Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The stars are so far away from each other.

Though people have created myths and folktales that unites them, it would take lightyears for two to meet. But when one gazes at the night sky, they connect the shiny dots together, because it makes for a more compelling experience. Humans love to find meaning in things, even when there is none.

Still, space is, in fact, a lonely place.

Not that Hakuryuu cares much. In fact, right now, stars and space are the last thing on his mind as he puts on his uniform. He does not bother to fix the rumpled fabric, and neither does he tighten his tie properly, letting it sit loose around his neck. He ties part of his hair into a low ponytail. Some messy strands are getting stuck in his collar. The reflection in front of him is scowling, eyebrows furrowed.

Why is this uniform so beige anyway? Hakuryuu hates it. He finds the colour ugly on him. The shape as well. His own body feels like a stranger in those clothes, as if it no longer belonged to him. There is a distance, a disconnection between his own reflection and what Hakuryuu had envisioned this day to be. Well, it is probably too late to be complaining now.

Hakuryuu softly brushes the mirror with his fingertips, as if it could ease the tension in his face muscles. It does not.

He lets out an annoyed sigh, grabs his bag by the handle and throws it behind his back, and leaves his room. He walks through the small hallway leading to the kitchen, where a middle-aged woman is sitting at the table alongside her daughter and son. The latter smiles at Hakuryuu's arrival, and the mother grabs the chair next to her to invite him to sit down.

“I'm leaving,” Hakuryuu announces, ignoring the woman's gesture. “I'll see you tonight.”

“But you haven't eaten anything!” protests the young man.

His mother raises a hand to calm him down. “Yuuichi, it's fine.” She then turns back to Hakuryuu. “I've prepared you a bento. Make sure you eat something before class, alright?”

Hakuryuu shrugs, grabs the box she hands him and shoves it into his bag. All the while, the younger daughter is staring at him without a word. Hakuryuu wishes he could tell her to stop, to leave him alone, but the words will not come out. So, instead, he is the one to turn away and leave the house.

As soon as he is outside, Hakuryuu lets out another sigh. Has a day ever felt that endless, even before it could really start? Time can be such a fickle thing. Twenty-four hours can fly in the blink of an eye, or last an eternity. Lately, in Hakuryuu's case, it has been the latter more than he is willing to admit. Days that never finish, hours spent staring at the ceiling, minutes wondering what is happening in his life.

Tired of overthinking, Hakuryuu takes out his headphones and puts on some music. He disconnects from reality, from a uniform he hates, from a bento that does not feels his. He gets inside the bus and ignores the people around him, sitting at the very back. There is no one else. No one else matters. It is just him, his own world, his own universe.

Alone.

When the bus comes to a stop, Hakuryuu is dragged along by a crowd of students wearing the same uniform as him. Everyone is chatting, sharing stories about their spring break, about vacations on the other side of the country. Everything is loud, aggressive, overwhelming. Hakuryuu resists the urge to put his hands over his ears.

Arakumo High stands in front of him. The main building looks both old and imposing, its stone walls telling a story of ages past. The yard has been renovated, and what must have been grass or gravel on the ground has been replaced by asphalt. There are still some oak trees lined up on each side of the main alley. The dirt squares at their roots make them stand out from the rest of the artificial landscape.

Hakuryuu used to find charm in this place. But now, all he can see are its flaws. And the unceasing flow of incoming students does not help in making Arakumo High feel more welcoming. Hakuryuu crosses the yard without looking around him, and walks to the noticeboard.

Class 1-2
Tsurugi Hakuryuu

He does not recognise any names outside of his. Not that he expected to. Does it matter? Not really. He already knew it would be like this. An unknown school, filled with other students that feel so far away, constant reminder of what he could have had.

No. He already told himself he would not indulge in those kind of thoughts. He will simply endure. The year will pass, just like they always have.

Right as he was about to head to the gym for the entrance ceremony, however, someone knocks over Hakuryuu's shoulder. The impact is so sudden his headphones fall off his ears, and he barely manages to grab them before they can fall on the asphalt.

“Oops, sorry!”

Hakuryuu turns his head to meet an ocean-blue gaze. No, to be more precise, it is the same colour as the Earth seen from space. The boy in front of him is smiling, his face surrounded by orange hair the shape of the sun. He is radiant, shimmering with light, warming the life of everything that exists and breathes.

For a second, Hakuryuu feels like he just witnessed the appearance of a star.

But then, just as quickly, the boy loses interest in Hakuryuu and turns to the noticeboard. Even through the incessant chattering of the crowd, Hakuryuu can hear his loud whispers. “Class 1-2... Great! I can't wait for this!”

Right before he leaves, he glances at Hakuryuu one last time. Something seems to flash within his eyes, a boat crossing the ocean, a fish jumping out of the water. He smiles, a smile directly addressed to Hakuryuu, a ray of sunshine born only to lighten up his life and his alone. When he leaves, it feels like the whole world enters an eclipse that lasts far too long.

Hakuryuu stays put, wondering what the hell just happened, and why the seconds suddenly started flying so quickly.

///

Arakumo High is boring.

