Mizuha woke up as the alarm rang beside her. She tossed the blanket off, stretched her legs, and yawned softly. She walked to the mirror and paused to look at herself. Hanging on the wardrobe door was her new uniform, smooth and neat. She touched it lightly, a small smile forming. "This is nice," said Mizuha.
As she put on the uniform, it fit just right. She adjusted the collar, her reflection in the mirror showing a look of quiet determination. "This uniform looks good!" Mizuha said excitedly. After finishing getting dressed, she went to the kitchen to have 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'll be alright. I can't wait to tell you all about it when I get home."
Mizuha transferred to a new school because her family had just moved here due to her father's job. Mizuha had just begun her high school year a month ago before needing to transfer. She somehow wanted to stay at her old school and live alone, but under certain circumstances, her mother could not allow her to stay by herself.
After finishing her breakfast and bidding her parents goodbye, Mizuha slipped on her shoes and grabbed her bag.
"Mom, Dad - I'm off!" she called out excitedly.
"Have a wonderful day, dear!" her father responded.
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, honey? 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... Maybe I am overthinking. We must trust our daughter for now," said her mother.
On her way to school, Mizuha saw the Sakura trees starting to bloom at the beginning of the spring season. "So pretty," Mizuha said excitedly, as Sakura petals seemed to fly away, blown by 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? Is it this way or that? she wondered, confused.
Just as panic started to set in, she saw a boy who looked confident and familiar with the surroundings. He was wearing the same school uniform as hers. He must go to my school. Maybe he can help, Mizuha thought to herself. She slowly approached the guy and asked softly, "Ummm, excuse me?"
"Yes, can I help you?" said that person.
"Could you help me find the way to M.A. High? I'm new and I'm lost," asked Mizuha.
He smiled at her and replied, "Sure! I'm on my way there too. Follow me."
"Thank you so much," she responded gratefully.
Hikaru walked alongside Mizuha and led her to the school.
"Are you new to this area?" said the guy.
"Oh, yes, I just moved here 3 days ago with my family," said Mizuha.
When they reached the school entrance, he pointed toward the building. "We're here," he said after both of them arrived at the school entrance.
"Yes, there it is, my new school," Mizuha thought to herself.
"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," said Mizuha, introducing herself.
"Then we are in the same year," said Hikaru. After that, Hikaru pointed her in the direction of the teacher's lounge. "You can find the homeroom teachers over there."
"Thanks, Hikaru," Mizuha said, feeling relieved.
"You're welcome, I'm glad I was able to help you," replied Hikaru.
They parted ways, and after Mizuha disappeared from his sight, Hikaru thought to himself, Mizuha, huh? She looks a bit like that person, suddenly remembering someone from his past.
Eh, what am I thinking? Why am I comparing Mizuha with that person suddenly? thought Hikaru, holding his forehead and walking 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! wondered 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.
As they made way for each other and continued on their paths, Mizuha couldn't help but wonder about the girl, 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, the girl who had bumped into Mizuha, Shimizu, was entering her classroom. As she walked, her mind kept returning to the 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. She felt 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 to each other.
The words hit Shimizu like a punch to the gut. Geez, another bad rumor, huh? When did I do that? wondered Shimizu. Shimizu suddenly lost her temper and shouted at them, "What are you guys saying about me? Where did you guys hear about that? I will beat up the one who spread that rumor," said Shimizu.
Please calm down, Shimizu. They only said bad things about you; it is not necessary to raise your hands against them yet, thought Shimizu to herself 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 couldn't help but think 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.
Then 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 our homeroom, 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 so rare for a transfer student to transfer one 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.
Wait, this person's face isn't very Japanese. Is he a foreigner? thought Mizuha, curious about him.
Mizuha then sat at her seat and looked around her new class while thinking. "This is my new school, new class, and my new seat. I wonder what school life I will have here," Mizuha wondered, happy with her new surroundings at her new school.
After that, Mr. Akihiko began the homeroom session, and Mizuha's life at her new school officially starts.