Chapter 10: The Day the Sun Rose from the West
The classroom buzzed with whispers.
Not about the presentation topic.
Not even about Haruki's change.
They were all whispering about the impossible.
> "Kenji... is in Group 7?"
"Wait, that Kenji?"
"Why's the class bully standing there calmly?"
"Are we in an alternate timeline or something?"
Even the teacher, Miss Aoyama, blinked twice. She adjusted her glasses, stared again, and whispered under her breath:
"The sun has risen from the west…"
---
The Unexpected Team
Group 7 — a combination no one could've imagined even in their wildest logic.
Haruki, once a trembling shadow in the back row, now walked to the front with unshaken calm.
Rinako, confident and glowing, organized her notes with a quirky grin and curry bun in hand.
Yua, elegant yet silent, stood with her arms crossed, chin slightly up.
Kenji, the boy once feared by many… now stood beside Haruki like a loyal soldier.
The lights dimmed.
Haruki turned toward the class.
And began.
---
Haruki's Voice of Change
His voice was calm, low, and firm — the kind of voice that demanded attention without yelling.
> "Today, we'll talk about real group dynamics.
Not textbook definitions. Real ones.
The kind you live through."
He stepped to the side and let the slides do the work.
The first one showed a sketch of three students sitting apart, one watching others work from a distance.
> "We didn't start off as a team.
We started off with history, distance… even pain."
A few eyes glanced at Kenji.
He didn't flinch. He stood there. Silent. Still. Composed.
Haruki continued, "But sometimes, change doesn't begin with talent. It starts with one person giving another a second chance."
The room was silent.
Even the fan above seemed to pause.
---
The Friendship Forged
Kenji stepped forward next.
He wasn't smooth like Haruki or funny like Rinako.
But his words had weight.
> "I didn't care about class last year.
Or grades.
I worked part-time most nights to feed my sister.
I hated that.
I hated being weak.
That's why I bullied the quiet ones.
Because I saw my father in them."
Gasps echoed in the class.
Yua's eyes twitched slightly.
Even she hadn't known that part of him.
Kenji turned toward Haruki and bowed slightly.
> "But someone I used to pick on… saved my little sister when she almost drowned.
That person didn't just save her.
He showed up the next day… with snacks.
Helped me study.
And told me it wasn't too late to start over."
He paused.
> "So if you're wondering why I'm here today, working with them…
It's because I found something I never had.
A real friend."
The room was stunned.
The silence wasn't awkward anymore.
It was respectful.
---
Rinako: The Hidden Ace
Then came Rinako's segment.
She practically skipped to the laptop, clicking through her colorful slides like she was presenting a bento menu.
> "We ran surveys, got data, fought over fonts, and nearly threw each other off a cliff — but we made it!"
The class laughed.
Then she dropped the bomb.
> "Also… I topped the class last year."
Everyone froze.
> "And no, I'm not just good at eating."
Someone in the back muttered, "What can't she do?"
Haruki whispered from behind her, "Resist curry buns, probably."
Rinako turned and stuck her tongue out at him.
The whole class burst out laughing.
---
Yua: Ice Behind the Smile
Yua walked forward in quiet grace.
She explained her part of the project flawlessly — elegant, logical, intelligent.
But something felt different.
She didn't look at Haruki once.
She spoke like she didn't care.
But her heart wasn't listening to her brain.
Inside, something itched.
Seeing Haruki so different.
So… distant from her.
And close to someone else.
Rinako.
The way he smiled only at Rinako.
The way he listened when she talked.
The way they joked. Played. Respected each other.
It shouldn't matter.
> "Love is a lie," Yua told herself.
"Those things are distractions. That stuff ruins people."
But a fragment of her memory cracked through her thoughts—
A past she had buried.
A moment with a younger Haruki, smiling at her through a storm of tears.
Her fingers clenched behind her back.
Why now? Why him? Why her?
---
After the Presentation
The class clapped — louder than they ever had.
Miss Aoyama adjusted her glasses again and smiled.
> "Group 7… you've stunned me today.
Not just for the content, but the growth you've shown.
Haruki… I'm proud of you.
Rinako… you're a treasure.
Kenji… you gave me hope."
Kenji bowed.
Haruki smiled softly.
Yua just nodded and returned to her seat, jaw slightly tense.
---
In Kenji house
Later that day, All of them go Kenji house
Rinako was munching takoyaki, cheeks puffed like a cartoon.
> "Slow down or you'll explode," Haruki warned.
> "I chew emotionally, not logically," she said, swallowing.
Kenji laughed. "You're so weird."
> "I'm adorably weird, thank you."
Haruki leaned over and flicked her forehead.
She squeaked, then retaliated by poking his ribs.
> "Thanks for not turning into a loner emo nerd today," she teased.
> "Yeah well," Haruki smiled, "I had two idiots pulling me back to earth."
Kenji smirked.
Just then, Kenji's little sister appeared at the Kenji room door and hug haruki ,Yua narrowed her eyes. Then looked away.
Pretending it didn't sting. Pretending it didn't matter.But it did. ,rinako eating sweet with big smile in face ,and Kenji feel jealous
> "Haru-kiii~! Let's play outside "
Haruki : yes why not
Kenji watched quietly.
> "She likes you more than me now, bro."
> "Don't worry," Haruki replied. "I'll let you win in tag."
---
End of Volume 2
The weak boy stood tall.
The scary boy learned to trust.
The cheerful girl proved her brilliance.
The perfect girl? She felt the first crack in her ice.
And so…
The real story had just begun.