007

I haven't moved from the front left corner seat yet, still chatting with Nadisa about hometowns and other things. Regarding seating, I'm fine anywhere. Even in the back row I'd actually be very comfortable. However, I'll stay here until the person who reserved this seat arrives.

Not trying to start trouble. I just can't stand leaving Nadisa alone. Of course I'll still be friends with her, but still, neighbors are the closest help when problems arise. Let's make the person who owns this seat become friends with Nadisa, while also making it clear that I've got Nadisa's back if anyone dares mess around.

That was only about 10 minutes since Nadisa talked to me.

A tall woman with droopy eyes, her hair slightly longer than shoulder-length and messy at the ends. Her shoulder carried a sling bag on one side. She looked at me and Nadisa alternately with a bland smile. Without a word, she just passed by and looked for a seat in the back row.

"That's her," Nadisa said.

Well, seems like she misunderstood. I got up from my seat and approached the girl who was standing around confused choosing a seat.

"Excuse me," I said. "Seems like you mistakenly thought I was taking your seat."

"Oh, is that so? Actually it's fine if you want to sit there," she answered kindly.

"That's not it! I just wanted to chat with Nadisa. Well, rather than chatting while standing, I just sat in your spot."

"Wow, you're that little girl's friend? Thank goodness! I thought she was alone here."

"Why would you think that?" I asked.

"Well, she looks anxious all the time. I just couldn't stand seeing it. So, I figured if I sat near her and talked to her, maybe she could be more relaxed."

We returned to Nadisa's spot. The girl sat in her place, hooking her bag on the desk hook.

"By the way, your name is...."

"Vera Novazulich. Just call me Vera."

"Martha Yurisa. Just call me Martha." I turned to Nadisa. "This is Nadisa. Uhh, Nadisa... Alzheimer?"

"Kaminer!" the person in question exclaimed.

Vera giggled with the back of her hand covering her mouth. "Seems like you're the one who deserves to be called alzheimer, Martha."

I chose to look around the classroom rather than respond to Vera's comment. Looking for remaining empty desks. The class was starting to fill up with students. Some of them also carried bags like Vera. Some were goofing around like us, others isolated themselves at their desks as if turning their backs on civilization.

Seems like I'll get a back seat again, just like in the real world.

"I don't mind switching seats," Vera suggested. "Nadisa seems more comfortable with you."

"Eh, do not! If that happens, she won't know anyone besides me."

My way of joking is too harsh for Nadisa, while my mouth has trouble being serious. If I tease Nadisa too often, I'm worried instead of becoming a friend, she'll become a bullying victim.

"Is that so? Well, what can you do."

"I-I can make friends on my own!" Nadisa protested.

...I doubt that.

Actually, all this time I've been observing Nadisa's behavior. She tries to interject between my conversation with Vera. However, she always hesitates to speak. With her current state, it's impossible for her to make friends unless someone talks to her like Vera and I did.

I understand her effort to be braver. Intention and courage are indeed important for socializing. However, maintaining relationships with others isn't the same as just tossing questions and answers back and forth.

Just looking at our situation can explain it. Whether it's me or Vera, our motivation for befriending Nadisa is more or less the same: Pity. In another scenario, Nadisa would still be talked to even if she just stayed silent. However, one-way communication can't be called socializing.

"Wow, really?" I said. Then I pointed at a student who just passed through the classroom door. "In that case, introduce me to that guy who just came in!"

"Pff!" Vera held back her laughter.

"Eh? T-that's...." Nadisa shrank. "Ah! I'm not comfortable with boys."

Vera's laughter leaked out, along with her tears. "You just thought of that excuse, huh?"

"Eheheh...."

Then I switched to targeting Vera. "You're just laughing! Can you introduce that guy to us or not?"

After stopping laughing, Vera immediately stood up from her seat and without a word went straight to that boy. It didn't take long. Vera just exchanged a few sentences, and the boy followed Vera here.

"His name is Martin," Vera said.

The student named Martin took off his cap, then placed it on his chest while bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you, my name is Martinus Alistair."

Nadisa and I returned his introduction by stating our full names.

"So, what can I help you with, Miss Martha?" Martin asked.

"Eh?"

"Miss Vera said you asked for me to come here."

I see. I glanced at Vera. She was grinning like a crazy person.

"Ah, yes, so, I'm just curious why you're wearing that hat at school."

Luckily, the person I randomly pointed at has an unusual condition.

"Oh, this hat?" he held out his hat to me. "I've been used to wearing hats since I was little. But my father forbade me from bringing a pointed hat to the magic academy. 'Tacky,' he said. So, I just brought a more casual one."

How ironic. What's wrong with dressing like a wizard at a magic academy? By the way, I just realized that not a single character in the Whispers of the Enchantress comic wears a wizard hat.

"Your dad really cares about fashion trends, huh," I said.

His expression turned bitter. "My father is just a carpenter, but my mother is a true wizard... and, well, she's eccentric. We sometimes feel embarrassed taking mother out in her own clothing choices. Anyway, that's how it is. Father became more sensitive to fashion trends so as not to disappoint mother while also making sure we're not embarrassed being with her."

Uhh... seems like I commented on something unnecessary.

"A-ahaha.... There are always people like that in this world," I responded. "Well, we're classmates from now on. Please help us out!"

I extended my hand for a handshake. Martin accepted it. "Likewise. Well then, excuse me first. I haven't gotten a seat yet."

"Go ahead."

Martin walked to the back of the class. He took the seat that Vera had previously intended to use.

I turned to Vera. "Jerk."

She laughed again. "How rude!" Vera turned to Nadisa. "Nadisa, remember what Martha said when pointing at Martin?"

"Eh? Umm... 'introduce me to that guy who just came in!', that one?"

"Bingo! See, I didn't mishear! That was your own request."

Without replying, I went looking for an unoccupied desk.

Nadisa, Vera, Martin. In a few minutes, I'd already made friends with 3 people. Seems like this class has a healthy atmosphere.

Now I'm curious, is Gloria's first friend Mika, same as what happened in the comic.