《Kohaku No Atarashi Sekai (New World Confessions)》


 Introduce the boy

    Hello, I am Noa Imai, you might be wondering what I''m doing in Japan. I''ve been in the states for the majority of my life so it feels like its all I''ve ever known and despite being in my 2nd (Junior) year of High School my parents decided to move to Japan.


    Sure I''ve visited family in the past, but I always felt out of place. Even still I hope to make the most of this year as a new transfer student at Ueno-juku Highschool.


    "Good morning, have you already joined a club?" someone asks students in the courtyard as they pass by, while handing out fliers.


    - Hmm, should I check it out? Umm... Maybe not. I''ll probably avoid this area for now... Just because I''m starting over doesn''t mean that I''m suddenly a different person.


    Later the school secretary walks him to his new classroom. "Here we are and remember your new teacher is Ohara-san. I know you said that you have trouble with remembering names."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Mr. Ohara, "Ah, everyone please simmer down we have a new student joining us today. Please introduce yourself to the class!"


    - He is young and seems nice.


    "H-Hello, my name is Noa Imai I''m from the States and I''ll be in your care," Noa says followed by a brief bow.


    - I can feel them staring at me. But this really wasn''t a new feeling, even while in the states I''d change schools often. Which is why I try not to make new friends. I mean why make friends when I will end up losing them... At least that''s what I''ve told myself. This has become my golden rule.


    Likely a self-preservation method that had developed in order to avoid the heartbreak that comes with the loss of good friends.


    Mr. Ohara: "Alright let''s see if there are any open seats. Kaneko-kun?"


    Kaneko: "Yes Ohara-Sensei?"


    Mr. Ohara: "Go ahead and sit right behind him."


    Noa: "Thank you Ohara-Sensei."


    "Now then, first things first..." Mr. Ohara continues lecturing after Noa has taken a seat.


    "Hi I''m Masahiro Kaneko," he says with a large smile on his face.


    - What is this stupid look on his face? He''s trying too hard to be nice.


    "Noa Imai, but I prefer to be called by my first name," Noa says, as he takes out a notebook to pretend taking notes.


    Masahiro turns back around to face the teacher out of disappointment.


    - Sorry man, it''s better this way.

 Lonely Boy

    The second-period bell rings and Mr. Ohara excuses himself from the classroom.


    A student approaches as Masahiro turns away.


    Ken: "Hey foreigner what''s up with your hair?"


    Noa ignores him.


    Ken: "Aren''t you going to say something? Cmon I wanna hear that stutter of yours."


    Lee: "Hey let''s go get a drink or something."


    Ken: "Alright then, catch you later foreigner."


    Ken and Lee stroll out of the classroom.


    Masahiro: "Sorry for not say anything."


    Noa: "Don''t sweat it. Who were those guys anyway?"


    "Ken Okamoto and Lee Nakayama, Ken has been picking on me since last year. We used to be friends in middle school, but one day a girl that Okamoto had a crush on, confessed her feelings to me. He stopped talking to me after that. He even tried to spread rumors to ruin my reputation. Eventually, even Lee stopped hanging out with me. I guess Ken noticed me talking to you earlier. Sorry I shouldn''t have got you involved." He said with a concerned look on his face.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    -He''s probably just as lonely as I am. Here I was thinking he was some cool kid trying to recruit more people to his normie Army. Now I feel bad about earlier.


    Noa: "I said don''t sweat it, didn''t I? What''s your next period maybe we can walk to class together?"


    -I''m still getting used to this place after all.


    Noa: "Also what was your name again, sorry I forget names easily."


    - It was hard enough memorizing people''s names in English, but Japanese names are so unfamiliar to me.


    "Masahiro Kaneko, but since you''d prefer not to go by last names, I guess you can drop the formal stuff with me as well."


    - Crap, what will make me remember his name.


    Noa: "How about Hiro-chan then?"


    Hiro: "Hiro huh, sounds good..."


    -Good now I just need to think superhero and maybe It''ll click.


    Hiro: "Anyways we should get going second period will start soon."


    Hiro starts gathering his stuff and Noa does the same. They walk outside together.


    Hiro: "We should have the same classes for our first 3 periods before lunch and after that are the elective courses."


    Noa: "Oh really? What a relief at least I''m covered for those periods."

 Feed the boy

    Hiro: "Hey did you bring a lunch?"


    Noa: "Nah did you?"


    Hiro: "Nope, they make some decent curry at this school you want to go try it?"


    Noa: "I''d be up for that."


    A few moments later.


    Noa: "Ah, that really hit the spot."


    Hiro: "Told ya it was good."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    - Who would have thought that Japanese schools had such good food! Forget about having something this delicious in the states.


    Noa: "I was a little skeptical but you were right. The food in the states pales in comparison."


