The sky was soft and blue, like a quiet painting. Light clouds moved slowly above, hiding part of the sun. The school was big, filled with tall buildings, but outside, it was empty. No voices, no laughter, only silence.
A boy walked through the school gate. His steps were slow, careful, like he didn't want to disturb the silence. Then suddenly, a girl came running from behind.
"Excuse me, Hara… sir," she called, her voice catching slightly, like she almost said his full name by accident. She was a little out of breath. Polite, yes but there was a small tremble in her tone.
"Do you know where the art class is?"
She smiled shyly.
"I wasn't here on orientation day, so… I really don't know where to go, hehe."
Her laugh was soft, a little embarrassed, as she pushed her hair behind her ear.
He turned to face her and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Art class? It's near my class. You can follow me, I'll take you there. By the way, every class has a map you should take a photo of it. It'll help you find your way around the school."
She smiled.
"Okay, thank you so much, sir! I'm Satoyaka!"
They started walking to the art class. Satoyaka smiled the whole time as they walked, but without saying anything more, until they arrived in front of the art class.
"So this is the art class! Thank you again for your help.
I'll get you something if we meet again!"
She opened the door and went inside. The boy smiled and walked to his own class, thinking:
This year… can she become one of the popular students in this school? With her friendly personality and beautiful face… maybe she will.
5:30 PM
Class ended, and all the students left. A boy from earlier walked out of his class, too. Suddenly, a boy and girl called out to him.
"Harazu! Wanna get dinner together?"
Harazu turned around to face them.
"Oh, hello Lisa, Kazhu. Sorry, I'm a bit tired. Our class was too loud today. I need to go home and rest. Let's have dinner another time."
"Okay then! We'll go first—take care on your way home! See you!"
He turned back and walked out of the school.
Satoyaka was standing outside the gate, like she was waiting for someone. Suddenly, Harazu came out of the school, not looking left or right. So she ran up and touched his back.
"Surprise! Do you remember me?"
Harazu turned to face her and stared for a moment.
"You're… oh, the girl from art class. Your name is Satoyaka…"
She walked past him a little.
"Yeah, I thought you forgot me again. That would make me sad, you know?
Can you walk me home? My house is near yours too."
Harazu was very surprised.
I just met her today… why is someone pretty like her being this friendly to me…?
"Hey! Are you just gonna stand there? Won't you walk me home? I waited outside for you too! How can you do this to me?"
"Okay, okay, I'll walk you home."
They started walking together.
"Satoyaka… may I ask you something? If you act this friendly to me, people at school might think we have some kind of relationship."
She looked at him and said softly,
"I don't care what other people think. I just want to talk to you. We're born to be ourselves not live for what others think."
He was surprised again by her answer.
"Sorry for saying this… but should we exchange phone numbers if you want to talk more?"
"No. I don't exchange numbers with strangers. Even if you're not a stranger… I still won't."
Harazu was shocked by her answer again.
"But didn't you say you wanted to talk to me? If we exchange numbers, you can still talk with me."
She walked past him a little and stopped, then smiled.
"Harazu, if we exchange numbers but your heart isn't really with me, then no matter how many messages we send, it would mean nothing. One day, you'll just forget me. That's why I want to talk to you face to face."
A few minutes later, they arrived at Harazu's home.
"Satoyaka, where is your house? My house is here. If yours is farther, wait a second I'll put my bag in my room first, then I'll walk you home."
"Okay, then I'll wait here."
Harazu opened the door and went inside. She smiled while waiting. A few minutes later…
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go I'll walk you home."
She laughed.
"Haha, okay!"
Then she opened the door and walked into the house.
"Satoyaka! Why are you walking in here?!"
"Oh, I live on the second floor of this house. I guess you could say I'm your neighbor.
Aren't you going to walk me home?" Haha.
Harazu was shocked.
"What…? Since when do you live here? I've been living here for three years, and the owner of this house said no one has ever lived on the second floor before!"
"Maybe yesterday… the same day you went to the orientation at school. Haha."