So, today's the big day:
My very first day of high school.
You know what that means, right?
New school, new faces, new hotties.
And by hotties, I mean the kind of girls who step into a room and instantly fry every guy's brain within a ten meter radius. Yeah, that kind.
I am walking toward the school gates now, and I have gotta admit... I am feeling kinda excited.
But not in a "Yay, I cannot wait to study algebra" kind of way.
No, it is more like... "Please let me accidentally bump into a cute girl and fall madly in love before lunchtime." That kind of excitement.
High school is supposed to be a fresh start, right? Well, that is what they keep telling me.
Oh, right. Almost forgot.
I should probably introduce myself properly.
I am Ryuji Takahashi.
Main character of this story.
At least, I better be.
Otherwise, why the hell am I narrating everything like my life is about to turn into a romcom?
I have already daydreamed about my "meet cute" moments.
You know the ones:
Bumping into a gorgeous girl at the gates, her books scattering everywhere, her looking up at me with those wide, sparkly eyes that seem to say, "Where have you been all my life?"
It is totally gonna happen. I can feel it.
It is basically written in the stars.
Because, let's be real:
This is my romcom story.
Of course I am gonna get the girl... right?
...Right?
Cue record scratch.
(Narrator: "Oh, by the way... minor detail. Our so called 'main character'? He has never actually dated anyone. Ever."Yeah. Let that sink in. )
No dramatic love confessions. No teary breakups. No epic kisses under the fireworks.Zip. Nada. Total blank slate.
It is not like I am a bad guy, okay?
(At least, I do not think I am.)
It is just... look at me. Seriously, look at me.
I have got what people call "intimidating eyes."
The kind that makes me look like I am about to pick a fight, even when I am just thinking about dinner.
Reality check?
I am just an average dude who plays way too many video games and secretly wishes a girl would look at him like he is something more than a walking death stare.
Anyway, back to the story.
Here I am, casually pretending to care about first impressions.
Not that it matters.
High school survival tip number one: Lower your expectations, and you lower your chances of crushing disappointment.
The school bell rings.
Ding ding ding.
Oh, great.
Another cliché romcom moment: The protagonist is late on the very first day.
Am I being a walking stereotype right now?
Absolutely.
Do I care?
Absolutely not.
I sprint through the gates, bag slapping against my back, heart racing like I am about to enter a boss fight.
And that is when it happens.
I see her.
Cue the dramatic background music.
There she is.
Standing like she just stepped out of some shoujo manga.
Her name?
Mikaela Sato.
And let me tell you.... she is a total bombshell.
Cute? Check.
Smart? Definitely.
Friendly? Well... maybe if you can actually get her attention without short circuiting.
And... yeah.
I am not even gonna pretend I did not notice those.
You know what I mean.
Boobies.
Out. Of. This. World.
You did not hear that from me.
(Okay, maybe you did. Whatever. I am a guy. Cut me some slack.)
My eyeballs are practically falling out of my head.
It is too much for my fragile, romance starved soul to handle.
But hey.... this is a romcom, right?
If I stare just a little too long...
Okay, a lot too long...
Please, judge me later.
Right now, priority number one: Say something. Anything.
Without missing a beat, I throw out my intro:
"Uh, h hey! I am... Ryuji. 1A. Yeah. H hi."
Smooth. Like gravel.
And then, to my surprise, she smiles softly and says,
"Mikaela Sato. 1A too. I guess that makes us classmates."
My heart practically somersaults inside my chest.
Did you hear that?
Classmates.
Destiny is real and it is spelled M I K A E L A.
(Narrator: "And just when our brave idiot makes his grand entrance... fate decides to spice things up.")
A scream rips through the hallway.
Not the horror movie kind.
The oh crap someone important just showed up kind.
"She is here!! Move it!"
The hallway parts like the Red Sea.
Students leap aside like their lives depend on it.
And then... she walks in.
Akira Suzuki.
The school's most feared girl.
If you had to describe Akira in one word?
Badass.
Leather jacket.
Deadly glare.
Aura of "Talk to me and die."
She walks like she owns the damn building... and everyone just lets her.
Nobody dares cross her.
Not unless you have a death wish.
And yet... here is the crazy part.
The second Akira lays eyes on Mikaela?
Her entire vibe does a complete 180.
I am talking mafia boss to flustered schoolgirl levels of change.
She actually blushes.
Blushes.
I almost choke on my own spit watching it happen.
It is like watching a lion suddenly roll over and ask for belly rubs.
What kind of sorcery is this?
Akira practically squeaks Mikaela's name as she shuffles over.
Gone is the death glare.
Now she looks like she might faint from sheer adoration.
Plot twist: Akira Suzuki..Queen of Intimidation...is Mikaela's best friend.
Go figure.
But I will explain all that later.
Right now?
I am way too busy trying not to pass out from the overload of hotness, chaos, and pure, grade A high school drama unfolding in front of me.
And this?
This is only the beginning.