"Meet your new classmate!" The teacher announced

Ah, here we go again. Another school, another chance for me to make a fool of myself. Yep, that's right, it's yours truly. The socially awkward superstar, making a grand entrance in the blink of an eye. Seriously, it's like I have a supernatural ability to teleport from one educational institution to another. Move over, Flash, I'm the new speedster in town! But hey, at least it keeps life interesting, right? Who needs stability when you can have a whirlwind of new faces, new classrooms, and new opportunities to embarrass yourself? Oh boy, buckle up folks, because this socially inept train is about to leave the station!

"He's a transfer student, ready to rock this class from now on. Give it up for Yukihiro Takahashi!" The teacher exclaimed, pointing towards me as we both stood at the front of the class.

Alright, here goes nothing...

Sweating buckets, heart racing like a marathon runner, I take a deep breath and mentally prepare for the social battlefield that is high school.

Okay, Yukihiro Takahashi, you got this. I mean, it's not like I'm about to give a speech to a thousand people or anything... Oh wait, I kind of am

With a shaky voice that could rival a malfunctioning robot, I introduce myself to the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"I-I'm Yukihiro Takahashi. Eighteen years old and, uh, um... that's pretty much it, I guess."

Smooth, Yukihiro, real smooth.

I quickly nod, hoping against hope that my brief introduction would be good enough.

Ha! It's more like I'll be the talk of the town for about two seconds until something juicier comes along. But hey, at least I tried, right? That's gotta count for something in the grand scheme of high school survival.

And there I was, being gestured by the teacher to take a seat near the window. As I gracefully strolled to my designated spot, I couldn't resist the temptation to sneak a peek at the captivating view outside. It was like witnessing a bustling city symphony - cars, buses, taxis, and even a daring delivery man on a bicycle.

Delivery guy, watch out for those potholes!

Ah, I could already feel the protagonist vibes seeping into my very being. Cue the dramatic music~!

Silence filled the classroom as the lesson droned on, but suddenly, like a ray of sunshine, the bell shattered our tranquility. It was like a prison break for the students, everyone frantically gathering their belongings and engaging in animated conversations. The teacher gracefully announced the end of today's subject matter and granted us all a well-deserved break.

Time to recharge those brain cells! As if I have a single one...

As I sat there, contemplating the mysteries of life with my chin resting on my palm, I couldn't help but let out deep, theatrical sighs, one after the other.

"Hey, wouldn't it be lovely to grab a bite at the cafeteria?" I felt a tap on my shoulder, and as I turned, my gaze met the most enchanting girl. Her eyes sparkled like rubies, and her hair, oh, her hair was a mesmerizing shade of violet... or was it blue? Either way, it was captivating.

Pinch me, because I must be dreaming...

"Um,"

Oh no, I forgot to respond!

My attention drifted back to the cityscape outside the window, but my stomach couldn't help but protest.

"I'd love to, but I think I'll stay here for a little while longer," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Even though my stomach was begging for food, I couldn't tear myself away from the view.

"I understand," she sighed, disappointment glinting in her eyes.

Wait a minute... is it uncommon for strangers to resist such invitation? Or perhaps she has another motive altogether...

Before I could dwell further on my thoughts, a voice interrupted us. It was at that moment I realized we were the only ones in the classroom until the newcomer arrived.

"There you are, Yumi!" a voice called out, causing her to turn toward the door. She offered a small wave, and I could hear footsteps approaching.

Great, another interesting development...

"Oh, you're with the new student?" A young man peered over Yumi's shoulder and locked eyes with me.

"Hey there!" he said with an energetic grin.

"Yo," I replied, raising my hand halfheartedly in an attempt at a greeting. He had golden-brown eyes that seemed to twinkle mischievously, and his hair had a lustrous shade of brown.

"I'm Shenji. Nice to meet you... uh," he paused, momentarily forgetting my name.

"It's Yukihiro, you dolt. He just mentioned it earlier today!" Yumi chimed in, exasperated.

"Ah, right! Haha! My bad. Nice to meet you, Yukihiro!" Shenji extended his arm for a handshake.

I wonder if there's a prize for shaking his hand...

Despite my skepticism, I decided to humor him and extend my own hand for a shake.

"So, what were you guys talking about?" Shenji inquired, looking genuinely curious.

"Well, I sort of invited Yukihiro to join me at the cafeteria, but it seems he's not quite comfortable with the school environment. I think he's shy and nervous and anxious"

Wait a minute! I never said I was shy or nervous! Don't jump to conclusions, Yumi!

"I appreciate your concern, but honestly, I'm just not in the mood right now. I'd rather sit back and soak in this marvelous scene for a while longer," I clarified. Once again, my gaze wandered back to the captivating cityscape outside.

"Wait until you see the city at night," Shenji interjected, leaning against the window with a mischievous smile.

"Is this your first time in the city?" Yumi asked, taking a step closer.

"Uh-huh. I grew up in a more rural area, so this sprawling metropolis feels like an entirely new world to me," I confessed.

The three of us stood there, silently basking in the beauty of the city, the breeze gently caressing our faces.

"Alright, enough of this lollygagging. We've got a cafeteria date, folks!" Shin exclaimed with a big stretch, snapping us out of our idle chatter.

Hold on a minute. Did this guy just decide everything by himself?

"But what about Yuki?" Yumi asked, her eyes darting towards me.

"No worries, he'll come along, right?" Shin grinned, oozing confidence.

"Wait, how can you just assume that?" I shot back, a sly smirk creeping across my face.

"Because, my friend, if you agree, this beautiful lady right here will give you a grand tour later tonight. Sound good?" Shin added, raising an eyebrow mischievously.

"Are you serious?" Yumi's gaze locked onto Shin, disbelief written all over her face.

"Absolutely. So, let's grab some snacks now and save your sweet time for later," he concluded, giving both Yumi and I a cheeky wink.

"Shin!" Yumi playfully pulled his hair, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Ow-! Come on, I'm starving!" he protested, strutting away confidently.

They really do seem like siblings, so close and comfortable together.

"Don't mind him. He's always bursting with energy. If you'd rather stay here, it's fine—" Yumi started, but I cut her off.

"No problem. I'll go," I assured her with a smile.

I noticed her eyes narrowing, as she leaned in closer to my face.

"You turn me down and accept his invitation..." she muttered

"I-I... It's not a big deal. The city at night will be amazing," I stammered, returning the smile.

"It definitely will be! Let's go!" Yumi exclaimed, grasping my wrist and pulling me towards the door.