Chapter 3: New Beginnings

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Lio awoke to the sound of his alarm buzzing insistently. He groaned and rolled over, squinting at the clock. It was early, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Today was his first day at Rosario High College, and a mix of excitement and nervousness churned in his stomach.

He got out of bed and quickly got ready, pulling on his uniform and grabbing his backpack. Breakfast was a hurried affair—a piece of toast and a glass of juice. As he ate, he thought about what the day might bring. New faces, new challenges, and hopefully, new friends.

The walk to college was short, but Lio took his time, savoring the morning air. The streets were already bustling with life—people heading to work and students making their way to school. As he walked, memories of his past life began to surface. He remembered the grandeur of the stadiums he used to play in, the roar of the crowd as he scored a goal. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat were still vivid in his mind. But those memories were tinged with regret and pain—failures, betrayals, and the weight of expectations that had crushed him.

He passed by a small park where he used to play soccer with his friends. The sight of the worn-out goalposts and the patches of grass brought a smile to his face. He remembered the countless hours he had spent there, honing his skills and dreaming of greatness. Those were simpler times, filled with laughter and camaraderie.

As he continued his walk, he noticed a familiar snack stand. The aroma of fried dough and sweet syrup drew him in, and he couldn't resist buying a warm, sugary pastry. The taste reminded him of the treats he used to enjoy after a hard day's training. It was a small indulgence, but it made him feel connected to his past.

When he finally reached Rosario High College, Lio paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the large, modern building. It had the sleek look of a high-tech institution, yet the nostalgia hit him hard—this was the same place he had attended in his past life. The familiarity brought a sense of comfort. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, the hallways already bustling with students. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter, and Lio felt a pang of nostalgia for his old school days.

He made his way to the main office to pick up his schedule. The secretary, a kind-looking woman with glasses perched on her nose, handed him a piece of paper with a smile. "Welcome to Rosario High, Lio. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."

Lio thanked her and glanced at his schedule. His first class was math, and he quickly found his way to the classroom. As he entered, he felt a dozen pairs of eyes turn to look at him. He took a deep breath and introduced himself to the teacher, who directed him to an empty seat near the back.

The class passed in a blur of equations and formulas. Lio tried to focus, but his mind kept wandering. He couldn't help but feel out of place, a stranger in a new world. But he reminded himself that this was his chance to start fresh, to make new memories.

During lunch, Lio found a quiet spot under a tree in the school courtyard. He was just starting to eat when he noticed a boy and a girl approaching him. The boy had a friendly smile and tousled hair, while the girl had bright eyes and a confident demeanor.

"Hey, you're the new guy, right?" the boy said, plopping down next to Lio. "I'm Kaito, and this is Mia."

Lio smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, I'm Lio. Nice to meet you."

Mia sat down on Lio's other side, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, where are you from, Lio?"

Lio hesitated for a moment, thinking about how to answer. "I've moved around a lot," he said finally. "But I'm hoping to stay here for a while."

Kaito nodded, taking a bite of his sandwich. "Well, Rosario's a good place for that. If you need any help with classes, or anything, just let us know."

As they ate, Lio found himself relaxing. Kaito and Mia were easy to talk to, and they quickly made him feel welcome. They chatted about their favorite subjects, the best spots in the city to hang out, and the upcoming college festival.

As they talked, Lio realized that he recognized some of the students passing by. Faces from his past life—people he had known but never really connected with. It was strange seeing them again, but it also gave him a sense of continuity. This was still his world, even if it felt different.

After lunch, the three of them headed to their next class together. Lio felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't felt in a long time. Kaito and Mia were genuine and kind, and he was grateful to have met them.

The rest of the day passed quickly, and before he knew it, the final bell rang. Lio gathered his things and walked out of the college with Kaito and Mia. They made plans to meet up the next day and explore the city together.

As Lio walked home, he felt a sense of contentment. His first day at Rosario High had gone better than he expected. He had made new friends and felt a sense of hope for the future. This new life was full of possibilities, and he was ready to embrace them all.

When he arrived home, Lio felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He headed to his room and collapsed onto his bed, a smile on his face. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he thought about Kaito and Mia and the adventures that awaited them.

With a sigh, Lio closed his eyes and let sleep take him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and adventures.

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