The next day, the classroom felt tense.
Hotaru sat carefully at her desk, moving slowly so she wouldn't trip over anything. Her bandaged eyes didn't show where she was looking, but her small hands felt her way along the edges of the desk.
The moment she sat, Itsuki and his friends noticed her.
And the whispers began.
"Hey… new girl," one of Itsuki's friends said, leaning back in his chair. "What's with the mask? Hiding from the sun?"
Hotaru tilted her head slightly. Her voice was soft and calm.
"I… I cannot see," she said gently. "So I need this."
Another boy snickered.
"Hah! You can't even see the board? That's pathetic."
Itsuki clenched his fists under the desk.
He wanted to speak up, maybe defend her.
But he stayed silent.
He had learned long ago that being rude was easier than showing he was lonely.
Ten years old. No parents. Alone.
The only way he could get attention was through harsh words.
Hotaru lifted her face slightly, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"I'm… glad to meet everyone," she said, polite and calm.
Even though the words were whispered, her smile carried warmth.
Even now, when everyone else mocked her, she didn't stop smiling.
"Why is she always smiling?" whispered one of Itsuki's friends.
"How can she smile after all that?"
Itsuki didn't answer.
He didn't understand either.
And yet… every time she smiled, it was as if she didn't notice him being rude.
She was… approaching the world gently, even when life had been cruel.
During math class, a notebook slid onto Hotaru's desk.
Some of Itsuki's friends had written mocking words across it.
Hotaru carefully touched the notebook. She didn't shout, didn't cry.
Instead, she whispered, almost to herself:
"I… I understand the lesson now. Thank you for helping me."
Itsuki stared at her.
Why did she keep smiling?
Even when he would have yelled, shoved, or ignored anyone else… she still offered a smile.
He realized something about himself.
It wasn't that he wanted to be cruel.
He was alone, and he didn't know any other way to ask for attention.
Lunch arrived. The cafeteria was loud with chatter.
Hotaru moved slowly toward an empty seat. Her hands ran along the bench to steady herself.
"Excuse me," she said to a girl sitting nearby.
"Could you tell me what we're having today? I can't see the menu."
Her voice was soft, almost musical.
Her smile never faltered.
Someone accidentally bumped into her.
Hotaru didn't cry. She didn't shout. She whispered instead,
"It's okay. I won't fall. Thank you."
Even when being bullied, she offered kindness.
Even when life had been cruel to her… she smiled.
Itsuki watched her silently from his corner.
He didn't understand why it irritated him.
He didn't understand why it also made his chest feel… warmer.
Something inside him stirred.
Something he hadn't felt since his parents died.
By the end of the day, Hotaru's gentle words and quiet smile had left a small mark on Itsuki.
The boy who had learned to hide behind rudeness began to realize…
Maybe, just maybe, he didn't want to be alone anymore.
✨ End of Chapter 2 ✨