Chapter 2: Of Course the New Girl Sits Next to Me

I stepped through the school gates with my usual bright smile, my bag slung neatly over one shoulder. Instantly, the morning chorus began.

“Good morning, Tanigawa-san!”

“You look so pretty today, Tanigawa-san!”

“Wow, you’re glowing as always!”

I gave them each a polite nod, returning their greetings with the soft warmth of a spring breeze. “Good morning, everyone,” I said, my voice like honey.

God, look at that guy’s haircut. Did he stick his head in a blender?

And her? That skirt is one size too small. Desperate much?

I kept smiling, bowing slightly as if I hadn’t just ripped them to shreds in my head.

“Tanigawa-san, good luck in track practice later!” someone called out.

“Thank you,” I said, my perfect smile widening.

Of course you’re cheering for me. Who else is worth cheering for? Definitely not you, with those crooked teeth. Yikes. But please, keep feeding me compliments. I could live off this ego boost forever.

As I walked down the hallway, I noticed the eyes following me, the whispers.

“Tanigawa-san is so amazing…”

“She’s so kind to everyone…”

“Do you think she’ll become student council president?”

I tucked a strand of hair neatly behind my ear, offering a modest little laugh as I passed by. Yes, yes, worship me, peasants. Your goddess walks among you.

A first-year girl ran up timidly, bowing deeply. “Good morning, Tanigawa-senpai! You’re my inspiration!”

“Oh, you’re too sweet,” I said, gently patting her shoulder.

Inspiration? For what? To fail harder? But damn, hearing that never gets old.

I finally reached my classroom. Inside, my classmates were already buzzing. The room seemed to brighten as I walked in.

“Good morning, Tanigawa-san!” chorused half the class.

“Good morning, everyone,” I replied, voice dripping with kindness.

And good morning to you, acne boy. And you, raccoon-eyes who clearly doesn’t sleep. Honestly, what a pathetic bunch…

Still smiling, I walked gracefully to my desk near the window, setting my bag down gently. Sliding into my seat, I rested my hands on the desk and let out the faintest, most angelic sigh.

Two of my so-called “friends” swooped in the moment I sat down.

“Nagisa-chan, did you see that drama last night? Oh my god, the main guy was sooo cute!” one squealed.

“And did you hear? Apparently Aiko-chan from Class B is dating that senpai from the soccer team. Like, can you believe it?” the other added, wide-eyed.

I leaned on one hand, tilting my head just enough to look graceful, nodding with perfect timing. “Oh, really? That’s wonderful for her,” I said, my voice dripping kindness.

Wonderful? Please. Aiko dating anyone is like throwing pearls to pigs. And don’t get me started on your taste in dramas—cute? That guy looked like a mop with abs.

Just as they were giggling over some other nonsense, the third girl of the trio rushed into the classroom, breathless with excitement.

“Have you heard?! There’s a new transfer student! And I swear, she’s gorgeous! As gourgeous as Tanigawa-San!”

The other two gasped. “Gorgeous? No way. I mean, no one could be as beautiful as Nagisa-chan, right?”

“That’s true!” the first one chimed in immediately. “Nagisa-chan is like… untouchable. A goddess.”

I waved a hand gently, smiling modestly. “Oh, don’t exaggerate. I’m just like anyone else.”

Yes, yes, keep worshipping me. Feed me with your petty comparisons. But really, who’s this new girl? Gorgeous, huh? We’ll see.

The chatter was cut short as the teacher entered the room, clapping her hands for attention.

“Class, before we begin today’s lesson, I have an announcement. We have a new student joining us starting today. Please come in.”

The door slid open.

And then my heart nearly stopped.

A small, delicate figure walked in, her steps unhurried, almost careless. Silvery hair, softly wavy, caught the light like strands of moonlight. Her skin was pale as porcelain, her features angelic, and her eyes—sharp, feline, an amber hue that glowed with quiet curiosity.

It was her.

No. No, no, no, no, no. This can’t be happening. Of all the schools in Japan, she transfers into mine? Into my class?! The girl I saved yesterday from that gorilla Ishikawa—the one who saw me stomp his face into the pavement? Shit. Shit. Shit.

I sat perfectly still, hands folded neatly on my desk, a serene smile on my lips. Stay calm. She can’t recognize me. Hood up, face hidden, completely different vibe. She has no way of connecting the dots. Breathe, Nagisa. Breathe.

The girl turned to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and wrote her name in delicate strokes: Amamiya Sora.

