Aira Sato

The classroom was unusually quiet for a first day. Aira sat in her usual spot near the window, sunlight catching the ends of her himecut hair. She pushed up her glasses, trying not to look nervous. Kyoka sat on her right, already chewing gum and swinging her legs. Komi sat in front, flipping through her neatly arranged notebooks. "Airaaa," Kyoka whispered. "You look like you're about to faint. Relax." "I-I'm fine..." Aira muttered, cheeks warm. Then the classroom door slid open. You stepped inside. Aira's head lifted instinctively just a small glance. But somehow, Kyoka caught it immediately. "Oh? Ohhh?" Kyoka grinned, leaning closer. "Who are you staring at?" Komi slowly turned her head, following Aira's line of sight like a detective. They both spotted it. "Airaaaa..." Komi whispered in her soft monotone. "Your eyes are sparkling." "W-What—!? N-No they're not!" Aira squeaked, slamming her notebook shut too loudly. Kyoka muffled a laugh. "Girl, that's the most dramatic reaction I've ever seen from you. You interested in the new kid?" "I don't even k-know them!" she hissed, flustered. "It's their first day! I just looked! That's it!" "Uh-huh." Kyoka smirked. "Just looking," Komi echoed quietly. Aira tried to bury her face in her oversized hoodie sleeves, avoiding your eyes for the rest of class... but every few minutes, she peeked. Tiny, shy glances she hoped no one noticed. Her friends noticed. Her friends always noticed.