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“Tsukasa, do you understand me? You are going to tell me what you said yesterday.” (Mother)
“I understand. I promise I will tell you. Are you going to stay quiet during the ceremony?” (Tsukasa)
“I will.” (Mother)
Let me take this moment to say, there has yet to be one time she has stayed quiet. Mom had already been to the gymnasium before so I left her in front of the entrance while I, who had become the center of attention because of Akane, quickly enter the school building a little confused. I look at the class list that was put up on the wall in the entrance hall. After searching the list, I finally find my name. Looks as if I’m in class two. I place my shoes in the shoebox on the left-hand side and put on my slippers that are now six cm smaller than before. At Lotus Pond, the classrooms on the lower floor belong to seniors. Therefore, the classrooms for the sophomores are on the top floor. I trudge up the stairs and enter the classroom for class two.
It might just be my imagination, but it seems the moment I enter the classroom, the number of people talking suddenly drops off quite a bit. Quietly, I chose a seat in the back row by the window and sit down.
Oh, this seat is wonderful! The sunlight entering the window warms me and feels rather pleasant. This would make it rather easy to sleep comfortably during class. Really? [Haa] Again? Why are all of you staring at me? I look myself over, but there doesn’t seem to be any problem with my uniform. I run my fingers through my hair and two cherry blossoms fall to my desktop.
Is that what was drawing their attention? Okay, just take a deep breath and relax. I glance around me and they are still staring. So, it wasn’t the cherry blossoms. Well, that only leaves one other option, my hair and my eyes. It seems they are drawing even more attention than I thought I would. I have no idea why I expected differently.
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Ah!” (Tsukasa)
I let out a startled yelp. I wasn’t startled because someone talked to me, it’s the fact they whispered this in my ear which tickled. Holding my hand over my ear as if to protect it, I look up at the person who had spoken to me.
“Wow, I'm sorry. It seems you were thinking about something.”
A girl is sitting in the seat directly in front of me bows her head as she apologizes. She has big eyes with spiky, short, reddish-brown hair. Even though today is the first day of school, the uppermost button on her blouse is open and her ribbon hangs loose. Her skirt is also shorter than mine is. She gives off the feeling of being a returning student. If I had passed her in the hallway, I would have thought she was a junior or senior. She’s also short, only around my height.
“Uh, no. Sorry for being so absent minded. I'm just so nervous around people I don’t know.” (Tsukasa)
I said with a wry smile. To be honest, I’m surprised I was able to sound so natural.
“Hmm. Well, don’t worry about it.”
Is it just me or does she have an expression that says ‘weakness discovered?’
“Well then, let me introduce myself. I’m Yuube Ritsuka and you are?” (Ritsuka)
“Uh, umm, I'm Yoshina Tsukasa.” (Tsukasa)
“Hey, you’re cute. Best regards for the year, Tsukasa.” (Ritsuka)
“Oh yes, best regards.” (Tsukasa)
I say hesitantly and hold my hand out to shake.
“Of course. Can we be friends?” (Ritsuka)
She asks as she takes my hand.
Yuube-san, umm, no, I mean Ritsuksan is smiling and laughing. She’s my first friend since I became a girl.
“Especially when it’s time for tests.” (Ritsuka)
“Tests?” (Tsukasa)
"I’m not all that smart, so I can't study for a test unless someone teaches me.” (Ritsuka)
She tells me as she scratches her head a little embarrassed. She may say that, but Lotus Pond is a famous school in the region. If she was able to enroll here, she should be able to do the work.
“It’s not like I am all that smart myself, so I may not be able to live up to your expectations.” (Tsukasa)
“That’s alright. You’re definitely smarter than me, so please treat me kindly.” (Ritsuka)
She says while smiling and slapping me on the shoulder. Even though I just met her, she is acting as if we have been friends for years.
Friends… It reminds me three years ago, when I was the only one who enrolled in Lotus Pond from my junior high school. I was surrounded by people I didn’t know then, just as I am now. At first, I just felt a little helpless, but I soon was able to get along with the guy in the seat next to me and the feeling went away. He took a leave of absence last year and went abroad to study. He said he would be back in a year, but I don't know what he's doing now.
“Are you okay? Your eyes look distant.” (Ritsuka)
When I finally notice she is talking to me, Ritsuka is giving me a funny look. I seem to have gotten lost in my thoughts before I was aware of it.
“Ah, I apologize. I was just wondering how an old friend was doing.” (Tsukasa)
“That’s alright, I understand. I also had rather close friend who now goes to a different school. I’m a little afraid i won’t be able to make friends. You too, right?” (Ritsuka)
“Even if you ask me...” (Tsukasa)
I’ve never judged a person by their appearance and Ritsuka seems like a good and caring girl.
“Well, keep me in mind. Do I sound crazy?” (Ritsuka)
“Ritsuksan is nice and a good person.” (Tsukasa)
After I say that, Ritsuka suddenly groans and freezes. Her brow wrinkles, and after a moment a blush breaks out across her face.
“Tsukassan, how can you say such embarrassing things with a straight face?!” (Ritsuka)
“Eh?” (Tsukasa)
“When you tell such fairy tales, it makes me feel blessed. [Heh][Heh] Is Tsukassan a Christian?” (Ritsuka)
A cross is poisonous to a vampire. No, that’s wrong, it's all right if I touch one.
By the way, what does she mean fairy tales?
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