After homeroom ended, Mizuha took out her sketchbook and began sketching.
While she worked, a classmate glanced over and asked what she was drawing. Mizuha explained she was drawing hills and a nature scene, her eyes never leaving the page.
Seeing this, the classmate asked if they could see the sketch and then moved closer. Mizuha agreed, pausing briefly before handing over her sketchbook so they could look.
As they examined it, the classmate was impressed by the sketch, saying it looked beautiful and alive. Mizuha thanked her classmate for the compliment.
Then, Shimizu approached Mizuha’s table.
The classmate who had been talking to Mizuha noticed Shimizu and quickly backed away.
"Oh no, it's Shimizu-san. Let's go," the classmate whispered.
"Well, Yuki-san, maybe we could talk later," the classmate said, scurrying away.
Huh, why did they run away? Mizuha thought.
Mizuha looked up at Shimizu, who was approaching her.
"Oh, it's you, the girl from before. So, we're in the same class. Do you need something?"
Shimizu looked down. "Actually, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I’m sorry I bumped into you."
"It’s okay. It didn’t hurt me at all."
"Umm, Mizuha…I mean Yuki, right?"
"You can call me Mizuha if you want."
"Right, Mizuha…Can we become friends?"
Mizuha smiled. "Sure, why not? What’s your name?"
"My name is Shimizu—Shimizu Ayumi. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Ayu—"
Shimizu cut in, "Just call me Shimizu, okay?"
"Understood. Nice to meet you, Shimizu."
Shimizu asked, "So, Mizuha, what are you doing right now? Wait, were you drawing?"
Mizuha nodded. "Yes. I like to draw to fill my free time."
"Really? Let me see."
"Wow, it’s so pretty. You’re really talented!"
"Thanks."
As they talked, Mizuha noticed other classmates whispering among themselves. One of them said Shimizu was trying to get in touch with the new transfer student.
"If she isn't careful, she might get bullied," another classmate whispered.
"Shimizu, are they talking about you?" Mizuha said.
Shimizu’s expression darkened.
"You noticed it, Mizuha? Don’t worry about them. Just pretend you don’t hear it. Maybe it’s my appearance that makes them say that. I’m used to their whispering."
I see. That actually happened, Mizuha thought.
Mizuha stood up and walked over to the classmates who were whispering.
"Hey, Mizuha, what are you doing?" Shimizu asked.
"Hey, could you please not talk badly about Shimizu? Your words are really mean to her."
The classmates looked surprised and a bit embarrassed. "Oh... we’re sorry, Mizuha. We didn’t think she could hear us. We promise we’ll stop."
"Thank you," Mizuha said, returning to her seat.
Shimizu watched… and thought,
It’s been a while since someone stood up for me like this. She really doesn't judge people by how they look. Mizuha, you really are something special.
"Thanks, Mizuha. It means a lot that you did that for me. You were really kind, huh?"
"It’s not a big deal. I just cannot stand that, especially when they mess with my friend."
Mizuha… Shimizu thought.
Shimizu felt determined, stood up, and shouted, "Alright, from now on, we're friends!"
Shimizu turned to the class. "If anyone does something bad to you, just tell me. I’ll defeat them!"
Mizuha tugged at her sleeve. "Wait, stop it, Shimizu. This is so awkward…"
Shimizu rubbed the back of her head, laughing. "Ah, sorry. I got too hyped up, haha."
A classmate glanced at them, worried.
"Really? Does Yuki-san want to be friends with her?"
"Is Yuki-san okay with that?"
"Who knows? Let's just pray for her safety."
"Are you guys saying something?" Shimizu turned to them and gave them a scary glare after she heard that.
"Uh-oh, she heard what we were talking about!" they said in unison.
"It’s nothing…"
"Please excuse us."
They bowed quickly and left.
Shimizu watched them leave and let out a sigh. "Geez, those guys…" Then she turned back to Mizuha.
"Hey, Shimizu, there’s something else I want to ask you."
Shimizu leaned in. "Huh, what is it?"
Mizuha leaned closer and whispered to Shimizu, "The guy behind me — is he a foreigner?"
"Oh, you mean Zul?"
"During his class introduction back then, he said his parents moved to Japan from Malaysia before he was born. That’s about all I know. He’s not very talkative and is always spacing out, looking out the window."
Mizuha nodded. "I see. That explains everything."
"Wait, are you interested in him?"
"It’s not like that. I’m just curious about him."
Just then, the teacher stepped in. "Okay, everyone, return to your places."
Shimizu stood up. "Oh, the teacher is here. Okay, let’s continue another time."
Mizuha put her sketchbook back into her bag as the teacher started the next subject. She took out her notebook and pen, ready to focus.
The teacher started explaining the lesson, and the classroom quieted for note-taking.
When the recess bell rang, Mizuha gathered her things for the cafeteria.
She went to Shimizu’s table and asked her to come along.
"Mizuha, I’m sorry, I can’t accompany you to the cafeteria. Our homeroom teacher asked me to run an errand during break."
