Chapter 2: Do I know you?

Haruki awoke from a restless sleep, beads of perspiration clinging to his forehead. The remnants of a vivid nightmare lingered like shadows in his mind—a surreal scene of him surrounded by faceless gangsters in a dimly lit alley. The cold sweat and pounding heart slowly gave way to the reality of his room.

As he opened his eyes, the morning sunlight filtered through his window, casting a warm glow on his modest surroundings. Haruki lay in bed, facing the right side, the sheets crumpled from the night's turmoil. The nightmare's echoes faded, leaving behind a lingering unease.

As he prepared for the day ahead, the remnants of the nightmare clung to the edges of his consciousness, like the fading tendrils of a haunting melody. The events of the night were etched in his mind, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

Arriving at Hanaoka Academy, the school's corridors buzzed with the excitement of a new day. Haruki found himself in a classroom, gazing outside the window, seeking solace in the familiar sight of the cherry tree. Its branches swayed with a gentle rhythm, as if sharing the secrets of the dawn.

His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the arrival of his friends—Eiji, a boisterous guitarist, and Yuki, a soft-spoken pianist. Eiji clapped Haruki on the shoulder, a gesture both friendly and assertive. "Haruki, my man! What's eating at you? You've been in your head all morning."

Haruki, still lost in contemplation, sighed. "It's nothing, Eiji. Just a weird dream last night."

Eiji exchanged a glance with Yuki, the unspoken communication revealing a shared concern for their friend. Yuki, her eyes reflecting a gentle understanding, spoke in her soothing tone, "Haruki, we've known each other for years. If something's bothering you, you can share it with us. We're here for you."

Haruki hesitated, torn between the desire to confide in his friends and the lingering shadows of the nightmare. "It's... hard to explain. Like a melody I can't quite grasp."

Eiji, always direct but caring, nudged him with a grin. "Well, you're in luck, my friend. We're the best at unraveling mysteries, especially the ones that play inside your head. Spit it out!"

Haruki, a faint smile breaking through his contemplative demeanor, decided to open up. "Last night, I dreamt I was surrounded by gangsters in some alley. It felt... real, like I was in a movie. But when I woke up, it was just fragments."

Eiji scratched his head, trying to make sense of Haruki's revelation. "Gangsters? That's intense. Maybe it's just your mind playing tricks on you. Stress, new school, you know."

Yuki added, "Sometimes, dreams are just echoes of our fears and uncertainties. They don't define reality."

The bell rang, signaling the start of classes, and the trio headed towards their respective seats. As they walked, Eiji continued in a teasing tone, "But seriously, Haruki, if you ever need someone to take on those dream gangsters, you've got us."

Haruki chuckled, appreciating the lighthearted attempt to lift his spirits. The mystery of the dream lingered, but the comforting presence of his friends and the routine of the school day offered a temporary respite.

As the day at Hanaoka Academy unfolded, Haruki and his friends navigated through classes, music sessions, and the vibrant atmosphere of the school. The routine provided a comforting rhythm, yet the remnants of the night's dream lingered in Haruki's thoughts like a subtle background melody.

Later in the day, as the sun began its descent, Haruki and his friends gathered in the courtyard, their chatter a melodic backdrop to the setting sun. The cherry tree cast long shadows, as if weaving the threads of their conversations into the golden hues of the evening.

Eiji, always the instigator of plans, threw a playful arm around Haruki's shoulders. "Alright, my mysterious friend, what's the plan for the evening? We need to celebrate surviving the first day of school."

Yuki, her gentle laughter adding a soft note to the conversation, suggested, "How about we grab something to eat? There's that new café near the school that everyone's been talking about."

Haruki, appreciating the distraction from his thoughts, nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me. A bit of good food might be just what I need."

As they strolled towards the café, the atmosphere remained light and jovial. Haruki's friends, sensing his need for a change of pace, regaled him with stories and jokes. The café, with its warm ambiance and aroma of freshly brewed coffee, became a haven for their camaraderie.

Amidst the laughter and animated discussions, a familiar figure approached. A girl, her eyes holding a glimmer of recognition, walked silently beside Haruki. Her presence was like a note that had been missing from the day's composition.

Haruki, feeling her gaze, turned to find her walking alongside him. The air between them seemed to hum with an unspoken connection. He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her from somewhere, that she was more than just a passerby.

In a moment of curiosity, Haruki mustered the courage to break the silence. "Excuse me, but do I know you?"

The girl, her eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and contemplation, met his gaze. Her response carried a hint of familiarity yet cloaked in mystery. "Perhaps we've crossed paths in the intricate corridors of fate. Names hold meanings, but sometimes, it's the unspoken connections that define us."

--Next chapter--