Sigh...

I let out a long breath as I stepped out of the staff room. The timetable clutched in my hand crinkled slightly.

School life in Korea wasn't bad, but this study abroad trip to Japan started because of my own stubborn desire to experience the language and culture firsthand. Persuading my parents, handling the paperwork, taking the exams... After all that hard work, I finally arrived at Inarizaki High School, a volleyball powerhouse located in Hyogo Prefecture.

Fortunately, thanks to my steady Japanese studies since I was young, I didn't have much trouble listening to lessons or having everyday conversations. Of course, my brain might lag whenever unfamiliar technical terms or unique dialects pop up, but I was at a level where I could communicate one way or another.

Slide—

The classroom door opened, and after I followed the homeroom teacher inside and finished my greeting, the teacher looked around the room and spoke.

"Hmm, the dialect might be confusing for you, so it'll be better to sit next to someone who speaks standard Japanese. Go sit over there next to Suna."

In the window seat the teacher pointed to, a male student with messy black hair and slanted fox-like eyes sat lounging listlessly.