Volume 1 - CH 5

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

Common Honorifics:

-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.

-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.

-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.

-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one’s older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

I visited the cafeteria, infirmary, library, and several other facilities with my sister. Maybe it’s because this school is private, but every single facility is more well-equipped than junior high.

She gave me a thorough tour of every single one of the rooms. Though I appreciate her showing me around, why is she grinning like that?

The whole time we were touring together, she had a weird smile on her face, and while she was explaining things to me, it seemed as if she was imagining something all the while.

Uh, I don’t wanna deal with it, so I’ll just pretend I didn’t notice. I really don’t wanna find something out and lose this faint brother-sister relationship we’re having, even more so after such a long time we were distanced.

Next, she wanted to show me the student council room. I was a bit reluctant, but she insisted, so I went along with it. Luckily for me, the office was empty.

“No one’s here… They must be busy with the entrance ceremony or something like that. Can’t be helped.”

“…”

What the hell are you doing?! — These words got stuck in my throat, rather, I managed to hold that remark back. She must’ve come here to check on her own work or something like that.

“It’s already late… I really wanna spend more time with you, but you can’t be late for the ceremony… That’s all for today, then. Let’s walk around sometime.”

Looking at my watch, I notice there were about 5 minutes left, so it was time to head to class. I turned around and started to walk away, but when I was about to step out of the office, my sister called out to me.

“Oh, and, uh… Be careful with that.”

“?”

Be careful? Of what? Getting lost and being late or something like that? Nah, I’m not some kid.

“This is where we’ll spend our next year… Ah, and I didn’t tell you something yet.”

“Hm?”

“… Congratulations on your admission, Tatsumi.”

“… Ah, thanks…”

The school rang its bells, their tune reverberating throughout the whole school. They signaled the start of our first day at school.

My erratic steps echoed through the halls as I left my breath behind in heavy puffs.

Haah… Haah… I managed to get here in time!

As soon as the first chime had rung, I’d opened the door as quickly as I could and rushed inside the classroom through the back door. Several classmates then looked at me, surprised… Yikes, the stares hurt.

I never thought I’d actually get lost and be late… Well, almost.

This campus was stupidly large. I’ll take a wild guess and say it’s because this is a private school. Though, thanks to my sister’s guidance, I was able to somewhat locate myself. She probably showed me key locations on purpose so I’d be able to at least get around.

Otherwise, I’d be at least 20 minutes late. This place had numerous rooms, so I’d really be troubled to arrive here. Once again, I realized how smart she was. It made me a bit ashamed of myself, not gonna lie…

Though, immediately after I entered the classroom, a young woman, presumably my homeroom teacher, entered through the front door.

“Hey, take your seat. Yeah, you with the black hair standing up in the back.”

“…”

… Me.

Looking around, I noticed I was the only one standing. Putting my bag down, I sit on an empty seat, coincidentally the second-to-last seat, right by the window. It was the only place available to me.

I managed to get here in time, but I definitely stuck out like a sore thumb… Still.

I glance sideways at the seat next to mine… So it wasn’t my imagination playing pranks back at the school gates. There have been many times today I just wanted to groan, but this one took the entire cake.

Next to me sat a familiar chestnut-haired girl, Haruka Sakurai. Her eyes were locked on me.