April 11th

Akira's alarm didn't rouse him; it was the aroma of curry wafting up the stairs that did the trick. The spiciness tickled his nose as he checked the time. It was too early for LeBlanc to open. Sojiro must be preparing for the day, even though the café had no customers, based on what Akira had seen the day before. Nevertheless, he got out of bed, dressed, grabbed his bag, and headed downstairs.

Sojiro stood behind the counter, staring absentmindedly out the window. The sound of footsteps alerted him to Akira's presence, and he seemed surprised to see his ward awake and ready for his first day at school. "Well, I didn't think you were attending school," Sojiro admitted.

Akira replied, "I didn't want to make a bad impression on my first day."

Sojiro disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a plate of curry and a glass of water. "Wakaba gave me hell last night for not feeding you, so eat up before you leave. But be quick; I don't want my regulars asking questions."

"Thank you, but you didn't have to do this. I could have bought something from the store."

"Don't get used to it, kid."

Akira found it unusual to have curry for breakfast, a dish typically reserved for dinner. Memories of his last home-cooked meal surfaced back on the morning of his arrest. Since that day, he hadn't shared a meal with his parents, fearing his father's anger. He quickly finished the food. "Thanks for the mean, Sakura-san. It was delicious."

Sojiro's face hinted at a smile as he took the plate and cup. "No problem. Now, get on the train before you're late. Do you know the way?"

Akira nodded. "I memorized the route."

"That's a relief. I don't have time to look for you if you get lost," Sojiro warned. "Flip the 'Open' sign on your way out. And you have all your stuff? Paper, pencils…"

"I triple-checked," Akira reassured him, leaving the café. He flipped the sign and checked the train schedule on his phone. I have enough time. Plugging in his earphones, he listened to music and headed to Yongen-Jaya station. At the station, he spotted Futaba Sakura in the crowd. Akira waved, but her reaction was less than enthusiastic.

The train was crowded, and Akira found himself squeezed against the door, feeling uncomfortable with the strangers invading his personal space. To pass the time, he observed other students, some from Shujin, doing various activities. A pair of girls noticed him and began whispering about the new transfer student with a criminal record and assaulted someone. The gossip spread, and the conversation turned to fear of him attacking someone at school.

As the train reached Shibuya Station, Akira got off and headed for the Underground Walkway. Lost in thought, he accidentally bumped into a businessman who scolded him for not paying attention. Akira, noticing colorful circles and signs, mumbled, "Ginza Line." Checking his phone for guidance, he spotted a cleaning sign blocking his way. Frustrated, he looked around, and a woman with brown eyes and a bob haircut offered help.

"Are you a Shujin student?" she asked.

Akira explained his predicament, and she directed him to Station Square and the Taikyu building. Grateful, he blushed at how ridiculous he must have sounded. Akira went upstairs and stepped into Station Square, only to find that it had started raining.

###

Kawakami sat in the faculty office, her right foot tapping on the carpet as she gazed out of the window at the raindrops splashing on the pavement. Her attention was drawn to the students hurrying inside the building to escape the rain. Suddenly, a knock on the door brought her back to reality. She approached the door and opened it to find Makoto standing there. Her hair was neatly styled, and her clothes were immaculate. Every day, Kawakami saw students dressed to perfection while feeling like she had just rolled out of bed.

Suppressing her envy, Kawakami smiled at Makoto and said, "Niijima-san, come on in," as she stepped aside to allow Makoto to enter. They both made their way to Kawakami's desk. She sat, crossed her legs, looked at Makoto, and noticed a hint of hesitation in the student council president's demeanor. "Is there something wrong, Niijima-san?"

"Were you ever going to tell me?" Makoto inquired.

"Tell you what?" Kawakami asked.

Makoto glanced around the other teachers before returning her attention to Kawakami and speaking in a lowered voice. "The arrest," she replied. "That Akira Kurusu transferred here because he assaulted a man. You specifically told me that he moved to Tokyo because his father received a promotion." Makoto sighed. "Was all of that a lie, Kawakami-sensei?"

"Yes, I lied to you," Kawakami admitted. Makoto let out a scoff. "But I had a good reason," Kawakami reassured her. "The poor kid had a tough time back home after his arrest. His previous school expelled him. When other schools in the area refused to accept a criminal, Kurusu-kun's parents tried everything. Word reached Prinicpal Kobayalawa that various school had turned their backs on a desperate delinquent."

Makoto sighed, attempting to digest Kawakami's explanation. "But you should have told me from the beginning rather than having me find out from the school forum. I would have been willing to help any student, regardless of their past. It's part of my responsibility as Student Council President. And how did Kurusu-kun's criminal record get leaked? Shouldn't that information only be available to the teachers?"

Kawakami shrugged. "The principal claimed that the person who posted the file was anonymous. There's no telling when the culprit will be discovered. Listen, Kurusu-kun should be arriving any minute now. You can stay and talk to him before class. I'm sure he'll be upset that the entire school knows about his situation."

"I think I'm going to stay," Makoto decided.

Kawakami offered a small smile before returning her gaze to the window. The students might not take kindly to a delinquent like Kurusu. He better be prepared.

