"The Brightest Star in the Sky"

I stared at her for a while, my first thought wasn't about who she was or why she was here... The first thing I thought about as I laid my eyes on her was how soothing her voice was. As I walked towards her, I asked in a soft tone:

"Then what does suit me?"

The more we both stood there staring at each other, the more I thought to myself... she was beautiful, like a work of art. As we both stood there, I was completely mesmerized... I was at what seemed like the darkest point in my life. Yet just her saying those simple words to me. "Those tears don't suit you" calmed me down almost instantly. As I looked at her, I noticed that the uniform she wore was quite different compared to the schools in this area.

"Why do you weep as if your world is ending?"

She asked me, her voice was like an angel from the heavens. As I searched for a response to her question, she knelt down before me and grasped my hand. She spoke quietly as she said:

"It will be okay."

As she said these words, tears began fiercely flowing out my eyes as these were words, I've waited to hear my entire life. I couldn't believe this was happening as I looked her in her eyes. Her eyes were like a star in the night sky, shining on me and illuminating the space between. I couldn't believe that it was okay for me to be happy for once. With this in mind, I asked her:

"How do you know that?"

After my question, a brief silence filled the air as her lips formed a small smile as she said:

"Because no one is destined for a lifetime of suffering."

These words resonated with me for a while as I thought about the meaning behind them. As I thought to myself, I looked up at the clock that was at the bus stop, realizing how late it was, I said to the girl:

"Thank you... but, it's getting late shouldn't you head home as well? I'm sure your parents must be worried." 

She shook her head slowly.

"While you're right that I should probably get home.. my parents are out on business trips often, so I live alone."
"I see..."

I thought about what I should do next as I speak without thinking:

"I can walk you home, so you can get there safely."

She smiled and nodded slowly.

"Are you sure sir... I don't want to take your time."
"It's not a problem, what part of town do you live in?"

She looked around as she pulled her phone from out her pocket.

"Not too far from here."

And so, we began walking towards her home, as we walked little conversation was made but, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. Suddenly she looked at me:

"So... what is your name?"
"My name is Shiro... Shiro Tomari. What about you?"

She paused for a second, as if she was hesitant about revealing her name, but she looked at me once more with a smile and said:

"It's Seira"

As she told me her name, I thought it was very befitting of her, as she was like a star in the sky. We walked for about 15 minutes before arriving at a nice apartment building. As she walked towards the building, I stood there watching her, making sure she got in safely. But also admiring her beauty as the moonlight glistened off of her dark brown hair. As she got inside, she turned around and waved at me before disappearing into the building.

As I left the property and headed home, I felt a small sense of relief as I walked alone in the moonlight, I had heard the words that I've to hear all my life. Even if it was only for a brief period of time, I would never forget that night and the young woman that approached me. As I got home, as usual I went straight to my room and began looking out to the stars once more. That name would stick to my memory for what felt like an eternity, Seira. The next morning, I woke up and followed my normal routine, eat a small breakfast, brush my teeth, get dressed, and head to school. As I got to my school, I noticed that people were more talkative than normal. I had no idea why, but I also didn't really care. As I walked throughout the halls, I heard the constant chatter of the same topics:

"Omg! Did you know it was her?"
"Are they really going to come here?

I didn't understand what anyone was talking about as I tended to stay away from social media and social things as a whole. When I got to my classroom, our principal spoke through the PA systems:

"All students and faculty are to report to the gymnasium."

Many students looked around as they were confused about what was going on. As chatter amongst friend groups increased, our teacher directed the class to the gymnasium as we saw all the other classes, ranging from the first-years all the way to the third-years students. Nobody knew what was going on, but the majority of students didn't care as long as it meant that they weren't in class. After a few minutes, the principal enters on the stage with a microphone as he speaks:

"Good morning students! Now, I know you are all probably confused on why we assembled everyone today. As you may have heard, an interesting group of individuals are here in our hometown this week."

As soon as he mentions this mystery group, although I had no idea what he was talking about, everyone else knew as the gymnasium erupted in screams and cheers. I look at a classmate near me and ask:

"Do you know what he's talking about? I have no idea..."

They glare at me.

"Why are you talking to me loser? Get lost."

I sighed as I should've expected that type of response from them. No one likes me and I have no idea why. But it's something that I've learned to deal with over the years. After the initial announcement that the principal made, the rest of the assembly was mainly talking about the upcoming exams as students started booing. As they expected more news about the people he mentioned. As we walk back to class, students around me express their disappointment.

"Ugh! Did he just bait us there to talk about exams?"
"Seriously! Worst principal ever."

As we get back to class, everyone headed to their seats as our teacher informed us of her own announcement:

"Class, we have a new student with us today!"

Everyone looks around with an excited expression, but that quickly goes away as they look back at me.

"For real? I hope whoever they might be is better than that loser."
"Honestly.. no one likes him, I don't even know why he still comes to school."

These comments, like always hit me deep. I try to ignore them, but it gets hard to when you hear them every single day.

"That's enough class!"

The teacher said strictly before ushering her hand towards the door. From the small the small window in the door, we could see someone's brown hair... hair that seemed to illuminate through the window. I had my head down as I really didn't have any interest on who this new student was. As the student walked in, she walked straight to the whiteboard and began to write her name. She then faced the class and began to introduce herself.

"Hello everyone! my name is Seira... Seira Takanashi."

A voice. A voice that resonated deep within me, a voice of an angel. I would remember this voice anywhere. Despite being in school which is usually a major source of my stress and anxiety, hearing this voice put me at ease almost instantly. As I raise my head up, the students in the classroom gasps and chatter resumes once more.

"Seira!! You mean THE Seira Takanashi!?"
"She's a huge deal! She has a massive following online!"

As I hear the chatter, I had no idea why such a big name was out so late alone last night. 

"Ms. Takanashi, you can take the empty seat next to Mr. Tomari"

As soon as the teacher says this, everyone in the class glares at me. The stares feel like they're piercing into my soul. The hatred I already receive I believe is about to increase astronomically. Before Seira could even start heading to her new seat, the complaints of my classmates already began to roll in like a storm. 

"Really! How come the loser gets to sit next to her?"
"Sensei! Are you kidding?!"
"I already can't stand to look at him, now I have to see him if I want to talk to her."

The complaints and insults continued to roll in for what seemed like an eternity. Seira hadn't noticed me yet and frankly, I hoped that it would stay that way so I could avoid even more hate from my classmates. As Seira approached her seat, everyone greeted her, trying to get on her good side and become friends with her.

"Seira! I'm a big fan of yours!"
"I follow all the content that you release!"
"I hope we can be friends with you!"

Although a lot of the comments towards Seira were people hoping to gain favor with her, many of them were still aimed at throwing shade at me. 

"Seira, I'm, sorry that you have to sit next to that loser."
"If that dweeb gives you any problems or annoys you, let us know! We'll deal with him."

Seira seemed confused by their harsh words towards one of their own. She looked in my direction as I slowly lifted up my head. I didn't expect her to remember me from the night before as I still had extremely low confidence and self-esteem. Despite the kind things she said to me the night prior, I still wasn't sure on what to expect with her mere feet away from me. As she looked at me, I saw that small smile once again as she quietly spoke.

"Hello Shiro, how are you feeling today?"