Chapter 2
Tachibana Kanade
Hello, Tachibana Kanade here. Today is the first day of the new semester at high school. As usual, I woke up early so I have plenty of time to prepare for the entrance ceremony. As the new student council president, I'm supposed to give a welcoming speech to the freshmen who are new here. It's really not a big deal, I'm used to this kind of thing already.
I walk into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Looking into the mirror, I see two large golden eyes staring back at me. For a moment, the reflection of light plays a trick and the eyes in the mirror turn brown. In that instant, a face with light brownish-orange hair and a kind smile flashes through my mind. I freeze, eyes wide in shock. Who was that? I don't think I know him, and yet he feels strangely familiar. And haven't I seen that orange hair before? My mind flashes back to the sunny street yesterday.
It was about noon, and I was leaning against a wall listening to music while waiting for my friends' message. It was really hot. When I finally received their mail, I walked towards our arranged meeting place with some relief. It would be so nice to feel the air conditioning of the mall for a change. But, not long after I started walking, I had a sudden feeling someone was following me. I turned around, but noticed nobody suspicious. Yet, one particular figure hurrying in the opposite direction caught my eye. He was wearing a green jacket and dark slacks. There was nothing unusual about him, but I noticed the brownish-orange hair. Not a very common color, I thought.
Even though I didn't see his face back then, somehow I feel quite certain that the face that flashed through my mind just now belonged to that man yesterday. Even more strangely, I am overcome with the feeling that I've met him before, that he is somehow important to me. Yet, I cannot recall who he is or how I'm related to him.
Snapping back to the present, I look at my watch in horror and shake myself out of my daydream. I hurriedly wash my face and tie my hair. There goes my extra time from waking up early. How uncharacteristic of me. I go out to the dining room for breakfast, going through my speech in my head. Good, I should be fine with what I have now. I finish breakfast at a leisurely pace; I still don't have to worry about being late at the rate I'm going.
After I recheck to make sure that I have everything I need, I pick up my bag and head out for school. Despite that little unexpected delay in the bathroom, somehow I have the feeling that today is going to be a great day.