Author's Note: I'll write this story leisurely!
Chapter 1After the Stardust
I am currently a high school student, have I ever had a dream in this world?
At that time, I probably yearned and looked forward to my high school life more than anyone else. It slowly grew and developed, and at some point, I forgot to look at reality. This was a very scary thing, because when that happened, I didn't care what other people thought of me, and without realizing it, I had created a lot of dark history.
And what's even scarier is that I can easily regain consciousness in the blink of an eye. And speaking of my life after that, I just...
♦
Under the morning sunlight, many high school students were walking along this tree-lined street quietly. Meanwhile, two students stood out among them.
"Hey, Aika, wait up."
"No, stay away from me, you're too persistent!"
A brownish-red-haired girl walked quickly as a boy with brown dyed hair chased after her. From an outsider's perspective, they looked like a couple fighting, but in reality, neither of them was in that kind of relationship.
The girl's hair floating in the air looked red in the sunlight. She rushed to slip between the other students with a gloomy expression, but normally, she was recognized as a beautiful girl. Despite her delicate appearance, she was a strong-willed girl. No matter how many times the brown-haired boy tried to grab her hand, she let go with all her might.
On the other hand, the boy still kept trying to catch her. His name was Sajou Wataru, a boy who tried hard to look stylish, and also just like other boys... ...he liked cute girls.
That pretty girl... ...Natsukawa Aika, that boy has liked her since they were in middle school. That's why he shot at her right away, and his heart was cut in half. He was indeed rejected by her but did not give up so easily. He will continue to pursue her every day and continue to approach her with his enthusiastic approach.
Natsukawa Aika is the perfect girl. That's why she was accepted into a high-ranking private high school, and Wataru, who found out about it, studied desperately while getting close to her and, in the end, managed to get enrolled into the same high school as her. Such a thing to be afraid of, the power of love!
"Hahaha, those two, they did it again."
"That's right, isn't it? Why don't the two of them just date, though."
From the other girls' point of view, it was a sight for sore eyes.
Had Aika been popular, she would've been the target of other girls' jealousy, but the two of them had been conspicuous like that, ever since they entered school, so they looked like a real couple to the other girls. Even the other boys recognized that Wataru was Natsukawa Aika's boyfriend, and as fellow boys, they didn't try to do anything about it.
Today, like always, Wataru chased after Aika without giving up.
"Hey, when did you want to be my girlfriend?"
"Do you really think I want to be your girlfriend? You idiot! Just stop it already, okay!"
"What!?"
"Why are you so surprised right now?"
Yeah... ...For others who witnessed this, did you all listen to the words, 'When the love of centuries calms down'? That means, after seeing and hearing the bad side of the person you fell in love with, it makes your feelings for her die at once.
But this time it was a bit different, The boy, who was mesmerized by the perfect girl, kept dreaming and getting caught up in that fantasy world, and without realizing it, he started forgetting to look at the reality.
Now, what would happen if he suddenly regained his consciousness? Let's see.
"Hey, can't you walk any slower...!?"
Suddenly, an explosion sound like gunpowder explosion could be heard. Passing in front of Wataru, a soccer ball hit the wall at high speed making a loud noise and bouncing, and that's how it returned to the Soccer Club. Similarly, at that moment Wataru's sense of reality that he had left all those years ago returned.
Wataru wasn't injured or anything like that. Right after that, at times like this, he returned to reality.
"H-Hey, are you okay?"
Aika, who was surprised, approached Wataru. Aika looked at Wataru from head to toe. After confirming that no one was injured, Aika sighed and complained surprisingly.
"Look, no matter how intent you are on getting my attention, I won't overreact."
"Y-Yeah..."
"Gosh... ...Just now, you made me worried! By the way, don't chase after me anymore!"
"..."
Aika left after glaring at Wataru. Wataru stood there in a daze and continued to stare at Aika as she left.
After the distance was already beyond the range of his voice, Wataru finally opened his mouth.
"Y-Yeah... ...I'm sorry..."
But the moment Wataru said that Aika's back was no longer visible. But still, Wataru didn't start walking, he just stood there in a daze.
♦
My consciousness returned. I can't help it if someone suddenly says, "What's wrong with you?", but I think this is the perfect word to describe the current situation.
I don't know what happened. I was struck by a loud noise like an explosion, and when I saw something spinning around, I finally realized that it was a soccer ball. It should have been just a normal echoing sound, but my head stopped working right then as if I'd been numbed by an electric shock.
(Huh? Huh? What's going on?)
That kind of feeling, it's not really a strange feeling. It was like I was reborn. Wait a minute, this is a big deal, right?
I felt that I was suddenly recalling memories from my previous life, but that wasn't the case. Even what I said and did up to this point, I could remember why I thought that, and why I did that. I wasn't possessed by anything.
Is it because I read too many light novels? No, the last time I did that was when I was in middle school.
I wonder what the reason is, huh...? What just happened in front of me right now seems very realistic. Until now, for some reason, it felt more like... ...fluffy? Something shimmering like stardust, is what filled my vision until a moment ago... ...what did I say? Seriously, I don't know what I'm saying.
The sound of bells echoed from the back of the school building.
"Oh... ...I must hurry."
In my daily life, nothing has changed. It should still be the same... ...However, I feel that everything I see now is different than usual.
While running, I kept patting my cheeks as if to keep me conscious. Otherwise, I felt that I couldn't make it to the classroom.
When I got to the floor where my classroom was, it was still right before homeroom coaching.
That's strange... ...I guess I got to school a little early to catch up with Aika, though...
"Hey, you're one second late."
"Ugh, I didn't come on time, huh?"
I made it to the classroom, but my homeroom teacher had already entered the classroom exactly a second ahead of me. I didn't arrive on time.
This was the first time I was late since I entered this school; somehow, this made me sad.
"That's because you're always chasing after Natsukawa-san... ...hmm? Natsukawa-san is already sitting in her seat. It's so rare, did something happen?"
"Well? Nothing happened, though. I'm just late."
"Really? Don't be late again then."
I was hit on the head with a binder, and the whole class laughed at me. Aika sat in the center of the class and glared at me. While looking at her, I felt uncomfortable and tilted my head.
"By the way, just sit in your place."
"Yeah, I'm sorry for coming late."
"Tsk..."
My seat was next to that famous pretty girl.
While walking to my seat, the other students teased me and made fun of me. I casually looked at Aika, but she turned her face away angrily.
If I chatted with her now, it would only lead to more trouble for me, right?
I didn't say anything, and I listened to Teacher talk on her desk.
♦
"Hey, you aren't hurt, are you?"
"Like I said. I'm fine... ...maybe."
"...Maybe?"
After the homeroom session, Aika came over to me. She asked me to stand up. She wanted to give me money... ...Well, of course not. She looked at me from bottom to top to check if I was hurt or not.
Why is she suddenly nice to me... ...Hmm!? Maybe, just maybe, okay, does she like me...? That's impossible, oh. I mean, she's been desperately rejecting me every time I confessed to her.
"Then, in return, I'll..."
"Sit down."
In return, I was about to joke that I would check on Aika too, but she suddenly pressed against my chest. My balance was gone, and I could barely sit back in my seat.
This was too bad, I was just looking at her toes, but, well... ...Hmm? Again, suddenly my eyes flickered... ...it's not something serious, is it? Well, I think it will eventually take care of itself.
While staring at Aika's departing back, her voice, 'You're making me feel worried!' echoed in my head, and for some reason, I could see her aura of charm coming out of her. It was as if a 'full of stardust scenery' was waiting for my return.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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