"Th... This is the school?

Yeesh, this really is the sticks!"

"Keiichi, don't say stuff like that.

The people in this area love coming here."

That was my first impression of the Hinamizawa Branch School.

No matter how I look at it, it doesn't look like a school at all.

It even has a sign that says "Hinamizawa Forestry Service"...

"Wa ha ha ha ha!

You're right!

We're borrowing the building from the forestry service!!"

Said the man they called the principal as he laughed heartily.

"Although it doesn't look like it, it is in fact, a school.

The rules may be a little different from the one you went to previously, though. Are you okay with that?"

"Ah...yes!"

I heard all the grades are put in the same classroom at this school. I didn't believe it, but I think it really is true.

They're all younger than I am, so I guess it'll be like kindergarten.

...Though it'll be interesting compared to my previous school where everyone looked the same age!

"If you transfer here, you will be the oldest boy in the class.

So you'll have to be a good role model for the younger students.

The younger students have the tendency to copy bad habits from the older ones.

I'll be keeping my eyes on you too, so make sure you're aware of that, okay?"

"I-I understand.

I'll do my best."

"Keiichi,

what she means is that textbooks aren't the only things you learn from.

As a member of the class and also as an older student, you have to be a good example."

"I know that already...!"

After that, Chie-sensei brought us to an empty classroom and showed me where my desk would be.

Since we're all still growing, I'm sure our sizes are very different.

There are some desks that are way too small for me to even put my legs under, and also some that are just perfect for me.

There are approximately thirty desks in here.

But since all the different grades are in the same room, I'm sure it's very lively.

There's also a wall full of calligraphy and art from different grades.

It's all pretty exciting. Nothing like my previous school.

...It reminds me of the days when I truly enjoyed my school life.

"Dad,

I like it here.

I like this school better than the other one in the town."

"I think my son likes it here.

I want him to go to this school too."

"I see.

The school in Okinomiya has more resources and better teachers, though..."

Even while saying that, Chie-sensei looked happy to hear that a new student would be transferring into her class.

My father and the teachers went back to the teacher's office to get the transfer process going.

In the meantime, I decided to stay in the classroom and look around.

...I didn't care about the move.

I'd lost the will to live because of what I did.

I didn't have any willpower, and I couldn't even get out of bed.

So when my parents told me about the move,

...I thought that wouldn't change anything.

But after the move, something did change.

I want to restart my life.

I want to restart my life and become someone I've always wanted to be.

Here in Hinamizawa and at this school, I can do that.

I'm not going back to who I was.

I'll never again think that good grades are the most important thing in this world.

I have a feeling that I can learn the things that are really important in life here at this school.

I never had the chance to learn them before now.

It's almost embarrassing to put into words,

but they're extremely valuable things,

and if you don't learn them, you won't become a decent adult.

The students at this school learned them a long time ago. To them, they're a given.

Yet, I have to spend time learning about them even at this age.

How to make friends.

How to play with friends.

To play.

Things you can only learn from play.

Things like socializing with others.

Etc.

Etc.

It seems so easy.

But it'll take me a while to learn them.

I pushed those things aside and devoted myself to studying.

I'm not trying to say studying isn't important. But you shouldn't become blinded by it.

If someone says studying and good grades are the most important things in life, he's talking bullshit!

...So I can restart my life here at this school.

Finally, I can become someone I've always wanted to be.

"........."

I noticed two girls looking in at me through the window.

The schoolyard must also be a playground for these children, because I saw a lot of them playing there earlier.

I guess those two noticed me walking around the classroom and became curious.

I guess that's natural.

I'm a stranger to them.

Should I say hello and let them know that I'm starting school next Monday?

"......Finally.

We've been waiting for so long."

"Au au au.

This will change things.

Because Keiichi is the six on the die."

"......Yes, he is, but his die rolls a one far too often."

"Au au au... that's not Keiichi's fault though."

"......It's all your fault, Hanyuu.

It's because of you.

Apologize to Keiichi."

"Au au au au au..."

"Eh?

Do you know my name?"

She said my name, didn't she?

...Did I hear her wrong?

I've never met her before.

"Nipah~☆.

Are you a new student?"

"Eh?

Ah... ah!

Nice to meet you!

I'm Keiichi Maebara.

I'm starting next Monday.

Take care of me, okay?"

"Au au au☆.

Sure thing!"

"......Here is a message for you, Keiichi, from the shrine maiden of the Furude Shrine.

On your first day, be careful when you come through the door to the classroom.

Also, there'll be a thumbtack on the back of your chair. There'll be a toy frog in your desk too."

"...But even with this warning, you fall for it again and again.

Your Monday is going to be disastrous... poor Keiichi."

"Hee hee.

That's why it's fun.

Why don't you try overcoming that fate sometime?

Hee hee hee.

You'll be the one to teach us that.

In one of the many worlds, right?"

"Huh?

......Huh?????"

I'll be reminded of the prophecy made by the two girls next Monday, because of the actions of a snaggletoothed girl.

...I'll realize it too late, though.

But I like it here.

My name is Keiichi Maebara.

This is my new beginning, and this time, I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest!

I've been missing out on so much but, I'm going to learn all of those things here.

I'm going to absorb all of it!

And I'll become someone I've always wanted to become.

It may take a very long time.

But I'll definitely do it!