The Heart of Zero

The young boy walked down the corridor of the school, his headphones tightly pressed to his ears, the melody of the music isolating him from the noisy chaos of the outside world. He was thin, and though he was taller than most, he hunched his shoulders slightly, as if trying to hide himself within the oversized school uniform, avoiding being noticed by anyone. His black hair was somewhat messy, with his bangs nearly covering his eyes, which always seemed to be avoiding the gaze of others. He habitually kept his head down as he walked, his steps sluggish and heavy, as if every step carried an unbearable weight. For Kaidu Shingin, school was not just a place of learning, but more like an invisible cage, trapping him in the labyrinth of his own mind every day.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly snapped back to reality by a sharp shout that pierced the silence of the corridor.

"Hey, Shingin! Don't walk so slowly!" His heart sank, and his body instinctively stiffened as he turned around. There, walking towards him, was his classmate — Kyoji Shinra. Shinra, the boy who was always at the center of attention in school, had light brown hair, pale skin, and a face that was always filled with a confident smirk. His outfit was always meticulously chosen, as if every strand of hair had been styled with great care. But to Shingin, there was something unsettling in Shinra's eyes — a coldness and provocation that made him uneasy.

"Take off those headphones, stop acting so cool," Shinra said, catching up and slapping Shingin's shoulder without hesitation. Shingin instinctively turned his head away, avoiding the touch, leaving the headphones firmly in place, as though he didn't want anyone to enter his world. He knew that getting entangled with Shinra would only bring more trouble, so silence and avoidance were his only choices.

The two of them entered the classroom, Shingin quickly heading for the corner seat — the only sanctuary he had in this classroom. Once seated, he curled his body into the chair, staring blankly out the window as his thoughts drifted far away, like endless fallen leaves being carried away by the wind. Outside, the sky was vast and blue, the breeze gently rustling the leaves, bringing a sense of tranquility that seemed to have nothing in common with the anxiety and loneliness inside him. Memories of the times he spent composing music with his friends occasionally floated in his mind. The laughter and joy seemed like a fleeting illusion, gently touching the softest corners of his heart. But now, everything was gone.

"Are you spacing out every day just to look cool and attract girls?" Shinra's voice once again broke through Shingin's thoughts, laced with sarcasm, as if trying to prick him. Shingin frowned slightly but still chose not to respond. He had long grown used to Shinra's mocking, but today, his mood was particularly low, and he didn't even have the strength to fight back.

At that moment, a delicate and gentle voice intervened between them, like a soft breeze stirring the tense air.

"Um... Shinra, can you please stop?" A slender and petite girl timidly spoke up, her voice soft but enough to pause Shinra's taunting. The girl sitting next to Shingin raised her head, her voice trembling slightly.

She was slender, her white uniform clinging to her chest, giving her an elegant yet full appearance. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, like smooth jade. Her long hair was silky and soft, with curls at the ends that flowed like gentle waves. Each strand of hair seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, like petals kissed by the morning light, swaying with the breeze, framing her shoulders and highlighting her graceful and gentle temperament. Her eyelashes were like fine threads of willow leaves, long and delicate, and every blink seemed to stir the air, sending a soft ripple through the room. Her deep, jade-like eyes hid a vast ocean of stars, and every flutter of her lashes felt like a butterfly's wings brushing across the heart, making one want to lose themselves in her gaze. But there was always a hint of shyness behind them. She held the edge of her skirt tightly, as if trying her best to appear more confident, but her nervous eyes and the slight quiver in her voice betrayed her inner unease.

Shinra's gaze swept over her, and he sneered. "Riyugi, you really love to meddle." His look carried a hint of disdain, though it seemed like he had lost interest in continuing to provoke Shingin.

The girl was Chiga Riyugi, one of the school's recognized beauties. Riyugi's face turned red instantly, and she lowered her head, saying nothing further. She knew that Shinra was not someone to mess with, and she didn't dare to confront him. Despite this, she couldn't help but want to speak up for Shingin. She had always quietly watched this silent and withdrawn boy, and her feelings for him were a complex mixture of pity, curiosity, and an inexplicable attraction.

Shinra finally, impatiently, turned and walked to the other side of the classroom, engaging in conversation with other students, leaving behind a brief silence. Riyugi glanced at Shingin from the corner of her eye, wanting to say something but hesitating. Her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she chose to remain silent. She didn't want to disturb him, afraid that her unwanted concern might make the situation even more awkward.

Shingin felt her gaze and slightly lifted his head. A flicker of gratitude passed through his eyes. He wasn't good at expressing emotions, but Riyugi's kindness warmed his heart, like a faint ray of sunlight breaking through the cold world around him.

He gently took off his headphones and put them back on, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. The melody filled his ears again — the same music he once composed with his friends. The familiar notes were like a tunnel leading him back to those carefree days. A pang of sadness stirred in his heart. If his friends were still around, would he still feel so alone?