Entering Shin Katashi

"Shit…I'm late…I'm late…I'm late…"

A girl with purple hair flowing behind her back ran down a hallway. Desperation flickered in her pink eyes as she ran with all her might. Her footsteps squeaked a frantic tune against the polished floor. Her eyes kept gazing at the next corner with the lens of her red glasses as the surroundings seemed to blur. However, she kept muttering something in her mouth as she ran.

"That's why I don't like working late at night. I didn't even eat breakfast properly."

'But what could you do Amane, the work was important…'

"I know Amane! but…that also makes me even more frustrated. On top of that, the class had to be of Mr Tanaka's…I mean why he?...there are so many teachers in this school, so why does he have to be our homeroom teacher…he is too much…"

'Being the strict teacher he is, he'll definitely punish you in one way or another if you enter his class late…even if you're good at academics.'

"I can't let him ruin the image that I've built in these past few months. I can't let it go to waste."

'Speaking of image, you remember, right?…that you can't run at school as fast as this..'

"If not, what choice do I have…it's not like I can fly or teleport there…and you don't have to worry, everyone already entered their classes...moreover, why does this place have to be a maze…it's freaking huge and so irritating…"

'Then…run Amane…run…run like the wind…hehehe…'

"Shut up!"

Amane who woke up late in the morning, arrived late in the school. She ran towards her classroom with her school handbag in her left hand as class was just about to start. Her rhythmic footsteps echoed in the silent hall. However, as she ran she kept whispering in the wind with no one near her. As if an invisible unknown entity talking with her, she kept murmuring in a low voice.

With haste, she reached near the corner but just as she was about to turn, a blur of dark blue slammed into her that took her by surprise as she crumpled to the floor with a grunt, the impact echoing through her body.

'What the hell!…what did I hit?…a wall or something…?'

She was reeling through the after-effects but suddenly a hand came into her view. The hand had a deep scar on its back that made different thoughts appear in her mind as she started to question the situation she was in. Her mind, though confused and dazed, started to settle those thoughts. Once settled, she stretched her neck to look upward, only to find herself surprised by the boy in front of her. The boy, a bit taller than her, offered his hand to help her get up from the ground. Both of them looked at each other for a few moments before with reluctance in her eyes, she accepted the help.

"Um…could you tell me where the staff room is?"

At this surprise request, Amane flinched, never expecting a guidance for help to come at her.

'Staff room? Is he new…?'

"Go straight. Beyond the door there are stairs. Go to the next floor. The staff room is to the right…"

The boy appreciated her help by saying "Thank You,"

Just as he disappeared to the other end of the hallway, the corner of Amane's mouth curved into a smile. Her purple eyes shined with a newfound energy as she whispered in a low voice.

"Looks like someone interesting has just come…"

Suddenly, a voice whispered in her mind, pulling her gaze from the fading figure.

'Amane…'

"What is it?"

'Aren't you forgetting something…?'

"Hmm…I don't thi…oh…"

'So, you still remember…'

"I am done for…I am totally totally done for…my reputation is ruined…this tardiness will be etched in my history forever."

Amane suddenly realized what she was forgetting. The new encounter made her curious enough to forget about her class. The boy, the scar, and the vibe he gave off stimulated her senses. But the gravity of the situation started to settle on her and she started to become anxious. With unshed tear in her eyes, however, she took a deep breath as she started running towards her classroom.

***

With the help from Amane, the boy finally found the staff room. He went inside and talked with a teacher. The teacher was a black-haired mature lady somewhere around in her late thirties. After a bit of talk, Both of them headed toward a class.

As they approached a class, the boy noticed the words 'Class 1-B' written on a board jutted out from the wall.

After reaching near the door, the teacher looked at the boy "You stay here. I'll call you to come…" After saying this, she entered the class and closed the door.

Meanwhile, the boy kept standing in the hallway, listening to the murmurs of the students and their teacher inside the class. His gaze, though looking at the door, seemed distant, lost in his whirl of thoughts.

Suddenly, the teacher's voice boomed in the air. "Now, Come inside," The order made him feel a mix of emotions. There were fear, nervousness, and hesitation to open the door but he braced his heart and clasped the doorknob as he pushed it open and went inside.

The hushed murmurs of the students erupted as they saw the boy. Their gazes, a mix of curiosity and surprise. Each speculates the story the boy brought with him.

As the boy reached near the podium at the centre, the teacher looked at the boy. "Please introduce yourself to everyone…"

The boy looked at the class for a moment, His gaze looking at every detail. As the voice of his teacher boomed in his ear, he parted his lips to say something. "I…umm…am…Shin…Katashi. It's…umm…nice…to meet…you all…"