That is the conclusion Hakuryuu has come to after one morning. During the entrance ceremony, the headmaster has spoken at length about the importance of studies, and the wish of every teacher to see their students blossom and become smart and capable adults. What a bunch of trash. Not that Hakuryuu expected much more.

And now, he has been sitting in class for three hours, listening to his class teacher detailing their weekly schedule, the stakes of their first year in high school and what exams they will need to be preparing for.

What does this all even mean? What importance does it hold? Those who are expected to succeed will get the highest grades and regards without putting in much effort. Those who aim for the top, but pressure themselves until they get sick from stress will end their journey in disappointment.

Hakuryuu cannot find any meaning in the pursuit of greatness. Not anymore.

Lunch break starts. Some students leave the classroom, probably to go searching for their other friends. Other groups form here, and their chattering drives Hakuryuu to go away. He does not want to hear them. He does not want to hear anyone. He wishes they could be lightyears away, just so he would not have to see their content expressions.

“Hi!”

The light suddenly becomes dazzling.

It is the same boy as earlier. His deep blue eyes are focused on Hakuryuu once again, this time expecting an answer. Oh. He was the one being greeted. “What do you want?” Hakuryuu's reply comes out harsher than he wanted it to be. He cannot read the other boy's intentions, and it makes him feel uneasy.

“I'm Taiyou. Amemiya Taiyou!” The mysterious boy smiles in response, ignoring Hakuryuu's cold behaviour.

A fitting name, Hakuryuu can't help but think. So, Taiyou is the sun, the star of day, the one who gifts life to everything he touches. Maybe that is why his presence feels so warm, the attention he gives so precious.

Or maybe Hakuryuu is desperately looking for a meaning in what he is going through.

Taiyou keeps staring at Hakuryuu, his eyes blinking at a regular yet fast pace. Oh. Right. He is supposed to answer. “Hakuryuu,” he blurts out without ceremony.

Taiyou tilts his head on the side. “Is that your name or your surname?” And then, he starts rambling without warning. “Cuz, y'know, I wouldn't wanna be rude and call you by your name when I just met you. But, then again, if you're only giving your name, that's because you don't mind, right? By the way, you can call me Taiyou. I don't like being called by my surname. Probably because I've been to Europe. Oh, yeah, I've-”

Hakuryuu puts his finger right in front of Taiyou's mouth before he can go on. “It's my name. Just call me that, I don't care.” Still, he cannot help but feel slightly amused. Taiyou certainly has a lively personality.

Seemingly not bothered in the least that Hakuryuu cut him off, Taiyou nods. “Alright, Hakuryuu it is then! Nice to meet you!” Hakuryuu thought the conversation would end here, but it appears Taiyou is never short on new things to say. “Where were you before you came here? I was at Arakumo Jr High, so I know a lot of people here. But I've never seen you before, have I?”

Hakuryuu wonders how the subject could interest Taiyou in any way, but he still decides to play along. “I was at Raimon Jr High.” A hint of bitterness remains on the tip of his tongue as the words leave his mouth.

“Oh, wow!” Taiyou looks genuinely impressed. “They're, like, one of the best when it comes to sports! I hear they won a lot of championships and the like. But, don't worry, Arakumo's great too! We got a lot of artistic options, and the best science equipment in the region. Also, everyone's very nice! Oh, and our food is-”

Hakuryuu puts his finger forward again. At this rate, it might become a habit. “I'm already here. I don't need to be convinced of anything,” he remarks, a bit sarcastic. Or maybe I do, actually. Because I'm not sure I want to stay anymore.

“Huh. Guess not,” admits Taiyou, still not losing any of his enthusiasm. “By the way, do you have any idea of which club you're gonna join?”

A club... to be honest, Hakuryuu does not intend to even join one in the first place. He knows clubs are highly regarded, both by students as a means to fit in, and by teachers because it helps develop skills that are not necessarily taught in class. Hakuryuu, in fact, used to be part of the football club in Raimon, at a time when being the best at everything still held meaning.

But there is no point in dwelling on that now. The one club Hakuryuu would feel like joining now... “Not really.” There is none. None where he would fit in anyway.

Yet, despite the half-hearted response, Taiyou still does not depart from his smile. “I see. Well then...” He rummages through his bag and gets out a small piece of paper, dropping it in front of Hakuryuu. “My friends are running this club. It's... not exactly official, but they haven't been kicked out either, so... Anyway, come and see us sometimes!”

He leaves the room upon these words. The temperature drastically falls, and the lights dim. Hakuryuu, confused, grabs the small paper. It is a promotional flyer written by hand and decorated with a few colourful animal drawings.

find our local behind the gym
we meet every day at club hours

Hakuryuu's grips on the paper tightens, slightly crumpling it. Taiyou's cheerful and friendly smile comes back to his mind. His presence felt so warm and somehow familiar. Everything about him gave Hakuryuu some hope back about the upcoming year at Arakumo.

Was it all a lie? An act to pierce through his soul, to try and decipher all his protected secrets? What exactly was Taiyou trying to accomplish, by talking so casually with a complete stranger, making him feel special for a few seconds only to go away right after? And, most importantly...

How the hell did he know?