Soen ni Natte Ita Osananajimi to Seki ga Zengo ni Natta - Chapter 1 English

 Chapter 1

 I, Kashiwagi Kota have a childhood friend.

 My childhood friend's name is Kirishima Kana.  We used to play together a lot in elementary school, and I think we were like brother and sister.  Or maybe it's just me who thinks so.  When we entered middle school, Kana started paying more attention to fashion.  I, on the other hand, have become more and more innocent.  I think the main reason is because my personality has become more reserved than in elementary school.  I'm sure she doesn't like me because that.

 "Don't talk to me for the rest of your life.  I'm ashamed to have a childhood friend like you and I don't want everyone to know."

 One day, sometime after I advanced to the second grade of middle school, she suddenly said something like that in a strong tone.  I was really surprised.  After that, I cried in bed for the rest of the day.  We don't often play together like we used to in elementary school, but I think we're still friends who can chat casually.  I think we will continue to be friends.  I was the only one who thought so, and I was so sad when I found out that Kana thought I was a disgrace.  The next day, I talked to her, thinking she was in a better mood and would reply normally, but she said, “What's wrong?  Kashiwagi-kun."  I realized how much she hated me, and I cried again.  And even now when we got into high school, there's no conversation between us and we're really distant.

 It was an episode that makes me sad just remembering it, but the reason why I remember it after almost three years is because Kana was right in front of me.  She had flawless white skin, beautiful long black hair and a pretty face.  The same Kana I sometimes see near my house.

 Today is the day of the opening ceremony.  Starting today, I'm moving up to the second grade of high school.  I had to change class because there was a class change.  And when I arrived at my new class, I found Kana sitting in front of my chair.  My surname is Kashiwagi, Kana's surname is Kirishima.  Because of that, she ended up sitting in front of me.  It doesn't matter if we're in the same class... But I didn't notice Kana's name was above mine on the absentee list.  Kana's parents and my parents are close friends because we are neighbors, so I know from them that we went to the same high school.  But when we were in first grade, we were in different class and we barely even saw each other.  After three years, I had almost forgotten my childhood friend, but suddenly I was forced to meet her.

 Well, I can go to my friend's seat except during class.  Luckily, I have friends in this class.  I'm really lucky.  I don't have many friends, or rather, I don't have any friends in this high school except for those in my class.  This school has six classes, so my number of friends is one-sixth of the whole class.  Well, I don't make friends with people I don't like.  So, I'll leave my things and go to my friend's place.

 "Good morning, Masaki."

 "Oh, Kota.  I'm glad we're classmates again."

 "Yes.  I almost became a loner in second grade.”

 "Me too.”

 His name is Momoyama Masaki.  He likes anime, manga, and light novels, and recommends various works to me.  He's good at sports, especially badminton, he's been playing it since middle school and is really great.  On the other hand, he is not good at studying.  He didn't join any club and was a member of the back to home club.  By the way, I'm also a member of the back to home club.  When we were both isolated because we didn't have any friends from the club, we paired up during sport class and became friends.

 "By the way, Masaki, you got the protagonist's seat."

 Back seat near the window.  That's Masaki's chair.

 "No, it's only because of my good behavior."

 "Last year you sat in the front."

 "That's because I behaved badly back then."

 “What have you done…?”

 “Kota also have a place behind.  It's because your behavior is good.

 “That's a bit suspicious...”

 After that, while I was talking to Masaki about silly things, our homeroom teacher came along with the ringing of the bell.  It was Yamamoto Yosuke-sensei, the math teacher.  When I was taught in first grade by Yamamoto-sensei, his explanations were easy to understand and I could tell that he was a great teacher.  That's him.

 When all the students in the class had returned to their seats, sensei opened his mouth.

 "Good morning.  I'm Yamamoto Yosuke, I'll be your homeroom teacher.  Please cooperate for the next one year.”

 After that brief self-introduction, we started talking about the upcoming opening ceremony.  Yamamoto-sensei spoke a little, and then we went to the gymnasium right after.

 Then we went to the gymnasium and lined up.  It's really hard... It's really hard because I have to line up in order of seat number, and Kana is right in front of me.  I really want to run away.  She told me not to talk to her for the rest of my life, so I wouldn’t talk to her...

 Translator: Janaka