Unforgettable You {Extraordinary You Sequel!}

Episode 1: The Grand Entrance

KRRCHK.

A noise shatters Dano's ears, jolting her awake. The sound is paper tearing, maybe, or... a page flipping. She isn't sure. All she knows is that it wrings her out of dreamless sleep.

She opens her eyes, startled. She expects to be in her bed, in her dorm, but she's not.

She's in the hallway.

The grand hallway of the left wing of the university, lined with students who flurry about, chattering loudly and excitedly. Dano doesn't understand what's going on. The expressions on people's faces around her light up in bold, exaggerated emotion. Girls swoon, falling into each other's arms, and then burst into laughter.

What is going on?

"Are people overreacting or what?" A voice drawls from beside Dano. It's Yeo Juda, her roommate. Her roommate who wears combat boots and black lipstick and is most likely involved in illegal drug-dealing. Yes... that Yeo Juda.

Yeo Juda! Dano wants to say. Only, nothing comes out. A moment later something does come out but it's nothing like what she expects herself to say, "I-I heard he's pretty rich." Rich? Who? "And pretty popular down south."

Rich? Who is she talking about? Who's popular?

Juda scoffs, "Popular my ass. Popular is nothing but a word that describe pathetic, superficial people who have nothing but social manipulation to brag about."

"Excuse me—who are you guys talking about?" Saemi asks, drawing the two girls' attention. Dano can hardly hear her over the crowds around them.

Dano replies: "Haru."

Haru.

Haru? Haru... there's something strange about this name. Who is Haru? She tries to say the name again, but her tongue is tied. Suddenly, more noise erupts from the door-end of the hallway. Silencing sounds, and shhhhs. People turn abruptly away from the middle of the hallway, facing each other, but, their expressions are weird. Girls flick their hair and guys turn to their phones, mumbling to one another. Some of the crowd disperses. But some stay, casting wary enlightened glances over their shoulders at the closed hallway doors.

And then the doors open.

He walks in, wearing a cream-coloured coat, open and breezy. The collar compliments his broad chest and torso, exposing the clean black turtleneck he wears beneath. His hair is dark and hangs into his eyes, which... his eyes...

Dano doesn't know why, but a strange, familiar feeling rouses in her. She wants to shout his name:

Haru.

Something stops her. She doesn't know what. She can't move if she tries. She can't speak if she tries. Beside her, Juda scoffs faintly, "Is that what everybody's riled up about?"

"I guess so," Saemi mutters, her eyes locked on the tall figure that strolls towards them. But she turns hastily away. "Whatever. He's probably an asshole."

"That's what I'm saying," Juda sing-songs. Saemi pauses while Haru makes his way forward, before turning and leaving the scene.

WWHHS.

And then—as if Dano's movements had been handcuffed and now she's been set free—Dano can move again. Her eyes dart down to her hands. Flustered, she wiggles her fingers, unable to describe the weird feeling inside her.

"What are you doing?" Juda asks, staring funnily at her.

"I... um... I-I couldn't move. Just now. It was..."

Something flashes across Juda's face. She narrows her eyes, "You couldn't move?"

Dano doesn't know how to respond. She doesn't even know what she's trying to say. She jerks around, turning to gaze down the hallway that had been crowding with people just three minutes ago—and Haru is still walking this way. People glance up at him as he passes, wide-eyed girls and jealous guys. Everyone is trying to be subtle and failing.

Haru's expression is soft, sullen. He is extremely tall. Much taller than Dano.

Again, Dano doesn't know what overcomes her. She stares up at him, his footsteps bringing him closer and closer to her.

He reaches her. Suddenly, level to her.

The name flies out of her mouth—

"Haru?" Haru.

He stops in his tracks when he hears his name. He turns and faces at her, his eyes still sullen, devoid of expression. But something seems to change as he watches her... their gazes entwine. Something flickers in those shining irises of his. Dano is stunned to her core, frozen in place. She can hardly breathe. The expression in his eyes shifts as he gazes at her—

And then someone calls out to him and he looks away. He turns around, facing a guy with frizzy brunette hair and a white sweater covered in large strawberry emojis. He shoves Haru's arm casually. Haru starts talking to the strange boy, before walking in-step with him down the hallway. He completely forgets Dano.