5 Years

[Shiro's POV]

I stare at the clock that is hanging on the wall. Waiting for the thick needle point to reach 10 a.m. Watching the thin needle moves every second. I'm not paying attention to anything else other than the clock. My eyes aren't glued to the clock, my eyes are stuck on the clock. I didn't blink for a whole 5 minutes. I feel... unconscious...

"Okay, that is it for our class, today. Don't forget to read chapter 2 ahead of time."

After that sentence, I snapped. It felt like my soul just came back from a long sleep. I glance back at the clock, the thick needle finally reaches 10 a.m. Operation Highly Indebted is now a go-

"Hey, Shiro. Let's go to the cafeteria together, food's on me."

Goddamn it, Takeshi. Ruining all of my plans, aren't ya?

"Sorry, Takeshi. I have to meet up with a friend. Go on without me."

"Friend? Aren't Fumiko and I one of your only friends?"

"Don't underestimate me. Remember what happened last year?"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't have to remind me every single time. "

"I know but this day and next week, I will be quite busy so I need some space."

"You always say that but you don't seem busy at all."

"Do I have to look busy to be busy?"

"Well, but hey, have you heard about the new student that will be transferring to our school next week?"

Student? Transferring? That's weird.

"Isn't it the beginning of the year? Who is transferring at this time of the year?"

"Apparently, her parents have some business to do in Tokyo, no other school would accept so she is forced to transfer to this school."

"Her? You seem to know a lot about the transfer student, and I thought you were married."

"I just happen to know about h-"

Takeshi's speech was cut off by a high-pitched voice.

"Fumiko can smell lieeessss~"

"E-Eh? Fumiko? When did you get here?"

"Fumiko got curious to where were you going so Fumiko decided to follow Takeshi!"

"Curious? i went to Shiro's class everyday last year."

"Well, Takeshi, if Fumiko finds you hitting on the girl, just be ready, okay~?"

And with that Fumiko leaves the classroom with a happy face. What happened to her during winter break?

"I guess I'll get going now. Go ahead, meet up with your so called 'friend'."

Finally, the conversation ended with Takeshi leaving the classroom. As he was leaving, of course there's a few girl staring. Takeshi is in class 2-B but it is not an abnormal thing for him to visit 2-A, rather it is a normal thing last year.

[Miya's POV]

What am I supposed to do? I don't want to meet them again, but if I don't meet them today, they will find me. Maybe I should get some help-

"Saromi-san?"

"E-eh? Oh, it's just you Makiko."

"Is something wrong, Saromi-san?"

"N-nothing, nothing at all."

"Hm? Is that so? Then, if you have any trouble, don't hesitate to meet me. I am the class representative after all."

"I'll be sure to do that."

No, I shouldn't get anyone else involved with this. No matter what.

"Then, I'll get going now, see you Saromi-san."

"Hm. See you."

Yeah, I really shouldn't get anyone involved.

As I was walking towards the doorway to leave the classroom, someone walked passed me. A presence that is familiar. As if I felt it before, somehow. I stand in shocked for a few seconds. I want to remember this feeling, but I can't. It's very blurry.

[Shiro's POV]

If I'm not mistaken, she is in class 1-B. I don't know this part of the building very well so I'm just walking around cluelessly. I can't find class 1-B so I decided to asked a random first year.

"Excuse me, do you know where class 1-B is?"

I asked a random girl with long caramel-brown hair and black eyes. She is leaning against the wall of class 1-D. (A/N: It's Fujiko, Miya's friend from middle school)

"Um, yes. I do know where it is."

"Do you mind if you show me where it is?"

"Yes, I don't have anything to do at the moment. Follow me."

Thankfully, she is kind enough to show me the place and didn't just ignored me.

[Fujiko's POV]

"Here it is."

"Thank you for showing me."

That's weird, isn't he a second year? He should know the school from the inside out. His face is emotionless, like he's not thinking about anything, he's so hard to read. In addition, isn't this Miya's class? I guess I'll drop by and say hi.

"Ah!"

I heard a girl screams at the door, I take a peek and see the second year bumped into a girl with... rose-pink hair? Navy-blue eyes? He bumped into... Miya? I wonder how Miya would react to this kind of situation. She is always awkward and silent, I hope she doesn't panic because the second year is quite good-looking actually.

[Makiko's POV]

I leave the classroom after talking to Saromi. She's looking really down in the last 4 days of school. I asked her plenty of times before but she wouldn't answer. I took the role of the class rep so I should help her.

"Ah!"

As I was walking down the corridor. I heard a girl screams coming from the direction of the class. I quickly turn around and head to the classroom to see what is going on. I peek inside the classroom to see a guy, probably a second year, and Saromi, is on the ground. They did not fall onto each other rather they bumped into each other.

