculty to complete my enrollment.

The room was enveloped in a serene silence, the kind that settles like a soft blanket over everything. A gentle breeze fluttered through the open window, causing the curtains to sway slightly as if dancing to a rhythm only they could hear. The air was cool and soothing, carrying with it the faint scent of rain.

Suddenly, piercing through the calm, a muffled sound broke the stillness. The quiet was shattered by the soft, heart-wrenching sound of someone crying. The sobs, though faint at first, grew more distinct, filling the room with an emotional weight that seemed to press against the walls. Each sob echoed in the stillness, contrasting starkly with the earlier peaceful atmosphere, turning the once tranquil room into a space of raw, unspoken sorrow.
I thought at first this would be a different path and void to fill, but I didn’t expect it to be this — should I say, unique.

At first, I thought this would be a different path—something to fill a void—but I didn't expect it to be this… unique.

I noticed a guy wearing the school club jacket, sitting on the corner of the hallway step. He had some medals hanging around his neck, suggesting he might have been a top student. In his hands, he clutched a piece of paper tightly against his chest. I couldn't help but wonder: What could be written on that piece of paper that left him so shattered, as fragile as the paper he held?

I did my best to stay unnoticed, completing my tasks and slipping away quietly.

And just like that, it’s April 1st—spring’s end and the official start of the new school year. Over the past few days, I kept seeing the man in my dreams sitting on the corner of the hallway step. My curiosity about the mysterious paper he held was unrelenting.

It’s the first day of school, orientation day, and I’m feeling quite anxious. Everyone is gathered on the school grounds, lined up by year and section. After a few announcements, we’re given some time to explore the school’s facilities and check out the various clubs.

As I wandered around, trying to decide where to join, I couldn’t help but search for him.

“Oh my God—Kenji? Is that really you?” I heard a loud voice exclaim as it drew closer. Turning around, I saw a girl with a familiar face. “It’s really you!” she said, hugging me tightly.

“Yeji! Wow, you’re still so small,” I replied with a smirk.

She playfully punched my shoulder and pouted. “So, that’s how you’re going to respond to my excitement, huh?” I laughed and pinched her cheeks, telling her I was just joking and that I was really happy to see her.

Yeji is an old friend from a few years back. We were classmates in dance class and became close with our fellow members. Before I knew it, she was introducing me to a bunch of people, and I was managing it like a pro. It turned out, I didn’t need to be so nervous about this new chapter in my life.

While walking back to our assigned classroom, I spotted him—the guy from the corner of the hallway step. But it wasn’t the real person; it was just a picture. As I suspected, he was a famous grandmaster of major clubs in our school.

“Hey, are you okay?” Yeji asked, noticing where I was looking. She followed my gaze and added with a grin, “Oh, you’re looking at my boyfriend, huh?”

I was momentarily stunned but managed to stay composed. “Can you believe it? A little girl like you is in a relationship?” I said playfully, patting her head and messing up her hairstyle.

“Yes! My boyfriend is like a prince charming—tall, fair, with great features, and really smart,” she boasted proudly.

“So, he is your boyfriend?” I asked, this time more seriously.

“Nope! Hahaha, I was just daydreaming. He’s the national heartthrob of Sakura University. Argh, he’s totally out of our league. For now, I’ll just date Sakura University’s Mafia Prince,” she said, grabbing my arm as we headed towards our classroom.

When we entered, all eyes were on us. I couldn’t tell if this was a usual occurrence, but the atmosphere didn’t seem hostile—just curious.

“And who’s the S.U’s mafia prince?” I asked again while we were seated. “You!” She said while giggling “And why is that? Why is that guy in the picture the prince and I am whaattt? Mafia? The bad one?” I surprisingly ask her, this time I can sense that everyone is pretty much either minding their own business or looking at us “Kenji, I said Mafia Prince, not just a simple mafia. Duh! Your features are more strong and you have a very manly aura Yu —”

She was unable to complete her sentences because the home room teacher got inside the classroom already and she asked us to fill out some required forms, tons of them.