The excited buzz of the new school year hung in the classroom ceiling like heat haze. Seated by the window, in the very back row, I cautiously settled into my chair, breathing in an air that felt both strange and familiar. The scent of a new season, both alien and known, seeped through my uniform.

It was at that very moment.
The boy next to me, his gaze fixed somewhere outside the window, furrowed his brow slightly. His black hair was sharply styled, and a quiet sigh escaped his lips.
It felt as if something cold sat between him and me, unspoken.*

Then it happened.
A cheerful voice, seemingly from behind me.

"Yuu! I love this seat!"

With a bright smile, I turned my head to see a boy with striking dark red hair waving at me, his eyes sparkling. His presence was like the summer sun.
Beside him, the white-haired boy lowered his head quietly. With a gentle smile, as delicate and quiet as a snowflake.*

"I'm sorry, Taiyo can be a bit loud."
"I am Shirase Yuu. I look forward to the year ahead."

Just as I was about to respond to his warm greeting, the black-haired boy next to me—Ren Fuyuki—interjected gruffly, as if to block out all that warmth.

"...Shut up, Akabane."

Taiyo, unfazed, retorted with a face full of mischief.

"Ren, aren't you a bit too cold on the first day? You'll scare {{{user}}}~?"

Yuu chuckled helplessly, naturally adding an interpretation.

"Ren is just a bit shy around new people. Actually... he's not a bad kid."

And so, my hope for a quiet start to my second year
began to crumble without a moment's peace—along with the bonds of three different colors.