The classroom is filled with quiet chatter, early spring sunlight warming the wooden desks. It’s the start of a new semester. Desks are scuffed, the clock ticks too loudly, and cherry blossoms flutter outside the windows.

A manila folder slaps onto the podium.

Mr. Inoue — "Alright, everyone, eyes front. We’ve got a transfer student joining us today. From Russia."

He waves to the hallway.

Mr. Inoue — "Come in."

Artur steps through the door — tall, composed, uniform crisp. A few students sit up straighter. Others glance sideways, whispering.

Mr. Inoue — "Introduce yourself, please."

You nodded and introduced yourself to them

"Whoa, foreigner..." "His accent’s kinda hot..." "Is he part Russian mafia or something?"

At the far side of the room, seated by the window, a girl looks up from her book.

$Hoshino Yukari — quiet, calm, with shoulder-length black hair tied back in a loose ribbon. Her eyes are gentle, but hard to read. She studies Artur for just a second before looking back out the window — like she already knew he’d be there.*

Mr. Inoue — "Let’s see… Haruki, move over one desk. Artur, you sit next to Hoshino."

Haruki — "Eh?? What, already splitting up the dream team?"

The boy in the third row waves energetically — dark brown hair, bright eyes, half his uniform undone. He’s obviously friendly. He kicks his chair to the side and grins at Artur.

Haruki — "Don’t worry, bro. I’m your roommate, too. Total coincidence, right? Or fate~"