Friends.

- Location: Japan, outside a certain school gate

[POV: Third-Person]

Outside the school gates, Jihye was waiting around with tired eyes from crying earlier. She sat on a nearby bench, waiting for her father. "You going home?" Jihye heard a familiar voice and turned around to see the blonde girl.

After gazing at her for a moment, Jihye took out her notepad and began writing. 'Do you want to sit down?' Jihye showed her notepad to Henri with a smile. "Yeah, sure," the girl named Henri said, taking a seat on the same bench.

"My name is Henriette, but you can just call me Henri," she introduced herself while looking away with a hint of embarrassment. Seeing Henri's introduction, Jihye started writing again. 'Hello Henri, you can call me Jihye.' Jihye showed her notepad and tapped her pen.

"About what happened earlier... don't get me wrong! I just wanted to show off against those idiots, so don't think I did it for you," Henri clarified while brushing her hair with her hand.

Jihye simply responded with a smile, which prompted Henri to change the topic. "So, um... can you really not speak?" Henri then engaged in a conversation with Jihye, and time flew by as they talked, feeling like only seconds had passed.

...

"Wait! So, you're telling me there's a language where you can communicate using only your hands?!" Henri exclaimed, feeling like she had missed out on something. "My tutor never told me anything about this!" she added while standing up.

"I'm going to learn it in a week! Just watch me!" she declared with a determined smile.

Seeing Henri standing in front of her, the sunset casting a warm glow on her face, Jihye couldn't help but smile.

...

A few meters away from the bench, an upscale black car was parked, and the driver stood next to the car door. "Looks like the young miss has made a friend," he chuckled while observing the sunset. Realizing that he might face Henri's ire if she doesn't return soon, he honked the car horn.

"It's time to go, young miss!" he raised his voice so that Henri could hear him. "In a minute!" Henri responded, engrossed in conversation with Jihye. Seemingly, Jihye was teaching her some sign language.

As time passed, the driver's worry grew, and he walked toward the bench. "We have to go, miss! Nightfall is approaching!" he pleaded with urgency, his eyes nearly welling up with tears. Understanding the man's concern, Jihye wrote on her notepad again. "You should probably head home now; it's getting quite late. My dad should be here soon," Jihye conveyed on her notepad.

"Hmph, fine! Liam, prepare the car. I'll be there in a moment," Henri instructed, and the driver quickly started the car. "Well, before I leave... umm..." Henri began to stutter nervously. "Will you be my friend, Jihye?" she suddenly blurted out, her face turning red.

Henri's sudden outburst surprised Jihye. "So... friends?" Henri asked again, looking away in shyness. Jihye began writing once more, and each moment felt like an eternity for Henri. 'Friends,' Jihye showed her notepad, accompanied by a smile.

"Really?! I mean... of course! Why wouldn't you want to be friends with me? I'm the best, after all!" Henri proclaimed with a smug grin.

"Young miss, it's time to depart!" the driver urgently intervened. "Fine!" Henri huffed as she stomped toward the waiting car. "So... um, goodbye, I suppose," she managed to say before the driver opened the door for her. Jihye smiled and waved at Henri, who returned the gesture before getting into the car.

...

A car pulled up next to the bench. "Hey, Jihye... Sorry I took so long; traffic was a nightmare," Kei said as he stepped out of the car and knelt beside Jihye. Jihye rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in a pout.

"I'll make it up to you! How about we go out for pizza tonight?" he suggested, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 'And a burger too!' Jihye added with sign language. "Absolutely!" Kei agreed without hesitation.

...

Jihye and Kei then got into the car and left the school.

As they departed from the campus, a man with a bandaged cheek stood near a window, observing them. "Quirkless freak," the man muttered before walking away from the window.