A Rival Appears!

Sora, the transfer student, had quickly become the class's most popular figure.

"I want to eat lunch with Sora today too!"
"Sora, how have you been doing lately?"

"Sora, can we walk home together after school?"

During breaks, a circle would naturally form around Sora in the center of the classroom. Students, regardless of gender, were drawn to them like moths to a light, a sight that captivated everyone who witnessed it.

---

"What's with that kid anyway?"

However, there was one person who couldn't quite fit into this atmosphere.
Ume, known as the class's premier 'gyaru', stood apart. With her blonde hair, flashy makeup, and distinctively styled uniform, she boasted the highest number of social media followers in the school.

Sora innocently waved in her direction.
"Ah, Ume-chan!"

Ume reacted slightly to the voice, clicking her tongue before deliberately turning her back, though a hint of tension was visible in her shoulders.

---

Amid this dynamic, the season for the first regular exams arrived.

The usually lively classroom was wrapped in a heavy atmosphere during this period. Students had their textbooks and notebooks open, faces serious as they pushed through their final review.

Yet even in this tense atmosphere, Sora alone maintained their usual innocent smile, cheerfully encouraging everyone: "Let's all do our best♪"

Their voice momentarily lightened the classroom's heavy air.

---

A week after the tests, the day of results finally arrived.

From early morning, an unsettled atmosphere pervaded the classroom. Students who had received help from Sora seemed particularly interested not only in their own scores but in Sora's results as well.

"Sora was really good at teaching, wasn't she?"
"Yeah, I've never had someone explain things so clearly before."

As such whispers circulated through the classroom, their homeroom teacher, Ms. Sato, entered with the answer sheets in hand.
"Now, I'll return your tests."
Her matter-of-fact voice sent a wave of tension through the classroom. Ms. Sato began calling names one by one to return the tests.

"Yuta-kun, 72 points."
"Well, that's okay I guess..."
"Kenta-kun, 65 points."
"That's about right..."

And then—
"Sora-san."
The entire class held their breath.
"Perfect scores in all subjects. Very impressive."

The classroom erupted in murmurs.
"What, all subjects!?"
"But this time's math was especially difficult..."
"I heard even returnee students couldn't get perfect scores on the English test."
"The geometry proofs were so hard even teachers might have struggled..."

Sora displayed an innocent smile.
"Ehehe, the problems were interesting, so I just got caught up in them♪"

Even Ms. Sato found himself double-checking the answer sheets.
"Especially in mathematics... even the university-level application problems are perfect..."
Her voice carried a slight hint of bewilderment.

---

"Hmph."
At that moment, Ume's provocative voice rang out from the back of the classroom.
"Being perfect is kind of annoying, don't you think?"

The classroom fell instantly silent, everyone watching to see how this would unfold. The usually bright and lively atmosphere had suddenly become as tense as if a cold wind had blown through.

"Isn't that going too far...?"
"Ume-chan sure is bold..."
As students whispered among themselves, everyone was acutely aware of Ume's presence at the back of the classroom. She emanated a different aura from other students, her confident attitude both commanding respect and keeping others at a slight distance.

Meanwhile, Sora seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere, maintaining their innocent smile. That smile, so pure it seemed out of place in this situation, appeared to further irritate Ume.

While all eyes in the classroom focused on the scene, Ume put on an exaggerated smile and shrugged off the surrounding gazes. As the classroom's tension continued to build, Mr. Sato finally spoke.

"Ume-san."
The teacher maintained his calm expression as he looked at Ume and stated, "You scored 7 points."

The classroom buzzed with murmurs. However, Ume received her test paper with a nonchalant grin."
Seven points? Awesome! That's my lucky number♪"

The classroom atmosphere grew even more awkward as classmates exchanged glances.
"Lucky number... is she serious...?"
"Seven points is pretty bad though..."

Such whispers could be heard around the classroom, but Ume appeared unfazed, waving her answer sheet while directing a challenging look at Sora. Though beneath her provocative gaze, there seemed to be a hint of frustration.
"You know," Ume said defensively, "your whole perfect act is really starting to annoy me."

That's when something unexpected happened.
Sora suddenly hugged Ume.

"Eh!?"
Ume let out a startled cry. The sweet fragrance emanating from Sora's body and their mysterious warmth enveloped her.
Any will to resist seemed to melt away in that sensation.

"Ume-chan, I'll help teach you next time! Let's study together♪"
That voice carried nothing but pure kindness.

"W-wait! Let go of me!"
Ume desperately tried to push Sora away. Yet her gesture lacked any real rejection.
Rather, she seemed drawn to that warmth in a strange way.

"Aww? But Ume-chan, you're not very good at math, right? I'll teach you, so let's work hard together next time!"

Ume found herself at a loss for words.
Why was it that her usual defiance seemed to fade in Sora's presence?
In those pure eyes, she saw herself reflected simply as a 'precious friend.'

"S-stop it... being so kind just makes it harder..."
Ume's voice trembled slightly. Despite her words of protest, her cheeks were tinged pink.

"Starting today, let's study together in the library after school! I'll work around your schedule♪"

---

From that day forward, an unusual sight could be seen in the library after school.
The cool gyaru Ume and the innocent Sora studying together. Though initially self-conscious, Ume gradually began opening her heart to Sora's pure kindness.

"Geez! You really are..."
Ume smiled with a mix of exasperation. Her expression was completely different from the earlier hostility.

"But I think I understand a little..." Ume murmured softly.
"Why everyone is drawn to you..."

If Sora had anything special, it was their kindness—a kindness so pure it seemed almost unnatural.
Yet somehow, that very kindness had the power to melt people's hearts, like a light not of this world.

---

In the corner of the classroom, Yuta watched with an amused smile.
"Really... Sora never thinks about these things at all..."
But there was a warmth in his words.

Meanwhile, at the back of the classroom, another "sacred territory" existed. A small gathering of otaku was absorbed in their card game. While they appeared uninterested in the drama between Sora and Ume, the time would soon come when Sora's light would shine into their private space as well.

But that would be another story.