A Ripple in Still Waters

The sun filters through the classroom windows, casting light on the perfectly pressed uniforms of class 1-B. Takumi glances around, noticing that half his classmates are foreign.


"Takumi, stand up straight," Rei chides, her gaze focused on him. She wears an immaculate uniform, reminding him of how ideal she is. He looks again around the class. Neatly arranged desks, straight postures, everything screams of perfection. He's wanted it, but now, he doesn't feel he deserves it.


"There, all set!" she says, lightly tapping his shoulders to brush off invisible dust.


"Come on, Rei, I’m not a kid anymore." Takumi protests, though he doesn’t stop her. Somehow, it is reassuring.


"You know we can't afford mistakes here," she replies firmly, her usual piercing gaze locking onto him.

Tetsuji-sensei strides in, a wall of muscle. His firm voice cuts through the room, snapping the class to attention.

“Alright, time for self-introductions. Hoshikawa Takumi, you're up."

Takumi stands, calm on the outside but nervous inside. His voice is quiet but steady—he’s rehearsed this. Rei stands beside him, a silent reminder that he cannot fail.
He puts on a motivated front, mentioning his passion for kendo to deflect attention from his grades.

Rei stands next, her elegance drawing every eye. Takumi watches her with fleeting admiration —then, his mind drifts to middle school memories

- No way! The "Ice Queen" has a boyfriend?
- Come to think of it, they’re always together, right?
- I wouldn’t dare approach them. Wait, what’s this hakama doing in the gym room?!

Takumi snaps back to reality as the class erupts into applause for Rei’s performance.

"Silence." Tetsuji-sensei’s command cuts through the room.

A few moments later, the door opens with a knock. A blonde girl enters, bowing slightly as she hands a note to Tetsuji-sensei.

Takumi's heart skips a beat. Her light step, soft smile, and the joy radiating from her—there’s no doubt about it.

"I see. We were aware of that," Tetsuji-sensei says. "In any case, we were about to wrap up. Please, introduce yourself."

The girl turns toward the class, her gaze shy at first. "Oh—uh—hello..." she begins, as if noticing the group for the first time. A few classmates smile at her innocent demeanor.

She seems to find the smiles comforting, and her aura shifts. Trying to cover her shyness, she strikes a playful pose. "H-hello, everyone! My name is Sakura... Sakura Lindholm! It’s great to meet you all!" Her wide smile flashes brightly, reflecting the sunlight pouring through the windows.

There’s a moment of silence, and then... her words tumble out nervously yet cheerfully. She speaks of the sun, nature, and how the school’s maple trees remind her of a massive world tree, where everyone is part of one big family.

"I’ll be glad to help if anyone needs it. We’re all friends here!"

Not everyone quite understands the Yggdrasil analogy, but somehow, her smile lights the room, and they all feel a little more connected.

As Sakura finishes her bubbly and cheerful introduction, Tetsuji-sensei calls out Takumi’s name.

"Yes, sensei?" Takumi replies, but his attention is diverted.

Sakura’s gaze naturally meets his. Her eyes, warm and genuine, linger for a moment, as if quietly acknowledging him without words. Her smile widens slightly, as if she’s found a kindred soul. There’s no pressure, no awkwardness—just a quiet understanding between two kindred spirits.

Tetsuji-sensei clears his throat, snapping Takumi back to reality.

"I was asking if you’ll show Miss Lindholm around after class."

"Yes, sensei… wait, do I have a choice?"

"No, you don’t." Tetsuji-sensei chuckles, breaking the tension.

Takumi nods, as Sakura playfully skips to her seat.

The chime bell rings.

“Hoshikawa, a word.”

Takumi stiffens.

"I don’t know the full story, Hoshikawa," Tetsuji-sensei says, his voice sharp as a knife. “But it’s clear you’ve been... favored.”

Takumi fiddles with his fingers behind his back. ‘Stay composed. Stay composed, like Rei would.’

”You’d better prove you belong here. I expect more than D-level performance from you. Don’t waste your chance.”

Takumi’s chest tightens. His grades have always been a struggle, and now the pressure feels unbearable. He nods, his throat dry, the weight of Tetsuji-sensei’s words sinking in.

