1- Confusion

Life can be fun, for those who know what fun is, of course. But not for him, being alone for most of his life made him believe it's not even worth it to engage in actions such as communicating with others, and that's happening due to factors beyond his control.

He doesn't stand out either, almost like a ghost, it probably exists but no one sees it.

***

It's a bright and beautiful day outside, the kids in class can be heard whispering to each other about the upcoming class activity. "Alright, enough talk, class is starting" the teacher loudly said but calmly so everyone could hear it.

He quickly made the usual morning roll call making sure all the kids are in class before clearing his throat preparing to make an announcement.

"Everyone, today I would like you to welcome our new classmate, he's just transferred so this is his first day here. "Now, if you want to say anything about yourself feel free to do it now". The teacher gestured towards the new student, prompting him to introduce himself.

The student stood up nervously, his palms sweating as he shuffled to the front of the class. "Um, so my name...yes, my name is Renji Kurogane," he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"And um... I'm 17 years old. I...like games and that's about it." His cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he bowed awkwardly, hoping to hide his nervousness.

The class grinned and chuckled at his somewhat awkward introduction, "Haha, well, now that you've made acquaintances, please go back to your seat" the teacher said as he was patiently waiting for Renji to sit down.

Renji actually had a reason to transfer , but he didn't tell the class nor the teacher, he wanted to say it but stopped as he thought it's a rather long story. It all started 2 years ago.

***

While in class, during break, Renji was seen staring at the window expressionless as usual. He kept stealing glances from time to time at a student with a goal in his mind.

"I will finally ask him today if he wants to be friends with me" Renji thought, debating whether he should make a move.

After a few minutes of hesitation he finally mustered up his courage and approached the other student to pose his carefully considered question.

"H-Hello, you're D-Daichi-kun right? P-Pleased t-to meet you." Renji muttered

"Oh, hey, yea that's me. And you're...Ri....Rinjo?" said Daichi with a grin on his face hoping he got the other's student name right.

"It's Renji"

"....Right, Renji"

"U-Um y-know, I was wondering if we could maybe become f-f-friends?" Renji said as he felt a thousand needles pierce through his chest waiting for a response.

"Uh, sure why not. Me and some friends were about to go to karaoke, would you like to come?"

"..." Renji said nothing, and after carefully choosing his decision, he finally agreed thinking "what could go wrong?"

"Ok, I will come with you".

"Cool, I'll go fetch the others, wait at the entrance below."

"Alright."

He started packing his stuff and after doing so, he went down to the entrance patiently waiting for the others.

***

After a few minutes, Daichi could be seen coming out of the school. Besides him were two other students who probably were his friends, but Renji didn't know as he hasn't seen them before.

"Sorry for making you wait, let's go" said Daichi while he rushed out of the main gate.

"Who's this? I thought only the three of us were going." One of Daichi's friends curiously asked.

"Oh yeah, he's from my class, I invited him earlier, we just became friends."

"Hi, I'm Renji, me and Daichi are in the same class. Is it a-alright if I come along?" He asked eagerly.

"Sure, I just haven't seen you until now so I was curious."

After exchanging a few more words, they went on their way to the karaoke bar.

***

"Finally we're here, I thought I was gonna bite the curb from all that heat outside." Said Daichi as he rushed to the couch inside the karaoke room.

"Renji, since you're our guest, go buy something to drink, tell them to put it on my tab."

"Sure."

He ran quickly as to not miss any of the fun, and came back in a few minutes.

"You're fast Renji haha, don't worry, you didn't miss anything important, just some ear-bleeding singing." Daichi said laughing.

"And now since you went to get the drinks, you have to sing us a song, right?"

"M-Me? But I can't sing."

"Oh c'mon, just a bit, you came to have fun, no?"

Renji picked up the microphone and chose a song. For a few seconds you could hear nothing as he was just quietly mumbling.

But then out of nowhere, as if a demon possesed him, he sang his heart out of his chest with the others just staring dumbfounded not thinking he would actually sing.

After some time, it got dark outside so the bunch decided that's enough for today and left not too long after grabbing their things.

***

"T-Thanks for today, it was really fun and I hope I can come along next time!" Renji exclaimed.

"For sure, just ask me when you want to come."

Daichi replied with the others nodding in the back.

After that, Renji arrived home and immediatly jumped on the bed exhausted. "Wow, today was really fun, I can't wait for tommorow" he thought.

***

A new day has started, sunny and warm, just perfect for school. Renji came in the class excited thinking if he should ask Daichi whether they're going to go out again.

As he was looking around, Daichi is nowhere to be seen. He thought "Maybe he's outside, class hasn't started after all".

But after the teacher arrived and did the roll call, Daichi was still not in class. "Weird, the teacher didn't even call his name, I'll ask his friends after class, maybe they know." Renji pondered.

Just as class ended Renji rushed out of the class in search of Daichi's friends. After searching for a bit he finally found them.

"H-Hi um, do you remember me? We went out yesterday to the karaoke bar."

"Oh yeah, what's up."

"I was wondering if Daichi came to school today, I didn't see him in class."

"Daichi.....Who's that? If you're talking about yesterday only us three were at the karaoke bar." The student said looking while looking at the other one confused.

"Huh? What do you mean who. He introduced me to you both yesterday after school".

"Look, I don't know who that is or if you're pulling some kind of prank but I don't have time for that ok?" He replied before leaving.

"What's going on?" Renji asked himself. "Not only did the teacher not call his name, those two claimed they don't know him either, the only thing left that I can do is ask in class." He added.

Rushing back into class, Renji kept asking his colleagues about him but no one seem to knew what he was talking about.

Exhausted and confused Renji sat down and said.

"Just what could be going on?".

{Chapter 1 End}