The school bell rang.
A new school year had begun.
Students walked through the gates, laughing, chatting, full of energy.
But one boy walked alone, quiet and cold.
Yoshi Toru.
He kept his head low, his hands in his pockets.
He didn't smile.
He didn't talk.
He didn't look at anyone.
When he reached his classroom, he went straight to the window seat at the back and sat down.
Other students looked at him.
"Isn't that the weird guy?" one whispered.
"He never talks," said another.
"I heard he's emotionless… like a ghost."
Yoshi didn't care.
He had heard it all before.
He didn't respond.
He just looked outside the window, staring at nothing.
Then, the door opened.
A girl walked in with a bright smile.
Her name was Shiori Aiko—the new class president.
"Good morning, everyone!" she said happily.
Students greeted her with a smile. She was popular, kind, and full of energy.
As she looked around the room, her eyes landed on Yoshi.
She paused.
"Huh…?" she whispered. "Who's that?"
She walked over.
All eyes followed her.
Yoshi didn't notice. Or maybe he didn't care.
Shiori stood beside his desk.
"Hi," she said, smiling. "I'm Shiori Aiko. What's your name?"
Yoshi stayed silent.
She tilted her head. "Can you hear me?"
Still, no answer.
He didn't even look at her.
Shiori blinked, then smiled wider.
"Well, okay then! I'll sit here!" she said and pulled out the chair next to him.
The class went quiet.
"Why is she sitting beside him?" someone whispered.
"She's so friendly… even to a guy like that?" another said.
Yoshi's hand slightly tightened on the table.
He didn't speak.
But deep inside, a strange feeling rose one he hadn't felt in a long time.
A small boy stood in a dark room.
Tears ran down his face.
In front of him… his mother's body lay still.
His father stood there, holding a broken bottle.
"You shouldn't have been born," the woman had said before she died.
And now, her voice still echoed in Yoshi's mind—again and again.
Yoshi stood near the gate, waiting.
Then a cheerful voice called out, "Onii-chan!"
Mika Saki ran up to him and grabbed his arm.
She was small, cute, and full of energy.
"How was your first day?" she asked with a big smile.
Yoshi didn't answer.
She pouted. "You didn't talk again, huh?"
Yoshi looked at her for a second, then said softly, "…I'm fine."
Mika blinked. "You talked! Yay!"
Yoshi didn't smile, but his eyes softened just a little.
Their adoptive parents sat at the dinner table with Mika.
"Is Yoshi okay at school?" the mother asked gently.
"He doesn't say much," Mika said. "But I'll stay by his side."
The father nodded. "We're worried. He still won't open up."
"I know," Mika said quietly. "But… I'll protect him. Always."
Yoshi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts were quiet… until one memory rose.
Shiori's voice.
"Hi, I'm Shiori Aiko."
He didn't understand why, but her voice stayed in his mind.
And in that dark room, for the first time in a long time,
Yoshi whispered to himself,
"…Why can't I forget her voice?"
End of Chapter 1