x
Mizuha woke up to the alarm ringing beside her. She tossed off the blanket, stretched, and yawned before walking to the mirror.
Her new uniform hung neatly on the wardrobe door. She touched it lightly, a small smile forming on her face. "This is nice," Mizuha whispered.
As she put on the uniform, it fit just right. She adjusted the collar, her reflection showing determination. "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 can't wait to tell you all about it when I get home.”
Mizuha transferred schools because her family had moved here due to her father's job. She had begun her high school year only a month ago before the transfer.
She actually wanted to stay at her old school and live alone, but her mother did not allow her to stay by herself for some reason.
After breakfast, Mizuha put on her shoes and grabbed her bag.
"Mom, Dad - I'm off!" she called out excitedly.
"Have a wonderful day, dear!" her father replied.
After Mizuha disappeared from sight, her mother turned to her father. "She's looking cheerful today, but somehow I still feel worried about her. I hope she's okay today."
"You're still worried about that? Don't worry, our daughter has grown up. This is a new beginning for her. As parents, we must support her," replied her father.
"You're right, honey... We must trust our daughter," said her mother.
On her way to school, Mizuha saw blooming Sakura trees. "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 do I need to go now? 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, noticing his uniform.
She approached the guy and asked, "Ummm, excuse me?"
"Yes, can I help you?" said that guy.
"Could you show me the way to M.A. High? I'm new here," Mizuha asked
He smiled and replied, "Sure! I'm on my way there too. Follow me."
"Thank you so much," she responded gratefully.
The guy led Mizuha to the school, walking alongside her.
They fell into an awkward silence as the guy kept looking at Mizuha, 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," he said nervously.
"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 3 days ago with my family," said Mizuha.
"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.
"It's Hikaru, Takumi 'Hikaru,' a first-year student. You are?" said Hikaru.
“I'm Mizuha, Yuki ‘Mizuha’, first-year student too," she replied.
"Then we're in the same year," said Hikaru.
After that, he pointed her toward the teachers' lounge. "You can find the homeroom teachers over there."
"How about it? Do you want me to come with you?" Hikaru offered.
"No, thank you for offering. 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," replied Hikaru.
They parted ways. As Mizuha disappeared from sight, Hikaru thought, Mizuha, huh? She looks a bit like that person, remembering someone from his past.
What am I thinking? Why am I comparing Mizuha with that person? thought Hikaru, touching his forehead as he walked to his class.
Mizuha made her way towards the school building. The corridors were bustling with students, their excited chatter filling the air.
While on the way to the teacher's lounge, Mizuha accidentally bumped into a girl. The girl looked tomboyish, like a delinquent with her red hair tied in ponytails.
Erk, this person looks a bit scary! thought Mizuha.
"Oh, sorry!" the girl exclaimed. "I wasn't looking properly, it's my fault."
"It's okay," Mizuha replied. They both made way for each other and continued on their respective paths.
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, the girl who had bumped into Mizuha, entered her classroom, her mind returning to their encounter.
Who is that girl? I've never seen her before. A new student, maybe?
Shimizu's thoughts were interrupted as she entered Class 1F. She noticed another student, Elly Sakamoto, walking in front of her desk. Suddenly, Elly 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," Elly stammered, struggling with her words. Shimizu noticed how Elly seemed to shrink away from her, and it stung a little.
As Elly quickly returned to her seat, Shimizu overheard some classmates whispering, "Look, Toyama-san made her fall. Poor Sakamoto-san." "Hey, I just heard she beat up 5 guys yesterday because they did not want to give her their money," said another female classmate.
The words hit Shimizu like a punch to the gut.
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.
Please calm down, Shimizu. They only said bad things about you; no need to get into an argument, Shimizu thought while glaring at them with a scary expression.
"Erk, she's looking at us, don't make eye contact with her," they mumbled.
Shimizu sighed inwardly. Like usual, a bad rumor spreads because of my appearance. 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 me so quickly...like them.
The first bell rang, and Mr. Akihiko entered the class 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 announced.
He turned towards the door and gestured for Mizuha to enter. "Please come in and introduce yourself," Mr. Akihiko said warmly.
Mizuha introduced herself, "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 a month after school started," said one of the classmates.
At the same time, Shimizu thought, Huh, this girl, where have I seen her? Oh, it's her, the one who bumped into me earlier.
Mr. Akihiko nodded approvingly. "Thank you, Mizuha. We're glad to have you join us. Now, let's find you a seat." He scanned the room and pointed to an empty desk. "You can take the seat by the window, in front of Zul."
Mizuha smiled at Zul and said, "I hope we can get along."
Zul nodded silently.
Mizuha noticed Zul's foreign features and was curious about him.
Mizuha sat at her desk and looked around. This is my new school, class, and seat. I wonder what life I will have here, she thought happily. This is just the beginning of my story here.
After that, Mr. Akihiko began the homeroom session, and Mizuha's life at her new school officially began.
651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD2JkpeFC9
