Haruto

Haruto's POV

I walk slowly down the aisle, my hands ask me to put them inside my pocket but I choose to leave my sweaty hands outside, swinging them back and forth gently. The snowy evening is so beautiful but what I am about to face is way more beautiful, no words can describe this feeling of mine.

Arriving at the front of the guests’ seats, facing them with a nervous yet happy smile. The room goes silent for a moment, and…the main door opens. The light pierces my eyes for a quick second as it reveals a beautiful woman in a beautiful white wedding dress.

She slowly makes her way to the aisle, walking closer and closer to me while holding a bouquet of white peonies and roses. The guests cannot help but stand up, putting out their phones but some still prefer real lenses to witness the moment.

The year's end is upon us, with the festive ambiance heralding the dawn of fresh starts. The excitement for the upcoming new year is a palpable heartbeat shared by many. However, for me, it signifies the start of a unique journey – a journey that will lead me to my beautiful bride-to-be. I’m Haruto, and my story is one that was spun in the hallways of high school.

***

The prologue of my tale began with my entry into high school. At the sweet age of sixteen, I stepped into my first year of high school, greeted by the comforting rays of the morning sun after a daily duel with my alarm clock. Living in a modest home with my parents, I found myself on the edge of tardiness on the very first day, a sequence of events that seemed to forecast an extraordinary day.

My rushed morning ritual had me springing out of bed, leaving my covers in a mess. I rushed to spend a mere handful of minutes in the bathroom, before I burst forth, dashing towards my room to seize my crisply ironed school uniform from the closet.

“Bye Mom, Dad,” I hollered, snatching two slices of bread from the table and leaving the glass of milk untouched in my haste.

A series of unfortunate events resulted in the breakdown of my reliable bike, forcing me to traverse the school grounds on foot. It seemed as though Lady Luck herself was playfully testing my mettle with this challenging start to the day.

The school's orientation, a ceremonious welcome to the upcoming three-year academic voyage, was carried out with expected grandeur. Yet, within the lecture hall, the threat of monotony loomed, marked by my twelve continuing yaws that broke the otherwise uneventful proceedings.

As I navigated the maze-like corridors, being introduced to our future classrooms, I found myself assigned to class 1-3, my homeroom for the foreseeable future. A glimmer of hope came in the form of our homeroom teacher, a kind soul oblivious to the shadows cast by my unimpressive academic record. Indeed, I was the silent, seemingly underperforming student who sought refuge in quietude over unnecessary chatter.

Given a short break to familiarize ourselves with our new academic surroundings, I chose a remote corner. While my classmates indulged in camaraderie, sharing laughter and conversation, my attention was drawn to Ren, an admirable figure shrouded in an aura of mystery yet charming. Ren, despite his popularity, was a lone wolf, his perfection a double-edged sword that cut through potential friendships.

In stark contrast, I found myself at the other end of the social spectrum. A quiet boy with few talents to showcase, my existence seemed to hover on the outskirts of the colorful high school life. An introvert by nature, I wrestled with the challenging task of adapting to the ever-evolving dynamics of adolescence. Three years in middle school had failed to free me from the chains of my introversion, leaving me feeling like a lone island in a sea of social interaction.

The reason for my reserved nature often puzzled those who knew me. "Why so quiet?" they would inquire. The answer was rooted in my past, a past that once echoed with extroversion and liveliness.

My middle school journey had begun with a lively embrace of extroversion. I delighted in the joy of communication, interacting with anyone I encountered as if they were long-lost friends. However, this vibrant chapter of my life was destined to end prematurely.

In the first year of middle school, the colorful tapestry of my social life began to dim, revealing the stark reality beneath. The friends I had considered my confidants, my comrades in the turbulent world of adolescence, turned out to be merely players in life's theater, their true identities hidden behind the masks they wore around me. The revelation transformed the metaphorical waterfall of my life, once a beautiful cascade, into a torrent tainted with the vibrant colors of betrayal.

From that point forward, my trust became a rare treasure, not easily given to others. The desire to form connections and friendships evaporated like morning dew under the harsh sunlight. I withdrew into my solitude, unwilling to expose my vulnerabilities to a world that had shown itself to be unpredictable and treacherous.

However, amidst my self-imposed isolation from social interaction, the first day of high school brought an unexpected twist. The silence of the concluding class was shattered by the arrival of an unexpected entity.

***

Watching Haruto from afar, a mysterious figure, cloaked in an enigma, cast a scrutinizing look at him. A hint of recognition sparked in her eyes, the flicker of familiarity sparking a flurry of unanswered questions. She slowly walked inside the classroom while moving her eyes left and right. Her gaze toward the end of the class, staring at a messy-haired boy with brown bright eyes, his balanced face rested on his left arm. The sun bathed softly into his black wavy hair as he stared outside the window. his red tie wasn't tight enough with the top button that connected the left and right collar of his uniform.

The figure stood quietly, locking her gaze at him. “This boy seems familiar.”

To be continued…