The First Day of School

April was in bloom, and it was time for the students of Sakura Island to start the new school year.

The upperclassmen had just come back from a brief, wonderful spring break, and many still wore a trace of reluctance on their faces.

The new students, meanwhile, were full of anticipation and anxiety about their new surroundings, new friends, and new challenges. Those feelings were even more apparent on this bus.

In a window seat near the back, a handsome boy with a smile on his face watched the passing traffic, bored out of his mind, and yawned.

Just as I thought. Riding the bus is always so boring...

Suddenly, a woman's voice caught his attention.

"Hey, you over there. Can't you see that old lady is having a hard time?"

The voice came from the front of the bus. The woman was scolding a blond boy sitting across from her. Under normal circumstances, nine out of ten high schoolers would probably have nodded along when a strange adult harshly criticized someone in front of everyone.

But...

Katsuya Shinjo turned his gaze to the target she had chosen. His eyebrows rose, then he shook his head and muttered to himself:

"You sure know how to pick 'em... But is he planning to spend three years at this school too? Don't tell me my peaceful days are going to be shattered before they even begin..."

Clearly, Katsuya knew the boy.

But everyone's attention had been drawn to the exchange, and no one paid any mind to his muttering.

Since boarding, the tall boy in the priority seat had been either pulling out a comb every so often to fix his hair or quietly resting with his eyes closed.

He slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the old woman, and closed them again. Then he lifted his chin and spoke.

"That's a crazya question, lady~"

"Why should I give up my seat for this old woman?"

The boy's response was completely unexpected. Not only did he have no intention of giving up his seat, he went right on to explain his reasoning.

"You're sitting in a priority seat. You're supposed to give it up for older people!"

The woman clearly wanted him to give up his seat to the old woman.

"I don't understand. Even if it's a priority seat, there's no law saying I have to give it up, is there? Whether I give up this seat is up to its current owner—that is, me!"

"Heh. I'm a healthy young man, but standing is obviously more tiring than sitting. I have no intention of doing something so pointless. Or are you planning to tip me?"

The boy's arrogant tone instantly enraged the woman, who was dressed in office attire.

"W-what kind of way is that to speak to an elder?!"

Faced with an adult's imposing manner, the boy showed no sign of backing down. Instead, he scoffed.

"An elder... An elder is someone with ability and experience. You and this old woman have lived longer than I have. That much is obvious. But as an elder, aren't you acting all high and mighty?"

His words seemed to hit a nerve. After holding it in for a while, all she could manage was:

"What did you say?! Y-you're a high school student, aren't you? When an adult is talking, you should just listen!"

When it became clear that neither side would back down, the old woman finally felt bad for the boy and spoke up to calm things down.

"Um, it's all right. Thank you for speaking up for me, but I don't mind standing for a while."

"Haha, looks like this old woman is the one with more sense."

The boy laughed twice, then put on his earphones and went back to listening to music. That only made the office lady even angrier.

Katsuya clearly had no intention of getting involved. After all, he was a self-interested person too.

He had to admit the boy's argument bordered on sophistry, but that was how society on Sakura Island was these days: every man for himself.

Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, a sweet female voice broke the silence.

"Actually... I think the big sister is right."

The voice belonged to an exceptionally cute girl. Her uniform gave away her identity: like the boy across from her, she was a new student about to start school.

"Oh? A pretty girl this time? Looks like I'm having quite the day with the opposite sex~"

The girl spoke with a tone that was seven parts pleading and three parts pitiful.

"This old lady really does look like she's having a hard time. Could I ask you to give up your seat? Maybe I'm sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but I think it could be a way to contribute to society."

Snap!

The boy snapped his fingers.

"Contribute to society? I see. Giving up your seat for an older person does count as contributing to society. But unfortunately, I'm not interested in that. I think it's enough just to satisfy myself. Besides, even though I'm sitting in a priority seat in this crowded bus, what about all those people who don't care and are minding their own business? If they cared about the elderly, they could give up their seats even if they weren't in priority seats, couldn't they?"

His reasoning sounded arrogant, but no one could deny that it made a certain amount of sense. The girl might not have known what to do about the boy in front of her, but she didn't give up.

She gathered her courage and addressed the passengers who were sitting.

"Everyone, would anyone be willing to give this old woman a seat? Anyone at all. Please!"

Katsuya narrowed his eyes. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe that there were still fools in this world who could make other people's happiness their own.

But reality was often cruel.

If anyone had wanted to give up their seat, surely they would have stood up already.

As Katsuya looked around at the other passengers, he noticed someone seemed to be watching him.

He quickly shifted his gaze. Their eyes met.

The other boy had a Flying Fish Head hairstyle and an expressionless face. Neither of them looked away. Gradually, their curious glances became a stare.

For some reason, Katsuya found the boy across from him a little strange. He couldn't say why, but something about him was odd.

Finally, the other boy ended the staring contest with a nod, then turned away.

That guy... doesn't he have some kind of weird fetish?

Even Katsuya, who had seen plenty in his time, got goosebumps at the thought.

A little while later, a woman stood up of her own accord. She had been sitting near the old woman and had probably had enough, so she gave up her seat.

"Thank you!"

The girl smiled brightly, nodded in thanks, and led the old woman to the empty seat. The old woman thanked her again and again as she slowly sat down.

At last, the matter was settled.