Prolog
【Orion】the tale of a sky full of stars
It was a beautiful summer day that marked the beginning of their story. Three months had already passed since the new school term started. Upon entering Sakuhanabira Middle School as freshmen this spring, for many of them, it was the time to meet new classmates, new teachers and new curriculums.
Among those freshmen was Nakahara Yui. Fitting in and meeting new acquaintances was always nerve wrecking for the introverted girl. Yet seeing how she was surrounded by a group of friends right now, she would say that she handled that new beginning quite well.
When she looked around the desk she sat at, six bubbly, friendly looking faces were happily and actively engaged in a conversation with each other.
At the sight of them happily chattering, Yui smiled along.
«Oh? Yu-chan! An-chan was asking if you wanted to go to karaoke after school today.» Mizono Megumi, a beautiful girl with long black hair and glasses asked. Megumi was not only a bishoujo. She was intelligent and friendly as well, making her the trusted class president of class 1B.
Yui was very grateful to have Megumi as a friend. Despite only having met each other a few months ago, the two girls clicked with each other right away.
«Karaoke? Don't you have club practice today, An-chan?»
Yui diverted a question back to the girl called Yagumo An. An had short brown hair that shimmered slightly in the sunlight. She was an athlete and had been playing tennis since she was a toddler. It was rare for her to not go to tennis practice after class.
An lazily leaned forward with her head supported by the palm of her hand and she replied after taking a sip out of her juice package.
«Nope~ Practice is canceled today. It seems like coach and captain are busy and the seniors also had some business to do at Kanagawa.» The usual perky girl sighed tiredly and rested her head on the table.
«I'm so bored... Hey, let's go to karaoke, or to the arcade, even shopping is fine although it's boring. I just can't stand not doing anything after school!» An whined pitifully and Yui empathically rubbed her friend's back.
She was about to say something when another deeper voice interrupted.
«Come on, don't be such a wuss, An.»
An's eyes narrowed immediately as she eyed the speaker.
«Ha?!» She sat straight up and glared at one of the guys that had been sitting at their table. Usually, the guys would just talk among themselves or hover over their phones. But upon hearing An's complaints, Yuusuke had decided to step in.
Sano Yuusuke and Yagumo An had been friends since childhood and they always had some weird kind of rivalry going on.
Not to mention they bickered and fought a lot.
Yuusuke caught An's glare with a smug grin. «Does the spoiled little Princess have too much time on her hands to spare? Why do you expect people to go along with your whims? Can't you figure it out yourself what to do?»
The two guys behind him lamented the confrontation. One was sighing, while the other rubbed his forehead as if he's feeling a nasty headache.
«Rude.» An commented coldly. She was far too used to her childhood friend's childish taun, and sunk back onto the table, drained of energy. She refused to spare him another glance.
Another softer voice emerged from the side and she gently patted An's hand.
«An-chan, we can go to the city afterwards if you want to. My sister told me about this new cafe that recently opened and the desserts there are supposed to be very delicious.»
The girl with soft baby features and beautiful light-colored hair said with an angelic and blinding smile.
An immediately felt healed by the pure and lovely doll-like girl in front of her.
«Ageha-chan~» An mumbled with tears in her eyes. And before Tachibana Ageha knew, she was engulfed into a strong hug.
«Only you understand my worries and sorrows.» An said and gave back a sly smile to the three guys around them.
Yuusuke rolled his eyes while he leaned against the window counter, sipping his milk drink. Everyone else just smiled or shook their head at this sight. They were pretty used to it.
Yuusuke was, despite being only a freshman, already a regular on the basketball team. Although blunt and honest, he was a good and caring guy deep down. Because of his reliability he was quite popular among his classmates and seniors.
Noticing Yui's stare on him he looked back at her without wavering. The girl merely smiled politely and nodded in acknowledgment before she returned her attention towards An and Ageha. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Megumi and Yuusuke talking with each other.
«Ahem.» The clearance of a throat pulled the attention onto him.
Their eyes fell onto a gentlemanly looking guy with dark blue hair and a mole under his eye.
His perfectly worn clothes screamed class president and indeed, this was the class president and Megumi's twin brother, Mizono Takao.
Although Takao was wearing a smile, the smile did not quite reach his eyes making the air around them a bit dangerous.
«An, would you please release Tachibana? She looks quite uncomfortable...» Reminded of that An, though she didn't want to, tentatively let go of Ageha who indeed seemed to be uncomfortable in her embrace.
Because of the position Ageha was forced to maintain for a while, the moment An let her go she lost her balance temporarily. Immediately another hand shot out to gently but also steadily support the tiny and petite looking female.
«! Shuu-kun!» Ageha mumbled shyly once she recognized the person who had helped her.
Nagao Shuu was a tall and quite popular guy whom most people admire from afar. He was rather stoic and didn't talk much but he seemed to care for Ageha a lot.
«Thank you!» The girl mumbled her thanks with a bright smile and Shuu nodded with a small smile and a pat to her head.
Ageha returned that smile and lilies seemed to bloom around them as the couple was off to their own world.
Meanwhile An looked a bit saddened at having her comfort person stolen.
«Don't look so sad, An.» Takao spoke as he smiled softly and approached the sitting girl. He gently got behind her seat and wrapped his arms around the sitting girl as he whispered to her ear.
«You have me, don't you?»
An flushed madly at her boyfriend's voice but she didn't refuse it and instead tucked her head further into his arms in an attempt to hide her redness.
Tulips seem to bloom from behind them with An blushing madly and Takao smiling down at her fondly.
Suddenly, a refreshing breeze of wind brushed Yui's cheek and she turned her head to look at the window. Megumi seemed to have opened the window and the wind was playing with her long beautiful hair. Next to her standing was Yuusuke with his back leaned to the window yet his gaze was solely focused on the love of his life, Megumi. Whatever it was that she was speaking about, the couple radiated such a peaceful appearance - Yui could see a garden of roses bloom behind them.
Truly, all of her friends and their mates looked lovely together. Of course, Yui felt overjoyed at that yet at the same time a slight hint of curiosity and expectation was mixed into this admiration.
This was Nakahara Yui, a freshman at Sakuhanabira Middle School; and the sole single among her friend group.
Among Sakuhanabira Middle School, there were rumors going around saying that the freshmen of this year were exceptionally outstanding.
First, it was said that the sole heir of a famous overseas company and his handsome aide attended this school. Their names are: Sano Yuusuke and Nagao Shuu.
Secondly, a pair of siblings or rather a pair of twins said to be young masters in the political world were among the students of this year as well. They were better known as the 'Mizono's - Mizono Megumi and Mizono Takao.
Third, among the already outstanding peers of heirs and heiresses, two talented sports prodigies who are said to be carrying the expectations of their country on their shoulders, Yagumo An and Itoshi Sae, also joined this year.
And lastly, the beautiful daughter of a world famous film producer and an overseas Hollywood actress, also known for her angelic and half-Japanese looks, Tachibana Ageha was among this batch of freshmen as well.
Their names were widespread not only among the school but the whole country. It was a huge fuss at the start but thanks to the power of their families and parents, the press was given a gag order and gradually things calmed down, albeit slightly only.
What people didn't know though was the hidden treasure of the freshmen. One with no influence or knowledge from the public but secretly admired and respected among those belonging and attending the school.
She first was noticed through her outstanding friend group, then for her natural pretty looks and unique but charming personality.
Now most people only know her by the name 'The Immovable Queen', a nickname that was given to her because although many people liked and confessed to her no one could score with her so far.
Her name was Nakahara Yui, the humble and lone beauty that can't seem to fall in love.