1 — Seriously, Who Is This Girl?

SERA TSUKIKO was fast asleep on the bullet train. Her head was leant softly against the cool glass of the train's window, the rhythm of the tracks reverberating throughout her body. A light click-click, click-clack filled the space.

Suddenly, a girl that was trying to dart through the train car tried to weave frantically between passengers before.. "Ahh! Wooahh...woah!!" The girl exclaimed. She stumbled, her papers flipping to the ground.

WHAM.

It seemed someone or something had fallen in the aisle, right beside Sera. The sound was just enough to stir Sera from her sleep, much to the embarrassment of the girl. A couple of people in the front of the car, turned their attention to the noise but minded their own business.

"Mmmn... Wha…" Sera groaned soft. Sera fixed her posture, stretching a tad in her seat. Her gaze locked onto the girl scrambling to pick herself up from the floor, her cheeks flushed. With a soft flick of her head, Sera's golden hair shifted aside, revealing her sun-kissed face. Slowly, she removed her headphones, tucking them neatly into her backpack before adjusting her uniform that consisted of a black jacket, white long sleeve blouse and red tie accompanied by a black silky pleated skirt.

After setting her bag gently back on the floor, she straightened herself and called out to the girl her voice steady and gentle.

"Ah, are you alright?" She said stretching out a hand.

The girl nodded as she took her hand to stand up, her face a now completely a red hue.

"Ah! Yes! Yes! I-I'm fine, I'm good." She stammered, hugging herself a bit as her gaze dropped to the floor.

"Your papers, they are still on the floor." Sera gestured to the ground.

"O-Oh right…" the girl murmured.

Sera gave the girl a gentle smile before quietly gathering the scattered papers. She carefully stacked them into a neat pile and handed them back to the girl, her expression warm and reassuring. The girl took the papers and slipped them back into her backpack. She blinked a couple of times and averted her gaze from Sera, gripping the ends of her skirt. "T-thank you.." She said quickly, still unable to hold Sera's gaze. "Seriously thank you.. you didn't have to do all that."

Sera's smile widened as she placed a hand on the back of her neck, the other waving modestly. "Oh, it's nothing, don't sweat it." She smiled and gave a small nod, gently resting a hand on the girl's shoulder, hoping to catch her gaze.

Sera tilted her head making sure to keep the gentle smile. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"

The tension melted from the girl's shoulders, and a soft breath escaped her lips as she met Sera's reassuring gaze. Her expression softened, and a hint of a smile began to form.

"June! My name is June, pleased to meet you." She bounced. She beamed with delight, her light brown bangs danced playfully across her forehead.

"Nice to meet you, June. I'm Sera!" Sera giggled. She enjoyed the girl's sudden burst of energy and mirrored it with a playful touch, running a hand through her hair before resting it lightly on her shoulder.

"Well Sera… I'm so pleased to have made such a GREAT first impression..." June laughed.

"June, stop..." She laughed, covering her mouth.

"Speaking of …you must've been in such a hurry… why were you in such a rush? Where were you off too?" Sera asked.

"I heard over the train that we were going to reach the next stop soon, and I am not going to lie... I think I am sooo lost!" June's gaze dropped to the floor.

Sera scrunched her face and crossed her arms. "Oh no, that's terrible... maybe I can help? Where are you off too?"

"Aina University? Do you happen to know where that is?" June asked, looking back up at Sera.

"Ppfftt! That's where I'm off too as well!" Sera eyes widened and almost broke out into a laugh, clutching her stomach.

"Huh?! Really?!" June exclaimed. Her eyes enlarged too, her mouth almost dropping to the floor.

"Really!!" She exclaimed.

The girls laughed together for a moment.

As the train picked up speed, the two girls took a moment to sit down. Sera turned to June with a reassuring nod.

"You're good, June. You aren't on the wrong train or anything." She affirmed.

"Ahh... Really? That's such a relief… seriously Sera! I was so scared, I thought I was done for, for my first day of Uni! " She exclaimed, still giggling.

