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 and added that she was happy they enjoyed the sketch.Just 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, let's go," they whispered, scurrying away.
"Huh, why did they run away?" Mizuha wondered to herself.
Mizuha looked up at Shimizu, who was approaching her.
"Oh, it's you, the girl from before. So, we're in the same class," Mizuha said. "Do you need something?"
Shimizu looked down and said, "Actually, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I'm sorry I bumped into you."
"It's okay, it didn't hurt me at all," Mizuha replied.
Shimizu hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Umm, Mizuha, right? Can you be friends with me?" she asked, her cheeks reddening.
Mizuha's face lit up with a warm smile. "Sure, why not? What's your name?"
"My name is Shimizu—Shimizu Ayumi. Nice to meet you," she replied excitedly.
"Nice to meet you too, Ayu—" Mizuha said, but Shimizu interrupted her.
"Just call me Shimizu, okay?" Shimizu cut in, stopping Mizuha from using her given name.
"Understood, nice to meet you, Shimizu," Mizuha said, smiling.
"So Mizuha, what are you doing right now? Wait, were you drawing?" Shimizu asked, curious about what Mizuha was doing.
Mizuha nodded. "Yes. I like to draw to fill my free time."
"Really? Let me see," Shimizu said, leaning closer, looking at the sketching.
"Wow, it's so pretty. You're really talented!"
"Thanks," Mizuha replied, pleased with the compliment.
As they talked, Mizuha noticed other classmates whispering among themselves. One of them mentioned that Shimizu was trying to get in touch with the new transfer student. Another classmate expressed concern that Mizuha might get bullied by her.
"Shimizu, are they talking about you?" Mizuha asked, concern in her voice.
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 was actually happened, Mizuha thought.
Mizuha stood up and walked over to the classmates who were whispering.
"Hey, Mizuha, what are you doing?" Shimizu called her out.
"Hey, could you please not talk badly about Shimizu? Your words are really mean to her," Mizuha said, keeping her tone polite because she didn't want to start an argument with her classmates.
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 with a small smile before returning to her seat.
Shimizu watched the whole exchange, thought,
It's been a while since someone stood up for me like this. She really doesn't judge people from how they look, Mizuha, you really are something special.
Shimizu looked at Mizuha with a mix of surprise and gratitude.
"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 said, smiling.
Mizuha… Shimizu thought.
Shimizu felt determined, stood up and then shouted, "Alright, from now you and I are best friends!"
"If anyone does something bad to you, just tell me, I will defeat them!" Shimizu declared intentionally to her classmates.
"Wait, stop it, Shimizu, this is so awkward…" said Mizuha, pulling her clothes.
"Ah, sorry, I got too hyped up, haha," Shimizu chuckled.
"Really? Does Yuki-san want to be friends with her?" "Does, Yuki-san doing okay with that?" A classmate said, worried about Mizuha being friends with Shimizu. "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 hearing that.
"Erk, she heard what we talked!" they thought in unison.
"It's nothing, you just misheard us, don't worry about that," "Please excuse us" they said, before they were dismissed.
Shimizu watched them leave, let out her sighed "Geez, those guys…" then turned back to Mizuha.
After a moment, Mizuha said, "Hey, Shimizu, there's something else I want to ask you,"
"Huh, what is it?" Shimizu replied, leaning in closer.
"Give me your ear," she whispered to Shimizu.
"The guy behind me, is he a foreigner? He doesn't look Japanese,"
"Oh, you mean Zul?" Shimizu said.
"From what I heard during his class introduction earlier, he said his parents moved to Japan from Malaysia before he was born, so he was born here. That's about all I know. He's not very talkative and is always spacing out, looking out the window."
"I see. That explains everything," Mizuha said, nodding.
"Wait, are you interested in him?" Shimizu asked.
"It's not like that, I'm just curious about him," Mizuha said.
Just then, the next subject teacher entered the class. "Okay, everyone, return to your places," said the teacher.
"Oh, the teacher is here. Okay, let's continue another time," said Shimizu, getting up from Mizuha's table.
Mizuha put her sketchbook back into her bag to continue with 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 classroom teacher is calling me to the teacher's lounge," Shimizu said hurriedly.
"Can you buy me some bread and a drink? I'll pay you back later—I'm counting on you."
"Sure," Mizuha replied, her face slightly disappointed.
Just as she reached the door, she accidentally bumped into a few boys passing by.
Mizuha apologized quickly, "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was walking."
"That's okay, please be more careful," he replied.
"Huh!? Mizuha!" he said. It was Hikaru, the boy who had helped her earlier.
"Oh, it's you, Hikaru," Mizuha replied. Both of them felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for that previous encounter they had.