    Hiro: "Oh yeah, what is it like over there? I mean in the states. I''ve never traveled outside of Japan at least not that I can remember. I''ve hardly left Tokyo."


    Noa: "You''re not missing out on much. S-sure there are beautiful sights, but you can find beauty right here in Japan. Just takes a bit of searching."


    Hiro: "I guess I''ve never really thought about it that way."


    Noa: "I mean don''t get me wrong you should travel if you get the chance but that doesn''t mean you have to travel far. Anyways I need to get going. I''m gonna hit the restroom before next the class starts. "


    Hiro: "Alright Noa I''ll see ya later then."


    Noa: "See ya."

 Clumsy Boy

    - I hope all my teachers are nice.


    Noa washes his hands as the 4th-period bell starts to ring.


    - Crap I''m going to be late.


    He rushes out of the restroom and as he''s walking past someone comes out from the girl''s restroom and crashes into him.


    Noa quickly turns around and catches her as she stumbles.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    - Her eyes.


    His heart starts racing.


    - I''ve never been this close to a girl, I can smell the scent of her shampoo.


    Noa: "S-sorry. I shouldn''t have rushed out like that... Are you hurt?"


    Girl: "No, I''m fine thanks. Would you mind letting go now?"


    After realizing what he was doing he let''s her go and says "Sorry!" With a sincere bow.


    Girl: "It''s ok, really. It''s my fault anyway. That''s what I get for forgetting to put my glasses back on."


    The second bell rings.


    Noa: "I guess we should be headed to class then. Are you sure you''re fine?"


    Girl: "Truly I''m ok."


    She walks away.


    - You say that, but why did you look, sad?


    -Were you crying?

 Remember the Boy

    "Ah." Noa let''s out a sigh of relief.


    - 5th Period the final class of the day! I''m glad I got here early to get a seat beforehand.


    As he waits for the class to start Noa notices someone walk in.


    - Is she the girl from earlier? She looks different with her glasses on. I thought she was my Junior. I guess we must be the same age.


    The girl glances briefly at him then looks away.


    - It has to be her. Those eyes, I couldn''t stop thinking about them last period.


    The bell rings which prompts the teacher to speak up. "Alright settle down, as some of you may have noticed there are some new faces in the classroom and some of you may already recognize one of them from other classes can you introduce yourselves please?"Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Noa looks around.


    "I''m Ayako Hoshino and starting today I''ll be joining your class. "


    - So that''s her name. I wonder why she joining a class this late in the term. Maybe it has something to do with what happened earlier.


    Noa stands up. "I''m Noa Imai F-from the states, although, I-I would prefer to be addressed as Noa."


    - A full day of practice yet I''m still stammering.


    "Good, now that the formalities are over we can begin the lecture."


    -Maybe I should ask her about it when class ends.


    Noa looks outside through the window. Not being used to the number of trees that surrounds his school. A stark contrast to the schools from his hometown.


    - To think... my previous school looked like a prison and now I''m here. Watching anime I couldn''t understand why they''d do this, but now I see. This is soothing.

 Dummy Boy

    The final bell rings and the class is dismissed. Caught up in his thoughts Noa noticed his classmates start to stand up.


    - Well, this day went by fast. I better get going.


    As Noa walks out of the classroom he sees Ayako walking down the hall.


    Noa: "Wait up."


    She continues to walk not realizing that it''s her he''s referring to.


    Noa: "Hold on a second."


    He catches up and then taps her on the shoulder.


    Noa: "Ayako?"


    She turns around and asks "What did you just say?"This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Noa: "Ayako, that is your name i-isn''t it."


    ©\ Geez, I truly am bad with names.


    Ayako: "You can''t do that sort of thing to a girl."


    Noa: "Sorry did I do something to upset you?"


    Ayako: "No, it''s just that... You''re calling me by my first name so suddenly and I... Do I know you from somewhere else?"


    - Oops, I forgot that in Japan I''m supposed to use her last name to formally address her.


    Noa: "F-forgive me, it''s just that I saw you earlier and it seemed that you were crying. I... I wanted to see if there was anything I could do. I am here for you."


    Ayako: "Crying? So that was you. The one I bumped into when I wasn''t wearing my glasses."


    Noa: "Y-yeah... I felt bad for not saying anything back then. Afterward, I-I couldn''t get, I couldn''t stop thinking..."


    Ayako: "Noa-chan"


    Noa: "Yes?"


    Ayako: "You said, well you asked if you could do something for me?"


    Noa: "Yeah of course I..."


    Ayako: "Would you... Could you kiss me?"


    Noa: "Wha-?"


    Noa''s chest tightens as he takes glances at her lips.


    Noa: "S-sorry..."


    - It''s not that I don''t want to but she deserves someone better than me.


    Noa: "I can''t..."