Sera shook her head with a playful grin, then casually pulled out a compact makeup mirror. Glancing at her reflection, she continued the conversation with the girl, her voice flowing as she adjusted her appearance with ease. "So, what are you studying?"

"I'm a business major." June beamed.

Sera's eyes sparkled with surprise before she refocused, delicately touching up her eyelashes and brows.

"Oooh, really? Wow! I hope all the best for this year." She nodded.

June smiled and checked her phone, swiping through her schedule. "How about you? What's your major?"

"I'm a Fashion Major, but I am minoring in Business, surprise!" Sera grinned. She took one last look at herself, satisfied and quickly closed her pocket mirror.

"Ooooowhhaaaaa~~!!! Fashion sounds so cool, I didn't know Aina University had that. And no way! Business means I can see you in some classes possibly!"

"I know! That's great. I hope I can see you in some classes. How about we share schedules and see what we've got together?" Sera nodded quickly in agreement.

The two girls eagerly exchanged schedules.

June was over the moon, thrilled at having made a new friend that would also be in her classes. The prospect of not being alone after all filled her with warmth. Her hazel eyes sparkled and she practically bounced in her seat with uncontainable joy.

After a few minutes, the girls had a figured out that their second class in the morning block lined up together and that they would see each other a few times a week.

June sighed and threw herself back into her seat relaxed. "Ahh, this is so great. I'm so excited now."

"Hello Passengers, this is your conductor speaking. We will be arriving at University Station, now. Please gather any belongings, be safe exiting and remember to exit on your right." the trains PA system boomed.

"It seems were here, June." Sera grinned, quickly propping herself up to stare at out the window.

June returned the smile before they came out of a tunnel and it was then that Aina University came into view.

The University was a breathtaking fit of modern architecture. A sleek design mixed with the natural beauty of its surroundings. The campus was adorned with striking buildings, predominantly clad in white and black facades that reflected the sunlight. They featured clean lines and expansive glass windows that created an airy, open atmosphere.

"Wow, look at that view. It… it somehow looks better than the pictures…" June uttered under her breath.

"You could say that again…wow..."

As June and Sera looked on, students strolled between classes, greeted by lush trees that sway gently in the breeze. Towering pines and vibrant maples framed the pathways. In the background you could see the mountains, their peaks shrouded in mist, creating a stunning backdrop.

The two girls squeezed together side by side, their foreheads pressed against the train car window as they exchanged an excited glance and let out a delighted squeal. "IT'S GORGEOUS!"

After the train grinded to a halt at the station, the girls walked out together giggling about how they would see each other soon after there first morning class.

The students were greeted by the brittle morning air. The pathway to the main building buzzed with energy as clusters of new faces made their way toward the auditorium. It wasn't before long before the ceremony began. Afterward, a quick yet thorough orientation led them through the maze of hallways and open courtyards, at the auditoriums podium, the chairman stepped forward to begin his speech.

As the chairman approached the podium, he stood tall. "Welcome students to Aina University, the cradle of ambition. Today, you join a community that has always strived to break barriers and push the limits of possibility. Each one of you is here not just to gain knowledge but to become a part of something much larger than yourselves..."

After a few moments, the chairman would finally finish.

"...I encourage each of you to get involved, to take initiative, and to support one another. Together, we will continue to make Aina University a beacon of excellence. Let's make this year unforgettable!"

The chairman's words echoed through the auditorium. Sera leaned forward in her seat, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. She couldn't help but clap and beside her, June mirrored her fervor. She joined Sera in the applause, the sound swelling as more students followed suit.

As they exited the auditorium, Sera would read an advertisement board about the Student Council just outside, acutely aware of its vital role within the school.

Welcome undergrads! The student council at Aina University runs bigger events that take over take over the school like the cultural festival or field day. We are often called upon to organize class trips as well. The council also has oversight over school clubs! Finally, we also have a say in funding and application of rules to the student body so in short were no slouch! We are a student body with importance and ambition! If you would like to join, don't hesitate to apply!

After a leisurely stroll around campus, June and Sera paused in front of the Arts building, where Sera's fashion class awaited.

