Now that I had become a high schooler, did I still have dreams for this world?
I was certain that, back then, I expected more out of high school life and dreamed bigger than anyone else. Those dreams had gradually swelled until, at some point, I even forgot how to look at reality. It was a terrifying thing; as long as you were in that state, you stopped caring about what anyone thought of you, churning out one "dark history" moment after another without even realizing it.
And what was even more terrifying was how easily you could regain your senses from the slightest trigger. As for what became of me after that...
◆
On a morning filled with pleasant sunlight, many high school students walked down a tree-lined path with calm hearts. Amidst them, a noisy pair stood out remarkably.
"Hey, wait up, Aika!"
"No! Stay away from me, you’re so persistent!"
A girl with reddish-brown hair walked at a brisk pace, pursued by a boy with brown hair that looked like a cheap home-dye job. To an outsider, they might have looked like a couple in the middle of a spat, but in truth, their relationship was nothing of the sort.
The girl’s hair fluttered, catching the sun and turning a vibrant red. Though she was weaving through the other students with a sharp, stern expression right now, she was normally a beauty that anyone would acknowledge. Despite her delicate frame, she was strong-willed; no matter how many times the brown-haired boy tried to grab her arm, she shook him off with all her might.
The one desperately trying to catch her was a boy named Sajou Wataru. He was an ordinary guy who cared about his appearance as much as the next person and was prone to falling for cute girls.
He had been in love with the fleeing beauty—Natsukawa Aika—since middle school. That was why he had confessed early on and pressed her for a relationship, only to be cut down instantly. Wataru had been flatly rejected, yet he hadn't given up. Since then, he had pushed his way to her side almost every day, continuing his relentless approach.
Natsukawa Aika was a perfect girl. That was precisely why she attended a high-level private high school, but upon learning this, Wataru had continued his pursuit while studying desperately, successfully managing to enroll in the same school. The power of love is a fearsome thing.
"Giggle, those two are at it again."
"They should just get together already."
To the other female students, it seemed like a heartwarming sight. If Aika were merely popular, she would have been an object of jealousy, but because the two of them had stood out like that since the entrance ceremony, they already looked like an established couple. Even the other boys had come to recognize Wataru as the man for the job—treating him as if he were already Natsukawa Aika’s boyfriend.
Undiscouraged, Wataru chased after her again today.
"Hey, when are you finally going to be my girlfriend?!"
"Like that would ever happen, you idiot! Give it a rest already!"
"Wh-at!?"
"Why are you acting surprised now!?"
Well... you can see how things were. But are you familiar with the phrase "the moment a hundred-year love cools"? It refers to the feeling of one's heart instantly turning cold after seeing or hearing an unpleasant side of the person they love.
However, this time it was a little different. The boy whose eyes were stolen by a perfect beauty had continued to dream, trapped by an ideal, until he forgot to look at reality. Allow me to show you the moment such a boy suddenly came to his senses.
"Hey, just slow down a bi—!!?"
A sound like a firecracker exploding echoed. Something like stardust scattered across his vision. A high-speed soccer ball zoomed past right in front of Wataru’s eyes, slammed into the wall with a violent thud, and bounced back toward the soccer club members on its own. Along with it, the sense of reality Wataru had abandoned years ago came flooding back.
Wataru wasn't injured. But at that exact moment, he had truly come to his senses.
"Wh-wait, are you okay!?"
Startled, Aika rushed over to him. After checking him from head to toe and confirming he wasn't hurt, she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Listen, I don't care how much you want my attention, don't give me such an exaggerated reaction!"
"A-ah... yeah..."
"Honestly... worrying about you was a waste of time! Stop chasing me so persistently already!"
"..."
After glaring at him, Aika walked on ahead. Wataru stood rooted to the spot in a daze, watching her retreating back. Only when she was far enough away that his voice wouldn't reach did he finally open his mouth.
"A-ah... my bad..."
The words finally escaped his lips. However, Aika was already out of sight. Wataru didn't start walking; he just stood there, stunned.
◆
I regained my sanity. It couldn't be helped if people asked what I was suddenly talking about, but I thought the phrase was a perfect fit for my current situation.
For a moment, I didn't know what had happened. Overwhelmed by the lingering resonance of that loud, bursting sound, I only realized it was a soccer ball after seeing it roll away. Normally, it should have been a common noise, but my head stopped working as if I'd been struck by a bolt of electricity.
(Wait, wait... what is this?)
It wasn't even a strange sensation. It was just that I felt as if I had been reborn. Wait, hang on, isn't this a huge deal?
I wondered if I had remembered memories of a past life or something, but that wasn't it. I could remember my own words and actions up until now—what I was thinking and why I did them. It wasn't like I had been possessed by something, either. Had I read too many light novels? No, the last time I read one was in middle school.
I don't know, the scene before my eyes just looked so... realistic. Until now, everything had felt somehow sparkly and fluffy. What am I even saying? I have no idea what I'm talking about myself.
The sound of the first bell echoed from the school building.
"Ah... I have to hurry."
Everything was ordinary; just a mundane daily life. It should have always felt the same... and yet, every single piece of scenery reflected in my eyes felt different somehow. I kept my focus by slapping my cheeks several times while running. I felt like I wouldn't even be able to reach the classroom otherwise.
I arrived at my floor just before morning homeroom. That’s strange... I thought I'd arrived at school quite early to keep pace with Aika...
"Alright, one second late."
"Ugh, I didn't make it?"
Though I dove into the room, the homeroom teacher had just entered at that exact moment. It seemed I had failed. It was the first time I'd been late since enrolling; I felt genuinely dejected.
"Is it because you're always chasing Natsukawa-san's tail? ...Wait, Natsukawa-san is in her seat like normal. How unusual. Did something happen?"
"Eh? No, nothing in particular. I was just late."
"Don't just be 'just late.'"
The teacher tapped my head with a binder, and the class erupted in laughter. Sitting right in the middle of it all was Aika, glaring in my direction. I gave her a glance and tilted my head, feeling a strange sense of distance.
"Come on, hurry up and sit down."
"Yes, ma'am. Sorry about that."
"Good grief..."
My seat was next to the famous beauty. I took my place while being teased and poked by the other guys as I passed. When I casually looked toward Aika, she let out a "Hmph" and turned away, looking extremely displeased. Talking to her now would be like poking a hornet's nest. Without saying anything, I simply listened to the teacher speaking at the podium.
◆
"Hey, you really did get hurt, didn't you?"
"No, I told you I'm fine... probably."
"What do you mean, 'probably'?"
After homeroom, Aika unusually approached my desk. She made me stand up and looked me over from top to bottom, checking for injuries. Why was she suddenly being so kind? ...Hah! Could it be that she likes me—no, that's impossible. Come to think of it, I'd been rejected more times than I could count.
"Then, in return, this time I'll—"
"Sit down."
When I tried to joke around and check Aika in return, she shoved my chest, forcing an emergency landing back into my seat. I had only managed to see as far as Aika's toes. O-oh? My vision was flickering again... is this okay? Well, whatever, it'll probably go away eventually.
Her "Worrying about you was a waste!" in that huffy voice was the kind of thing that would rake in bonus points at a karaoke bar. Watching Aika’s retreating back as she walked away, brimming with uncontrollable charm, I stood still and waited for my stardust-filled vision to return to normal.