Just like every other morning, I woke up early, got ready for school, and muttered a quick prayer to whatever higher power might be listening.
"Please, just let today be normal. No weird stares, no unnecessary attention. Just a simple, peaceful day."
"Haruki! Your lunch is ready," my mom called from the kitchen.
"Coming!" I grabbed my bag and headed to the dining area, where she handed me a neatly packed lunchbox.
"You've been leaving early these days," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Making new friends?"
"Uh… not exactly. Just trying to avoid being late," I replied, avoiding eye contact.
She gave me a knowing look but didn't push further. "Well, eat properly, alright? You've been looking thinner lately."
"I've always been like this, Mom. Genetics," I said with a shrug.
She sighed, shaking her head. "Just take care of yourself. And no skipping meals!"
"Yeah, yeah. See you later."
As I stepped outside, a cool morning breeze hit me. I walked my usual route to school, trying to clear my head. That's when I saw it—a black cat sitting near the entrance of a small alleyway.
At first glance, it looked normal, but then I noticed its eyes—deep blue, like sapphires reflecting the morning sky. There was something eerily mesmerizing about them. The cat stared at me, completely still, like it was studying me.
And then, just as I was about to step past it, I heard it again.
"Help... me..."
I froze, my heartbeat spiking.
Okay, this was officially getting weird. Was someone messing with me? Or was I just sleep-deprived and hallucinating?
The cat didn't move. Just kept staring.
I took a cautious step back. "Nope. Not today, demon feline."
Before I could dwell on it any longer, I glanced at my watch.
Crap. I was late.
I sprinted the rest of the way, barely managing to slip into the school gates before the bell rang. Panting, I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Made it.
Inside, the school corridors buzzed with excitement.
"Did you hear? A new member is joining the Golden Circle today!"
"Seriously? Those guys are on a whole different level from us. I wonder who it is?"
The Golden Circle. The elite group of students treated like royalty in our school. They had their own privileges, their own fanbase, and even their own ridiculous induction ceremony.
I sighed. I already knew who the new member was.
Satoshi Yamazaki—my gloomy little friend from childhood.
He was about to become a campus sensation. What a proud moment for me. Ah, these tears… if only I could actually feel them. Just kidding. My tear glands clocked out years ago.
The ceremony took place during the assembly. Satoshi stood up on stage, giving an impressive speech. His confidence, his charisma—it was like he had been preparing for this moment forever. By the evening, he'd probably have a dedicated fan club. Or three.
To top it off, I learned he was also joining the soccer team. So not only did he have the looks, but he had the skills too.
Meanwhile, I had... well, an excellent ability to dodge attention and a growing list of questions about mysterious whispers.
After the ceremony, we all returned to our regular classrooms—yes, even the fancy Golden Circle members. Guess he didn't get the upgrade package yet.
As I settled into my seat, Satoshi dropped into the chair beside me.
"You didn't reply to my text yesterday," he said, nudging me.
"Text? Oh—sorry. I didn't check my phone. I was too busy doing... nothing important," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.
He raised an eyebrow. "Well, I just wanted to ask if you could hang out after school."
I hesitated. My brain immediately flashed through a thousand worst-case scenarios—attention, rumors, chaos.
But then I looked at him.
He wasn't asking as the new campus star. He was asking as Satoshi—my old friend, the one who used to eat chalk on a dare.
"...I don't have any plans. So yeah, we can hang out."
Satoshi smiled. "That's great, then."
Before we could talk more, our teacher strolled into the classroom, calling everyone to attention. I mumbled something about lucky timing and faced forward.
And that's when I heard it again.
"...Help me..."
My eyes darted around the room.
No one reacted. No whispers from students, no pranks, no speakers hidden under the desks.
The voice was soft, fragile—like it came from somewhere far, far away. Or from inside my own head.
What is going on? What are those whispers?
Am I hallucinating? Or worse... am I going crazy?
Either way, one thing's clear.
I need to figure this out. Soon.