Chapter 1: The Transfer Student

The cherry blossoms fluttered gently outside the window, painting the sky with hues of pink. The air smelled of fresh spring, a new beginning—yet for Takahashi Aoi, it was just another normal day. She sat in her usual seat, the very last one by the window, gazing outside with a distant expression. The warmth of the sun brushed against her skin, yet she barely reacted, her silver shoulder-length hair swaying slightly as a breeze slipped through the open window.

Aoi wasn’t the type to blend in, nor was she the type to stand out intentionally. Her past as a delinquent was something she had long abandoned, but her sharp gaze and cold demeanor made it difficult for others to approach her. She preferred solitude—not because she hated people, but because she had grown used to being alone.

The classroom was filled with the usual chatter before the first period. Aoi ignored it all, resting her chin on her palm as she looked out at the swaying sakura trees. It was peaceful—until the teacher’s voice cut through the noise.

"Class, we have a new transfer student. Please introduce yourself."

Aoi barely turned her head, only shifting her eyes toward the front of the classroom. She wasn’t interested. New students came and went all the time.

"My name is Fujimura Hikari. It's nice to meet you all."

That voice—gentle, like the breeze outside—made Aoi glance properly for the first time. The girl standing before the class had long, straight black hair that cascaded past her shoulders, and warm brown eyes that held a quiet kindness. She was slender but carried herself with elegance, as if she belonged to a world far different from this one.

"Fujimura-san, you can take the empty seat beside Takahashi-san."

The class stirred slightly. The seat beside Aoi had remained empty for a long time. Most students avoided it out of unspoken agreement. But Hikari merely nodded with a soft smile and made her way toward the empty seat.

Aoi didn’t react, didn’t acknowledge her presence. She simply returned her gaze to the window, as if nothing had changed.

But something had.

Hikari slid into the seat beside her, carefully placing her bag down. A quiet moment passed before she spoke.

"Takahashi-san, right?"

Aoi didn't answer immediately. Most people wouldn't even try to talk to her. She debated ignoring her, but something about Hikari's voice made it difficult. It wasn't forced or hesitant—just natural.

She finally turned her head slightly, her silver hair shifting. "...Yeah."

Hikari's smile didn't falter. "It's nice to meet you."

Aoi simply nodded before returning her attention to the window. Hikari didn't push further, and for that, Aoi was oddly grateful.

The lesson began, and the classroom settled into its usual rhythm. But even as Aoi tried to focus on the teacher’s words, she was aware of the quiet presence beside her.

For the first time in a long while, someone had entered her world without hesitation.

And she wasn’t sure how to feel about it.