My Lovely Neighbour
Dandi's Request

I stared at the school in front of me. Read the name engraved on the school gate.

"SMA International Sumire," murmured. Kinda slow.

New school, new day.

I smoothed out my appearance and took a deep breath. I wish no one would see me as weird. I stepped inside.

Like everyone else starting out in a new school, I was nervous. I don't know anyone here. Except for my neighbor; Arumasu Efu-san. That was also recently.

Is he in school here? Ah but, she looks grown up. Maybe he went to college.

Shaking my head, I dispel such thoughts. Holding tightly to my bag, I walked down the hallway. With the help of a teacher, I arrived at the staff office.

"Ah, Shidoki Mia-chan?" Someone called my name. "You must be the new student?"

I looked towards the teacher's desk by the door. A black-haired woman sat across from me with a friendly smile. I walked up to him.

"I-yes. Sorry, I just came." I bow my head. "My name is Shidoki Mia, nice to meet you."

"Not be so polite. I'm your new homeroom teacher, Tsukino Lily. Hello, yeah, yeah."

"Un! Onegaishimasu, Sensei!"

I bow my head again. Paying respect to my new homeroom teacher. I heard a knock on the table.

Lily sensei stood up from her chair. Holding some books. He smiled at me.

"Then let's go to class."

How mature!

With cheeks that felt a little hot, I nodded. Walk after Lily sensei.

I took a deep breath back. Trying to calm down. Ai said, I need to be confident.

"So, Shidoki-chan just moved in yesterday, right?" Lily sensei asked as she climbed the stairs. "Where are you?"

"Ah yes, I moved from Koriyama."

"Koriyama? In Fukushima?" Lily sensei is looking. Seemed interested.

I'm nodding. Assure question.

"It's like it's fun to live there. Sensei also has relatives in Aizu." Lily sensei closed her eyes, as if remembering something.

"Aizu? Aizuwakamatsu?" I changed to ask.

"Yes, they have a hot spring inn. Every summer they always invite me to — Ah, we've arrived."

Before he could finish his story, Sensei stopped.

Following Lily sensei's gaze, I stared at the sliding door of my new class candidate. I looked up at the door. A small white sign was clearly displayed.

Grade 1-A.

"You wait here first."

Hearing Sensei's words, I nodded back. At least I can take a breath.

Trust yourself, Mia! No need to be nervous!

In my heart, I said that many times. I occasionally write human kanji ( ⁇ ) in my hand and eat it. According to Yucchin, this is a powerful way to overcome nervousness.

But I am not a Devil. Why eat humans?

"Rather than being curious, why don't we ask the person directly?"

From inside the classroom, Sensei smiled at me. Cue to get into class. I took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom.

"Sa-salam knows, my name is Shidoki Mia. It's good to see you guys." Stopping beside Sensei, I introduced myself.

Hm? They all quiet? Eh? What was? Did I speak wrong? Uh... How'this...?

"Kids, Shidoki-san has just moved from Koriyama. So, I hope everyone gets along with her, yeah."

Before I could sink into my mind, Sensei saved me. I quickly followed Sensei's direction.

"Please help, everyone."

I bow my head. The answer from them made me a little confident.

I raised my head. A little glancing towards my new class. Before long, my gaze was fixed on the corner of the classroom.

"Eh!?"

I called out little. Surprised to see a face I knew.

Efu-san Arumasu? So, she's still in High School?? What's more, we're in class?

Can this count as luck? Wh-uh! He nodded, I spontaneously nodded.

Was that the right thing? I don't know. But, I really did not expect Arumasu-san to be here.

But isn't this a good thing? There's at least one person I know here. Right, it's luck.

"Alright, Shidoki-san can sit in the back. Next to Aru-kun huh."

"W-uh! Okay, Sensei." Covering my little screech, I bowed respectfully to Sensei. "Thank you very much."

Sitting next to Arumasu-san. Today went well! I don't have to sit with strangers.

Holding back the relief, I walked towards the chair beside Arumasu-san. I smiled at him.

"Please help, Arumasu-kun."

"Ah, sure."

After that short exchange of words, I put my bag down and sat down next to it.

I'm talking wrong! Why did I call him kun?? Arumasu-san must have thought that I was weird!

Uhh... How'this? How'this? He was my first friend at the new school.... And I screwed it up.

"Shidoki-san."

I heard my name called. From the side; arumasu-san to be more precise.

Wait, did I call him san or kun? Ah, I guess I'll think about it later.

"You wearing?" Arumasu pushed his book on the table.

A book? Ah, yes. I don't have a book here yet. Ah, that means....

"Bo-can?" I was, kind of nervous.

"You didn't bring a book, did you? So, it's okay." I shrugged my shoulders.

I've never shared a book with a man. I'm a little doubtful. But, rejecting someone's kindness is disrespectful.

I finally nodded. I pushed my desk carefully towards him, fusing it together. Arumasu put his book in the middle.

I sit back. Look at books that contain complicated English sentences.

Having a helpful friend like this is fun. I'll tell my friends in Koriyama.

I whispered my gratitude.

"certain."

Not thinking he could hear me, I became a little embarrassed.

❀❀❀❀

The sound of a break bell ringing. Followed by some conversations between students in class. Not much different from my old school.

I still haven't finished writing the material. Kanji is hard to write.

"I didn't think we were one school." Arumasu said something. I put down my pencil and closed the book. "I thought you were still Junior."

W-was I that small? I think my height is average....

"E-uh? Aye 'kah? I also didn't expect to be in class with Arumasu-kun," I smiled back at him. "I thought Arumasu-kun had gone to college."

Finished saying that, Arumasu simply nodded. Didn't say anything after that.

Uh! Isn't that like saying that someone looks old? Did I mess up again?? Um. I have to apologize....

"U-um! A-aku—"

"Shidoki-san! Your old school wears a blazer, right? Your tie looks cute~!"

I was cut off before I could say my words. Some people started standing beside and in front of my desk. Too many people

I have to answer that question.

"A-ah, no. My school used to wear sweaters. Pa—"

Uh! High School student calls his dad Papa, so childish!

"— err... My father has prepared this uniform" I replied. Smiling weakly. Relieved for not saying anything strange.

"Oh! Your father's understanding, huh? Your clothes look cute!"

"A-ah, is that it? Thank you." Thank you."

I heard the sound of the chair beside me. Arumasu stood up from his seat and walked out. There was a flat expression on his face, it was hard to know his thoughts.

"It's a shame. Shidoki-san sits next to him."

"Right, that guy must be creepy huh."

After Arumasu leaves the classmates start saying strange things. They don't seem to like Arumasu.

"E-uh?" I can only make strange sounds.

What reason? Isn't Arumasu a good person?

"uhm... Why are you saying that about Arumasu-kun?" I ventured to ask.

"Shidoki-san is unconscious? The person's face is scary like that."

"Sure, he's cold too."

"Cold?" Unknowingly, the word came out of my mouth.

"Yes, while at school, he never talked to anyone."

"Really, right. At least only the Chief spoke to him. It's just one side. He never answered."

"Ah, such a person does suck huh."

I could only listen to their words. Don't know what to say.

From the beginning, I did not know Arumasu well. If I didn't go to school here, I might not talk to him anymore.

It's nobody. Only neighbors. Someone who helps me.

Maybe it would fit Arumasu for me. But, I don't know why I still don't accept it. Their words about Arumasu were wrong.

I know it. Although I don't know Arumasu very well. I know one thing for sure.

Arumasu is a good man!

Unknowingly, I stood up from my seat. I took a deep breath.

"I think Arumasu-kun is pretty good!"