Minase Hajiren
He was assigned to sit at the last desk (of course, he sat alone), right next to the window.
A perfect spot—if you're the type of person who likes watching clouds drift by and completely forgets the teacher is lecturing, then there's nothing better.
As for me... I sat at the second-to-last desk, right in front of him.
Lost deep in thought about this new classmate, I didn't even realize he had returned to his seat... and was staring at me from behind.
Suddenly, it felt like someone had placed a block of ice against my back...
I sneaked a glance backward and caught his gaze...
How should I describe it? That look—deep and cold—like a winter lake...
Absolutely freezing. ŏ﹏ŏ
I immediately forced myself to look straight ahead, not daring to sneak another glance...
Because just a brief eye contact with him made me feel like I was about to be frozen solid.
From the start of the lesson, I couldn't focus at all, and I had no idea why...
There was something very hard to describe.
My curiosity kept growing, but I tried to resist the urge to sneak another peek behind me.
If I dared to glance even a little bit, I might meet that freezing winter-lake gaze again.
And of course, I didn't have the courage to do that.
So there I was, feeling extremely unsettled without even knowing why, until—
"Ryura-chan, what are you thinking about?" —Kazuya whispered, poking my waist lightly.
Startled, I turned to glare at him.
"Stop adding '-chan' to my name..." I groaned.
Kazuya laughed out loud. "You've been spacing out for a while, so I just wanted to check."
"Focus on the lesson, you idiot. We're in class — you wanna get punished or what?"
—I mumbled back, keeping my eyes forward.
Maybe because he saw my serious expression, he finally stopped fooling around and became quiet again.
... Time kept passing, the lecture continued until the end of the period.
During that time, I don't know if I was being oversensitive, but I kept feeling like I was being stared at from behind...
Once or twice, I gathered all my courage to sneak a look back, but everything seemed normal.
Minase was diligently taking notes, his face still as emotionless as a calm lake.
So I quickly turned my eyes forward again, trying to reassure myself (Probably just my imagination).
... Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class.
During the break, the classroom buzzed with lively chatter about one hot topic: The New Student.
Groups of students (mostly girls) gathered and gossiped excitedly.
"So handsome!" "I wonder if he already has a girlfriend..." "Maybe we should ask for his contact info!" "I wonder what his personality is like..."
All those whispers reached my ears, and I just sighed... totally speechless at them.
I stayed in my seat, occasionally sneaking a glance toward Minase's spot.
He still sat there alone by the window, not making any effort to talk to anyone, resting his chin on his hand and gazing vaguely outside.
("Why is he acting so distant..." — I thought.)
No one dared to approach him.
He seemed to have an invisible wall around him—cold, distant, impossible to get through.
Well, saying "no one" wasn't completely accurate.
A few girls from our class had actually approached him, tried to start conversations, asked for his contact info, even invited him out to eat.
But he barely said a word...
(And honestly, just looking at his face at those moments, you could clearly see a big "Not interested" flashing above his head.)
As for me, I just stayed put—not because I was particularly paying attention to him or anything—
but simply because today I felt too lazy to go down to the cafeteria.
My friend had already disappeared somewhere, but whatever, I didn't care.
Somehow, even while trying to read my notes, I kept feeling restless.
Should I go and say hi?
After all, I am the class vice president in charge of general affairs (basically anything miscellaneous),
so it would technically be part of my "social duties," right?
I fiddled nervously with the hem of my uniform, deep in thought.
("With that attitude... would I get completely ignored...? That would be super embarrassing...")
—I was struggling internally between Saying Hi and Not Saying Hi.
... After a long mental battle, I finally decided:
("Whatever! It's just saying hello. Even if he ignores me, it's no big deal. But if I don't greet him, it'll be rude.")
I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and with tiny steps, I walked toward Minase's desk.
Standing in front of his desk, I bowed slightly:
"Uh... hello, Minase-san. I'm Hoshira Ryura, the vice class president.
If you need any help, please feel free to ask." (I was trying my best to smile.)
Minase looked up at me.
Those jet-black eyes—deep, cold, and piercing.
("Ah... I'm doomed...")
—I broke into a cold sweat.
(That gaze seriously felt like it could freeze me solid...)
I froze on the spot like a statue.
But thankfully, he finally spoke.
"No need. Thank you."
I stood there, stunned.
He... completely rejected me.
An overwhelming sense of embarrassment rushed in, my ears burned, and my face turned bright red.
I stammered:
"Uh... um... alright, then... sorry for bothering you..."
I hurriedly, clumsily walked back to my desk, trying to look as natural as possible.
("I want to dig a hole and hide in it...") —that's all I could think at the time.
... (And so, for the rest of the class after that tragically awkward "greeting,"
I didn't dare glance at or talk to Minase until school ended and I could finally go home.)
...
Today's Journal
(That night at Ryura's house)
> 21/04/20** — Monday
Weather: Slightly sunny, with a cool breeze.
Mood today: Same as usual
(ꈍ0ꈍ) (Well... maybe not exactly good.)
...
Today was just like any other day.
But... maybe a little different.
This morning, Rinko texted me, warning me that "something bad might happen."
I didn't really believe it, but... maybe there was a tiny bit of truth to it.
When I arrived at school, I met the new student.
His name: Minase Hajiren.
First impressions...
He looked incredibly cold.
His eyes were like an iceberg floating alone in the middle of summer.
But I have to admit — he's really handsome.
Not the blinding, flashy kind of handsome—
but the kind that quietly draws you in and makes you unable to look away.
I mustered all my courage and went to say hi to him.
But... Minase-san only replied with a short, curt sentence:
"No need. Thank you."
(I wanted to die of embarrassment!!)
My face must've turned as red as a ripe tomato...
...
Another weird thing—
When I turned around to leave, I felt... like someone was watching me.
(Probably just my imagination...)
Anyway, today, Minase-san kept sitting alone.
He didn't join any conversations.
During class, he just quietly took notes and didn't say a word.
...
Still, it's strange.
Even though he's so cold on the outside,
I didn't find him scary or intimidating at all.
Instead, I... kind of want to know more about him.
(Ah, don't get the wrong idea! I just want to be friends, that's all.)
But I do wonder—
Maybe... behind that icy exterior, there's a warm heart hidden away?
(Truthfully, I don't even know why I'm so curious about him...)
...
P/S:
Tomorrow, I must try to talk to him again!
I can't give up just because I got cold-shouldered once!
Hoshira Ryura, you can do it!