Chapter 1: The Ordinary Life of a Student

Ryo sat in the back row of the classroom as usual, staring at his textbook without really reading. He always felt comfortable in this spot, in the middle of his stable routine. Nothing extraordinary ever happened in his life. Every day was the same: school, studying, eating lunch alone, and going home to do his assignments. His life was fine—even if, at times, he felt a little trapped in boredom.

However, there was one thing that always remained his ultimate goal—to earn a full scholarship to the best university. Ryo wanted to pursue a degree in technology or science. That dream was not just a personal ambition but also a way to prove himself to his family, who had always hoped he would succeed and make them proud.

Since childhood, Ryo had worked tirelessly toward this goal. He studied hard, maintained excellent grades, and never let anything distract him. The best university was the place where he believed he could chase his dream of becoming a successful scientist or engineer. Every day, he remained focused on his studies, and nothing was more important to him than preparing for the university entrance exams.

That day, as usual, Ryo spent his break time in the school's back garden, seeking a moment of peace away from the noisy crowd. Here, he could reflect for a while, letting his thoughts drift back to his ambitions. This was the only way he could feel a little closer to his dream. While his classmates talked about vacations or activities unrelated to studying, Ryo preferred to think about the small steps he needed to take to achieve his goal.

But on that seemingly ordinary day, something unexpected happened.

Mika, the girl who always sat in the front row of the class, approached him. It wasn't entirely surprising since they had met on a few occasions, though they rarely spoke. Mika was known for her cheerful nature, had many friends, and was quite popular in school. Yet, Ryo felt slightly awkward about the sudden attention from her.

"Hey, Ryo," Mika said softly, though she seemed a little nervous. "I… I just wanted to say thank you. Yesterday, you really helped me with that group project."

Ryo was slightly taken aback. "Oh, that… it's no big deal. I just helped a little."

Mika smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You're really smart, Ryo. Nothing must be difficult for you."

Ryo felt a bit uncomfortable but simply smiled, letting the conversation continue. Mika started talking about various things, from extracurricular activities to light discussions about class. But as the conversation went on, Ryo became a little uneasy—why was a girl like Mika suddenly talking to him for so long? He was much more used to solitude and focusing on his goals rather than engaging in social interactions with no clear direction.

Before he could fully process his thoughts, Ayumi, the ever-energetic and lively girl, suddenly appeared and jumped onto the bench where Ryo was sitting.

"Hey! You two are chatting? Sounds fun! Let me join in!" Ayumi said with a wide grin. "Come on, Ryo, we should hang out more often. You spend too much time daydreaming alone here."

Ryo was caught off guard. Ayumi was always like this—bubbly and never hesitant to approach anyone, including him. But to Ryo, her invitation was a bit of a disturbance. He preferred his quiet time to study and prepare for exams rather than socializing with overly energetic friends like Ayumi.

Before Ryo could respond, Haruka—the quiet and mysterious girl—emerged from behind the trees.

"What are you all talking about?" she asked in a calm voice, as if her sudden presence was completely normal. Haruka always seemed like she came from a different world, preferring solitude, yet she had a piercing gaze that made it feel like she understood more than she let on.

Ryo froze for a moment. This was the first time all three girls were around him at the same time, and they all seemed interested in talking to him. What was going on?

Mika, who usually didn't talk much with Ryo, was now chatting away as if they were close friends. Ayumi, with her boundless energy, was trying to drag him into social activities. And Haruka, in her quiet but perceptive manner, occasionally made remarks that left Ryo feeling unsettled.

Ryo had no idea how to respond or deal with this situation. Was this a sign that his life was about to change?

His main goal was to earn a university scholarship, and that was the only thing that mattered to him. But these three girls, each in their own way, were starting to disrupt his peace. They were beginning to fill his days, and Ryo had a feeling that whatever was happening would bring more trouble than he had ever anticipated.

For the first time, Ryo felt trapped in a dilemma—between chasing the dream that meant everything to him and facing the reality of an unexpected social life that he had never cared for before.

Could he stay focused on his dream? Or would the attention from these girls change the carefully planned course of his life?