"Are you okay?"

He quickly get on his knees and help Saromi up.

"Y-Y-Yes, I-I am f-fine."

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

[Miya's POV]

After I felt the familiar presence, I bumped into someone. Both of us fell onto the floor. I got kind of nervous because I was so confused for a second.

"N-No, it was my fault."

"Anyway, can you get up?"

"Y-Yes, I am fine, thank you."

I was so nervous that I just get up and ran away and go to the place I intended to.

[Shiro's POV]

Huh, she just get up and ran away. Anyway, I can finally continue my business in this clas-

"Excuse me, if you don't mind, may I ask who are you?"

Suddenly, a girl with black hair and glasses asked me.

"I am Kurogane Shiro, from class 2-A, and you are?"

"My name is Kawano Makiko, I am the class representative for class 1-B. Do you have any business coming to this class?"

"Good timing, I am here to find a girl named Saromi Miya. Do you know where she is?"

"Saromi... Miya...? You just bumped into her a second ago."

That was her? It's been so long, I didn't recognized her anymore. I get out of the classroom, judging by where she headed, she is going to the... rooftop? Why the rooftop of all places? I need to check this out.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

I ignored what she said and started running towards the stairs which lead up to the rooftop.

After I went up the stairs, I see a door leading to the rooftop. This door is usually locked for safety reasons but it is not. I peek the glass at the door and see 4 girls. They were Saromi Miya and 3 other girls that I don't know. I am able to hear their entire conversation from here.

"Why are you so late, huh, Miya!"

"I=I am sorry, I bumped into someone an-"

"Yeah, yeah, I don't care, do you have the money?"

"Y-Yes, I have. Here."

She takes it from Miya's hand violently. Is this bully? No, I can't judge yet.

"Haha, I can finally save my money to go out with Hiroyuki later."

"Can I go now?"

"Yeah, go ahead! But don't forget to bring more money next week or you'll face the consequences!"

This is definitely bullying.

"Y-Yes."

Crap, she's heading this way. I decided to hide behind a corner so she doesn't see me. She walks down the stairs while holding her tears in. I can't stand to leave her like that so...

"Miya-san, can I talk to you for a little bit?"

"E-Eh? You are...?"

"The one that bumped into you earlier."

"Oh, I need to hurry, recess is almost over. Can we talk later?"

"Then, can I meet you after school at 4 pm? If it is too late, I'll walk you home."

"Yes, but why?"

"I'll explain later."

"Okay, I'll get going now."

"Wait!"

[Miya's POV]

He suddenly yelled telling me to stop. After I stopped, he reaches his pocket and gives me a carton of strawberry milk and a piece of bread.

"W-Why?"

"You can't focus in class with an empty stomach."

I stare at his eyes.

"How did you know?"

"..."

He just walked away with his hand in his pocket.

[Shiro's POV]

First mission of Operation Highly Indebted is a success but I didn't expect she being bullied though, I have to handle this. But I won't allow the bully just to get caught, she must regret what she had done.

"Hiroyuki, huh?"

The bully likes him, right?

[Shiro's Flashback]

"Don't worry, I'll definitely protect you!"

"Protect me?"

"Yes, I promise that when I came back, I won't let anyone hurt you."

"When you came back?"

"I will move out of Tokyo for a while. Sorry, I should have told you earlier but..."

"But you promise that you'll came back, right?"

"Mhm, I promise that we will meet again in the future."

"Take this."

"What is this, Miya?"

"It's a ring, both of us will have it and with this, we will never forget each other."

"A ring? I'll take care of it."

"Then, before you go..."

"What is it-"

"A goodbye kiss."

[Shiro's POV]

"It has been 5 years, huh, Miya. Since the day I left."

[Third Person Perspective]

"So, someone knew about her classified information?"

"Yes, principal."

"Do you have any idea where he gets it from?"

"Judging by the way he said it, he probably knew it for a long time."

"Hm, interesting. Who is he?"

"His name is... Kurogane Shiro."

"Kurogane Shiro... He always continue to amaze me. I accepted him to this school because he was under your care, Sae-sensei. How can you not know about this?"

"I've been taking care of him since he was a child but he never told me about this."

"So, what are your actions, Kurogane-sensei?"

"I told you not to call me by that name again. I am Sae now."

"I thought you adopted him?"

"That was a long time ago, I have changed my last name."

"Anyway, I can't let this slip by. I already promised her father about this. I want you to make sure that this information doesn't get to other students, got it?"

"Yes. I understand, principal."

With that, Sae-sensei leaves the room.

"Kurogane Shiro... Just... Who are you? How can you know all of this?"