She bowed lightly. “My name is Sora Amamiya. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can all get along.” Her voice was sweet, almost musical.

The class exploded in unison.

“Ohhhhhhhh!”

“She’s so pretty!”

“She looks like a doll!”

“Does she have a boyfriend?!”

Whispers fluttered like moths around a lamp.

The teacher smiled approvingly. “Well then, Amamiya-san, please take the empty seat at the back, next to Tanigawa-san. She’s our class representative, so if you need help with anything, rely on her.”

“Yes, sensei,” she said with a polite nod.

And then she walked—no, floated—straight toward me, her doll-like steps carrying her right into my carefully constructed world. She slid into the desk beside mine, setting her bag down quietly.

I forced my lips into a welcoming smile, while inside my skull, alarms were blaring.

Shit. She’s sitting next to me. This is bad. This is so, so bad.

“Good morning,” she said softly.

I gave her my signature angelic smile. “Good morning, Amamiya-san. Welcome to our class.”

She nodded once, then looked away, already pulling out her notebook. Not another word.

…That’s it? That’s all? Relief washed over me like cool water. Thank god. She didn’t recognize me. No suspicion, no wide-eyed horror, nothing. Just ‘good morning.’ Ha. I’m safe. For now.

The morning slipped by in a blur of lectures and polite exchanges. My classmates whispered endlessly about Sora behind their notebooks, but I kept my face serene, even when my thoughts weren’t.

Keep staring at her, you sheep. It’s fine. She’s the shiny new toy. Enjoy your little distraction. You’ll all be back on your knees worshipping me soon enough.

By lunchtime, the inevitable happened. Sora’s desk was swarmed by curious classmates, all chirping questions like a flock of crows.

“Amamiya-san, where are you from?”

“Do you have siblings?”

“What do you do in your free time?”

“Do you… maybe… already have a boyfriend?”

Their voices overlapped into a nauseating chorus.

I calmly unwrapped my bento and ate with perfect composure, ignoring the chaos at my side. Go on, drown her in questions. I don’t mind. I know the cycle—today she’s the star, tomorrow she’s just another background character in the Nagisa Show. I smiled sweetly at someone who waved across the room, chewing slowly like I had all the time in the world.

The day dragged on until the final bell rang. As expected, my three shadows—extra friend one, extra friend two, and extra friend three—flocked to my desk.

“Nagisa-chan, let’s stop for crepes on the way home!”

“Or karaoke! We should totally sing today!”

“What do you think, Nagisa-chan?”

I was halfway through preparing my most gracious excuse when the air shifted.

Sora Amamiya stood up. Without a word, she began walking toward us, her steps unhurried, her expression unreadable. The chatter around us dimmed.

“Amamiya-san, do you need something?” one of my friends asked, tilting her head with a forced smile.

No answer. Sora just kept coming, her eyes locked on me.

Oh, hell no. No, no, no. Don’t you dare. Don’t you even think about it.

She stopped right in front of my desk, leaning down slowly until her face was level with mine. Closer… and closer… her lips parted slightly with distraction as if to say something, but nothing came. Just those amber eyes staring into me.

My smile froze in place. She knows. She has to know. Shit, she’s testing me. Why else would she stare at me like this? Any second now she’ll say it—‘I know who you are, hooded delinquent girl who beat Ishikawa half to death!’

Behind us, my “friends” whispered furiously.

“Did she just… lean in like that?”

“Could it be… love at first sight?”

“Well, who wouldn’t fall for Nagisa-chan? She’s basically an angel.”

Sora didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Just stared.

I clenched my jaw behind my smile. Enough. Time to take control.

I rose gracefully to my feet, folding my hands in front of me, the picture of patience. “I believe Amamiya-san might be a little shy. Perhaps she has a question but doesn’t want to ask in front of everyone.” I turned to my friends with the sweetest of smiles. “As class representative, it’s my duty to assist her. Please excuse us.”

Their eyes sparkled with admiration. “As expected of Tanigawa-san! Always so responsible!”

“Always thinking of others!”

“So reliable!”

I placed a gentle hand on Sora’s wrist and guided her toward the door, my expression soft and warm. Inside, I was cursing every god that ever existed.

The moment the classroom door shut behind us, the whispers started again, feeding my legend. Good. Let them think I’m Saint Nagisa. Meanwhile, let’s see what the doll really wants.

I tugged Sora along the hallway, up the stairwell, and onto the rooftop, where the afternoon light spilled across the concrete.

Finally, just the two of us.

Alright, Amamiya Sora. Let’s see what game you’re playing.