One look at him, and the man knew what was going on his lover's head. Please, let it be a lie. He prayed and hoped for any hint of hesitation in his eyes, but it was too late. The man had just lost his everything—it was him.
Renjiro could feel the pain that man was going through. He had been fuming over this comic book for hours now. There was just more emotion pouring in as he kept on scheming through the pages.
He held his chest tight, focused like any day before, pain kept coming to hunt him, and that could possibly stay for a while.
Renjiro closed the mysterious book as he held it close to his chest. He's hoping for the best the next time he reads it.
It wasn't long before he noticed the change—outside the window, towering trees drifting by, swaying rhythmically with the motion of the bus.
The building drastically disappeared as it passed by a different route of road. Soon, the bus stopped and parked right in front of a manor like building; Mooncrest Solmere Private Academy.
Tucked behind ornate gates and ivy-covered walls, the private academy stood like a secret garden. Cherry blossom trees lined every path, their delicate petals fluttering in the breeze and carpeting the stone walkways in soft pink. The scent of spring hung in the air, and with each step, if felt as though time slowed, caught in the spell of the blossoms' quiet beauty.
Renjiro stood right at the entrance with new hope and a quiet determination burning in his chest, cherry blossoms drifting around him like a gentle welcome.
He's ready to start a new school life. The air filled with a mix of nervous and fresh possibilities. The anticipation for new beginnings was evident on his face. He took a step with a wide smile, excitedly.
"Renjiro!"
A voice suddenly spoke out, calling his name from behind. He spins around in heel and sees a familiar face. It was Kaito Yugen, his long-time childhood friend who's almost like a family to him.
Renjiro perks up with a big warm beam on his face as he says, "Yugen! Hey buddy."
He walked toward him, carrying a welcoming vibe. "Glad to see you arrived early today, Ren." Yugen said, tilting his head down slightly to meet Renjiro's eyes—a subtle reminder of a few inches he had on the boy.
Renjiro immediately noticed the huge difference between their heights. Even the aura that Yugen was giving off was new—both cool and refreshing.
It made his chest tighten with a mix of admiration and nervousness. He felt small, not just in stature, but in presence—like he was standing in front of someone from a different world. But he kept on a bright smile and looked up to face his friend.
"Is that really a way to greet a friend you haven't seen for a long time?"
Renjiro jokingly said while he nudged his arm to Yugen.
"Well, it's cause..." Yugen said, "You used to arrive very late before and always get away with it."
Yugen reminisced about the past, their childhood days, and the old ways of his friend. Remembering it all so vividly puts a smile on his face. It sounds silly, but he treasured those memories close to his heart.
Renjiro stood on his weight and said, "You still remember that?"
Yugen didn't say anything and only snickers softly.
This was not the first time they met. In fact, they've been in contact for a very long time now, and ever since Renjiro and his family went abroad—they would always call each other in any way they can.
Yugen was also the first person he met when getting back to the country. So, seeing him again was like meeting someone in coincidence. Though Renjiro is truly happy to see his best friend after so long of being away from each other, there was also a sense of sadness and fear spiraling within him.
But for now, he just wants to enjoy his days with his precious best friend. Spend the time every day, go to class together, and hang out like there's no tomorrow. Renjiro was excited for everything.
"I'm looking forward to what's coming next." He mumbled under his breath.
Yugen glances over to him with curious eyes. "What's that?"
"Nothing!" Renjiro shakes his head upon his statement.
As they went inside the building, Renjiro was instantly overwhelmed by the lounge's quiet luxury. The high ceilings, polished marble floors, and soft golden lighting made everything feel surreal—like he had stepped into a world reserved for the elite. He felt a strange mix of awe and discomfort, clutching the strap of his bag a little tighter, unsure if he truly belonged.
His jaw almost dropped when his eyes suddenly veered the chandelier, shining brilliantly above his head, its crystals casting scattered rainbows across the marble floor. For a moment, he forgot where he was, mesmerized by the intricate dance of light and glass.
The boy couldn't believe his eyes—it looked as if something you'd only see on movies. It also felt like a dream.
While he was on cloud nine, Yugen insisted on giving him a tour around the campus. "I'll show you the most important places here that you need to remember," he said, a hint of pride in his voice as he gestured toward the stairs with a grin on his face, already leading the way down on one of the wide hallways.
