Nostalgia: Shirogane Izumi

"Have you found your classrooms yet?" said I. "Well, not yet. It will be my first time entering a regular class," said Haruki. Then we continued to walk around the building, exploring every nook and cranny just like typical new students do. "I found mine!" shouted Mitsuru. "For God's sake, Mitsuru! Can you please, stop shouting?!" said he annoyed Haruki. Haruki also went to look at the list if he is in the class with Mitsuru. "Wow, I found my name. How about Izu-chan?" said he as he kept on finding my name on the list. Unfortunately, he didn't find it. As I stepped sidewards to find my name, a commotion suddenly flooded our area. There we saw our clubmates back in middle school being talked about.

Our school had middle and high school departments that were separated by place. The right part consists of the middle school, while the left leg consists of high schools. Each site has its own gate. Our concert band was famous and won national competitions several times. Luckily, The crowd did not spot Haruki and me, so we avoided the spotlight quickly. Then I looked at the list adjacent to Haruki and Mitsuru's list; I found my name. As the school bell rang, we separated and went to my designated seat. It was the beginning of the semester, so I sat wherever I wanted to.

As our homeroom teacher came in, she said that we would be sitting at the same place where we sat that day for one month. I was so nervous because I barely knew someone. Then I turned around and saw a handsome guy behind me. I was mesmerized by his looks. His body was buffed, his uniform almost gave up on his body. He has a typical Korean haircut, eyes that can seduce someone for a second. I kept staring at him until he noticed me. He then looked at me and smiled genuinely. I don't know if he saw it, but as soon as he smiled, I turned around again to hide my face blushing. "Shirogane Izumi? Are you around?" asked the homeroom teacher. "Yes, ma'am!" I responded immediately. "Well, then, can you introduce yourself to us and tell us about you?" requested her. "Of course, ma'am!" I responded gleefully. I immediately stood up straight, with a stance of a concert band member.

"I am Shirogane Izumi, 16 years old, a former concert band member. I played Euphonium, I have an interest in learning foreign languages and I am also fond of writing essays, that's all, thank you!" said I before sitting down. "Thank you, Shirogane-kun!" said the teacher with a smile. I was startled when someone tapped my shoulder. Then a gentle, deep voice spoke. "So, you're Shirogane Izumi, huh? I finally found you!" said the stranger at my back. "Huh?" Rather than being creeped out, I was astonished and became curious. Is he searching for me for a long time? That voice and delivery, I felt the sincerity in it. As I was about to speak, the teacher called a particular name.

"Iwamoto Satoshi?" called the teacher.

"Present, ma'am!" said Satoshi, the stranger at my back. Then he proceeded to introduce himself.

"I am Iwamoto Satoshi, 15 years old, also a former concert band member from LT International School, I am interested in Japanese medicine and science. That's all, thank you!" said he with unwavering confidence that could match even mine. After he sat, he did something unexpected.

"I apologize for my earlier behavior, Izumi-san! I didn't mean to startle or to creep you out!" said he as he bows his head. "Izumi-san?" I thought. "Wow, I couldn't even do that with the people that I meet for the first time. He's amazing. He keeps drawing me in!" thought I as I stayed silent while looking at him. "Izumi-san?" he queried. "Y-Yes? What were you saying? Oh! Pardon me! Not at all! I should be the one who's apologizing for ignoring you!" said I as I bowed my head. "Oh, no! Please raise your head! You're older than me!" said Satoshi as he was embarrassed about what I had done. "Okay, we'll talk later at break time, let's focus on a class first," said I as I smiled and faced forward for the lesson. During breaktime, Haruki and Mitsuru came to check me out.

"Izumi!" shouted Mitsuru. I started running towards the door to greet them. "Hello, I won't be joining you today," said I. "Huh? Why?" asked Haruki curiously. "Yeah! Why not! Is there someone who's stealing you from me?!" asked Mitsuru out of the blue. "STOP BEING SO OBNOXIOUS, MIKKUN!" said I as I hit his head hard. "They might think of us differently, idiot!" said I as I was annoyed at Mitsuru. "Ah, I met someone from another school. Apparently, he is out to get his lunch. He is part of a concert band, and I will introduce him to you later," said I. "Okay, suit yourself. I will be dealing with this idiot later, BYE!" said Haruki as he dragged Mitsuru away from our classroom. As soon as I returned to my seat, I heard whispers from our classmates. Doubt, Amazement, and the issue of my father, who almost killed a high schooler for my sake. It's a good thing that they're all dense. I could easily refute that I am the child of my father. Thanks to my physique, it is hard for them to claim that I am 'that' Shirogane Izumi.

