Himawari rushed outside her room, not bothering to greet anyone who greeted her anymore. Running is actually prohibited in Iku Recesses, but she rather ignore the rules at this moment than being late. She hates school but she doesn't want to hear a scold from someone.
As soon as she was near the White Hall, she stopped to catch her breath. She squatted with her hands rested on her knees, taking a small rest before standing up straight and fixed herself to look like she didn't run. She proceeded inside the hall, only to be greeted by other ladies formally. She smiled awkwardly, bowing down 16° instead of 45, and greeted them with a bashful laugh. She tried to imitate them by spreading her fan open and covered half of her face and averted gaze. Once everything was settled, she sat down on her seat, and waited for the teacher to come. It was her uncle's wife; Kikue Anzu. She smiled gently, and bowed down in front of her students. Himawari saw her classmates stood up as well, and bowed down in front of their teacher. Himawari rushed to follow and bowed down as well.
The Clan's First Lady rose and her students followed. She gestured her students to sit down and they did.
"Himawari-chan please stand up," Anzu suddenly spoke. Himawari quickly stood up and greeted her teacher, nervous Anzu might do something for her disgraceful movements.
Anzu closed her eyes, smiling, "everyone, this is Ryūsaka Himawari, she will be studying here with you until the next year."
Himawari was relieved when what she expected wasn't really going to happen. It's difficult to cope up when you're perfectly new to the environment with another rules and systems after all! Because of this, the girl turned around and curved a smile on her lips and showed her bright, friendly face to everyone. "Pleased to meet you! I hope we could have fun to study together," she said. She bowed faced back to the teacher. Anzu gestured her to sit down and so she did. The teacher started her lesson by drawing a scroll and spread it open, reading the values and behaviors a women shoud act and apply in herself.
The class were dismissed early. Himawari silently walked everywhere, finding a better and quiet place to standby, and also planning to claim it as her territory where no one should come and make noise. Once the girl found an empty grassland with a river on the side, she smiled and rushed to the only tree near the river. Sitting down and lean her back on a thick trunk, heaving a sigh knowing she could finally relax her back after the 4 hours of sitting up straight. "Finally I could take some break," she said with her continuous sigh. She adjusted her position but soon frowned when she realized she couldn't cross her legs because of her kimono. She tried to find another way to position herself into something comfortable despite she kimono she's wearing but everything failed. "Can they also allow someone to at least move freely herself? It's not comfortable to be restrained," she mumbled, continues to find her comfortable sitting position until she gave up and heaved a loud sigh. "I guess there's no choice," she said.
"Be quiet."
A voice suddenly spoke from nowhere. Himawari got alarmed but calmly turn around her surrounding. She looked on her right, but only saw a thin air and the wide grassland. She looked above her and saw a thick branch. She had no idea where the voice came from until she thought of looking at the other side of the tree. And there she saw a fine-looking young man who looked like one year older than her; staring at the wooden flute he's holding as if there's something interested in it. Himawari glanced at the wooden flute, examining it briefly and later knew it was a shakuhachi. But what's so interesting with it? Perhaps...
Himawari, "are you thinking how to play that shakuhachi?"
The male cocked his head to the lady and gave her glare. Himawari was quite aback by the sudden response. Did she disturbed the lad?
Himawari, "what's wrong? I was just asking."
The lad spoke, "I believe a wise woman quickly follows instruction by one time."
Himawari quickly got the gist of this young man. She also realized the voice earlier was coming from this man. However, those words from only fall on deaf ear, ignoring his word as the girl continuous to speak.
Himawari, "Is that shakuhachi yours?"
Himawari, "Are you planning to play that flute?"
Himawari, "Are you thinking what to play?"
The girl rushed to crawl back and forth, surrounding the young lad as she saw his brows knitted. She knew he's mad, but as long she can see the man preventing himself, she thought to behave as she like.
The lad clenched his fist, trying to stop himself from bursting out and waited for the young lady to stop. When Himawari paused, he took the chance to speak, "are you really not gonna shut your mouth?" his tone gave a hint of anger.
Himawari sat down in lotus position in front of the lad. She's a few steps away from the shade which allows some rays of sunlight to meet her white skin. "I was just asking—"
The young lad interrupted, "then at least allow the person to answer."
Himawari became silent, staring at the lad like a rabbit, waiting for him to answer. But a few minutes passed, not even a single word came out from his mouth. Soon, he stand up and walked towards the west side of the Recesses. Himawari followed his sight but thought to stop him, "Are we gonna meet again?"
The lad stopped on his pace when he heard Himawari's question, but soon he turned his head to her with a glare and spoke, "don't even wish or think about it," and he walked back. Himawari was left alone, sitting still, while watching for the young man to walk to his destination until he faded.