Chapter Text
・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・
The sun was already high in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across the streets as you walked to school. The air was crisp for an early spring morning, and you pulled your jacket tighter around yourself. You’d been in Morioh for a few days now, just enough time to get acquainted with the town’s quiet, almost sleepy atmosphere. But it still felt strange—everything was so unfamiliar. The people, the faces, the small details you’d take for granted back home felt like they were constantly shifting.
It was your second day at this new school, and while you hadn’t exactly felt out of place yet, there was always this looming sense of being an outsider. On your first day, you ended up getting lost more times than you can even count.You didn’t know anyone, and that made the school day feel even longer. You had yet to find your rhythm, your niche among the groups of people scattered throughout the hallways. Most of the time, you were on your own.
You could hardly consider that day your first day. After all, you’d spent the majority of it dodging your classes entirely…You still managed to memorize your schedule pretty quickly however!
Global, Math, Art, Lunch, Science, Gym, and lastly Language.
But other than that, you ended up getting somewhat used to the atmosphere of the whole school. Your eyes scanned the street as you turned a corner, spotting the school gates in the distance. You smiled to yourself, knowing you were close. At least you’d be on time today.
However, as you walked through the gates and headed toward the main entrance, your sense of direction betrayed you. The school's halls seemed even more labyrinthine than you'd remembered from yesterday—each hallway looking similar, and the signs for your first period class barely noticeable among the crowds of students.
“Great,” you thought, shaking your head. “I’m lost again.”
You let out a frustrated sigh, trying to maneuver your way through the throng of students in the hallway. Each step seemed to collide with someone else as you muttered a constant stream of quiet apologies, wincing every time you brushed past someone or stepped on a heel. It wasn’t exactly how you’d envisioned your day going, but you still clung to that tiny shred of hope that something good would happen—eventually.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to happen just yet.
Your foot caught on a stray shoelace, and in an instant, you were sent stumbling forward. The books you were holding slipped from your arms, scattering across the hallway in a chaotic mess. You froze, heart racing, as the sound of hardcovers hitting the floor seemed to echo louder than you’d expected. The apology from the person behind you came immediately, but it did nothing to ease the embarrassment washing over you.
"God, I’m such an idiot," you muttered under your breath, already aware of the curious stares from students around you. You glanced up to find the person who’d apologized, and your eyes immediately locked onto their bizarre hairstyle. It was hard to miss.
"Holy crap, I’m so sorry, dude!" the voice called out, sounding genuinely flustered. The guy hurried over to you, already bending down to help gather your scattered books. "Let me help you pick your stuff up—don’t worry about it."
You fumbled to gather your books, but before you could react, the stranger—whose bizarre hairstyle now seemed even more striking up close—had already crouched down beside you. His hands were quick as he gathered up the scattered books, moving with a sense of purpose that immediately put you at ease.
“Here,” he said, handing you the last of the books with a sheepish grin. “You okay? I didn’t mean to mess you up like that.”
You glanced up at him in surprise, blinking as you took the books from his hands. His hair—almost like a gravity-defying wave—was definitely the first thing that caught your attention. And then there was his smile, a crooked yet warm expression that made you forget your embarrassment for a second.
“Uh, yeah, I’m good,” you stammered, still feeling a bit disoriented. "Thanks for, you know, helping me.."
He chuckled, straightening up and brushing off his shirt. “Nah, it’s all good. This place is a maze, especially at the beginning of the day. I’ve tripped over way worse.” His eyes softened with a kind of understanding. “You new here, huh?”
You nodded, finally standing up and brushing yourself off as well. "Yeah, just moved in a few days ago…I guess I’m not doing too great so far."
Josuke shrugged nonchalantly, his grin returning. "Don’t worry, it takes time to get used to everything. I’m Josuke, by the way. What’s your name?"
You were about to respond when a voice cut in from the side.
“Oi, Josuke! You getting your fan club together again?” came a loud, teasing voice. You turned to see a tall, broad guy and a distinctive scar across his face. His dark school uniform was slightly undone, giving him a laid-back air that contrasted with his loud grin he shot at you both. He was leaning against the lockers with a playful look in his eyes.
Josuke rolled his eyes, clearly used to this kind of comment. “Shut up, Okuyasu,” he shot back, shaking his head. “I’m just being polite.”
"Right, right," Okuyasu smirked, giving you a once-over before turning his attention back to Josuke.
Josuke sighed, his gaze flickering back to you. For a brief moment, you saw a softness in his eyes, almost as if he was about to say something more. Then, he flashed you another small smile. “Well, that’s my cue to leave,” he said, hesitating for a second before continuing, “I’ll see ya later, kay?”
You couldn’t help but smile back, giving a small nod in response. “Yeah, see you later.”
