After the New Year, Mitakihara’s schools opened again. Though dealing with some broken windows, as well as an excess of students coming from schools that were more heavily damaged, or were simply more of a commute now that public transportation was still spotty, the school day marched forward. Though some students were here only temporarily, one permanent transfer stands up in front of the class of Hanako, Shinju, and Koharu.

Ueno: Hello everyone! I’m Ueno Asaharu. I’m transferring here as part of a program to help rebuild the city! My hobby is baking, and I hope I can be good friends with everyone here. And, to seal the deal… (She holds up a sizable box wrapped in cloth) I brought cookies! 

The teacher gives her a laughing admonishment, but lets it go. The class could use some cheer. As is customary, as soon as the first period’s teacher has set foot outside of the classroom, curious students flock towards Ueno, bombarding her with questions, ranging from “where do you live?” to “do you have a boyfriend?”

Ueno: (she selects one question out of the onslaught, turning toward the asker of “Where do you live?”) Oh! Well, as a sorta exchange student… I’ll be staying with Hanako Sasaki-san over there! 

Koharu: (she looks up from her Japanese textbook, having intended to stay out of the hubbub, but as her desk is located right next to Ueno’s, that is impossible) … Didn’t know that.

Hanako: I just found out not long ago myself! But I’ll be more than happy to share my home with you, Asaharu-san! (She gives a polite bow, unable to mask her smile)

This response is enough to get Hanako involved in the enthusiastic probing of the new transfer student as well, with several students loudly wondering if more people are going to join the class as the result of Ueno’s alleged exchange program as well. Eventually, one girl raises her voice.

“Hey, so where did you come from then, Asaharu-san? The countryside?”

Ueno: Oh, no, I’m a city girl too! Just from Satsushima.

The inquisition is interrupted with the sound of the class door sliding open, a familiar face standing in the opening as he appears to be directing a delivery of some sorts.

Yosuke: Eh, yeah, so here on the left is your classroom. Err, no, I mean your other left. Oh, looks like you’re in the same class as a bunch of friends of mine! Small world, eh?

A cane comes into view, tapping on either side of the door. A girl walks in, eyes closed, long ginger hair held in a braid with a large ribbon. The classroom quiets as she steps up front, where new transfers stand. 

Seia: Is the teacher not here? Well. Hello everyone. I’m Seia Yamano. I’m transferring into this class from another school in town… I think. (She turns her head slightly toward Yosuke in the entrance) Let’s see… my hobbies include writing, so I’d be happy if someone showed me to the newspaper club later on. Thank you, everyone. (She gives a polite curtsy)

Before long, entirely too many of the girls and a few boys gather around trying to show her to her seat. Some of the rowdier boys in the classroom whistle and make some audible comments to each other about her attractiveness, evidently secure in thinking she won’t know who they came from. 

Shinju: (she approaches Koharu and Hanako in the hubbub) Hey, wasn’t she… with Aoi’s group, back then? 

Hanako: Y… Yes, I recall seeing her at some of the, um… ‘therapy sessions’.

Koharu: (she groans a vague confirmation as she glares at Yosuke, who is awkwardly fumbling around in the doorway) … What’s he doing here?

Shinju: I guess he was showing Yamano-san to this classroom. Bet he jumped up as soon as he heard which room…

Yosuke: (after putting Seia’s bag down next to her assigned seat, he sheepishly waves at the group) H-Hey… D’you hear she wants to join the Newspaper Club? Is, eh… (he looks around) Is that gonna be a problem?

Koharu: (she shrugs) She can do whatever she wants.

Yosuke: Oh, eh… That’s nice! That’s good! I’ll, eh, let her know. Not that we’re friends or anything, I was just… in the neighborhood when she arrived and I volunteered to show her around. I mean, I guess we’ll become friends if she joins the newspaper club, right? I mean, ideally.

Koharu: You’re still in the club?

Yosuke: Hmm? Uh… yeah, of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?

Koharu: … Don’t have to spy on us anymore.

Yosuke: I… (his face falls as the bell signals at the start of next period) Please… Can we just… talk about this? Do you have some time after school?

Koharu: No. Busy.

Yosuke: Oh… Is… Is it anything I can help you with?

Koharu: No.

Yosuke: … Okay then. (he fixes his glasses to hide his dejected expression before grimacing at Hanako and Shinju, and trudging back to Seia) 

Seia: Oh, thank you, Nishioka-san. You’re a kind boy. 

(He mutters a “goodbye” and a “you’re welcome” to her before going back to his own classroom)

Hanako: (She makes a few expressions, as if thinking about saying something, but ultimately deciding against it.)