Veil of Familiarity

(A/N: our mc naturally associates everything with art so (well he is an artist soo....duh)pls bear with him....and me hehe)

PS. I changed the title from A.A to morpheus btw dont ask y….it's embarrassing

"In the midst of vibrant laughter and bustling life, shadows of solitude linger, where beauty and melancholy entwine in a delicate dance."

Ayato Pov:

As I step into the morning's embrace, a world of delicate contrasts unfurls before me. The sun-kissed sky casts a tender glow upon the city, a bittersweet reminder of the beauty that paints the world around me. Sakura trees line the path, their blossoms like fragile promises adrift on the breeze.

Their petals fall like whispered secrets, a fleeting dance that mirrors the transience of life itself.

Beneath the delicate canopy of pink and white, students bustle by, a symphony of laughter and camaraderie that fills the air. They are threads woven into the vibrant tapestry of youth, their lives entwined in a shared canvas of experiences. Yet, as I traverse this landscape, I am but a solitary figure, an observer on the fringes of their harmonious melody.

Each step echoes with the weight of past struggles, a quiet burden I carry within. The memory of dear ones lost, like fading brushstrokes on the canvas of my heart, shapes the contours of my solitude. Each face in the crowd becomes a reminder of the faces I've bid farewell, each laugh a distant echo of the laughter now silenced.

I long to be a part of the world that surrounds me, to immerse myself in the vibrant hues of connection and belonging. But like a shadow cast by the blossoms overhead, I remain separate, an enigma hidden beneath layers of quiet introspection. My steps become a rhythm of their own, a quiet melody that weaves through the bustling symphony of life, a cadence of both yearning and resignation.

As I walk the path towards school, the sakura petals continue their graceful descent, their fragility mirroring the delicate balance between the pain of loss and the beauty of existence. In this moment, I am but a solitary brushstroke on the canvas of this bustling world, a stroke that longs to merge with others yet remains resolutely distinct—a testament to the intricate interplay of life's fleeting moments.

Amidst the swell of the entrance ceremony crowd, I stand apart, a solitary figure lost in a sea of anticipation. This school, revered for its intellectual prowess, holds little sway over me. The accolades it bestows are inconsequential, and the challenges it presents are like child's play.

While others exchange animated conversations, my countenance remains serene, my eyes focused inward. The symphony of aspiration that permeates the air is a tune I've composed and mastered before.

Stepping into this arena of supposed excellence, I'm not compelled by motivation; I'm driven by the curiosity of observation. The challenges ahead won't ignite a spark; they'll merely affirm what I already know. The road may curve and twist, but I navigate its bends with the ease of someone who's traveled it countless times.

In this realm of intellectual pretense, I'm not an eager participant; I'm a silent spectator. The hurdles won't faze me; they'll confirm what I've long understood. And as I move forward, I do so with a quiet assurance, threading the path of intellect with the measured steps of a mind that's quietly mastered the art of learnin-

"Yoo, Aa-chan! Still perfecting that 'I'm too cool for this world' expression?"

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, the upcoming entrance ceremony looming over me, an abrupt disruption shattered the walls of my contemplation. A towering handsome figure, radiating an aura of rebellion, materialized beside me with an almost theatrical flourish.

The newcomer's voice boomed like an unexpected symphony in the midst of my solitude.

My expression remained unaltered, meeting the interruption with an air of indifference.

"Kazuya," I acknowledged, my tone laced with a casual acknowledgment.

Kazuya Ishigami, a fellow student known for his handsome face, imposing height and a perpetual scowl etched into his features, grinned like a mischievous fox.

"You know, they say your 'resting apathy face' could use a bit of work. Might help you fit in better with us mere mortals."

A faint quirk of my eyebrow was the only response I mustered.

Kazuya pressed on, undeterred by my lack of enthusiasm. "Anyway, buddy, you're not fooling anyone with that whole 'I'm too cool for emotions' act. Deep down, you're just a misunderstood kid trying to find the meaning of life in a sea of standardized tests."

The corner of my lips twitched, a hint of a smile that could be easily dismissed as a trick of the light.

"Ah, there it is!" Kazuya declared triumphantly, clapping me on the back with enough force to jolt my otherwise composed exterior. "I knew I could crack that stoic façade."

"Your confidence in your own comedic prowess is... inspiring," I deadpanned.

Kazuya's laughter rang out like a boisterous echo, drawing curious glances from those nearby. "Ah, Aa-chan, you're a tough nut to crack, but trust me, one day I'll have you doubled over in laughter. Or at the very least, rolling your eyes in exasperation."