###

After the train halted at Aoyama-Itchome station, Akira found shelter beneath an awning, observing students in a rush to reach school. He inwardly cursed himself for neglecting to bring an umbrella, even though he'd checked the weather earlier. Retrieving his phone, he verified his location using GPS and noted the proximity of the academy. With school about to begin and no sign of the rain relenting, Akira was determined not to start his first day soaked.

"Goddammit," he muttered, engrossed in the rain. Unbeknownst to him, another person had sought refuge under the awning. A girl stood beside him, clad in the familiar Shujin blazer, but she had customized it with a white hoodie. Red leggings accompanied the uniform, suggesting a defiance of conventional dress codes. She wiped raindrops away before adjusting her hood.

Akira blinked, captivated by her distinctive appearance. The girl was biracial, possessing Japanese features, platinum blonde hair (indeed not dyed), and striking blue eyes. Sensing his gaze, she turned her head towards him, her large pigtails bouncing. A moment of silence, except for the persistent raindrops, hung between them. Akira wished to avert his eyes, but he felt paralyzed.

"It's nice not being the only one without an umbrella," she remarked pleasantly.

Akira's mouth opened and closed, rendering him speechless. He couldn't remember his name, let alone muster a greeting. It was as though his brain had malfunctioned.

The girl shifted her weight from one foot to the other, seeming somewhat uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny. Akira chastised himself, fearing she might perceive him as a creep. He meant to apologize but was interrupted by a car horn.

Turning towards the source of the sound, they saw a white car pulling up in front of them. Akira quickly glanced at the girl just in time to notice her tense up. Something was amiss. They watched as the tinted window rolled down, revealing a man with a rectangular face and black hair clad in a blue tracksuit. His smile was primarily directed at the girl.

"The rain doesn't seem to be letting up, and you'll be late if you keep standing here. Need a ride to school?" Kamoshida offered.

The girl hesitated momentarily, then slowly turned her gaze towards Akira. He stared blankly at her, her eyes silently pleading for his assistance. Yet, Akira remained silent. Realizing he wouldn't intervene, she finally responded to the man, "Sure, thanks."

As she opened the passenger door to get in, the man shifted his attention to Akira. "How about you? Want a ride, too?"

In a flash, Akira remembered the girl's fearful expression. He couldn't risk leaving her alone with this man, especially given her silent plea. Filled with guilt for not stepping in earlier, he stepped forward, opened the rear passenger door, and felt the girl's eyes on him. But then he stopped. In the rearview mirror, the man's eyes stared tensely at him, making it clear that the offer wasn't intended for Akira.

"Uh, actually, I forgot that I'm meeting up with a friend, but thanks for the offer," Akira said politely. He closed the passenger door and saw the girl looking downcast but climbing into the car.

"Make sure you and your friend aren't late," the man warned before rolling up the window. Akira and the girl briefly made eye contact before Akira could only see his reflection.

A moment later, a blond-haired boy rushed past Akira. He was also wearing the Shujin uniform, but his blazer was unbuttoned, and he had a yellow shirt instead of the traditional white one. The boy stood a few feet away from Akira, glaring at the car until it turned a corner. "Damn pervert," he muttered before kicking a can.

Still processing the strange encounter with the man and girl, Akira absentmindedly repeated the boy's words, catching his attention. The boy turned slowly and scoffed at Akira. He marched up to him with a scowl on his face. "Yeah, I said it. What are you gonna do, four eyes? Rat me out to Kamoshida or go cryin' to the principal?"

Akira had no intentions of getting into a fight over someone he didn't know, considering his history of legal troubles and recent relocation. "I've got better things to do than go to this Kamoshida person I don't know. And I have no idea who you are either."

The boy let out an unamused laugh. "You think I'm stupid, huh? You're wearing a Shujin uniform; you must know Kamoshida. I mean, who doesn't? The guy struts around the school like he's the king or something."

"King? Look, I genuinely don't know this Kamoshida," Akira replied, feeling increasingly trapped. "Now, can we wrap this up? I don't want to be late on my first day of school."

"First day of school? Are you a transfer student?" Akira gave him an annoyed look, and the boy appeared embarrassed. "Ah, crap. I'm sorry, man." The boy stepped back and slapped his forehead. "I almost messed up because I couldn't control my temper. My bad. Name's Ryuji Sakamoto." Ryuji's gaze landed on Akira's pin. "Huh, you're a second-year like me. Who knows, maybe we'll end up as friends one day."

Akira knew better than to get too attached to anyone. He was only here for a year. Realizing Ryuji was waiting for a response, he finally said, "Akira Kurusu."

"You're not much of a talker, huh?" Ryuji noted. Akira shrugged. "Well, follow me. I know a shortcut that will save us a few minutes. Trust me; you don't want to be late on your first day. People will start talking about you."

Ann Takamaki rested her head against the window, watching her schoolmates dash through the rain. She'd rather be drenched in the downpour than be stuck with him. Why couldn't I remember to bring my umbrella? If I had, I wouldn't be in this predicament. And why didn't that boy lend a hand? Is he just another typical Shujin student who looks away when it's not his concern?

