Mizuha woke up to the alarm ringing beside her. She tossed the blanket aside, stretched, and yawned before walking to the mirror.
Her new uniform hung neatly on the wardrobe. She touched it lightly. "This is nice," Mizuha whispered.
As she put on the uniform, it fit just right. She adjusted the collar, determination in her reflection. "This uniform looks perfect!" Mizuha said excitedly.
After getting dressed, she went to the kitchen for breakfast with her family.
Downstairs, the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast filled the air. Her parents were at the dining table, busy with their morning routine.
Her father glanced at her, giving a small nod of encouragement.
"Good morning, Mizuha," her father greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning, dear," her mother chimed in. "I'm sorry I can't accompany you on your first day at your new school. I have important work today."
Mizuha gave a gentle, understanding smile. "It's okay, Mom. I'm fine by myself."
Mizuha had transferred to a new school because her family had moved here due to her father's job. She had only begun her high school year a month ago before transferring.
She actually wanted to stay at her old school and live alone, but for certain reason, her mother did not allow it.
After breakfast, Mizuha put on her shoes and grabbed her bag.
"Mom, Dad - I'm off!" she called out excitedly.
"Have a wonderful day!" both of them replied.
After Mizuha left, her mother turned to her father.
" She's looking cheerful today, but I still feel worried about her. I hope she's okay."
" You're still worried about that? Our daughter has grown up. This is a new beginning for her. As parents, we must support her," her father said.
"You're right, honey... We must trust our daughter."
On her way to school, Mizuha was looking at Sakura trees that were still blooming.
"So pretty," she said as Sakura petals blew in the wind.
Mizuha kept walking until she reached a junction. She stopped and looked around, realizing she didn't know which way to go.
Eehhh, which way now? Right or left, she wondered, confused.
Just as panic started to set in, she saw a guy wearing the same school uniform who looked confident and familiar with the surroundings.
He must go to my school. Maybe he can help, Mizuha thought.
She approached the guy and asked, "Ummm, excuse me?"
"Yes, can I help you?" he replied.
"Could you show me the way to M.A. High? I'm new here," Mizuha asked.
The guy paused a moment before he smiled and replied, "Sure! I'm on my way there too. Follow me."
"Thank you so much," she responded gratefully.
He led Mizuha, walking alongside her.
They fell into an awkward silence as the guy kept looking at Mizuha, as if reminded of something from his past.
Mizuha noticed his stare and wondered,
Why is he looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with my uniform?
She asked nervously, "Um, is there something on my face?"
He replied, "Ah, it's nothing. Sorry about that —I didn't mean to stare at you."
"It's fine, sorry for asking you suddenly like that, my mistake," Mizuha replied.
"Are you new to this area?" said the guy, trying to change the topic.
Yes, I just moved here three days ago with my family," Mizuha said.
"I see, you're a transfer student, huh?" he replied.
"We're here," he said when they reached the school entrance.
"Thank you so much... um..." said Mizuha, trying to ask his name.
"I'm Hikaru. Takamiya Hikaru. First-year student. And you are?" he said.
“I'm Mizuha, Yuki ‘Mizuha’, first-year student too," she replied.
"Then we're in the same year," Hikaru said.
After that, he pointed to the teachers' lounge.
"You can find the homeroom teachers over there."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Hikaru offered.
"No, thank you. I can go by myself. I don't want to burden you any further," Mizuha said.
"Thanks, Hikaru," she added, feeling relieved.
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help," Hikaru replied.
They parted ways. As Mizuha left, Hikaru thought,
Mizuha, huh? She looks a bit like that person… remembering someone from his past.
Why am I comparing Mizuha with that person? Hikaru thought, touching his forehead as he walked to his class.
Mizuha made her way towards the school building. The corridors were bustling with students' excited chatter.
While on the way to the teacher's lounge, Mizuha accidentally bumped into a girl. The girl looked tomboyish with her red hair tied in ponytails.
Erk, this girl looks a bit scary! Mizuha thought.
"Oh, sorry!" the girl exclaimed. "I wasn't looking properly, it's my fault."
"It's okay," Mizuha replied. They both stepped aside and continued on their way.
Continuing on her way, Mizuha thought,
She seems nice, despite her tough appearance. I hope everyone here is as friendly.
Mizuha arrived at the teacher's lounge and met her homeroom teacher, Mr. Akihiko.
Meanwhile, Shimizu entered her classroom, thinking about the girl she'd bumped into.
Who is that girl? I've never seen her before. A new student, maybe?
Shimizu entered Class 1F, interrupting her thoughts. She noticed another student, Eri Sakamoto, walking in front of her desk. Eri twisted her ankle and fell.
Without hesitation, Shimizu rushed to help her up. "Hey Sakamoto-san, are you okay? Let me help you," she said, feeling a pang of concern for the shy, timid girl.
"Th...aaa...ks... I'm... okay," Eri stammered. Shimizu noticed how Eri seemed to shrink away from her.
As Eri quickly returned to her seat, Shimizu overheard some classmates whispering,
"Look, Shimizu-san made her fall. Poor Sakamoto-san." Another classmate said, "Hey, I just heard she beat up 5 guys yesterday because they did not want to give her their money."
Their words make Shimizu snapped inside.
Geez, these guys. When did I do that? she thought.
"What are you saying about me? Where did you hear about that? I will beat up whoever spread that rumor," Shimizu shouted at them.
Calm down, Shimizu. They only said bad things about you; no need to get into an argument, she thought while glaring at them.
"Erk, she's looking at us, don't make eye contact with her," they mumbled.
Shimizu sighed inwardly.
Like usual, bad rumors spread because of my appearance. Whatever, it just rumor, it don’t hurt me at all.
As she took her seat, she thought of the girl she'd bumped into earlier.
I wonder what class she's in… Maybe she won't judge people by their cover so quickly… like they did.
The bell rang, and Mr. Akihiko entered the classroom for homeroom.
"Okay, you guys, back to your seats, it's time for homeroom," said Mr. Akihiko. "Before we start, we have a new transfer student."
He turned toward the door and gestured for her to come in.
"Please come in and introduce yourself," Mr. Akihiko said warmly.
"Hello everyone. My name is Yuki 'Mizuha'. I just moved here due to my parents' work. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and hope we can become good friends."
"It's rare for a transfer student to show up a month after school started," one of the classmates said.
Shimizu frowned.
Huh, this girl… where have I seen her?
Then it hit her. Oh, right — it's her. The one who bumped into me earlier.
Mr. Akihiko nodded. "Thank you, Mizuha. We're glad to have you join us. Now, let's find you a seat."
He looked around the room and pointed to an empty desk.
"You can take the seat by the window, in front of Zul."
Mizuha turned to Zul and smiled. "I hope we can get along."
Zul gave a silent nod.
Wait… is he...? Mizuha thought, curious about his looks.
She sat at her desk and looked around.
So this is it, she thought. My new seat. A fresh start. I can't wait to see what happens.
Mr. Akihiko began homeroom, and Mizuha settled in quietly.
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