Hana Kuroda had always been the invisible girl. At Sakuragaoka High School, she was the student no one noticed, the girl who sat in the back corner of the classroom, hidden behind her long, dark hair and sketchbook. To her classmates, she was just another quiet presence in the bustling school halls—silent, unremarkable, and easily overlooked.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of another day, Hana lingered at her desk, waiting for the classroom to empty before packing her things. The other students had already rushed out, eager to leave the confines of the school. Hana preferred it this way, avoiding the crowded hallways and the noise that overwhelmed her senses.
With careful hands, she slipped her sketchbook into her bag, her fingers brushing over the worn edges of the cover. It was her sanctuary, a place where she could pour out her thoughts and emotions in the form of delicate lines and shaded figures. To anyone else, it was just a book filled with drawings, but to Hana, it was her voice—the voice she rarely used in the real world.
As she slung her bag over her shoulder and made her way to the door, she heard footsteps echoing in the hallway. Pausing, she peered out cautiously, her heart skipping a beat when she saw who was approaching.
Ryuji Takeda.
The new transfer student had arrived just a week ago, and already he was the talk of the school. His arrival had caused a stir, his good looks and easy charm making him the center of attention. Girls flocked to him, boys admired him, and teachers praised him. He was everything Hana wasn't—confident, outgoing, and seemingly perfect.
Hana watched from the shadows as Ryuji passed by, his tall frame moving with a grace that seemed effortless. His dark hair fell casually across his forehead, his uniform crisp and immaculate. A group of students trailed behind him, laughing at something he'd said, their eyes shining with admiration.
He didn't even notice her as he walked by.
Of course, he wouldn't. Why would he? Hana was just the quiet girl who sat in the corner, the one no one paid attention to. She was used to it, had grown accustomed to blending into the background, and had no desire to change that.
But as Ryuji's laughter echoed down the hallway, something inside Hana stirred—an unfamiliar feeling, a mix of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite place.
Shaking her head, Hana pushed the thought away and slipped out of the classroom, her footsteps light and silent as she made her way to the library. It was her favorite place in the school, a haven of peace and solitude where she could escape the chaos of the outside world.
The library was nearly empty when she arrived, just the way she liked it. Hana headed to her usual spot, a secluded corner by the window where she could sit and sketch without interruption. The afternoon sun streamed in through the glass, casting a warm glow over the rows of bookshelves and creating a perfect ambiance for drawing.
Hana settled into her chair and opened her sketchbook, her pencil moving gracefully across the page as she lost herself in her art. The world outside faded away, leaving only the lines and shapes that formed under her skilled hand. She didn't notice the passing time, didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching her until it was too late.
"Hana Kuroda, right?"
The voice startled her, causing her to jump slightly in her seat. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise as they met a pair of deep brown ones staring down at her.
Ryuji Takeda stood in front of her, his usual group of admirers nowhere in sight. He had a curious expression on his face, his head tilted slightly as he studied her.
Hana's heart raced in her chest, a mix of anxiety and confusion flooding her senses. Why was he here? Why was he talking to her? She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat, tangled up with her nerves.
Ryuji smiled, a friendly, easy-going smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," he said, his voice softening. "I've seen you around, but I don't think we've ever really talked."
Hana blinked, her mind struggling to process the situation. This was the first time anyone like Ryuji had ever spoken to her, and she wasn't sure how to respond. She was used to being ignored, to being invisible. This… this was different.
"Um… it's okay," she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryuji glanced at the sketchbook in front of her, his eyebrows raising in interest. "You draw?"
Hana nodded, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the pencil she still held. She wasn't used to people showing interest in her hobbies, especially not someone like Ryuji.
"That's cool," Ryuji said, his gaze lingering on the page where Hana had been sketching a detailed landscape. "You're really good."
Hana's cheeks warmed at the compliment, a small, shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She wasn't used to praise, especially not from someone she barely knew.
"Thanks," she mumbled, her eyes flicking back to her sketchbook.
Ryuji pulled out a chair and sat down across from her, much to Hana's surprise. She hadn't expected him to stick around, to actually sit and talk to her. Most people at school didn't bother, and she preferred it that way. But Ryuji seemed different, and that unsettled her.
"I've been looking for a quiet place to study," Ryuji explained, leaning back in his chair. "The library seemed like a good spot, but it's hard to find a place that isn't already taken. Mind if I sit here?"
Hana hesitated, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts at once. She wasn't used to sharing her space with anyone, especially not someone as popular as Ryuji. But it wasn't like she could say no—he wasn't doing anything wrong, after all. He was just being friendly.
"No, I don't mind," she said softly, glancing up at him.
Ryuji smiled again, this time a bit more genuinely. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
For a while, they sat in silence, the only sound the faint rustling of pages as Ryuji opened a textbook and began to read. Hana tried to focus on her drawing, but she couldn't help but steal glances at him from time to time. He seemed so at ease, so comfortable in a place where she usually felt invisible.
Why was he here? Why was he talking to her? Hana couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this encounter, something she didn't yet understand.
As the minutes ticked by, Hana found herself relaxing, the initial tension slowly melting away. Ryuji wasn't like the other students—he didn't treat her like she was invisible, didn't ignore her like she was just another face in the crowd. He actually seemed interested in talking to her, in getting to know her.
But why?
"Hey," Ryuji said suddenly, breaking the silence. "We have a class project coming up, right? The one where we have to pair up?"
Hana nodded, her stomach sinking at the reminder. She hated group projects, hated having to work with other people who usually ignored her contributions or took credit for her work. It was just another reminder of how isolated she was.
"Well, I was thinking…" Ryuji continued, his voice tentative. "Maybe we could work together? I mean, if you don't already have a partner."
Hana stared at him, her mind struggling to process what he was saying. Ryuji Takeda wanted to work with her? The most popular guy in school wanted to pair up with the invisible girl?
"I… I don't have a partner," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
Ryuji's smile widened, his eyes lighting up with a spark of enthusiasm. "Great! Then it's settled. We'll be partners."
Hana couldn't believe what she was hearing. It didn't make sense—none of this made sense. But as she looked into Ryuji's eyes, she saw something she hadn't expected to see.
Kindness.
It was subtle, hidden beneath the layers of charm and confidence that Ryuji projected to the world. But it was there, a softness in his gaze that made Hana's heart flutter in a way she didn't quite understand.
Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Ryuji Takeda than met the eye.
As they sat together in the quiet library, a small seed of something new took root in Hana's heart—something that felt a lot like hope.