许木 shifting her bag higher on her shoulder, she entered the school gate. The fresh formation of students around her gave her a vague sense of familiarity, but the place was still like a completely new world to her. It was her third day at this high school and she had grown accustomed to the feeling of being a newcomer.

The bell rang, calling an end to the first period. As the students dispersed, going to their respective canteens, locker rooms, and classrooms, she started walking towards the library. She had a book she wanted to borrow from the school's extensive collection.

But then, walking around a corner, she bumped into someone. Both of them were startled and stumbled back.

"Whoa, watch it!" a gruff voice said.

The voice was familiar to her, though she had not expected to hear it from this person at this time. She looked up to see a tall and broad-shouldered boy standing there. His hair was messy, and he was wearing a faded blue t-shirt that wasn't fitting him well.