You arrive in class. It's just another regular day of school. You sit down and begin making sure that your assigned homework is done. You don't want to have the teachers scold you, especially since you're one of the smarter kids in your class. There's been a rumor that a new girl will be attending your class, which really gets you thinking. Rise Kujikawa, the extremely popular idol that also just happens to be your age. In your mind, you are hoping that she is that girl that the rumors are talking about, since she did move to Inaba not too long ago. But there's no way that would happen.



Pushing that thought out of your mind, you get out your things as the teacher enters the room but leaves the door open.



Teacher: "Hello students! As you may have heard, today we have a brand new student that will be attending our class."



The teacher makes a hand motion towards the door, and through the door enters a girl with beautiful copper colored hair and rich brown eyes. And your heart skips a beat.



Teacher: "This is Rise Kujikawa. Some of you might already know her, but go ahead and introduce yourself anyway, Kujikawa-san."



Rise: "Hey everyone! I'm Rise Kujikawa! I've decided to spend some time here in Inaba, so I'll be attending this school for a while. I hope to get along with all of you!"



After she says that, Rise gives a slight bow, and I can see every male person in the room being instantly entranced by her.



Teacher: "Anyways, you can go and seat over there, next to y/n-kun."



The teacher points at the vacant seat next to you... and your heart begins to race faster, even though you never thought that would be possible. Rise quickly sits herself down and gets out her stuff aswell, the teacher beginning to start the lesson as if nothing ever happened.



Teacher: "Anyways, we must get Kujikawa-san caught up. y/n-kun, would you mind sharing your notes with her?"



y/n: "M-Me? Ummm... O-Of course!"



You grab your notebook and hand it over to Rise-chan, her hand making slight contact with yours.



Rise: "Thanks a lot y/n-san! I hope we can get along!"



y/n: "S-Same here!"



This isn't real, is it? THE Risette is not only attending school in YOUR class, but also sits next to YOU and has even touched YOU. There's no way this is real. You decide to pinch your cheek really hard when nobody is looking. Then, you look in the direction of Rise, and sure enough, there she is, copying down your notes. She noticed you looking at her and raises her head from her notebook and gives you one of her trademark smiles.



Rise: "Don't worry! I'm almost done!"



You can feel your entire face becoming as red as a tomato. On second thought, you're pretty sure there are tomatoes that are less red than your face is right now.



y/n: "I-It's fine, take your time!"



After saying that, Rise giggles slightly and goes back to writing. God, she's just way too cute! You try to divert your focus back to the teacher, however, every few seconds, you briefly glance at Rise, hoping that she doesn't notice. After about 5 minutes of that pass, Rise hands you back your notebook quietly, giving you a smile. You smile back and open your notebook to begin taking the new notes. You try to focus on that as much as possible, trying to forget that Rise is even here, though that's hard to do since your heart is racing like crazy. Eventually though, you somehow survive through the entire class, as the lunch bell finally rings. Once it does though, a swarm of students race to Rise's desk, all wanting to talk to her. Rise has a very overwhelmed and confused expression on her face, and you can see her struggling to respond to much of what the people are saying. You want to help her, to say something, but you're a flustered mess you just stand there, trying your best to study, like you always do for the first half of the lunch break. After the first half is over, most of the people realize that so much time has passed, and leave to eat their lunch. Rise lets out a sigh of relief.



Rise: "Phew. That was overwhelming."



You begin to take out your lunch, it being just some instant noodles. That's all you can afford for now, so it'll have to do.



Rise: "I'm sorry y/n-san, you probably weren't able to eat due to all the people coming to talk to me."



y/n: "It's fine. I usually study for the first half of lunch break, and then eat for the other half, so this worked out nicely."



Rise: "If you say so... By the way, thank you again for your notes earlier. Without them, I would've been totally lost!"



y/n: "No problem. I'm glad that you're understanding the material better."



Rise: "There's still a lot I don't get though... I really need to catch up on my studies."



y/n: "Well, ummm, if you want... I could help you with some of that."



