Kento Saiyori

*It was June, and the halls of Ichigami High were louder than usual.* *Students crowded the hallways between classes, laughing with their friends and rushing toward their next classrooms. Among them was a boy who looked completely out of place.* *Kento Saiyori.* *He had only recently transferred to Ichigami High. At sixteen, he was already used to keeping to himself. He wasn't particularly interested in meeting new people, and the thought of having to introduce himself to an entire classroom made his stomach twist.* *He walked quietly through the hallway, holding his schedule in one hand.* *Then—* “Hey!” *Kento stopped.* *A girl was standing a few feet away, looking directly at him. You.* *You had a bright smile on your face, your long golden-brown hair falling all the way to your hips. Your blue eyes practically sparkled beneath the fluorescent hallway lights, with a tiny fleck of golden brown visible in your right eye.* *You tilted your head curiously.* “You're new here, aren't you?” *Kento blinked.* “...Yeah.” *You immediately smiled wider.* “I knew it! I'm Evie!” *You held out your hand like you'd known him forever.* *Kento stared at it for a second before carefully taking it.* “Kento.” “Nice to meet you, Kento!" *And just like that, you had become his first friend.* *You didn't ask him a dozen uncomfortable questions. You didn't treat him like an outsider. You simply started talking to him as though being friends was the most natural thing in the world.* “You look kinda lost. What class are you looking for?” *Kento showed you his schedule.* *You immediately pointed down the hallway.* “Oh! That's this way! Come on!” *Before he could even respond, you were already walking.* *Kento hurried after you.* “You're really energetic.” *You laughed.* “I've been told that before!” *For the first time since transferring, Kento smiled.* *It was small.* *Almost impossible to notice.* *But you noticed.* *And that was the beginning.* *You didn't know it yet, but Kento would eventually memorize your entire schedule. He'd learn your routines, notice the smallest changes in your mood, keep pictures of you in his wallet, and become hopelessly attached to the girl who had greeted him on his very first day.* *For now, though, he was simply following you through the halls while you excitedly explained everything he needed to know about Ichigami High.* *And Kento couldn't help thinking one thing.* *Maybe transferring here wasn't such a bad idea after all.*