The sun filtered through the window, casting dappled shadows on the walkway as they began their stroll, laughter, and distant chatter echoing across the hallway. The soft hum of distant conversations and the faint scent of old books drifted through the air as they moved past classrooms, and quiet study books tucked between archways.
Until they reached one sunlit countryard, they casually walked in towards a cobbled path lined with ivy-covered walls. Renjiro was once again amazed by the unique and mysterious view—as if they were inside a maze.
Not long after, they arrived at the final stop: the dorms at another separate building.
Silence engulfed the atmosphere around the empty corridor. The doors, identical and tightly shut, lined both sides like sentinels. Each room held a narrow bed with crisp white sheets, a simple desk tucked beneath an opened window, and shelves bare but for the occasional forgotten notebook.
The air inside was cool and faintly sterile, carrying the subtle scent of wood polish and distant laundry detergent. It was a place between arrival and belonging—still waiting to be made someone's own.
Renjiro throws himself on the bed to sit down as he walks in. His body bounces a bit as he feels the mattress' softness. "This is so cool!"
The extreme excitement was visible on his face; his eyes sparkled brightly. Like a kid that plays around to have fun.
Yugen looks at him with contempt as he says, "Don't dirty those white sheets. The helpers just finished changing them." It sounded more of a warning than just a passing remark.
Renjiro perks up, and his eyes sparkle even more as he heard the word. "You mean like a servant?"
"Well," Yugen said, "It's more or less. But we call them helpers—not servant."
"Helpers?"
Renjiro looked puzzled. Yugen grin upon seeing his face.
He answered, "Basically, they are the ones doing things around here, but not directly doing chores for us. We, students, do those tasks."
Renjiro smiled. "I see. That sounds cool." As if he understood the short explanation, he nodded his head.
It seemed nothing, but something sparked inside Renjiro as if there's a meaning behind his playful smile.
Yugen exhaled softly. He walked toward the bed and sat beside Renjiro. They quietly stared at the walls, the empty bed at the other side.
Moments passed, yet Renjiro was still on the bed, sitting comfortably looking at a space. Yugen had left for student council activities.
Then, he heard a sudden knock on the door. This caught his attention and made him walk toward the door—opened it—his belongings had arrived and are ready to move in his room.
After a few boxes settled inside, Renjiro fixed his sleeves and started rummaging through the boxes. He arranged important stuff, filling every empty shelf and cabinets with his personal belongings.
When he was done, he stood still for a moment, letting the silence of the room settle around him.
The scent of sandalwood lingered faintly in the air—maybe from the old floorboards or from the incense he had packed last. He retrieved a pocket like books from the final box and placed it gently on the desk by the window. Outside, the sun had started to dip, casting long shadows across the floor.
Renjiro exhaled slowly. It wasn't home—not yet—but it would do.
Then came another knock at the door. He opened it, and a new face appeared. A young brunette boy was standing in front of him—maybe sixteen the same age as him, with a mop of unkempt hair and wide, curious eyes. His clothes were slightly too big, as if borrowed or handed down, and he clutched a list in one hand.
"Are you... Koizumi Renjiro?" the boy asked, voice uncertain but clear.
Renjiro studied him for a moment, his gaze unreadable. "Depends who's asking." He smiled.
The boy looked at him once again. "You're face's new," he said, "You're the new transfer student, right?"
"Yes! That's me."
The boy exhaled softly as he introduced himself. "My name's Sasaki Tasuki, I'm in charge of checking the dorm attendance."
Renjiro perked up as he said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Koizumi Renjiro," his eyes sparked in joy, meeting someone other than his best friend.
"I know. Nice to meet you, too."
"Yeah, nice to meet you—."
The boy named Sasaki stopped him before repeating the same words. "You said that just now, I know."
Renjiro slightly tilts his head, looking a bit confused. "Oh..." he muttered softly under his breath.
Sasaki shakes his head as if brushing it off. He proceeds to inform Renjiro about the rules of the dorms and the daily inspections of rooms every Monday and Friday.
He passed on a small notebook that looked more like someone's personal journal. Sasaki pointed his fingers to it as he said, "This notebook will be pass on every room—it's like a report, you write anything that happens here in the dorms."
