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Chapter 1: In the Shadow of Loneliness
Gray clouds dimmed the already pale light filtering through the school windows. The students' laughter in the classroom, the running footsteps in the hallways—all of it blended into a chaotic noise. Listening to the dry chatter of people and their hollow voices made me uncomfortable. As always, I sat silently in the back row, fiddling with the tip of my pen, trying not to attract anyone's attention.
My name is Takashi Akiyama. My life began in the cold corridors of an orphanage. I never knew my mother or father. Sixteen years of my life had passed in loneliness, and I was quite sure that I had no one. At first, loneliness was hard, but eventually, I got used to it, and instead of seeing it as a burden, I began to see it as a kind of blessing. I didn't even know my grandfather existed—at least, not until last night.
Now, a future that could completely change my ordinary life was laid before me...
But I had no idea what was coming.
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When the recess bell rang, I immediately started packing my books to leave the classroom. I had to move slowly; if I blended into the crowd, they might notice me—my bullies. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side today.
"Hey, Akiyama!"
A familiar voice. A shiver ran through me.
When I turned around, Mizuki and her two loyal dogs—sorry, "friends"—Yui and Rina, were standing in the middle of the hallway. Mizuki was one of the most popular girls in school. With her long black hair, perfectly neat uniform, and that ever-so-slight smirk, she was the darling of everyone.
Well, not everyone. In my eyes, she was just a bully. Every hour and minute I spent at school reminded me that it was a wild jungle. Declawed animals roamed freely through the hallways, waiting for innocent prey—and I was one of those prey in their eyes.
"Alone again today, loser?" she asked mockingly. Yui and Rina giggled.
I didn't answer. Mizuki's attempts to assert dominance every time she saw me were constant reminders of how brutal school could be. I lowered my head and kept walking—my usual strategy. If I didn't react, they would eventually get bored and leave.
But today was different.
Mizuki suddenly stepped in front of me.
"He's not even looking at me!" she said, her voice rising in pitch. "He's trying to ignore me—look at him! What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"
Something was bubbling inside me—anger. But I couldn't let it show. If I resisted, they'd only do worse.
Just then—
"Mizuki, bothering someone again?"
A soft but firm voice.
We all turned around.
There she stood—under the sunlight, her red hair glowing. Hinata Sakuraba—one of the school's most beloved athletes and Mizuki's biggest rival.
Mizuki's face twisted. "Hinata, this doesn't concern you."
"If you're bothering someone, it concerns me," Hinata replied, narrowing her eyes slightly.
There was a tense silence for a few seconds. Finally, Mizuki growled.
"Forget it. It wasn't even fun."
She turned around and walked away. Yui and Rina followed.
Hinata waited until they were gone, then turned to me.
"You okay?"
She was looking right into my eyes. Really looking. It had been years since anyone looked at me like that. For a moment, I wanted to spill everything inside me.
"Y-yeah," I stammered. "Thanks."
Hinata smiled. "No problem. Mizuki can go too far sometimes, but I don't think she's a bad person. If she causes trouble again, let me know. I can handle her." She placed her hands on her hips and proudly puffed out her chest.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. Why had she helped me?
But without waiting for an answer, she waved and walked away.
---
After school, I walked quietly back to the dorm, like I always did. I was going to study in my room—or at least do something to keep myself occupied.
But a man waiting at the door surprised me.
"Takashi Akiyama?"
"Yes?"
"I'm lawyer Kenjiro Watanabe. I have something important to discuss with you."
I invited him in (well, as much as one can "invite" someone into a dorm room). Lawyer Watanabe placed a folder on the table with a serious expression.
"Your grandfather, Haruto Akiyama, who passed away many years ago, has left you an inheritance."
In shock: "What? My... grandfather?"
Watanabe nodded. "Yes. Even if you never met him, I'm sure you've heard of him. He was quite famous. Due to your family ties being severed, this matter hadn't come up until now. But in your grandfather's will, it states that when you turn eighteen, a significant inheritance will be passed to you."
(Yes, I knew him; Real Estate Tycoon Haruto.) I was confused. Why now? Why me?
"So... what does this mean?" I asked.
Watanabe smiled—perhaps the most sincere smile anyone had ever shown me.
"It means you're no longer alone, Takashi-kun. And maybe... your life is about to change."
---
The next day at school, something was different.
Mizuki and her friends didn't approach me like usual. In fact, Mizuki looked at me and quickly turned her eyes away. Hinata greeted me in the hallway.
"Good morning, Akiyama."
She knew my name.
In the classroom, some people gave me strange looks. Then I realized—the rumor had spread. The story that Akiyama was actually from a rich family.
Calling it a "rumor" wouldn't be accurate—people were literally looking at their phones, then pointing at me.
It was the strangest day of my life.
And it was only just beginning...