The first morning of classes passed without incident, but when the bell rang for recess, Shirogami found himself surrounded at his desk by a group of curious classmates. It was the usual scene for a new student: questions coming from all directions and eager faces.
"Are you related to Eriri? How did you meet her?" asked a girl with flushed cheeks, intrigued by Shirogami's connection to the popular Eriri.
"Where did you study before? What happened to your eye?" another boy inquired, staring curiously at Shirogami's unique gaze.
Unaccustomed to so much attention, Shirogami answered in monosyllables and kept a reserved attitude. His monotone voice and lack of enthusiasm gradually dimmed the children's interest, and they backed away, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
At that moment, Eriri appeared, radiating an elegance that Shirogami hadn't seen before. She held herself with poise, her smile calm and reassuring.
"Guys, forgive Shirogami. He's a bit shy, you know?" Eriri explained softly, smiling charmingly as she placed a protective hand on Shirogami's shoulder. "Also, being new can be a little intimidating. Give him some time; you'll see he's very interesting."
Shirogami was surprised by Eriri's demeanor; she wasn't the same carefree girl he was used to playing and drawing with at home. Her composure was impeccable, almost like a completely different person. However, Eriri's intervention worked, and the others dispersed, satisfied with her explanation.
"Thank you, Eriri," Shirogami murmured softly.
"You're welcome!" she replied with a small smile, returning to her usual tone. "Come on, I'll show you around the school. It's lunchtime!"
When they arrived at the cafeteria, they found an empty table, and just as they began to eat, two girls approached.
"Eriri, how have you been? Did you enjoy your vacation?" one of the girls asked with a friendly smile.
"And who's he?" added the other, glancing curiously at Shirogami.
Eriri smiled at them. "Hi, Shizuku, Kaori. This is my brother, Shirogami. Shirogami, these are my friends."
Shirogami looked at them and nodded. "Hello, my name is Shirogami."
"Nice to meet you, Shirogami!" exclaimed Kaori with a warm smile. "I'm Kaori Shirasaki."
"Pleasure to meet you, Shirogami," said Shizuku in a calm voice. Her stoic appearance and red eyes gave her a mysterious air, but her tone was kind.
"Nice to meet you both," Shirogami replied.
"Why don't we all eat together?" Eriri suggested.
The girls nodded, and the group shared lunch, laughing and chatting. Kaori, always attentive, soon started asking questions.
"Eriri, you never mentioned you had a brother," Kaori commented, leaning towards her with curiosity.
"Well, it's a long story," Eriri replied with a smile, hinting it was a personal topic.
"I've heard something," Shizuku said thoughtfully. "I remember my dad mentioning someone new in Eriri's family during one of his conversations."
The chat continued cheerfully, and Shirogami listened as his new friends talked happily.
At the end of the day, while walking home, they encountered an unusual scene. A group of men dressed intimidatingly and with an imposing presence waited outside the school gate. Soon, a boy with blue hair appeared, trying to pass unnoticed.
"How was your day, Bocchan?!" the men exclaimed, bowing deeply.
Embarrassed, the boy gestured for them to calm down and quickly climbed into a car that whisked him away. Shirogami observed the scene, intrigued.
"Who is he?" Shirogami asked, looking at Eriri.
"That's Raku Ichijō. He's in another class. Our parents are friends," she explained with a playful smile. "It seems they always greet him like that."
Shirogami nodded, curious about the scene. Soon after, they got into their car to head home.
In the following days, Shirogami became more familiar with Kaori and Shizuku. During a conversation in the cafeteria, a topic came up that caught his attention.
"So, would you like to hang out this weekend?" Kaori suggested, smiling.
"I don't think I can… I have to train," Shizuku said, looking slightly apologetic.
"Train?" Shirogami asked, curious.
Shizuku nodded. "My family runs a kenjutsu dojo, and I have to practice with them."
Shirogami felt an unusual urge. "Could I join you? I'd like to learn."
Eriri, surprised, looked at him. "Do you really want to learn that, Shirogami?"
Shirogami nodded firmly, feeling drawn to the idea of training at the dojo.
"Well, we'll have to ask our parents," Eriri commented.
Shizuku smiled softly. "Then I'll be waiting for you at my place this weekend."
That night, Shirogami spoke with his parents about his desire to learn kenjutsu, and though surprised, they agreed to his request.
"We'll talk to Shizuku's parents to see if they can teach you," his father said. "If you enjoy it, you can continue training."
The school days continued calmly until the weekend finally arrived. Before the visit to Shizuku's dojo, Shirogami decided to ask Eriri something he had noticed about her recent behavior.
"Eriri, there's something I find intriguing," he began, the night before the visit. "I've noticed that at school, you act very elegantly and reserved, but with Kaori and Shizuku, you're more… yourself. Why?"
Eriri sighed and gave him a thoughtful look. "It's… complicated. I act that way because I'm afraid someone will find out about my interests, like how I enjoy watching anime," she confessed, lowering her gaze. "Once, a classmate was rejected and treated poorly for having those same interests. He ended up transferring schools, and I don't want the same thing to happen to me."
Shirogami placed a hand on her shoulder, looking at her calmly. "You don't have to worry. I'll always be by your side, and Kaori and Shizuku support you, too."
Eriri's expression softened, and she gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Shirogami. That means a lot to me."