Before you could say anything else, both Josuke and Okuyasu were already moving toward their class, their voices fading as they joked with each other. You stood there for a moment, watching them leave, and once again, the hallway felt emptier without them.
With a quiet sigh, you glanced at your phone to check the time. You still had a few minutes before first period, but it seemed like you were no closer to finding the classroom. The silence of the hall stretched on, leaving you alone with the sounds of distant chatter and the soft shuffle of your shoes against the floor as you continued your search.
Surprisingly, after a few minutes of wandering the halls in a mild panic, you finally found your classroom. You hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open and slipping inside, hoping that sitting in the far back corner might make you less noticeable. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
As you quietly settled into your seat, the teacher began to take attendance, calling out names one by one with a monotonous rhythm. Each name echoed in the silence of the room, and your anxiety only grew as the list continued.
“Yukako Yamagishi?”
“Here!” came a confident voice from the front of the room.
“Toshikazu Hazamada?”
“Also here…” a bored-sounding response followed.
The names went on, each one making you feel a little smaller, a little more invisible. You silently wished the teacher would get to the end already. But, of course, that wouldn’t happen in your favor.
“Y/N L/N?”
Your heart skipped a beat. The instant your name was called, your throat tightened, and you felt a dry lump form. You glanced up at the teacher, your mind racing with panic as you tried to muster the words. It felt like an eternity, but finally, you managed to squeak out a soft, almost inaudible, “Here.”
The teacher didn’t seem to notice your nervousness, and the class moved on, but you could still feel the weight of the eyes on you as well as the small whispers being spread across the room. Your cheeks burned as you quickly turned your gaze to the desk in front of you, doing your best to disappear into the background.
But that only lasts for a minute or two.
Jeez, Lady Luck really isn’t on your side today.
“As you may have heard, there’s a new student in the class. They’ve transferred here from another school into Morioh. Y/N, would you come up here for a moment and introduce yourself?”
You could feel your stomach drop.
“Fuck,” is all you can think, your mind blanking the second the teacher's words hit you. You glance around the room, every set of eyes seeming to fixate on you with an intensity that makes your palms clammy. A tight knot of dread forms in your chest, and for a moment, you almost wish you could just disappear.
After a few seconds of internal panic, you take a shaky breath, trying to steady your nerves. You shift in your seat, your legs feeling like jelly as you rise from the chair. Every step toward the front of the class feels like it takes an eternity, and with each one, you feel your heartbeat thumping in your ears.
You stop just in front of the teacher’s desk, turning around to face the class while doing your best to keep your cool, even though your hands are clammy as hell. The teacher looks at you expectantly, and the room remains eerily silent, waiting for you to speak.
“U-um… Hey everyone, my name is Y/N, and it’s nice to meet everyone here…” You force yourself to speak, but your voice shakes as you glance around the room. You can’t help but notice the half-hearted expressions on the students' faces. Some look bored, others distracted, and one or two are outright staring. The discomfort begins to creep up again, making your words feel heavy in your throat.
You quickly fall silent, unsure of what to say next, your mind going blank. You feel the pressure of the eyes on you, and just when you think you might stumble over your words completely, your teacher steps in.
“Well, Y/N, why don’t you tell us what you like to do, your favourite food, and your favourite colour?” The teacher’s voice is kind, offering you a warm smile, as if trying to give you just the push you need to relax.
You nod gratefully, your nerves slightly eased by their support. Turning back to the class, you focus on not tripping over your words. “Well… for starters, my favourite thing to do is [fav thing], I like the colour [colour name], and my favourite food is… chips. Yeah, chips,” you finish, the last part coming out almost like a relief. You try to hide the slight flush on your face, hoping your simplicity doesn’t come across as awkward.
You look up at the teacher, giving a small smile in return. At least it’s over. For now.
The teacher clapped their hands lightly, breaking the awkward silence that lingered after your introduction. “Thank you, Y/N. I’m sure you’ll fit in nicely here. Let’s all make them feel welcome, shall we?” They looked around the room, their warm tone coaxing a few scattered murmurs of agreement from the class.
You exhaled quietly, relieved to return to your seat. As you walked back, you could feel the weight of a few curious gazes lingering on you, but thankfully, no one said anything. You slid into your chair at the back of the room, letting out a small sigh of relief and sinking into your seat as the teacher began the lesson.
For the most part, the class passed without incident. You took notes and kept your head down, though your mind occasionally wandered back to the brief encounter with Josuke in the hallway. There was something strangely comforting about his friendliness, something that lingered in your thoughts despite yourself.
After a good 45 minutes later, the bell rang, signalling the end of the lesson. You quickly packed up your things, hoping to avoid drawing any more attention. As you headed for the door, a voice called out, stopping you in your tracks.
“Hey, Y/N!”
You turned to see a girl with long, sleek black hair standing near the doorway. She was tall and poised, with a sharp, confident gaze that made you feel like she could read your thoughts.
