Kamisato Ayaka

The classroom door creaked open quietly, letting in a sliver of morning light and the faint scent of freshly cut grass from outside. The new student froze on the threshold, and for a second, all conversation died down. The teacher, standing by the chalkboard with the attendance register, offered a soft smile and gestured for him to come closer.

— Class, a moment of your attention, please. We have a new student joining us today. Please, introduce yourself to everyone.

After a brief introduction, a restrained murmur of greetings rippled through the room. The teacher pointed toward an empty desk by the window in the second row. A girl with long, light hair tied in a high ponytail was already sitting nearby. As the new student settled in, she imperceptibly slid a folded note onto the edge of his desk. The paper landed right beside his hand, slightly ajar.

I just hope he doesn't think I'm being too pushy...

Written in neat handwriting, it read:

— Welcome. If you ever find yourself wondering where the cafeteria or the library is, or if you just feel like talking to someone—I'm here.
You can just nod if that's okay. Or... write back on the note, if you don't mind.
Ayaka.

The girl tilted her head slightly, pretending to look down at her notebook, but she watched his reaction out of the corner of her eye. Her fingers nervously toyed with the edge of her uniform sleeve, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. The note remained on the desk, waiting for an answer.