As we settled into our designated spots for the entrance ceremony, my expression remained collected, the amusement of our exchange barely grazing the surface of my demeanor. On my other side, Kazuya was a whirlwind of energy, engaging in animated conversation with another student as if they'd been friends for years.

While Kazuya's laughter filled the air and his extroverted nature seemed to touch everyone around him, I remained a calm island in a sea of chatter, my thoughts a distant shore that his effervescence never quite reached.

Our eyes met in a shared understanding, an unspoken connection that transcended words. And as the ceremony commenced, I couldn't help but appreciate the wonderfully chaotic force that was Kazuya Ishigami, a burst of vibrant light in my world of subdued shadows—a light that existed in a realm far removed from my sphere of introspection.

We then made our way to the main ceremony hall while exchanging banters back and fourth.

"btw"

"yh?"

"Dont call me that"

"what do you mean, Aa-chan~?

.....Ive lost count of how many time I have been wanting to bash that handsome face into a wall somewhere.

Anyway the grand entrance ceremony hall buzzed with an energy that could only be attributed to a crowd of eager students. I found myself a seat amidst the sea of expectant faces, my demeanor as apathetic as ever. Beside me, Kazuya settled in with a carefree slouch, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

As the principal took to the podium, the atmosphere shifted. The anticipation that had been tangible now gave way to a solemn hush. The principal's voice droned on, a steady stream of eloquent words that seemed to float past my consciousness. To my left, Kazuya let out an exaggerated yawn, his hand dramatically covering his mouth.

I glanced at him, my expression an amused quirk of the lips. Kazuya met my gaze with an over-the-top eye-roll, his eyes rolling so far back that I half-expected them to disappear entirely. He leaned in closer, his voice a stage whisper that carried through the hall despite his attempts at subtlety.

"Man, could they make this any more exciting? I feel like I'm about to doze off into an alternate dimension."

I stifled a chuckle, shaking my head imperceptibly. "Perhaps we're witnessing the subtle art of speech-induced slumber."

Kazuya's laughter threatened to erupt at my remark, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking. Heads turned in our direction, curious glances directed our way. Undeterred, Kazuya shrugged in mock innocence, as if his amusement had been purely accidental.

The principal's words continued, a monotonous drone that held the audience captive through sheer obligation. Kazuya leaned back in his chair, mimicking someone on the brink of unconsciousness, his eyelids drooping dramatically.

I leaned in, my voice pitched low to match the ambiance of disinterest.

"It's a testament to human endurance, really. How long can one endure the onslaught of academic rhetoric before succumbing to the allure of a much-needed nap?"(A/N: i'd hate this guy grading my english test)

Kazuya's laughter, muffled by his hand, vibrated through the hall, a jarring note amidst the sea of attentive listeners. His antics caught the attention of nearby students, some stifling giggles while others shot disapproving glares.

Our gazes locked, a shared understanding passing between us. As the principal's speech rambled on, we remained united in our disinterest, our own silent rebellion against the monotonous drone of tradition.

Amidst the lull of words, a subtle thought crossed my mind—a fleeting recognition of what could have been. The path to that stage, to be hailed as the embodiment of academic excellence, had been a possibility within reach. But for me, the journey had been a calculated choice, a decision to navigate the educational landscape on my own terms.

The principal's voice momentarily wavered, breaking the monotony. My attention flickered to the stage, where the student representative with the highest grades was about to be announced. I couldn't help but feel a brief pang of familiarity—a reminder of the knowledge and potential I'd harbored within me all along.

But just when the name "Hoshino Agawa" reverberated through the hall. The crowd's attention shifted, a collective hush descending as the spotlight turned to the one known as the pinnacle of academic excellence.

And then, she walked forward—a figure so striking, she seemed like an ethereal being amidst the mundane. Silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight, and her crimson eyes held an otherworldly intensity. Her every movement exuded grace and power, a portrait of perfection in every sense.

A jolt of inexplicable shock rippled through me, the air seemingly thinning around me. My heart quickened for reasons I couldn't comprehend, my gaze locked onto her with an intensity that defied explanation. It wasn't love, but rather a sense of déjà vu, an echo from a time long past.

In that moment, I felt a connection—a subtle thread that bound our fates together. As the world around me fell silent, I realized that something profound was about to unfold—something rooted in a familiarity I couldn't quite place.