“I’m Yukako. I thought I’d introduce myself since it’s your first day,” she said, her tone polite but firm.
“Oh, um… Thanks. It’s nice to meet you,” you replied, managing a small smile.
Yukako nodded, her expression softening slightly. “If you need help finding your way around, let me know. Morioh High can be confusing at first.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely been… an adventure,” you said with a nervous laugh.
She tilted her head, her dark eyes studying you for a moment. “Mhm, anyways, I’ll see you in the halls, mkay? It was nice meeting you!” with a small wave, she turned and disappeared into the crowded hallway, leaving you to wonder if her approach was genuine or just a polite gesture.
You adjusted your bag on your shoulder and stepped into the throng of students, determined to make it through the day without any more surprises. But deep down, you had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last memorable encounter of the day.
You thought more about the people you’ve already encountered today. Josuke, that cute guy that hel–wait…cute?? Is this some love at first sight type shit? Nah, cmon Y/N, that guy was just being nice , right? I mean he is nice lookin’ lowkey…
“Y/N!” A voice cut through your thoughts, pulling your attention to the hallway ahead. You froze mid-step, the sound of your name making your stomach twist nervously. How did he even find out your name?
Eh who cares? You certainly don’t at the moment. I mean, from what you’ve seen so far, he’s pretty popular with everyone— that might explain it.
Turning towards the source, you saw Josuke, his tall frame easy to spot among the sea of students. He jogged over, his bag slung over one shoulder and his iconic pompadour bouncing slightly with each step.
“Hey,” he said, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You’re not running late, are ya? Or, wait—don’t tell me you’re already skippin’ classes.” His tone was teasing, but there was a playful spark in his eyes that softened the jab.
You scratched the back of your neck awkwardly, feeling the heat creep up your face. “Uh, no… Not exactly. Just going to my next class.”
Josuke tilted his head slightly, his grin morphing into a smirk. “Guess you’re still figuring this place out, huh?” He glanced down the hallway, his expression thoughtful. “Where’s your next class? I could show you the way if you want.”
You hesitated for a moment, unsure if you should take him up on the offer. But after a quick glance at the chaotic corridor filled with rushing students, you decided it couldn’t hurt. “Um, Room 3C?”
Josuke smiles brightly at you, his eyes lighting up for a moment. “Oh sweet, we’re in the same class!” he says. You nod at him before returning the same smile back.
Josuke nodded, motioning for you to follow. “Alright, c’mon. It’s just down this hall and to the right.”
As you walked beside him, the noise of the hallway seemed to fade slightly, your attention focused on the easy conversation between you. Josuke had a way of making even small talk feel less awkward, his warm energy filling the silences.
“So,” he said, glancing at you, “how’re you liking Morioh so far? Besides getting lost and all that.”
You couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “It’s… different. But not in a bad way. Just need some time to adjust, I guess.”
Josuke nodded, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, I get that. New places can be rough at first. But you’ll get the hang of it. Plus,” he added with a wink, “you’ve got me to help you out, so you’re already off to a good start.”
You rolled your eyes playfully, though you couldn’t help but smile back. There was something about Josuke’s charm that made the overwhelming day feel just a little bit easier to handle.
By the time you reached the classroom, you felt lighter, like some of the weight of the day had been lifted. Josuke stopped just outside the door, leaning against the wall with an easy confidence.
“Well, here we are,” he said, nodding toward the door. “Think you’ll survive the rest of the day?”
You laughed, adjusting your bag on your shoulder. “I’ll try my best.”
The two of you walk inside the classroom and Josuke follows behind you. He led you toward a pair of empty desks in the middle of the room. “Here, sit next to me. You’ll be fine, I promise,” he said, his voice carrying that easygoing warmth you were starting to find reassuring. You nod and take a seat, dropping your bag next to the desk.
Before you could even settle in, Josuke glanced toward the door and waved. “Oi, over here!”
Two boys made their way over, both instantly drawing your attention. The guy you saw in the morning was standing with another guy. The other was way shorter, with a neat upside-down bowl-cut hairstyle. His posture was straighter, and his expression held a gentle politeness.
“Y/N, these are my best friends,” Josuke said, motioning to the taller one first. “This is Okuyasu Nijimura.”
“Hey there!” Okuyasu said, his voice loud and enthusiastic. “So you’re the new kid, huh? Cool! It’s nice to meet ya! I’m pretty sure I saw ya a while ago…”
Josuke gestured toward the shorter boy. “And this is Koichi Hirose.”
Koichi gave a small wave, his tone kind. “Hi. Welcome to Morioh. If you need anything, feel free to ask.”
You managed a nervous smile, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden introductions but also oddly comforted by their friendliness. “Thanks… It’s nice to meet you both.”
