After homeroom ended, Mizuha pulled out her sketchbook and started sketching.
"Umm... Yuki-san, what are you drawing?" a classmate asked, curiosity evident in their voice.
"Some hills and a nature scene," Mizuha replied, her eyes still on her sketch.
"Can I take a look?" the classmate asked again, inching closer.
"Sure, why not," Mizuha said, handing over her sketchbook.
"Wow, this is beautiful. It looks so alive," the classmate marveled.
"Thanks, I'm glad you like it," Mizuha responded with a warm smile.
Just then, Shimizu approached Mizuha's table. The classmate who had been talking to Mizuha noticed Shimizu and quickly retreated.
"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 and smiled at Shimizu. "Oh, it's you, the girl from before. So, we're in the same class," she said.
"Yes, can I help you?" Mizuha asked, her tone friendly.
Shimizu looked down and said "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 kindly.
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," she replied, her voice a mix of hope and relief.
"It's nice to meet you, Shimizu," Mizuha said, her smile genuine.
"Do you like drawing?" Shimizu asked, her curiosity piqued.
Mizuha nodded enthusiastically. "I do. I like to draw to fill my free time."
"Let me see," Shimizu said, leaning closer. She studied the sketchbook, her eyes widening. "Wow, it's so pretty. You're really talented!"
"Thanks," Mizuha replied, pleased with the compliment.
As they talked, Mizuha noticed other classmates whispering.
"Hey, look, Shimizu is trying to get in touch with the new transfer student," one of them said. "I hope Mizuha doesn't 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. I'm used to their whispering. Just pretend you don't hear it. Maybe it's my appearance that makes them say that."
I see. They just judge her by her appearance, Mizuha thought to herself.
"Don't worry, Shimizu," Mizuha said firmly. "Whatever they say, you'll always be my friend. Don't let them get to you."
Shimizu looked at her with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "Thanks, Mizuha. It means a lot to hear you say that."
"Hey, Shimizu, there's something else I want to ask you," Mizuha said, lowering her voice. "Give me your ear."
"Huh, what is it?" Shimizu replied, leaning in closer.
"The guy behind me, is he a foreigner? His face doesn't look Japanese," Mizuha whispered.
"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.
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, leaving Mizuha's table and returning to her seat.
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 to head to the cafeteria. She went to Shimizu's table to ask her to come along.
"Mizuha, I'm sorry, I can't accompany you to the cafeteria. I need to go to the teacher's lounge. Our classroom teacher is calling me," Shimizu said hurriedly. "Can you buy me some bread and a drink? I'll pay you back later. I'm counting on you."
"Sure," replied Mizuha with a slightly disappointed face.
Just as she reached the door, she accidentally bumped into a couple of guys passing by. Mizuha quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was walking."
"That's okay, please be more careful," the person replied.
"Huh!? Mizuha!" the person 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 their previous encounter.
"Hey, Mizuha! Are you headed to the cafeteria?" he asked.
Mizuha nodded. "Yes, I am," she said.
Without hesitation, Hikaru extended his hand to help her up. "Here, let me help you up," he said.
Mizuha smiled and took his hand. "Thank you, Hikaru," she said.
Hikaru offered to escort her to the cafeteria. Mizuha accepted his gesture, comforted by Hikaru's presence. They engaged in light conversation as they walked, discovering shared interests and exchanging stories about their backgrounds.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, Mizuha purchased some buns for a quick snack. Hikaru, showing genuine curiosity and interest, followed Mizuha back to her classroom. As they entered, Hikaru's eyes fell upon Zul, Mizuha's classmate.
Excitedly, Hikaru called out to Zul, “Hey, Zul, eating alone again? Can we join you?"
"Hmm," replied Zul, 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 back then. 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 and drew attention. She overheard a few classmates whispering about them.
"Isn't that Hikaru? He's so famous. Most of us know him from middle school," one girl whispered to her friend.
"Yeah, and did you see Zul? He's so quiet and cool. There's something mysterious about him," her friend replied.
"They're such a contrast, but they both have their charm," another classmate added, glancing at Hikaru and Zul.
"I also heard a rumor about Hikaru and Zul teaming up together to defeat a delinquent student to protect someone in junior high. How cool is that? "
I envy Yuki-san. She just transferred here and can talk to Hikaru," said another classmate.
But some classmates from another group whispered about Mizuha in the opposite way.
"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, looking at Mizuha and Hikaru. She was shocked at that, then clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
"Do you need something here?" Shimizu suddenly appeared from behind, asking the bypassing girl.
"No, it's nothing. Please excuse me," the girl replied, then left the corridor and returned to her class.
After their conversation, Hikaru bid Mizuha farewell and headed towards his own classroom. However, before parting ways, he couldn't resist asking for Mizuha's phone number, wanting 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 accompanied me to the cafeteria earlier," replied Mizuha. "By the way, here's your bread and drink, as you asked earlier."
"Oh, thanks, Mizuha. Here, you've paid for it. Keep the change," said Shimizu while giving money to Mizuha.
"Don't worry, just keep it. It's payment for buying this for me," said Shimizu.
"Thanks, Shimizu," replied Mizuha.
After that, Shimizu returned to her table while eating her bread.
As the final class session ended, Mizuha headed to the school gate. There she saw Hikaru waiting patiently.
"There you are, Mizuha!" said Hikaru, slowly 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," replied Mizuha.
Both 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 asks.
"Not really. I just started it as a hobby in the middle of 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," says Hikaru.
"Why not join the art club at our school? They might help you improve your drawing skills and participate in competitions," Hikaru suggests.
"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," replies Mizuha.
"Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, Hikaru," says Mizuha, smiling at him.
"It's nothing special, I just wanted to give you a suggestion," replies Hikaru, blushing.
"Mizuha, can I take a look at some of your drawings tomorrow?" asks Hikaru, trying to cover 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 enters her house, Hikaru thinks to himself, Mizuha really resembles that person, but I think she is better than them. He was interested in Mizuha.
After that, he continues walking to his house.
"I'm home," Mizuha says, opening her door.
"Oh, you're back already?" her mother replies. "How was your first day at school?"
"Actually..." Mizuha begins, recounting her experiences.
As the day ends, Mizuha thinks about her first day at high school. She feels happy with how her classmates and teachers have welcomed her and is excited for what is to come.
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