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After homeroom ended, Mizuha pulled out her sketchbook and started sketching, catching the attention of her classmates.
"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, their eyes wide with wonder.
"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 aloud.
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's tough exterior softened as she looked down. "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 turning a shade of pink.
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 blank 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."
Mizuha thought to herself, "Oh, I see. They just judge her by her appearance."
"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."
"Oh, I see. That explains everything," Mizuha said, nodding.
Just then, the next subject teacher entered the class. "Okay, guys, 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 settled into a quiet rhythm of note-taking and listening.
When the recess bell rang, Mizuha gathered her things to head to the cafeteria. She went to Shimizu's table to ask Shimizu to accompany her to the cafeteria.
"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. Can you buy me some bread and a drink? I'll pay you back later," Shimizu said, begging while rushing to the teacher's lounge. "I'm counting on you," she added as she headed to the teacher's lounge.
"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," she said.
"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, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort in Hikaru's presence. They engaged in light conversation as they walked, discovering shared interests and exchanging stories about their respective 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, surprised to find him in the same class as Mizuha.
"Hey, Zul, eating alone again? Can we join you?" said Hikaru, happy to see his best friend.
"Hmm," replied Zul, nodding his head.
Mizuha asked, "You two know each other?"
Hikaru replied, "Yeah, Zul and I go way back. We were in the same class in middle school."
It seems that Hikaru and Zul have known each other for a long time and have maintained their friendship since then.
Mizuha noticed that female classmates were attracted to Hikaru's outgoing personality, and Zul appeared to be the quiet, cool type that caught their 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 envy Yuki-san because she can talk with that famous Hikaru as she just transferred here today," said another classmate.
At the same time, there was another glaring from a bypassing girl outside Mizuha's classroom corridor, looking at Mizuha and Hikaru. "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 Mizuha classroom 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, feeling a flutter of excitement as she realized the budding connection between them.
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 a wage for you for buying me this," said Shimizu.
"Thanks, Shimizu," replied Mizuha.
After that, Shimizu returned to her table while eating her bread.
As the final 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 because this was their first time walking together. Hikaru, unable to handle the awkward silence, suddenly spoke up.
"How was your first day here?" asked Hikaru.
"Umm, it's going well. I've made friends like you, Shimizu, and Zul, and my classmates compliment my drawings," replied Mizuha.
"Drawings? Mizuha, are you an artist?" Hikaru asked.
"Oh, 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 1st place at my middle school last year."
"Wow, that's amazing, Mizuha! 1st place is not easy to achieve," said Hikaru.
"Why not join the art club at our school? They might help you improve your drawing skills and participate in 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," replied Mizuha.
"Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, Hikaru," said Mizuha, smiling at him.
"It's nothing special, I just wanted to give you a suggestion," replied Hikaru, blushing.
"Mizuha, can I take a look at some of your drawings tomorrow?" asked Hikaru, trying to cover his embarrassed face.
"Sure, why not? I'd be happy if you want to see them," said Mizuha.
Grateful for the waking her home, Mizuha thanked Hikaru at her doorstep. Blushing, she bid him farewell, sensing their friendship taking its first steps toward something more.
After Mizuha entered her house, Hikaru once again thought to himself, "Mizuha really resembles that person, but I think she is better than them." Hikaru seems got interested with Mizuha. After that he continued walking to his house.
"I'm home," Mizuha said, opening her door.
"Oh, you're back already?" her mother replied. "How was your first day at school?"
"Actually…," Mizuha began, recounting her experiences.
As the day ended, Mizuha thought about her first day at high school. She felt happy with how her classmates and teachers had welcomed her and was excited for what was to come.
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