Josuke smirked, leaning back in his chair. “See? Told ya you’d be fine. Stick with us, and you’ll get the hang of things in no time.”
Before the conversation could go on, the teacher entered the room, commanding the students’ attention. Josuke shot you one last grin before turning toward the front, and you couldn’t help but feel that, despite the rocky start to your day, maybe things weren’t so bad after all.
The rest of the class went by smoothly enough. You found yourself focused on solving the math problems in your workbook, the hum of pencils scratching against paper filling the room. You were halfway through the set when something landed lightly on your desk, breaking your concentration.
A small, folded piece of paper.
You glanced over to your side, catching Josuke’s sheepish grin as he gave you a subtle nod. Raising an eyebrow, you carefully unfolded the note, your curiosity piqued.
The handwriting was a bit haphazard, the letters slanting in different directions, but it was still easy enough to read:
“Yo, Y/N, do u know the answer to number 2? I deadass can’t figure it out...”
You stifled a small laugh, shaking your head as you looked over at him. Josuke gave you a pleading look, mouthing the words “ Help me out?”
Pulling out your pencil, you jotted down the solution on the back of the note, making sure to include a quick explanation to help him understand. Folding it neatly, you slid it back to him, trying not to attract the teacher’s attention.
A moment later, Josuke opened the note, his face lighting up as he read your response. He glanced back at you, giving a thumbs-up and mouthing “Thanks!”
You rolled your eyes playfully, returning your attention to your workbook. Maybe sitting next to Josuke wasn’t going to be so bad after all. Sure, you’d only just met Josuke, but so what? It wasn’t the end of the world. Everyone had been kind to you so far, probably because you were the new student. It made sense. Still, the more you thought about the people you’d encountered, the more your mind began to spiral. Questions and doubts crept in, filling the silence.
Thankfully, your overthinking was interrupted by a gentle nudge to your shoulder.
“Y/N?” Josuke’s voice was soft, laced with a hint of concern. “C’mon, you’ve been staring off into space for ages—class just ended. Okuyasu and Koichi already left…”
You blinked, snapping out of your thoughts and glancing around the now-empty classroom. Had time really flown by that fast? Apparently so. Also dang, he waited for you?? Ohmygoshwow. This guy is really making you question how you feel about him.
“Huh? Oh, sorry…” you muttered, feeling a little sheepish. “I zoned out. My bad.”
Josuke smiled, brushing it off easily. “No big deal. You good, though?”
You nodded quickly, returning his smile with a small one of your own. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.”
Grabbing your bag, you slung it over your shoulder and stood up, ready to head out. Josuke waited patiently, his laid-back presence oddly comforting. It was nice, you thought, not feeling completely alone.
As the two of you stepped out of the classroom into the bustling hallway, the hum of conversations and the sound of lockers slamming surrounded you. You adjusted your bag, glancing at the rows of classrooms, hoping you’d remember the directions to your next class.
“So, what’s your next class?” Josuke asked, his voice cutting through the noise.
“Art,” you replied, offering him a small smile. “Hopefully, I can actually find it without wandering into the wrong room again.”
Josuke chuckled, the corners of his lips tugging upward in amusement. “Yeah, that’s never fun. I had to ask for directions on my first day too, so don’t sweat it.”
“Did you really?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Totally. Ended up in the music room instead of my History class. I didn’t even realise I was in the wrong place until someone started playing the piano,” he said, scratching the back of his neck.
You couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image, the sound earning a warm grin from Josuke. “Well, that makes me feel a little better about myself.”
“Good,” he said, his tone light. Then, tilting his head, he added, “What about you? You nervous about art class?”
“Not really nervous. More… unsure, I guess,” you admitted, shrugging. “It’s just weird being the new student, you know? Everyone’s been nice so far, though, so I can’t complain.”
Josuke nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Yeah, Morioh’s full of good people. You’ll fit right in, no problem.”
You smiled at his reassurance, feeling a little lighter. The two of you continued walking until you reached the point where you’d have to part ways.
“Well, my class is right there,” you said, gesturing toward the hallway leading to the art room. “What about you? What class you got?”
“Social Studies,” Josuke replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
“Sounds… fun,” you teased lightly, earning a mock groan from him.
“Yeah, thrilling,” he said sarcastically.
As you prepared to head off, you glanced up at Josuke, ready to say goodbye. But when your eyes met his, you froze.
There was something in his gaze—warmth, softness, maybe even something deeper you couldn’t quite place. It made your heart skip a beat, and you quickly looked away, focusing on the floor instead.
“Well, see you later, Josuke,” you said, your voice quieter than intended.
“Yeah, see ya around, Y/N,” he said, his tone gentle.
As you walked toward your class, you couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on you. When you finally glanced back over your shoulder, he was gone, having already headed to his own class.