Echoes of Regrets

Around a thousand students were packed into the bustling, 1500-meter-long School Hall, which was nothing unusual for the prestigious Nakamura School of Art, Tokyo.

The institution was known for its exclusive admission requirements, where 90% of students were admitted based on their families' wealth or notoriety, and the remaining 10% were selected from the top academic achievers in junior high. Despite the selective nature of the school, the curriculum was no different than any other institution. However, what set the school apart was its wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities.

I consider this school to be a place where dreams could come true.

So, why was I there?

Today was the first day of my high school life, and while I should have been filled with excitement, I was not. My junior high experience had been uneventful and lackluster, leaving me with little enthusiasm for my new school.

As I made my way through the crowded hallway, I found myself talking to myself, a habit I had developed over the years as a result of my introverted personality. I preferred staying home and reading comics or watching anime over socializing, and as a result, I didn't have any friends. The noise from all the students around me was grating on my nerves.

I looked across the hall and saw many students I recognized and others having a good time with their friends during the dull orientation class. A wave of sadness washed over me as I wished that I could be happy too, that I could have friends who would make me feel less lonely.

"Ah, I wish I could be happy too" I said that, aloud.

I am not going to lie, I want to have friends as well. Having friends can make you happy and less lonely right? Ah, if only I was lucky.

Just then, a soft voice interrupted my thoughts. "Umm, are you not happy right now?" I turned to my left, surprised that someone had heard my tiny voice in the busy hallway. But the real shock came from the beauty of the girl sitting beside me.

I had always believed that gorgeous girls wouldn't waste their time talking to someone like me, but there she was, speaking to me.

Her bright red lips and large eyes captivated me, and I couldn't help but fix my gaze on her. She was small, likely under five feet tall, and her delicate appearance only added to her cuteness.

"Ha ha! Why do you have that look of surprise on your face?" she asked with a smile.

Oh my, her voice! Why does she sound so delicate?

I apologized to her, saying "I—I'm sorry, I didn't expect someone to hear my voice in this n...noisy ha-hall."

"You were chatting to yourself, and I was curious to hear what you were saying, so... I'm sorry, haha" she said with her delicate voice

"D-Don't say sorry,"

"Ay ayy! What's your name, by the way?" She prompted me

"I'm Satou Kousei. Nice to meet you. w—what's your name?"

"Ayy, that's a good name. and yeah, My name is...."

"ALL STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO LEAVE THE BUILDING AND REPORT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES." That was stated by the Headmaster from the front of the stage, which drowned out her voice.

All of the students sprinted out of the hallway. She waved her hand while standing up. I then waved back in response.

Every step she takes away from me was making my heart beat faster!

What is this feeling? Is this Love?

Nah, how can this be love? We didn't even speak properly.

And yes. I do not believe in first sight love. I think that is some bullshit concept some lonely dude made. Well, a person like me..? I guess.

But

But why am I feeling like I want to meet her again!?

As I made my way up the never-ending steps to the third floor, I searched for her among the other students. My heart raced as I looked for her, heaving my body upward like a meerkat.

When we reached the third floor and our lecture hall, I learned that there were 120 students enrolled in my department. To my delight, I realized that she was in my class.

As I whispered to myself, "Ah, she's in my class," I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my heart.

Well, guess what!

"We made the decision to split this class in half! There are 60 pupils in each class. I will announce the names of 60 students, 60 of whom will be in class A and 60 of whom will be in class B." From the front, the teacher said that, and then she began shouting the names.

Every time she called out a name, I held my breath, hoping to hear the name of the girl I had fallen for. Well... Did I fall for her?

"Satou Kousei will be in Class A", the teacher shouted my name!

Of course, I am not surprised; I mean, I don't even know what "luck" means! Simply having her name said before mine was all I wanted!

I dragged myself from that classroom to class A, feeling lost in the endless expanse of the building. It took nearly 30 minutes to reach my class in this colossal structure.

I made my way to class A with a heavy heart.

Ah, thinking about all the people I'm about to meet is kind of making me nervous.

Am I going to make friends at this school? Can I enjoy my time in school like everyone else? Ah, with these unanswered questions, I walked inside class A's classroom.

The classroom was filled with the buzz of excited chatter, but my nerves were getting the best of me. It was quite noisy! Everyone was exchanging conversations.

As I entered, everyone stopped for a moment to look at me.

When I walked into the room, they were staring at me with the same predatory gaze. I hate when people stare at me.

I quickly scanned the room for an open seat and spotted one near the window.

Unsurprisingly, I saw that I was gazing at the door.

I prayed and hoped to have that girl in my class. I was watching for her to show up.

Please let her be the last remaining student. "Please, God," I cried out in my mind.

My heart was pounding erratically!

The class's 60th student arrived, and

IT

WAS

NOT

HER!

Tsk. Life reminded me again that I am not a lucky person.

It was the start of my high school journey, and already I had one regret - the regret of not knowing her name.

But who knows what the future holds? Perhaps our paths will cross again, and I will finally learn the name of the girl who has captured my heart.

But the future doesn't matter now, because this is how it started, the story about my High School life...

The Story of my Regret