A small crowd had gathered near the front gate. Not a loud one, but they were there — whispering among themselves. A man held up his phone, snapping photos with wide eyes. One woman gripped her daughter's hand so tight her knuckles were pale, shielding the child behind her legs like she expected something to come bursting through the windows.
The little girl peeked around her mother's hip and pointed toward the house.
"Why is—"
"Don't say it, sweetie. Please don't," the mother whispered, cutting her off with a trembling voice.
She turned away, her grip on the child tightening even more.
Yuki Ayano stepped out of her house and walked straight toward them. She kept her smile warm.
"Hello. Do you need anything?" she asked. "I saw you and a few others staring at my house."
The mother didn't say a word. Just shook her head, like fear had finally come over her. Then she bolted down the street in a cold sweat, dragging her daughter behind her.
Yuki blinked, caught off guard by the sudden retreat.
...What was that about?
Her brow twitched slightly, but she let out a quiet breath through her nose.
"Maybe they were just in a hurry... or something."
She turned her head toward the window, as she saw her parents from the living room window. Their hands were raised mid-wave, but they weren't moving. They hadn't waved for real in a long time. Even if it was raining, snowing, or blistering hot, every morning without fail, they stood at that window with that same pose.
Yuki adjusted the strap on her backpack and paused at the gate. She gave them one last glance.
"See you later, Mom. Dad."
No response. Their grins didn't even twitch.
She lowered her eyes, jaw tightening for a second.
I wish you two would at least say goodbye...
She stepped outside and jogged ahead, brushing past the murmuring crowd. Her ponytail swung behind her, bouncing against her back. She didn't look back again, as the voices behind her faded.
Once in school, she ran in the hallway. There were students rushing past her with their papers in hand.
Amidst the chaos, Yuki did her best, as she navigated among them. A loud moan caught her attention, followed by dragging footsteps.
It was Riko Fuyumi, her best friend.
She wore a black dress that hung loose on her. Her black hair was a mess. She also had dark circles under her eyes.
Yuki glanced at her wrist. She always wore the same bracelet—the one with the tiny skull.
"Ugh... I'm so done... I think I slept for, like... twenty minutes. Did you even glance at yesterday's math assignment?" Riko mumbled, her voice scratchy.
"Was it that difficult?" Yuki chuckled.
Riko dramatically fell against her locker.
"It was impossible. I barely made it through the first question, and you don't even seem the least bit concerned."
Looking at her notes, Yuki smiled.
"I believe I got it correct, but who knows."
Riko moaned.
"God, I'm so jealous of you. You have no idea."
Yuki had shrugged off the comment and maintained her courteous grin.
If only Riko knew, she thought, clutching her books more tightly.
The bell rang, and all the students made their way to class. Within the classroom, all that could be heard was students buzzing nervously, exchanging notes, and stressing over their tasks.
Near the back, a group of females leaned in and spoke violently behind Yuki's back.
"Look at her," one said. "I bet she's going to get a perfect score again."
"Ugh, I know right? She's so annoying, people like her just have it so easy." another said.
"I don't get why all the guys fawn over her. She's not even that pretty."
Across the classroom, the boys were being loud. Shoving each other playfully.
"Hey," one of them said, "Does Miss Perfect even have a boyfriend?"
No one spoke.
Then, the scraping sound of a chair could be heard.
One of the quieter boys stood up. He had brown hair shaped like a bowl and round glasses.
"I'm gonna go ask her out," he said.
"Kenji, You'll go blind just by looking at her, don't do it."
Kenji didn't answer right away. Just pulled his arm free and exhaled.
"Relax. I got this. Watch and learn."
Nervously, Kenji walked towards Yuki's desk, his buddies parting.
As he approached, Yuki looked in Kenji's direction.
"Morning, Igaguri Kenji!" Yuki joyfully welcomed him.
Her flawless white teeth appeared to shine forth, blinding Kenji.
Kenji abruptly halted and dramatically covered his eyes.
"No! She's too bright! I-I can't see!" he said, tripping backward.
Kenji's friends burst into laughter, while shaking their heads as they teased him.
One of his friends yelled, "We told you, man!"
Rubbing his eyes, Kenji whined jokingly, "Sorry, I should have listen. That smile? Unreal."
Riko then made her way to Yuki's desk, as she yawned.
"I did some of the math assignment just now," she sighed, "but I'm nowhere near done. I'm so screwed."
Yuki gently laughed and handed her notes to Riko.
"Here, please make use of mine. After all, we are besties."
Riko fell to her knees dramatically, making a scene.
"Yuki, my guardian angel!"
The classroom door opened violently, before Riko could grab Yuki's notes.
Their teacher marched in, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk.
"Okay, everyone—settle down. Let's get that math homework in."
Riko's optimistic look changed immediately to sadness, and tears began to form in her eyes.
Yuki chuckled and said, "Good luck."
Miss Nishimura their math teacher, stood at the front of the class as she instructed everyone to give her the math assignment. Everyone stood up and put their papers at Miss Nishimura desk as they waited till it was corrected.
One hour had gone by.
Names were called out one by one.
Then Yuki Ayano's name was called.
The room immediately became silent as everyone observed Yuki rising from her chair. Her teacher remarked, seeming somewhat worried.
"Another flawless score, Yuki Ayano."
Whispers spread through the room.
"Of course, Miss Perfect again got a perfect score," someone muttered.
"She really thinks she's better than the rest of us," another said.
"Such a show-off," a voice added, just loud enough for Yuki to hear.
Holding her smile, Yuki did her best to disregard the comments.
"Thanks, Miss Nishimura."
Miss Nishimura touched Yuki's shoulder.
"Could you remain behind after class?"
The room felt quiet all of a sudden. Yuki could feel eyes on her—more than before. She then went back to her seat, her hands resting still on her desk.
Across the room, Riko Fuyumi was looking at her, Yuki gave her a small nod, like she was trying to say, I'm okay.
It was the end of the school day. The classroom rapidly cleared when the departure bell rang. Yuki sat calmly at her desk, pretending to concentrate on the tidy lines of her notebook.
Her pulse started to race a little. She did not know what her teacher wanted from her. Miss Nishimura walked over to Yuki's desk, arms folded loosely, her face calm but thoughtful.
Her teacher was young, probably in her late twenties, and always showed a level of confidence. Her straight black hair fell just past her shoulders, framing her beautiful face.
Miss Nishimura put her hand on Yuki's desk while looking straight at her.
"Ayano, everything about you is outstanding—your grades, your conduct. Honestly, you amaze me."
Yuki raised her gaze.
"Ayano," Miss Nishimura said gently, "I hope you don't mind me bringing this up, but I haven't had the chance to meet your parents yet... They haven't attended any school events or parent-teacher meetings, and I've tried reaching out a few times with no luck."
She paused.
"Is everything okay at home?"
Yuki's fingers clutched at her desk as she felt an unexpected tightness in her chest.
She tried maintaining a calm tone.
"Sorry, they're really busy."
Miss Nishimura stopped, perhaps considering Yuki's reaction.
Her teacher's eyes filled with mild worry.
"I understand, but Yuki, my door is always open if you ever need assistance—anything at all."
Yuki rose from her seat and bowed politely.
"Thank you, Miss Nishimura."
Hoping no more inquiries would follow her, Yuki turned and exited the classroom.
Yuki was making her way back home. The sun was low, and the sky was orange.
She stepped outside her house, she saw her parents behind the living room window, waving at her with smiles on their faces.
Yuki's frown faded, and a bright smile took its place.
She ran toward the house, shouting,
"Mom, Dad! I'm coming!"