Chapter 2 - The first day of school

After the assembly ended, we had an hour to take a break or do whatever we wanted. Being the introvert I am, I stuck close to my cousin.

"Hey, where are you going? Can I come?" I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.

He looked at me nervously before replying, "Nowhere, really. I'm just staying here in my seat. You could grab something from the cafeteria if you want. Want me to come with you?"

I considered his offer, knowing he was the only person I really knew at this school. But I couldn't resist teasing him. "Huh?! No, shut up! I'm going by myself," I retorted, my tone playful even if I tried to sound annoyed.

As I made my way to the cafeteria, I caught a glimpse of *him* again. My heart skipped a beat, and I tried to follow, but another student accidentally blocked my path.

By the time I reached the cafeteria entrance, I was still thinking about that fleeting moment. 'It's break time, so I might as well buy some food,' I told myself as I stepped inside.

The cafeteria was packed, the air buzzing with conversations. It felt like every student in the school was crammed in there, talking to friends or chatting with school staff.

I tried to make my way to the food I wanted, but I got pushed—hard. Before I knew it, I was shoved farther away and ended up near the cheaper options.

*Sigh.* Maybe it's a sign to save money, I thought, grabbing just enough for me and a little extra for Aizen.

As I headed back to the classroom, I saw him again—or thought I did. But with so many students in the way, he vanished before I could get a better look.

My poor eyesight didn't help. It all felt like a blur, like a dream slipping away before I could fully grasp it.

As I arrived back in our classroom, I noticed Aizen sitting at his desk, trying to look busy. It was obvious he didn't have much to do. He didn't have any friends here yet, so there wasn't anyone for him to talk to. The sight made me sigh softly. He was always so independent, but even he must feel the weight of being in a new place without familiar faces.

I walked over to him, the bag of food in my hand rustling as I set it down in front of him. "Here," I said, almost nonchalantly, though I was more concerned than I let on.

Aizen looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to a warm smile. "There you are," he said, his voice light and teasing. "Ooh, how generous of you, Ms. Future Top Scorer." He was poking fun at the bold claim I'd made earlier, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.

"Oh, my! How appreciative, Mr. Future Engineer," I shot back, matching his tone and adding a soft laugh at the end. Our banter was a familiar comfort, a little island of normalcy in the middle of this unfamiliar school.

We settled into a comfortable silence for a moment as Aizen opened the bag and started to eat. I watched as he took a bite, relieved that he seemed to like what I'd gotten. After a moment, he glanced up at me, excitement flashing in his eyes. "I heard that our next subject teacher is supposed to be really playful. You know, like, one of those teachers who actually tries to bond with their students."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? That sounds... interesting. But I hope they're kind when it comes to grades too," I added, a hint of worry creeping into my voice. The last thing I wanted was a teacher who was all fun and games but didn't actually teach us anything.

Aizen chuckled, shaking his head. "You always think about grades first," he said, his tone affectionate. "But honestly, it could be a good thing. Maybe it'll make the class more enjoyable. You know, less stressful?"

"Maybe," I conceded. "But if I'm going to be the future top scorer, I need to make sure I actually understand what's being taught."

He grinned at that. "Well, Ms. Top Scorer, I'm sure you'll ace it no matter what. But you know, it might be nice to have a class where we can actually relax a little."

I nodded slowly, thinking it over. "Yeah, you're right. I could use a break from all the serious stuff."

We fell silent again, both of us lost in our thoughts. I looked around the classroom, noticing how everyone else seemed to be chatting easily, groups of friends already forming. I couldn't help but feel a little envious. I missed having a group like that, where I felt like I truly belonged.

"I wonder if we'll ever make friends here," I said suddenly, voicing the thought before I could stop myself.

Aizen looked up at me, surprised by the change in topic. "Of course we will," he said confidently. "It's only the first day. People are still figuring things out. Besides, you're already popular," he added with a grin, "Everyone knows who you are, even if you don't know them."

I frowned, not quite believing him. "That's just because of that stupid announcement earlier," I muttered. "Being noticed doesn't mean I actually have friends."

Aizen's expression softened. "Hey, you've got me," he said, his tone sincere. "And I'm sure it won't be long before others see how great you are."

I smiled, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Aizen," I said quietly.

He shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "What are cousins for?"

The bell rang, signaling the end of the break. Students began to trickle back into the classroom, filling the space with noise and energy. I glanced at Aizen, who gave me a reassuring nod.

"Let's see what this new teacher's like," he said, as we both turned to face the front of the room.

As the door opened, and our next teacher walked in, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. Maybe Aizen was right. Maybe things would turn out better than I expected.

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