"Can you buy me some bread and a drink? I’ll pay you back later—I’m counting on you."
She looked slightly disappointed but nodded. "Sure."
Just as she reached the door, she bumped into someone. "Sorry," she said.
"That's okay," the boy replied.
"Huh? Yuki-san!"
"Oh, it's you, Takamiya-kun."
Both of them were caught off guard by the coincidence.
"Umm, are you headed to the cafeteria?"
Mizuha nodded. "Yes, I am."
Without hesitation, Hikaru said, "Here, I'll take you there."
Mizuha smiled. "Sure," she said. They walked together, chatting about where they grew up as Hikaru pointed out various school facilities along the way.
When they reached the cafeteria, Mizuha purchased some buns for a quick snack.
Hikaru, curious, followed Mizuha back to her classroom.
As they entered, Hikaru’s eyes fell upon Zul, who was Mizuha’s classmate.
Hikaru called out excitedly to Zul, "Hey, Zul, eating alone again? Can we join you?"
Zul nodded. "Hmm, sure."
"Wait, do you two know each other?"
"Yeah, Zul and I go way back. We were in the same class in junior high school. He's my close friend."
Mizuha noticed the girls in her class were attracted to Hikaru's outgoing personality, and Zul appeared to be the quiet one who drew attention. She overheard a few students whispering about the two of them.
"Everyone knows Hikaru-kun from middle school," one girl said. "He's famous."
"Yeah, but Zul is so quiet and cool," her friend replied. "There's something mysterious about him."
"They're total opposites, but both have their own charm," another classmate remarked, looking over at Hikaru and Zul.
"I heard those two teamed up to take down a delinquent in junior high to protect someone," someone else added. "That was really impressive."
"I'm jealous," another classmate said. "She just transferred and already gets to talk to Hikaru-kun."
But some classmates from another group whispered about Mizuha negatively.
"Hey, did you see that?"
"Yeah, she just transferred and already gained so much attention."
"See? She's already talking with Hikaru-kun like that."
"How dare she do that?!"
"Hey, are you okay with this?"
One girl leaned in. "Don’t worry, guys. We’ll deal with her later."
Meanwhile, another girl happened to be passing by the corridor outside Mizuha's classroom. She stopped when she saw Mizuha and Hikaru talking together.
While the classmates gossiped out of curiosity, her reaction was different — she looked shocked, then clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, her eyes fixed only on Hikaru.
Shimizu suddenly appeared from behind that girl. "Do you need something here?"
She was surprised by Shimizu's presence and said, "No, it's nothing. Please excuse me." She turned away, heading back to her class.
After their conversation, Hikaru said goodbye to Mizuha and headed towards his own classroom.
After Hikaru left, Shimizu came to Mizuha’s table. "Who is that guy? Your acquaintance?"
"I just met him today. He came along with me to the cafeteria earlier."
"By the way, here's your bread and drink, as you asked earlier," Mizuha said.
Mizuha handed Shimizu the bread and drink she had bought.
"Oh, thanks, Mizuha. Keep the change."
"I can't do that. It's your money."
"Consider it payment for buying them for me, okay?"
Shimizu returned to her table, eating her bread as she went.
As the last class ended, Mizuha headed to the school gate. There, she saw Hikaru waiting.
Hikaru walked toward her. "There you are, Yuki-san!"
"Takamiya-kun? What are you doing here?"
"I thought I’d wait for you and see if you’d like some company on the way home."
"Oh, thanks. Well then, let’s go."
The two of them were silent as they began walking home together. Hikaru, unable to handle the awkward silence, suddenly spoke up.
"How was your first day here?"
"Umm, it went well. I’ve made friends like you, Shimizu, and Zul, and my classmates complimented my drawings."
"Drawings? Yuki-san, are you an artist?"
"Not really. I just started it as a hobby last year... but I got more interested in it, and now I draw almost every day."
"My teacher suggested I enter a drawing competition, and I won first place at my middle school last year."
"Wow, that’s amazing, Yuki-san! First place is tough to achieve."
"Why not join the art club at our school? They might help you with competitions," Hikaru suggested.
"That was my plan, but I don’t think I’m ready yet to join them. Maybe in the future."
She smiled. "Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, Takamiya-kun."
"It's nothing special. I just thought I'd mention it."
"Yuki-san, can I look at some of your drawings later?"
"Sure, why not? I’d be happy if you wanted to see them."
Grateful that he walked her home, Mizuha thanked Hikaru at her doorstep.
Hikaru took out his phone. "Umm, Yuki-san, can I get your number? I'd like to stay in touch."
"Oh, sure, here." Mizuha took out her phone and let Hikaru scan her LINE QR code.
"Thanks, Yuki-san. Then see you tomorrow."
"See you too…."
Hikaru started walking to his house.
After Hikaru left, Mizuha thought, Takamiya-kun is really kind. He even walked me home.
"I'm home," Mizuha called as she opened the door. Her mother noticed she was back and asked about her first day at school. Mizuha recounted her day.
Everything had gone better than expected, and she was ready for tomorrow.
1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyTbQxPNzz
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