It was around seven years ago that I, Asanagi Umi met Amami Yuu.
I was walking back home with my friends after school ended. I saw her small figure walking alone.
My first impression of her was that she was really pretty. She had long golden hair and fair skin.
As soon as I noticed her, I left my friends and approached her.
"Hello."
"…Huh?…"
The girl suddenly trembled.
She looked like a squirrel, it was cute.
"W-What?"
The girl's face looked like a doll. Her cheeks were round and plump, adding to her cuteness. Her clear blue eyes looked at me cautiously.
I thought that she was a foreigner, but she actually spoke perfect Japanese.
Well, that wasn't important.
"I'm Asanagi, Asanagi Umi. You?"
"Eh? Uhm… I-I'm Yuu… Amami Yuu…"
"Hello, Yuu-chan! What grade are you in?"
"Third grade… I recently moved here…"
She was much shorter than me, so I assumed that she was younger, but we were actually the same age.
Speaking of which, I remembered my friends in another class told me that someone was transferring in.
So this girl was the new student?
"Why are you walking alone? Where are your friends?"
"…I don't have any friends…"
"No friends?"
Even though she was this cute? I thought she would gather everyone's attention.
"You see, before I transferred here, everyone avoided me because my hair and eye colors are different from everyone… Maybe, everyone here will also treat me the same… I'm scared…"
"That…"
Yuu told me about the school she transferred from and all the terrible things she experienced. Just hearing it was enough to make me angry.
Even if she looked different from everyone else, she didn't deserve to be treated like that.
Even though she was this cute.
If only I met her earlier, I would be able to protect her.
"Fuuh, I see. Then, why don't we walk home together from now on?"
"Eh?"
She stared at me with a confused look.
…Why is she so surprised? She needs help, doesn't she? Isn't it natural for me to help her if that's the case?
"Isn't it lonely, walking home alone like this? Or am I not good enough for you?"
"N-no, that isn't the case… B-but… are you sure?"
"Of course! What are you hesitating for?"
"…I mean, if everyone were to see you hanging out with me, Asanagi-san will be–"
"It's fine~ Don't worry about me."
I took her hands and wrapped it tightly with my own. She was startled, but I didn't let go of her hand.
"Even if everyone avoids me, I won't be alone! …I mean, I'll have you, after all, no?"
"…Asanagi-san!"
"You can call me Umi, in return, I'll call you Yuu."
I had already made up my mind when I decided to approach her and talk to her.
I would never let her be all alone.
"Hey, Yuu."
"What is it, Umi-chan?"
"Can you smile for me~?"
"Ehh?? …B-but, that's embarrassing…"
"Please ~ Just this once ~ Do it for me, please. I want to see your cute smile!"
"U-uu… Then, just this once, okay?"
And so, in that empty alleyway, Yuu showed me an awkward smile.
"…Cute…"
As soon as I saw it, I unconsciously blurted that out.
And at the same time, I thought of something.
Her gloomy expression didn't suit her, she should never show that expression ever again.
Instead, she should show everyone her angelic smile.
"Then, let's go home together, Yuu."
"Yes, Umi-chan."
"You can drop the honorifics, Yuu."
"Eh? T-then… Umi…"
"Yes, like that. You called my name correctly, good girl, good girl~"
"Ehehe…"
From then on, Yuu and I became friends.
This was where it all began.
* * *
The next day, I immediately introduced Yuu to my other friends.
They were Nitori Sanae and Houjou Manaka. The three of us had been especially close since we started grade school and we usually went to school together.
"C'mon, Yuu."
"B-but…"
"Don't worry, they are both good girls, just like me~"
"…If Umi says so…"
I wondered if it was a good idea to introduce her to my other friends. But I decided that it should be fine, and if I were to do it, the sooner the better. Currently, Yuu was very attached to me. If I let her act like this for a long time, she might stop trying to make more friends altogether and become overly dependent on me.
I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, but I couldn't be there all the time. I had my own life after all.
That was why I decided to introduce her to my friends. The more friends she had, the less lonely she would be.
"…My name is Amami Yuu… I'm from class 3-1… Nice to meet you…"
"Yes, nice to meet you too, Yuu-chan!"
"Yuu-chan, you're so pretty! So cute!"
Of course both Sanae and Manaka accepted her. Well, I discussed about this with both of them beforehand, but who cares~
"Good for you, Yuu ~"
"Mm! Thank you, Umi! Thanks to you, I made more friends!"
"Well, I didn't do much, don't mind it."
Not trying to brag, but I had a lot of friends. I hung out with Sanae and Manaka the most, but I also had friends in other classes as well.
If I let her enter my circle of friends, everyone would be able to get along well and have fun with her and she wouldn't get lonely easily.
And I was right about that.
"Ehehe ~ Umi, Sana-chan, Mana-chan ~ This way, this way ~!"
Yuu started to smile more often in front of everyone. She steadily regained the confidence that she'd lost, back when she was isolated in her previous school.
Just as I'd hoped, she was finally able to show her angelic smile freely.
Up to that point, everything went as planned. As I stood next to her, I felt proud to see her growing as time went by.
Up to that point, everything went well.
…Up to that point… yeah…