"Izumi? Is that the 'Izumi' from our school? The Euphonium player?"

"Well, he said that he was Izumi indeed. I wonder why he entered a regular class this year?"

"I am amazed at their friendship. I heard they've known each other since childhood."

"That Mitsuru guy sounded that he is dating Izumi, gross!"

"Hey, watch your mouth; he might take you out!

"Huh? Then I will gladly beat him! He looks like a bamboo stick!"

"Idiot! Do you have a death wish?! Even though he looks like that, he can protect himself! I even heard that he nearly died protecting his friends from an assault!"

"Huh? Isn't that the son of Akihiko, the voice actor? How come they're one person? He's not even close to his face!"

"Who knows if they're the same person? It's best to take precaution than regretting it later!"

"Well, at least they know my nature. One wrong move and I'll beat you to death!" I thought. Then Satoshi returned with his lunch. I greeted him with a smile, and we started to eat lunch together. "Neh, Iwamoto-san, it seems you have been trying to find me all this time," said I. "Ah, that. I actually saw you back at the competition. You looked different back then! You didn't even wear glasses that time!" said he. "Oh. So why do you want to find me?" asked I. "I wanted to become friends with you," said he. "Is it just me or is he blushing?" I thought as I smirked. "Well, we're friends now, aren't we? So, let's drop formalities, okay, Satoshi?" said I. "S-Satoshi?" he was unsure of what he heard. "Yup. Satoshi. That's your name, right? You called me with an honorific earlier. It also caught me off-guard!" said I as I chuckled. "Oh, that. Yeah! So, do you plan to return to the concert band this year?" he asked as his eyes sparkled.

"No. Haruki and I decided to follow Mitsuru to the martial arts club. I am tired of my body. They keep on underestimating me because I am thin, thinking that they could bully me," said I as I drink my orange juice. "Then, let me teach you the basics!" said he enthusiastically. "Huh? I thought you were a member of a concert band?" puzzled, I asked him once more. "Yeah, I was also a member of martial arts too! Our school lets us join two clubs at the same time," said he. "Oh, and for the record, I played French horn back then!" he added. "Woah, I'm speechless. I apologize for my first impression of you!" said I as I chuckled. "I thought you were just a muscle-building dude who knows nothing but to build muscles!" I was laughing frantically as I said that to him. "Ouch, I was hurt, Izumi," said he as I noticed his teary eyes. "You don't have to cry, geez!" said I.

And after that, we continued studying until the dismissal arrived. Then, we went to the martial arts club, and there, we met up with Haruki and Mitsuru. "Haruki! Where's Mitsuru?" asked I to Haruki. "Huh? He went to the comfort room. Is he the one you're talking about earlier? Ikkun?" he said. "Yup, He's Iwamoto Satoshi," said I. "This is Fuchigami Haruki, and we'll wait for Mitsuru," I added. "Oh, so you're Haruki-san?" asked Satoshi. "Yes, you must be the one Ikkun's talking about, right?" said Haruki as he smiled at Satoshi. "I am. I also saw you back in the competition together with Izumi!" said Satoshi gleefully.

"Ho ho, it seems the introvert is becoming an ambivert!" said Haruki as he teased me. "Stop it, Haru-chan!" said I. And from afar, I heard Mitsuru shouting his words at us. "Haruki, Izumi! Did the orientation—" Out of the blue, Mitsuru froze as soon as he saw Satoshi. "SATOSHI?!" he exclaimed. "Oh, Did the two of you already meet? But why did Mitsuru react as if he saw a ghost?" I curiously asked. "Huh? It's my first time meeting him. I only saw the two of you at the competition," refuted Satoshi. "Isn't your name Iwamoto Satoshi?" asked Mitsuru. There was a distrust present in his voice. Then after Mitsuru asked him that, his expression suddenly changed. As if he was angry, frustrated, and guilty.

"I am sorry. I am not aware of what you are saying. Indeed, I am Iwamoto Satoshi, and I didn't meet you. Not even once," said he. There was an unexplainable sorrow behind his voice. And because of that, Mitsuru became distant from Satoshi. Ever since that day… They didn't talk to each other. That was alright for Haruki and me as long as they didn't cause a commotion. Ever since we became friends, Satoshi became my gym buddy, and he helped me change my physical self.