Her phone vibrated, jolting Ann out of her reverie. It was a text from Shiho Suzui, her closest and only friend.

Shiho: You forgot your biology book in my room, right? As your best friend ever, I put it in your locker. Seriously, Ann, you should start looking after your stuff, LOL. See you at lunch.

Ann: I don't know what I'd do without you.

Shiho: Probably flunking your classes.

Ann: Haha, very funny. See you at lunch.

"Who are you texting?' Kamoshida suddenly inquired, startling Ann. "Is it that boy I saw you with? Who is he, anyway? You two looked pretty friendly."

Ann locked her phone and discreetly slipped it into her hoodie pocket. Kamoshida's grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles turned white as he spoke, his voice filled with possessiveness. "Don't act clueless, Ann. It doesn't suit you. How often must I remind you that you're mind and mine alone?"

"I was texting Shiho," Ann replied softly, her arms wrapped around herself for comfort. "And besides, I don't even know who that boy was. I was only trying to escape the rain under the awning. I swear."

"That's a good girl," Kamoshida responded, releasing one hand from the steering wheel to touch Ann's thigh. She swallowed her fear when his hand moved upward, quickly closing her legs. Kamoshida chuckled as he turned into the staff parking lot, switching off the ignition and fixing his gaze on Ann.

"I was thinking," he began, running his fingers through Ann's pigtails, "after I'm done with practice, we could go watch that movie you wanted to see, then spend the evening at my place. How does that sound?"

Ann jerked away from Kamoshida's touch, a deep sense of discomfort settling in. She knew what he meant by "spending the evening at his place."

"I can't," she replied, her fear evident. "My agency asked me to fill in since one of the models didn't show up. Sorry." With that, Ann exited the car and made her way into Shujin, clutching her bag tightly to her chest as she noticed students staring at her.

"Did you see? Takamaki-san just got out of Kamoshida-sensei's car."

"She's such a fucking slut."

"Takamaki thinks she's all that because of her looks."

"I bet she's only friends with Suzui because she wants to fuck Kamoshida-sensei."

"Do you think, once Kamoshida gets tired of her, I can have a turn?"

Tears streamed down Ann's face, and she hadn't even realized she was crying until now. She quickened her pace, entering the nearest girls' restroom. It was empty, providing a moment of solace. Ann staggered to the sink, leaning against it as she looked at her reflection.

Remember, everything you're doing is for Shiho. I won't jeopardize the one thing she truly loves.

###

The boys emerged from the back alley and stood in front of Shujin. Despite Ryuji's vulgar attitude and rough appearance, he was reliable. He placed a hand on Akira's shoulders and said, "People praise Shujin Academy, but it's nothing but a load of bullshit if you ask me. The teachers don't educate us for college; they mold us into fuckin' robots."

Akira replied, "You don't seem like a robot to me. And thanks for helping me back there. I would have been late if it weren't for you."

Ryuji's eyes widened at the unexpected gratitude, not remembering the last time someone had thanked him. He rubbed the back of his head, saying, "You don't have to thank me, dude. I didn't want you to be late on your first day. The staff will give you a hard time."

They hurried through the school gate, up the stairs, and entered the foyer. They were met with a stern gaze from a large man wearing glasses. Akira and Ryuji walked past him, avoiding eye contact, but Akira could still feel the man's eyes on him.

"That was Mr. Ushimaru, the Social Studies teacher, one of the meanest teachers here," Ryuji explained. "For once, he wasn't glarin' at me, but he mostly focused on you, Kurusu. I wonder why."

Akira wanted to explain that Mr. Ushimaru was probably glaring at him because of his criminal record, which could tarnish Shujin Academy's reputation. But instead, he said, "No idea." Akira trailed off as he noticed the school's atmosphere suddenly felt off. Not only was Mr. Ushimaru glaring at him, but more students had stopped and were staring.

"Why is everyone lookin' at you?" Ryuji whispered. "Are you famous or something?"

Akira's hands shook, and sweat formed on his forehead. He looked back at Ryuji and opened his mouth but couldn't find the right words. A boy and girl by the lockers glanced at him, and their not-so-quiet conversation reached Akira's ears.

"Oh my god, that guy I saw on the train. Did I ride alongside a criminal?"

"He doesn't belong here. What was Principal Kobayakawa thinking by letting him enroll?"

"Don't stare too long; he might pull out a knife."

Akira flinched when Ryuji rested a hand on his shoulder. The vulgar boy stared at him, a mix of confusion and concern in his eyes. "Yo, you okay? You look like you're about to pass out, man."

"I'm fine," Akira said quickly, stepping back from Ryuji, his nervousness evident. "Where's the faculty office?"

"On the second floor," Ryuji replied slowly. "I can take you there if you-"

Before he could finish, Ryuji watched Akira rush off towards the stairs. "What's goin' on?" he mumbled, looking around at the students. "Why are you all starin'?"

The boy who had made the earlier comments stepped up to Ryuji with a cocky expression. "Since you've got no friends left, Sakamoto, the first person you're getting chummy with is the transfer student. But I guess criminals stick together."

"Criminal?" Ryuji mumbled to himself.