Just what color is the Pacific Ocean? This is the query that reverberates within your mind as you find yourself meandering toward the tranquil harbor you can see further away. The answer, you realize, isn't straightforward, for the Pacific is an ever-changing canvas, a mesmerizing tableau that holds within its depths the reflections of the sprawling sky, the secrets of distant horizons, and the whispers of age-old tales sung by the gentle waves. It shifts and morphs with the mood of the heavens, bearing hues that encompass the spectrum of earthly wonders and celestial dreams.
The rhythmic rocking of the boat cradles you in an ephemeral embrace, caressing your senses gently as you venture towards an unknown yet beckoning future. The juxtaposition of the azure ocean and the beckoning horizon infuse the moment with a poetic resonance, a harmony of elements in a relentless pursuit of synergy, drawing you ever closer to the small island in the Izu Archipelago, which will be your new home for the next few years.
Seiyou Academy is a name that's not known to many—a prestigious institution located on a small island, harboring a close-knit community of around ten thousand inhabitants who cherish the simplicity and the vibrant tapestry of experiences that island life offers. Academy aside, there's nothing but a small town inhabited mostly by retirees, some local farmers, a handful of fishermen, and their respective families. A place where no one locks their doors at night—the epitome of carefreeness, one that many miss in the frantic pace of metropolitan cities. Your journey leads you towards the renowned academy, a place where tradition meets innovation.
Your boat dips and bobs across the gentle morning waves that lead you on your way towards your destination. Just what's awaiting you upon reaching the academy? You feel a bit anxious, after all, it's not every day that you somehow get accepted to an academy you haven't even considered attending. Truth to be told, you had little say in the matter—your parents, tired of your lack of motivation, decided that you need structure in your life and packed you off to school despite your pleas for them to reconsider. They did manage to pull some strings and arrange things for you, after all—Seiyou Academy is an extremely prestigious girls-only boarding school, yet here you are, their 'token male' student; admittedly, you didn't quite understand their decision. You suspect there might have been some bribery involved. The fact that you are only fourteen also makes you the youngest student by far in the school. In what world does this whole situation make sense?
As the vessel inches closer to the harbor, a sense of uneasy curiosity begins to swirl within you, knotting your stomach in a tangle of conflicting emotions. Why do you feel apprehensive? It's just like any other academy, right? You barely bothered to check what Seiyou Academy's really all about, or anything else, for that matter. They do seem to have a website, but you found it difficult to navigate, probably due to how antiquated it looks. It's almost as if they're still living in the past century. Perhaps the lack of publicly available information is intentional, as you surmise that most of the students at this school come from rich, famous, or powerful families who require such privacy.
You stand on the cusp of a journey that tantalizes your spirit with whispers of wonder and echoes of the unfamiliar. With each heartbeat, a blend of anticipation and nervous energy builds up, constructing a crescendo of conflicting yet harmonious melodies that sing of new beginnings. As you step ashore, you embrace the amalgam of feelings, allowing them to forge the first lines of a chapter where curiosity is set to be your most faithful companion. The cool, briny air tickles your nostrils and envelops you with its comforting aroma, beckoning you onwards in the face of uncertainty.
"My, my, you must be ${Your Name[Aki]}-kun!" A female voice pulls you back into the present moment, its tone as rich as aged cognac. You turn around to greet the one behind it, seeing a middle-aged woman dressed in a grey suit, wearing round, frameless glasses perched neatly upon her aquiline nose. "My name is Yamashita Eiri, I'm the Headmistress here at Seiyou Academy," she continues in a polite, cordial manner, offering you a handshake while presenting a kind smile that accentuates the crescent shaped markings below her eyes, giving her an appearance akin to a smiling fox. Her long, silky raven hair seems to fall freely down her back, reflecting a hint of lavender as a passing breeze lifts a couple of strands upwards.
"Pleased to meet you, Yamashita-sensei! That's right, my name's ${Your Name[Aki]}." You hastily accept her greeting as you attempt to feign confidence. There's something about her aura, however, which intimidates you—perhaps it's the way she carries herself?
"Likewise, ${Your Name[Aki]}-kun! Let me show you to the academy!" Her melodious voice rings softly against your ears. "Here we go!"
Despite your trepidation, you feel strangely soothed by her presence—you suspect her mere demeanor radiates warmth to those around her. She proceeds to lead you up the stony path lined with carefully trimmed cherry trees.