"I will see you soon, Sera!" June waved.

"See you in a bit, June." Sera grinned, waving with both hands to June.

"Bai~! Bai~!" June copied her, giggling as she made her way to the Business building.

Sera would enjoy her first class of the morning. The syllabus outlined things she was interested in during the semester, like getting to make a full runway outfit that, they themselves would get to model in. Sera thought that was so cool and that thought would hang on her mind even as she left the room.

The hour bell rung and that meant it was time for her to move to her second class. Sera would make it to the business building and would navigate through the bustling halls of the business building. There was a bit of different aura in there, different than the Arts building for sure. In the arts building vibrant colour, past student's pieces and more in your face designs stood out immediately. In the Business building however, it was almost like being in a corporate office. A monochromatic colour palette featured throughout the complex.

On the ground floor, Sera passed students deep in animated discussions in the building's lobby. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted from a nearby café, adding warmth to the atmosphere.

After taking the elevator, she finally spotted her classroom, B2-2. It seemed June wasn't actually in this classroom yet to Sera's amusement. Besides a couple of others, there was no one in the classroom yet. She was plenty early.

Sera pulled out her laptop, its surface adorned with an array of colorful stickers and tilted her head, releasing a satisfied sigh. She gazed out at the sunrise streaming through the classroom windows, its warm light gently caressing her face and making her skin glow with a radiant sheen.

It was then, while she was lost in thought, that she heard the clacking of heels against the floor. Her face quickly turned to meet the gaze of anyone entering the room and as she caught sight of the figure at the door, her eyes widened in surprise.

She stepped into Sera's classroom, and it was truly then that time seemed to stand still. The moment she crossed the threshold, her presence enveloped the room, drawing Sera's eyes immediately to her, her mouth unconsciously, slowly falling open as she stared.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, gleaming under the classroom light. Each strand shimmered, framing her delicate features. Her hair was impeccably styled, with a face-framing lock on the left that draped softly over her cheek and a sleek ponytail accentuating the curve of her neck.

As she walked in, she let her silky hair run free. She chose to let it loose, and it would billow around her shoulders like an ethereal veil, casting a spell on Sera's mind and holding her there in a chokehold.

Her pale porcelain skin appeared almost luminous, glowing with a flawless complexion. It contrasted beautifully with her dark attire, a tailored black pencil skirt and a fitted white blouse accompanied by a grey jacket that hugged her figure without compromising her professionalism.

And her eyes? They were captivating. Her piercing gray eyes held a depth that seemed to see through anyone who dared to meet her gaze.

As the woman passed Sera, she felt Sera's gaze and.. for a moment their eyes connected. Such a delicate, but intimidating gaze. Sera felt her breath hitch, as their eyes connected. She was real and she was looking at her. This wasn't fantasy. Her heart raced in an inexplicable rhythm.

It was as if her mere presence had shifted the air around them, creating a bubble where only the two of them existed, drowning out the chatter of classmates and the mundane noise of the world outside.

The woman finally passed her.

In that fleeting moment, Sera could feel the phantom weight of something inside her. The allure of the woman's calm confidence mixed with something… different. Something undeniable. Unexplainable, but so clearly there.

What was this feeling …? This feeling that sent shivers down her spine? Whatever it was… it was weird… wasn't it?

She was helplessly entranced by the mysterious beauty before her, a feeling both exhilarating and terrifying. The room's ambience came back to the foreground of her consciousness as the woman finally took a seat.

She was the teacher.

The woman went about her duties, looking over class prep or something of that nature.

A wave of more overwhelming feelings thrashed around her head.

Teacher.

Her breaths were heavy, coming in quiet bursts, trying to keep herself composed and not make a scene, the last thing she wanted was for the teacher to notice her now.

The nausea of processing the overwhelming mixture of admiration and longing, left Sera breathless in the wake of the woman's entrance.

It left her with a singular question vexingly swirling her mind, and she breathlessly whispered it to herself, her gaze fixed on the floor.

"Seriously, who is this girl?"