Chapter Text
An alarm woke Ayano up, reminding her that it's time to get up for school. She punched the alarm clock, and tried to go back to sleep.
"Ayano! Breakfast's already done. Get up before you're late." Her mom, Ryoba, called out to her daughter.
"Coming mom..." Ayano said groggily, getting up and putting on her school uniform. First day of school always bothers everyone. Especially her. She grabs her bag from her desk, and walks downstairs, and sees her parents. "Morning mom, dad..." She said, rubbing her eyes, she's still really tired.
"Someone's still tired huh? You sure you don't want coffee?" Her dad, Jokichi, asked her jokingly.
"Maybe I do..." Ayano says, as she starts eating. "This is actually good..."
"I know. Thank you, sweetheart." Ryoba said smugly. Clearly proud of herself.
Ayano started to wonder if her friends were already waiting for her outside, if they were just too scared to enter the house, or to even knock, which, she can think Midori would do, but not Kuu. "Are Kuu or Midori here yet?.." She asks, looking up at her parents.
"Not yet, sweetie." Jokichi answered.
"How long has it been since they've been your friends?" Ryoba asks her daughter.
"Years mom... Years..." Ayano said, finally waking up fully. "They've been my friends longer, before Osano even." She added.
"Oh yeah, Osano. He's a sweet boy." Ryoba says, smiling. Clearly hinting at the fact there might be something more between-
"Mom. No. We're just best friends!.." Ayano quickly corrected her mother.
Ryoba chuckled softly, not entirely convinced, and shook her head. "Best friends, huh? Well, just make sure you two don’t get into trouble."
Ayano rolled her eyes and focused on finishing her breakfast. The aroma of toast and eggs filled the kitchen, but her mind was elsewhere, on the first day of school, the hallways filled with chatter, and the uneasy excitement of seeing everyone again after summer. Potentially even new faces too.
Once she was done, Ayano grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and headed toward the front door. Her parents waved goodbye as she stepped outside.
"Have fun, sweetheart!" Her mom said.
"We love you!" Her dad yelled after her.
Outside, the morning sun was warm on her skin.
As she approached the usual meeting spot, she spotted Midori first, leaning casually against the fence, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and as usual, she was on her phone. A few feet away, Kuu was also on her phone, seemingly oblivious to the world. Ayano smiled softly, feeling a little more at ease.
"Hey, you two," she called out, waving.
Midori grinned. "Finally decided to join the land of the living, huh?"
Kuu glanced up, raising a hand in greeting. "Morning. You look… awake enough." Her tone was blunt, but there was a hint of a small smile there.
Ayano laughed lightly. "Yeah, thanks to mom. She made sure I didn’t oversleep."
Midori instantly jumped at the opportunity to ask the question. "So, ready for the first day?!" She jumped up happily, grabbing Ayano by the shoulders.
Ayano hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Yeah." She nodded.
The three of them started walking toward the school together, when they reached the building, they saw the students around them. Ayano felt a flutter of nervous anticipation, because first days were never just about classes.
Ayano glanced around at the school, noticing some of the students laughing, chatting, and trying to find their new classrooms.
The air was filled with a mix of excitement and tension that only the first day of school could bring. Some faces were familiar, while others were completely new, strangers to Ayano.
Midori tugged at Ayano’s sleeve. "Look, I told you it wouldn’t be so bad! Everyone’s just… being loud and confused, like always."
Kuu, on the other hand, was scanning the crowd with her usual detached curiosity. "Huh… looks like the second-years are already claiming their corners of the school." Her voice was quiet, but there was a sharpness in her observation that made Ayano realize Kuu always noticed details others overlooked.
Ayano adjusted her bag nervously. "I hope I don’t get lost… or, you know, bump into the wrong people."
Midori snorted. "Relax. Worst case scenario, you’ll just make a dramatic entrance and everyone will remember you as the 'Weird Girl'. That’s always fun."
Kuu rolled her eyes, muttering, "Yeah, 'dramatic entrance,' as if anyone’s impressed by screaming in the hallways."
Despite their teasing, Ayano felt comforted by having them there. It made the school feel less intimidating for her now. They approached the main entrance together, where a few teachers were already directing students to their homerooms. Ayano spotted her own classroom number posted on the bulletin board and took a deep breath.
As they walked down the corridor, she recognized a few familiar faces, friends from previous years, and her stomach twisted with a mix of excitement and nerves. She couldn’t help but wonder if this year would be different, if she’d meet new people who would change her life, or if it would all just be the same as before.
"Aw man. I'm not in the same classroom as you two..." Midori said, looking at her class schedule sadly.
"It's gonna be fine. We still have some classes tomorrow." Kuu said calmly, while also calming Midori down as well. Before the two of them looked at Ayano.
"I need to go. Quickly claim the best seat in the classroom." Kuu said.
"Me too. I cannot bare another year of sitting in a classroom while being beside the window." Midori also said.
"Well... That makes sense... Bye girls." Ayano said, waving to her friends as the two left her alone, she wasn't sad, she was actually happy for her friends.
Just then, a voice called out sharply from behind them. "Ayano!"
She turned, and her heart skipped a beat. Standing there was Osano, her childhood best friend.
"You're in my homeroom this year, right?" He asked.
Ayano quickly nodded. "Uh… yeah, looks like it." She said, before stepping into her new classroom.