“After class hours, you’ll come with me. The teachers need help with a few menial tasks.”

“I’ll do my best,” Takumi says, forcing the words out.

Tetsuji-sensei’s gaze sharpens. “Your best better be enough.”

As they leave the classroom, Takumi breathes heavily, the elite atmosphere suffocating. He notices Sakura walking beside him, her quiet presence easing the tension in his chest. Rei instinctively clings to his arm, her fingers brushing lightly against his sleeve—just enough to offer reassurance, a subtle reminder that she’s there.

"What is your homeland like?" she asks, her voice steady but with a hint of concern, sensing Takumi’s unease.

Sakura’s face lights up. "Hmm, let me think… The air always carries the sweet scent of cinnamon rolls."

"You're making me hungry," Takumi quips.

Sakura giggles. "It’s a delicious snack! Then, you can walk through the city on old cobblestone streets. When the sun hits just right, they almost glow…"

"It sounds beautiful," Rei says, though there’s something hesitant in her voice.

Sakura smiles widely and leans in— a little too close for Rei's comfort.

"You should visit one day! The winters are harsh, but the hearts are warm. We always help each other in times of need—it’s just the way of the North."

Rei stares at her, a flicker of unease surfacing. Sakura’s words are painted with such warmth and vivid color, a world that feels inviting yet distant to Rei. Her smile comes out stiff, caught between curiosity and restraint.

"Well, you are most welcome here," she replies evenly, though something in her lingers on those words as if wondering how long this "welcome" can last.

They walk to the courtyard. Fresh air is a relief after Tetsuji-sensei two-hour lecture on feudalism. Their path leads them to the school garden— Sakura stops, crouching near a cluster of flowers.

“They have beautiful camellias here,” she notes, brushing her fingers against the petals.

Rei’s eyes soften. “I’m glad you like the tsubaki.”

She straightens, eager to share something she feels confident in.

“I like the purple ones, but the red ones have a passionate background. They were meaningful to samurai soldiers, who went into battle knowing they might never return. The way the flower falls whole, without scattering its petals, was seen as a symbol of their noble and honorable deaths. It's—"

“Please!” Sakura interrupts, laughing. “I’ve had enough lectures today! Let’s just enjoy the flowers!”

Takumi exhales in relief, a small smile tugging at his lips as Rei’s words are cut off. Rei’s smile falters for a moment, a flicker of frustration crossing her face before she quickly masks it with a composed expression.

“They are really pretty,” Sakura adds with a grin. “Let’s relax here.”

Rei raises an eyebrow. "Relax? There's no bench."

Sakura shrugs, ignoring the comment, and pulls out a small sketchpad. She settles comfortably on the ground and swiftly unclasps the delicate white feathers from the sides of her head. A soft shake sends her golden hair cascading down, the breeze catching the strands as they flow freely.

Takumi’s face instinctively warms at the sight, his heartbeat quickening. He turns away, hoping Rei doesn’t notice.

Rei, intrigued, tilts her head. “I was wondering... what are those feathers in your hair?”

“He-he, it’s my secret trick.” Sakura winks. “They’re not feathers—they’re paintbrushes! I fill them with color for quick sketches.”

She flashes Rei a brilliant smile, then hums softly as she sketches flowers in her sketchpad.

Takumi watches, mesmerized by how at ease she is. “Why don’t you write poetry here, Rei? I know you like it.”

Rei stiffens. “No way! It’s improper to sit on the ground.”

“I don’t think the teachers mind. Besides, they never come this far,” Takumi shrugs, already lowering himself onto the grass.

Sakura stays focused on her sketch, but her smile is contagious. A peaceful quiet settles around them.

“I’’ll get us drinks. I need to walk.”

Rei turns swiftly, leaving with a sigh, trying to calm her nerves.

Sakura, absorbed in her sketching, accidentally nudges Takumi’s arm. She tilts her head, peering down at her drawing.

“Oh, I think I got the petals wrong again. Could you—” Her hand flutters, and before Takumi can move back, her fingers brush against his.

Takumi freezes. His heart stumbles as their hands briefly clasp.

“Oh, sorry.” She pulls back with an angelic smile, completely unfazed.

Her words drift away on the breeze, but Takumi’s heartbeat refuses to settle.