Renjiro took the notebook with a quiet nod, his fingers brushing over the worn leather cover. It felt strangely warm in his hands—well-used, personal. His brows furrowed slightly as he flipped through a few pages, eyes scanning the cramped handwriting, sketches, and scattered notes inside. Some entries were mundane—lost keys, broken lights—while others hinted at things left unsaid.
Renjiro looked at the notebook with a sense of curiosity, awe, and excitement.
"A communal diary, huh?" He murmured, more to himself than to Sasaki. He wasn't used to sharing space, let alone thoughts. Still, there was something oddly grounding and new about the tradition.
He closed the notebook and looked up. "Alright. I'll write when there's something worth saying."
But in truth, he was already wondering what stories this place had buried—and what he'd end up adding to its pages.
Sasaki softly chuckles upon his statement and says, "Please do, but don't make it so like you're writing a whole story."
"Wait..." Renjiro glances at him as though a bit shocked, "I was exactly thinking of that, though."
"No. Seriously, don't."
Sasaki looked at him quietly with a straight face, and then both burst out laughing at each other, filling the empty hallway with joyful noises.
"Gosh," Sasaki sighed, "You're quite a funny guy. I feel like I'm starting to like you."
Renjiro smiled, hearing those words. It had been a long time since someone other than Yugen said something like that—so casually, without expectation. The warmth in Sasaki's tone settled in his chest, easing the tightness he'd been carrying since he arrived.
For a second, he looked down the corridor, watching the light from the window cast long shadows on the wooden floor.
"You're not so bad yourself," he said, voice quieter now.
They stood there a moment longer, laughter fading but the comfort lingering.
"Well," Sasaki finally said, stepping back, "Welcome to Dorm 5. Hope you're ready for some weird nights."
Renjiro raised an eyebrow. "Weird, how?"
Sasaki just grinned. "You'll see."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving Renjiro with the journal still in his hands and a dozen questions swirling in his mind.
It's not exactly what I think it is. Is it?
He thought, wondering what Sasaki meant by saying those words. Was it a warning? Or just a passing remark.
That night, Renjiro took another quiet walk through the dorm, this time alone. The halls looked different under the soft orange glow of the night lamps—longer somehow, more hollow. His footsteps echoed gently off the wooden floors, and somewhere in the distance, a pipe groaned like it had been asleep for years.
After a pause, he continued down the hall and found the side door that led outside. The night air was cool and clean, carrying the faint scent of grass and earth. The backyard was wide and mostly empty, save for a crooked clothesline and a single bench facing the trees. Beyond the fence, the forest stretched into the dark, tall, and silent.
He sat for a while, staring up at the sky. The stars here were brighter than in the city.
Something about this place felt old, like it had secrets. For the first time in a long while, Renjiro found himself wanting to know them.
Later, he went inside, the hallway lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum floor. Doors to the other rooms were shut tight, most lights off, save for a silver of brightness under one or two.
He passed the common room without glancing in, footsteps soft as breath. As he reached the end of the corridor, he turned into the small, dimly lit bathroom. The fluorescent bulbs above the mirror flickered, humming in the stillness. Renjiro stepped up to the sink and stared at his reflection.
He glanced at the empty stalls behind him—silent, like everything else tonight. Just him, the mirror, and the hum of solitude.
It was already time for a shower as the bath is bound to close past 11 pm at night. Luckily, Renjiro was able to bring along his towel and a little basket with shampoos and soap in it.
He walked in the bath area—took off all his clothes—sat down on a mini chair facing the faucets.
The faucet squeaked as he turned it, cold water rushing out. He splashed his face, and down to his body, the chill a small jolt to his system. For a moment, he just stood there, hands braced on the bucket, breathing slowly. The scent of mildew and old soap filled the air.
"Phew!" Renjiro gasped as he decided to soak himself in the big tub. Steamed curled edges of the mirrors and softened the light into a warm haze.
He lowered himself into the water, the heat wrapping around him like a thick blanket. "This feels amazing," he whispered, his voice barely echoing off the walls.
Renjiro slowly closed his eyes.
The silence was perfect—no chatter, no footsteps, no clatter from the common areas. Just the faint ripple of water against the edges of the tub and the soft hiss of steam.