Kaito Yamada had perfected the art of being invisible. He sat in the back corner by the window of Class 2-B, the classic loner position, and that's exactly how he liked it. His classmates had learned long ago that attempting conversation with him was pointless. They'd stopped trying sometime during freshman year. Now, halfway through their second year, Kaito had achieved complete isolation.
"Did you hear? There's a new transfer student joining our class today," whispered Yuki Tanaka to her friend near the front. Her voice carried just enough for Kaito to catch it, though he gave no indication he'd heard.
Kaito didn't care. Transfer students came and went. They always tried to befriend him at first, drawn by some misguided notion that the quiet guy must be mysterious or deep. Then they learned the truth: he genuinely preferred being alone. After a few failed attempts at conversation, they'd give up like everyone else.
The classroom door slid open with unnecessary force. Their homeroom teacher, Nakamura-sensei, stepped inside with his usual harried expression, coffee stain on his tie. But it wasn't the teacher who commanded attention.
"Good morning, everyone!" The voice rang out like wind chimes, bright and enthusiastic. "I'm Hana Mizuki, and I'll be joining your class starting today. I love reading, debating, and making new friends. Let's get along!"
Kaito glanced up briefly. The girl had shoulder-length brown hair that caught the morning light, warm hazel eyes that sparkled with amusement, and a smile so genuine it was almost annoying. She wore the standard uniform but somehow made it look less ordinary—maybe it was the bright yellow sunflower hair clip, or the way she stood with complete confidence.
The class erupted into welcoming chatter. Students called out introductions. Some boys sat up straighter, suddenly interested. The girls leaned together, already whispering assessments.
"Mizuki-san, you can take the empty seat next to Yamada-kun in the back," Nakamura-sensei said.
No. Absolutely not.
Kaito's internal protest went unheard as Hana bounded down the aisle with puppy-like energy. Students shifted to watch, some exchanging glances. She dropped her bag beside the empty desk and turned to him with that insufferable smile.
"Hi! I'm Hana. You must be Yamada-kun, right? Nice to meet you!"
Kaito gave her a brief nod and returned his attention to the window. This was standard procedure: minimal acknowledgment, complete dismissal. It worked on everyone.
Most people would have taken the hint. Hana Mizuki was not most people.
"The cherry blossoms are beautiful this time of year, aren't they?" she continued, undeterred. "I read that Sakuragawa is famous for them. Have you lived here your whole life?"
"Yes." The word came out flat, designed to discourage further conversation.
"Oh, so you must know all the best spots! Maybe you could show me around sometime?"
"No."
"Ah, the strong, silent type. I respect that." She pulled out her notebook, still chattering. "But you know, studies show that social interaction actually increases cognitive function and overall happiness. I could cite the research if you're interested!"
Kaito turned to look at her fully, his ice-blue eyes meeting hers with what he hoped was a sufficiently discouraging glare. "I'm not."
Hana's smile never wavered. "That's okay. I have plenty of other conversation topics. Did you know that—"
"Mizuki-san, Yamada-kun, please pay attention," the teacher interrupted.
Hana gave an apologetic bow and faced forward, but Kaito could feel her sneaking glances at him throughout the entire lesson. When he caught her looking for the third time, she didn't look embarrassed. She just smiled and made a little wave before turning back to her notes.
When the bell rang for break, Kaito expected Hana to join the cluster of girls hovering nearby, eager to befriend the new transfer student. Instead, she turned to him, propping her elbow on his desk far too familiarly.
"So, what do you usually do during break? I'm trying to figure out the geography of the school."
"I stay here," Kaito said flatly. "Alone."
"Cool. Mind if I join you?"
"Yes."
"Great!" She pulled out her bright yellow lunch bag, completely ignoring his answer. "I promise I'm good at reading the room. If you want silence, I can do silence."
"You're not being silent now."
"Well yeah, because we're having a conversation! Or at least, I'm having one and you're participating minimally. But that still counts."
Despite himself, Kaito felt something shift. This girl was genuinely unfazed by his coldness. "Why?" The question slipped out. "Why are you trying? Everyone else leaves me alone."
Hana tilted her head thoughtfully. "Maybe that's exactly why. You ever consider that everyone leaving you alone might not actually be what you want?"
"It is."
"Okay." She opened her lunch. "But I don't believe you."
Kaito blinked. No one had ever called him out so directly. "You don't know me."
"Not yet," Hana agreed cheerfully. "But I'm a pretty good judge of character. And you know what I see when I look at you?"
"I don't care."
"I see someone who's scared."
The words hit harder than they should have. Kaito stood abruptly, grabbing his bag. "I'm going to the roof."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Yes."
"Great! I love rooftops."
She followed him anyway, of course. They climbed the stairs in silence until Kaito pushed through the technically-locked door onto the roof. The spring breeze hit immediately, cooling his flushed face. The city sprawled below, buildings forming familiar patterns.
He heard the door open behind him. Naturally.
"You know, for someone who wants to be left alone, you picked a pretty accessible hiding spot," Hana said, approaching with her lunch. "Mind if I eat up here? The view's amazing."
"Do whatever you want. You will anyway."
"That's not fair. I told you I'd back off if you really wanted me to." She settled cross-legged on the roof, spreading out an elaborate homemade bento. "But you didn't actually say 'leave me alone.' You just ran away. Which honestly tells me more than words would."
Kaito remained standing, arms crossed. "I don't owe you an explanation."
"You're absolutely right. But you didn't tell me to leave you alone. You told me I don't know you, which is true. But you never actually said 'Hana, I want you to leave me alone.' Why is that?"
Kaito's jaw clenched. She was right, and he hated it. The words should be easy. But saying them felt impossibly difficult.
"You're annoying," he said instead.
Hana laughed, genuine and unoffended. "I've been called worse. But I prefer 'persistently friendly.'" She gestured beside her. "Come on, sit. You're making me nervous hovering there. Plus, I always pack extra." She held out a container. "My mom makes too much. You'd actually be doing me a favor."
Every rational part of Kaito's brain screamed to walk away. But another part was just tired. Tired of being alone. Tired of pretending isolation was the same as independence.
Slowly, he sat down. Not next to her—a respectable meter away—but he sat. He took the offered container. Rice balls, grilled fish, pickled vegetables. Homemade.
"Thanks," he muttered.
Hana's smile could have powered the city. "You're welcome!"
They ate in comfortable silence. The fish was excellent—teriyaki sauce in perfect balance. Hana hummed softly, not pushing for conversation. Just existing beside him.
It was, Kaito realized, actually kind of nice.
"For the record," he said as lunch period ended, "I still think you're annoying."
Hana grinned. "Noted. But you're stuck with me now."
"We'll see."
"Same time tomorrow? Rooftop lunch?"
Kaito considered declining. But the words that came out were different: "Fine. But I'm bringing my own lunch."
"Deal!" She paused at the door. "Hey, Kaito-kun? Thanks for giving me a chance."
He shrugged, uncomfortable. "Don't make it a big thing."
"Too late. It's already A Thing with capital letters."
As they headed back to class together, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that his carefully ordered life had just been disrupted. Hana Mizuki had blown in like a spring storm.
His peaceful, isolated high school existence was officially over.
End of chapter 1