    Ayako: "I''m such a dummy why did I say that."


    She starts walking away, "please forget anything I said."


    - Wait...


    - How do I forget?

 Charging Boy

    - I truly am sorry, it would have been wrong of me to kiss you like that. In that state...


    - She deserves better. Someone who asks her out. Who will make sure to take care of her and treats her with the respect she deserves.


    - Maybe, I could be...


    These are thoughts that swirl around in Noa''s mind as he walks home.


    Noa: "Hello? Anybody home?"


    - No one, as per usual. Mother and Father work late and my little brother probably ended up joining his school''s soccer team. He''s just like dad all into sports. Not me tho. This right here. This is my sanctuary. All this exposure, new people and places.


    Noa slumps over onto his bed.


    - I need to recharge my batteries. This feels nice. Let me soak this mana in.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Later that day.


    Noa: "Alright, now that I''m fully charged time for the goods."


    My cousin got me into a online video game a couple of years ago. It feels like I can let loose and be myself when I''m playing. It''s the typical MMO RPG where you farm and grind your way to the top. Within the game, I am a part of a guild that my cousin started called Ambition and my alias is Masterpiece, but since some people find that it''s weird to call someone that they call me MP for short. The core members always work together and have fun as a team.


    ______________________________________________


    MP: Hey Levi are you over your fever yet?


    Levi: Yea my fever has gone down thanks for asking :)


    MP: Good you had us worried when you disappeared mid raid.


    Levi: Yeah sorry for leaving you guys hanging like that >_<;


    MP: Nah I''m just glad that you are fine now.


    btw


    Levi: btw?


    MP: Have you ever had a crush on anyone?


    Levi: You know me if she''s not 2d then she''s not for me!


    Why do you ask don''t tell me you''re becoming a Normie?


    MP: Nah it''s nothing serious like that. I''ve just had a long day is all.


    That reminds me aren''t you from Japan?


    We should hang out some time now that I''m here.


    Levi: That would be nice having an IRL hangout.


    MP: Yeah!


    ______________________________________________


    - At least I''ll never lose my friends here.

 Nostalgic Boy

    Hiro: "Good morning Noa."


    Noa: "Morning..."


    Hiro: "Did something happen? You seem a bit gloomier than you did yesterday."


    - Yesterday...


    Noa recalls the shape of Ayako''s lips.


    Noa: "No, just me being my usual dumb self..."


    Hiro: "Dumb? So something really did happen. Must have been a rough first day of school."


    Noa: "Nah, I''m just having trouble understanding girls."


    Hiro: "Girl troubles already? You must be one smooth operator. Unfortunately, I''m not of any use on that topic."Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Noa: "You kidding me? I''m sure you have several girls fawning and falling over themselves for you."


    Hiro: "I''m not sure what you mean."


    - You got to be kidding me. He''s even more clueless than I am. I guess it''s no use.


    Noa: "What would you do if someone was sad and they asked something of you that was out of character for you."


    Hiro: "I guess that depends. If it was someone I cared about I would do it, but if it went against my morals then I would try to find another way to compromise."


    Noa: "Hmm..."


    - I guess he''s not that clueless after all.


    Hiro: "Sorry if that didn''t make any sense."


    Noa: "Hiro."


    Hiro: "Yeah?"


    Noa: "Thanks."


    Just then beautiful girl walks in to class. Noa notices her. She seems popular since everyone is greeting her.


    The bell rings and the teacher takes roll.


    - She definitely was not here yesterday...


    Noa: "Who is she? "


    Hiro: "Her name is Kazumi Auichi. She was absent yesterday."


    Noa: "Kazumi?"


    Hearing that triggers a warm nostalgic feeling within Noa.


    - Kazumi Auichi. She does seem like a nice person.

 Forgetful Boy

    The first period ends and Ken proceeds to start picking on Hiro.


    - What is this guy''s deal.


    Noa stands up but before he can say anything Kazumi says "leave him alone."


    Ken: "I was just chatting with him."


    Kazumi: "He sure doesn''t seem like he wants to talk."


    Ken: "Alright I get it already. I was going to blow this popsicle stand anyways."


    Ken exit the class and Kazumi walks over.


    Kazumi: "Are you alright that dummy is never going to learn"


    Hiro: "It''s ok really."


    Kazumi: "You have to stand up for your self..."


    - I wonder what thier relationship is. He told me that he didn''t know anything about girls. I take back everything I said. Guess he was a Normie after all.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Noa starts thinking back on his elementary days playing on the playground with friends and the laughter and joy he felt.


    - Strange why did I think of that in a moment like this.


    Kazumi: "Well, are you going to say something!?"


    -Huh? Sounds like she''s talking to me


    Noa: "Sorry I spaced out for a second."