"Hey, Mizuha! Are you headed to the cafeteria?"
Mizuha nodded. "Yes, I am."
Without hesitation, Hikaru offered his hand. "Here, let me help you," he said
Mizuha smiled and took his hand. "Thank you, Hikaru."
Hikaru offered to escort her to the cafeteria. Mizuha accepted, comforted by Hikaru's presence. They engaged in light conversation as they walked, exchanging stories about their backgrounds. Hikaru was even showing Mizuha around various school facilities and places as he introduced them.
When they reached the cafeteria, Mizuha purchased some buns for a quick snack.
Hikaru, who was showing genuine curiosity and interest, 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?"
"Hmm," Zul replied, nodding his head.
"You two know each other?" Mizuha asked.
"Yeah, Zul and I go way back. We were in the same class in junior high school. He was my close friend," he added.
Mizuha noticed that female classmates 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.
One girl told her friend that Hikaru was well-known and that many of their classmates had already known him from middle school. Her friend agreed and said Zul came across as quiet and cool, adding that there was something mysterious about him.
Another classmate remarked that the two boys were complete opposites, yet both had their own kind of charm as she looked over at Hikaru and Zul. Someone else brought up a rumor about Hikaru and Zul teaming up to take down a delinquent student in junior high to protect someone, saying it was really impressive.
Another classmate said she was a bit jealous of Mizuha for having just transferred and already being able to talk to Hikaru.
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 even so talkative with Hikaru-kun like that."
"How dare she do that?!"
"Hey, are you okay with this?"
"Don’t worry, guys. We’ll deal with her later," said one girl.
Meanwhile, another girl was glaring from outside Mizuha's classroom corridor at Mizuha and Hikaru. She was so shocked at that sight, then she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
"Do you need something here?" Shimizu suddenly appeared from behind, asking the girl who was passing by.
"No, it's nothing. Please excuse me," the girl said before leaving the corridor to return to her class.
After their conversation, Hikaru bid Mizuha farewell and headed towards his own classroom. However, before parting ways, he really couldn't resist asking for Mizuha's phone number because he wanted to stay in touch and continue their newfound friendship. Mizuha gladly shared her number, excited about their connection.
After Hikaru left, Shimizu came to Mizuha's table and asked, "Who is that guy? Your acquaintance?"
"I just met him today. He came along with me to the cafeteria earlier,"Mizuha replied.
"By the way, here's your bread and drink, as you asked earlier."
"Oh, thanks, Mizuha. You paid for it, so keep the change," said Shimizu, handing money to Mizuha.
"Don't worry, just keep it. Consider it payment for buying them for me," Shimizu said.
"Thanks, Shimizu,"Mizuha said.
Shimizu returned to her table, eating her bread as she went.
As the final class session ended, Mizuha headed to the school gate. There she saw Hikaru waiting.
"There you are, Mizuha!" said Hikaru, walking towards her.
"Hikaru? What are you doing here?" asked Mizuha.
"I thought I'd wait for you and see if you'd like some company on the way home," replied Hikaru.
"Oh, thanks. Well then, let's go," Mizuha said.
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?" asked Hikaru.
"Umm, it went well. I've made friends like you, Shimizu, and Zul, and my classmates complimented my drawings," replied Mizuha.
"Drawings? Mizuha, are you an artist?" Hikaru asked.
"Not really. I just started it as a hobby mid-last year... but I got more interested in it, and now I draw almost every day," Mizuha said, trying to downplay her interest.
"My teacher suggested I enter a drawing competition, and I won first place at my middle school last year."
'Wow, that's amazing, Mizuha! First place is not easy to achieve,' Hikaru said.
"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, I'll take a look at their club," Mizuha replied.
"Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, Hikaru," Mizuha said, smiling at him.
"It's nothing special, I just wanted to give you a suggestion," Hikaru replies, blushing.
"Mizuha, can I take a look at some of your drawings tomorrow?" Hikaru asked, trying to hide his embarrassed face.
"Sure, why not? I'd be happy if you want to see them," says Mizuha.
Grateful for him walking her home, Mizuha thanks Hikaru at her doorstep. Blushing, she bids him farewell.
After Mizuha entered her house, Hikaru thought Mizuha really resembles that person, but I think she is better than them. He was interested in Mizuha.
He continued walking to his house.
Mizuha announced her arrival when she opened her door. Her mother noticed she was back and asked about her first day at school. Mizuha began to recount her experiences from the day.
As the day ended, Mizuha reflected on everything that had happened. She felt happy with how her classmates and teachers had welcomed her, and she was excited for what was to come.
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