The Angel Transfer Student

A month had passed since the start of the new term. The cherry blossom season had ended, and May brought vibrant fresh greenery.

That day, an unusual rumor spread through Class 2-B at Aozora Academy. They were getting a transfer student.

"I heard they're from England!" "Apparently, they're the chairman's grandchild!" "And they say she's incredibly beautiful!"

As anticipation and curiosity filled the classroom, Ms. Sato entered.

"Today, I'll introduce a new friend." Before she could finish speaking, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted. The door opened, and a girl entered. Her black twin-tails caught the window light, emitting a mysterious glow.

After a silence so profound it seemed all sound had ceased, the girl displayed a gentle smile.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sora. I'd be really happy if we could all be friends♪"

A soft murmur spread through the classroom. Questioning voices began to emerge. "Did she just use 'boku'? But isn't that strange for a girl?"

"But isn't she just too cute?" "You're right, she looks like a model..." Such comments mixed in as the classroom could barely contain its excitement.

Her clear voice and innocent smile instantly dissolved any initial tension.

Unaware of the reaction, Sora walked among her classmates, starting to hug them one by one.

"Eh, what?" "What are you doing, Sora-san?" Ignoring the surprised voices, Sora said with a cheerful laugh:

"Teehee, now we're friends!"

After a moment of silence, chatter erupted throughout the classroom.

"She's so forward..." "You don't usually hug people when you first meet them, right?"

Though bewildered, the classmates somehow felt drawn to Sora's innocence.

"Is this how they greet people in England?"

"Nope, I just want to be close with everyone♪"

Despite their confusion at such natural skinship, the classmates strangely didn't feel uncomfortable; rather, a warmth seemed to spread through the room.

---

Suddenly, Sora's attention was drawn to an empty seat by the window. She heard someone sigh behind it. Looking at that profile, Sora felt a mysterious sense of nostalgia.

"Um, teacher," her clear voice rang through the classroom. "Is the seat next to Yuta-kun available?"

"Eh?" Ms. Sato looked up in surprise. "Yuta-kun... do you know each other?"

Sora tilted her head, blinking in apparent confusion herself. "No. But somehow..."

The boy who had sighed—Yuta—looked up. In that moment, their eyes met. A strange sensation flowed between them, as if they were old acquaintances from a distant past.

"How do you know my name?" Yuta asked, slightly perplexed.

After thinking for a moment, Sora smiled brightly. "I just had a feeling."

Though slightly confused, Ms. Sato gave permission: "Well then, you can sit there." As the entire class watched, she walked naturally to her seat.

For an instant, the light from the window seemed to intensify. Some students thought they saw Sora's figure become translucent for a moment, but no one mentioned it.

---

Even as classes began, Sora was perfect.

During PE class, the class was practicing relay races in the schoolyard. When Sora's turn came, she did some light stretches and took her position on the track.

"Are you okay, Sora-san? Don't push yourself!" "Yeah, we have a lot of fast runners here!"

Amid such comments, Sora smiled as she took her position at the starting line.

"It's okay! I'll do my best with everyone!"

As soon as the whistle blew, Sora took off at an incredible speed. Her form flowed like the very essence of the wind itself. Yuta watched her retreating figure with wide eyes.

"No way... she's too fast!" "Is she really human?"

The classmates stared in amazement at her speed, and applause and cheers erupted as soon as she crossed the finish line.

"Amazing! Sora-san, you're like a pro athlete!"

Just after Sora finished running, as the next runner was about to start, one student lost their balance and fell. Sora immediately rushed to the student who was grimacing in pain with scraped knees.

"Are you okay?"

As Sora gently placed her hand on the injured knee, Yuta noticed a faint glow radiating from her fingertips—a light so subtle it almost felt unreal. The glow seemed to seep into the wound, and before his eyes, the injury vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

"Huh... what just...?"

While the surrounding students didn't notice the change, just commenting "Sora-san is so kind" with exchanged smiles, only Yuta had witnessed this mysterious scene.

"Sora... how did you just do that?" As Yuta tried to ask, Sora just tilted her head and said:

"Huh? I wonder why... But I'm glad you're okay!"

Faced with Sora's innocent smile, Yuta couldn't say anything more. However, that scene wouldn't leave his mind, leaving him with a small question in his heart.

---

After school, at the school gates, Yuta noticed Sora standing beside him.

"Eh, Sora. Why are you here?"

Sora looked puzzled for a moment before breaking into a bright smile.

"Well, I was walking behind Yuta-kun, and it seems we're going in the same direction."

"If that's the case, you could just go ahead." When Yuta said this with slight confusion, Sora tilted her head.

"Hmm, but that feels kind of lonely... Is it not okay to walk home together?"

At those innocent words, Yuta momentarily lost his ability to respond, but then started walking as if shaking something off.

"It's not that it's not okay... do what you want."

Satisfied with this response, Sora smiled and fell into perfect step beside Yuta.

"Yay, we're together!"

The evening light stretched their shadows long, and they seemed to nestle together like old friends.

"Yuta-kun," Sora stopped suddenly and looked up at the sunset. "It feels strange, doesn't it?"

"...What does?"

"Hmm..." Sora blinked as if searching for words. "It's like I've known you for a very long time. But is that weird?"

Yuta didn't answer. But in his heart, he felt the same sensation. Despite having just met this transfer student, there was something nostalgic about her. A sense of comfort that couldn't be explained logically.

"Hey," Sora's voice drifted on the wind. "Let's walk home together tomorrow too."

It wasn't a question or a suggestion. It sounded more like confirming a promise made long ago.

Above them, the sunset clouds gently changed colors. And unnoticed by anyone, a gray cat watched the scene intently from the school building's window.

Thus, a new story quietly began. With a mysterious transfer student who seemed like an angel leaving certain footprints behind. leaving certain footprints behind.