    Kazumi: "Wow. You have truly forgotten about us?"


    - About us? Did I sleep walk yesterday or something?


    Hiro: "Kazu?"


    Noa: "Sorry I didn''t mean anything by it, it''s just that I didn''t get enough rest."


    Kazumi: "And here I was excited to see you again."


    Noa: "Eh!? What do you mean by again?"


    Kazumi: "Tell him Hiro!"


    Noa: "Hiro?"


    Hiro: "Honestly, I knew right away who you were, that''s why I was excited to see you, but it has seemed that you forgot. However, when you started calling me Hiro again I thought that maybe you remembered after all."


    Noa: "From elementary school?"


    "Yeah." Hiro responded while swiping away at his eye. "You were the one who first gave me this nick name."


    - Wait, these two are my childhood friends? So you mean the little girl from elementry is? No way!! These two could pass for a pop idol couple! They are so defined and well develoaped; meanwhile, I''m over here on my road to Neetdom. I had a crush on Kazu when we were young but now she''s a total knock out.


    Noa: "Honestly, can you blame me? You two look nothing like you did when we were in Elementry school. I am sorry I made you feel that way. I could never forget you two."

 Updated Boy

    Noa: "It''s not that I''m not glad to see you again. I am. But what happened? My grandparents told me that your parents split up. I spent each summer waiting at the park for you guys. I have... So much has happened."


    Kazu: "Don''t sound so sad... You''re going to make me cry."


    Noa: "I''m sorry, I''m just happy is all. I didn''t think I''d see you guys again."


    Kazu: "I felt the same way. But everything is fine now."


    Hiro: "Yeah man we''re all here now. Just like before."


    - He is right, just like before they came to seek me out when I was alone. I haven''t even bothered to ask how they are doing.


    Noa: "What happened. If you don''t mind me asking."


    Hiro: "You were right our parents did split up. after a while, they started seeing each other again. After a year they got back together. They married just last year though. So now we''re all..."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Kazu: "We''re all a big happy family!"


    Hiro: "Yeah family..."


    Kazu: "Anyways, I think we should get going."


    Hiro stands up "I''m going to go use the restroom."


    - Wonder what''s going through his mind he seems distracted.


    Kazu: "Want to walk with me to next period?"


    Noa; "Y-eah...Sure."


    - Maybe it''s just all in my head.


    Noa: "Alright I got my stuff, let''s head out."


    Noa and Kazu walk down the hallway together.


    Kazu "How do you like this school so far?"


    Noa: "Uh, it''s good..."


    - Ah! She''s so close! I wonder, maybe she doesn''t know?


    Noa gently smiles in an attempt to clue her in. Kazu smiles back and then abruptly grabs his arm, causing Noa to become flushed which puts him on edge with a surge of lightning up his spine.


    Kazu: "Remember when we were kids? We would always walk like this."


    Noa "Y-yeah."


    - Why does it feel like we''re moving in slow motion?


    When she realized what she had done. She quickly lets go of him.


    Kazu: "Sorry, I got a bit carried away."


    - Why is she acting shy now... Maybe she realized that we were walking alone. A guy with a girl this close, at our age, that would be inappropriate.


    Noa: "It''s ok I-I really didn''t mind. I-it''s just. I wouldn''t want people to get the wrong idea."


    Kazu stops walking.


    Kazu: "The wrong Idea..."

 Laughing Girl

    - A guy like me could never hope to be with a girl like her. She has always been so kind to me. I wouldn''t want to take advantage of her kindness.


    Noa turns and says, "besides your boyfriend would probably kick my ass if he saw me with you."


    Kazu: "Oh, so that''s what you meant. Actually, I don''t have one. A boyfriend I mean."


    Noa: "Really? That''s surprising any guy would be lucky to be with you."


    - Crap what am I saying!


    Noa: "Not that I''m saying that I would be."Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    - Shut up you''re making it worse!.


    Noa: "I meant to say, you''d make the perfect catch."


    - Great, I can hear my relatives mourning over my coffin already. So this is what death... I''ve had a good enough life at least I can rest now.


    Kazu: "Is that what you think of me?"


    Noa: "N-no! That''s not what I meant! I just don''t know how to put it."


    Kazu bursts into laughter.


    Kazu: "Don''t have a stroke. I get what you''re trying to say and I think its sweet thanks."


    Noa lets out a sigh of relief saying "thank God" under his breath.


    Kazu: "You still have trouble expressing yourself, Huh? You shouldn''t speak so impulsively."


    Noa: "I can''t help it, really. I don''t talk to too many people."


    Kazu: "Well you''re going to have to start. How else is a girl to know just what you''re thinking... You... dummy..."


    Kazu falls to the ground. Noa tries to get a reaction out of her but she doesn''t respond.


    Noa carries her to the school''s infirmary.