Chapter 17: A New Beginning

The first day of high school felt like stepping into a new world. Nanako Shimuya stood at the school gate, her bag held tightly against her chest. The large school building towered over her, filled with the chatter of students and the ringing of the morning bell.

She took a deep breath. "You can do this," she whispered to herself.

Akio Sanagi, as cheerful as ever, bounced up beside her. "Come on, Nanako! We'll be late if we just stand here!"

Nanako nodded, a small smile breaking through her nervousness. Together, they walked through the crowded halls, finding their new classroom. Students were already mingling, forming groups, and sharing their excitement about the new school year.

Nanako took a seat near the window. She liked the view—the blue sky and the gentle sway of the trees calmed her. Akio sat next to her, already chatting with the students around them.

As the teacher entered, the room quieted down. Introductions were made, and schedules were handed out. Everything felt normal—until Nanako heard a name she had not expected.

"Sora Nagi?" the teacher called.

No one answered.

The teacher glanced around the room, marked something on her sheet, and moved on. But the name hung in the air, catching Nanako's attention.

"Sora Nagi..." she repeated softly.

Nanako had heard the name before—through whispers in the hallway, in the murmurs of passing students. Rumors about him floated around the school like shadows. Some said he was strange, that he rarely spoke to anyone. Others claimed he had a dark past, that something bad had happened to him.

But no one seemed to know the truth.

At lunch, as they sat under a tree in the schoolyard, Nanako couldn't shake the thought. "Akio," she began, picking at her sandwich, "do you know anything about Sora Nagi?"

Akio raised an eyebrow. "Oh, him? Not much. I heard he doesn't come to school often. People say weird things about him, but I don't really believe them."

"What kind of things?" Nanako asked.

Akio shrugged. "That he's a loner. That he had some kind of trouble in middle school. But you know how rumors are. People love to talk, even if they don't know the truth."

Nanako nodded slowly. Her curiosity only grew. What kind of person was Sora Nagi? Was he really as strange as everyone said? Or was there more to his story?

The days passed, and Sora did not show up in class. Nanako noticed how his desk, near the back of the room, remained empty. She would catch herself looking at it, wondering where he was and what kept him away.

One rainy afternoon, as the students rushed to leave, Nanako found herself lingering. The classroom was almost empty, the soft patter of rain filling the silence. She walked to Sora's desk, her fingers brushing over its surface.

There were small carvings in the wood—tiny marks and scratches, as if someone had tried to etch away their thoughts. She sat down in his chair, trying to see the room from his view.

"What are you doing?" Akio's voice broke the quiet.

Nanako jumped, her cheeks turning pink. "I... I was just curious."

Akio chuckled, leaning against the doorway. "You're really interested in him, huh?"

"I just... I don't understand why everyone talks about him like that," Nanako admitted. "I want to know the truth."

Akio's playful smile softened. "Then maybe you should ask him yourself. If he ever shows up."

Nanako bit her lip. "Yeah... if he does."

Weeks went by. Nanako settled into her classes, made a few friends, and kept up with her studies. But no matter how busy she was, thoughts of Sora Nagi lingered in the back of her mind. She listened carefully when students gossiped, trying to piece together the truth.

One afternoon, as she sat in the library, she overheard a group of students talking.

"I heard he only comes to school when he feels like it," one of them whispered.

"Yeah, and he never talks to anyone. It's like he's a ghost," another added.

Nanako closed her book, her heart thumping. She wanted to ask questions, but the fear of drawing attention held her back.

Instead, she focused on the facts she had gathered. Sora Nagi was a mystery. He barely attended school, and when he did, he kept to himself. The rumors painted him as odd, maybe even troubled. But Nanako had a feeling there was more to the story.

"Why does it bother me so much?" she wondered.

She didn't know Sora. They had never spoken, never even seen each other. And yet, his story pulled at her, a thread she couldn't ignore.

At night, as she lay in bed, she would think about him. What kind of life did he have? What was he going through?

One morning, as she walked to school, she found herself looking at the windows of the houses she passed. She imagined Sora behind one of them, staring out, hidden from the world.

Her curiosity became a quiet resolve. If Sora Nagi ever came to school, she would find a way to talk to him. Not to pry or judge, but to understand. To see the real person behind the whispers.

And maybe, just maybe, she could be the first to see Sora Nagi not as a rumor, but as a person.

With that thought in mind, Nanako walked into the school, ready for whatever the day would bring.