Rise: "Really? You must be really smart, y/n-kun!"



y/n: "I-I guess you could say so..."



You look down at the ground, blushing intensely at being complimented by Rise. This really feels like a dream. After a bit, you look back up and notice that Rise is just staring blankly around, not doing anything.



y/n: "Aren't you gonna eat, Kujikawa-san?"



Rise: Oh please, just call me Rise-chan. And I kinda forgot my lunch at home like a clutz haha..."



She faintly giggles.



y/n: "Well, if you want, I could share mine with you."



Rise: "Are you sure? Is it gonna be enough for you?"



y/n: "Yeah, don't worry about it. It always ends up being a little too much for me."



Rise: "Thanks a lot! You're a lifesaver."



As she said that, you begin eating, intending to eat only about half and giving the other half to her. You eat quickly, since you don't want to keep Rise waiting. Eventually though, with a little more than half of the cup left, you hand it over to Rise. She takes it with a smile, and slowly begins eating.



Rise: "Say... y/n-kun, are you free after school?"



This question catches you by surprise. Why would she want to hang out with someone like you after school?



y/n: "Y-Yeah, I'm free. Why do you ask?"



Rise: "Well, I was thinking you could show me around Inaba for a bit. I haven't been here in a very long time and I kinda forgot how this town looks."



y/n: "I can do that. I know a couple cool spots I can take you to."



Rise: "Yaaay! Thank you so much y/n-kun, you are so kind!"



y/n: "I-It's not a big deal at all..."



You said that in a barely audible voice. After that, you waited in silence for Rise to finish her noodles.



Rise: "That was really good! Thank you for the meal!"



y/n: "Always happy to help a fr- I mean student in need."



You wanted to say friend, but you knew that it was way too early to call Rise a friend of yours. You only met her not too long ago, after all. Slowly, the students return to the classroom, some of them stopping by to talk to Rise for a bit. It definitely wasn't as much people as before, and I could see that Rise is actually able to converse with everyone. Eventually, the teacher entered the room and began teaching class. You still haven't gotten used to Risette sitting right next to you, but it became a little easier to focus on what the teacher was saying. You also noticed that Rise was paying very close attention, and even answered correctly when the teacher called on her. After the class ends, a few more students come up to talk to Rise, but quickly go away.



Rise: "Alright, so, are you ready to go?"



y/n: "Sure."



You grab your things and exit the school with Rise.



Rise: "To tell you the truth, I'm also kinda afraid to be alone on my own around here."



y/n: "I'm not surprised. I can walk you home afterwards if you don't mind, just to make sure you're safe."



Rise: "I'd appreciate that a lot. Thank you!"



y/n: "No problem."



Rise: "Anyways, where are we going?"



y/n: "A hill near the Samegawa Flood Plain. It's a great way too see Inaba."



Rise: "That sounds fun. Let's hurry! I wouldn't wanna get home too late."



As she said that, Rise grabbed your hand and started walking at a much faster pace. Your heart is beating extremely fast now, it's a wonder you're not dead.



y/n: "You sure do have a lot of energy!"



Rise: "Of course! *giggle* It's necessary for a idol to have a bunch of energy!"



Eventually, you reached your destination. You can see the entire town from up here. Rise goes up closer and admires the view. A smile slowly forms on her face.



Rise: "So this is Inaba, huh... I feel so nostalgic."



y/n: "It's not as nice as the big cities, but it has it charms."



Rise: "I agree. I know that I'll take a liking to this town."



Rise: "Say ummm... I have a question for you..."



y/n: "Hmm? What is it?"



Rise: "Do I seem... different from my TV self?"



You wonder why she's asking that. But now that you think about it, she kinda does. She's definitely more quiet than you'd expect her to be.



y/n: "I guess. Not that it's a bad thing though."



Rise: "...W-What do you mean?"



y/n: "I might not know you for that long, but you're still Rise regardless if you're on TV or at school. Rise is Rise, and nobody can change that."



Rise: "Really?"



y/n: "Of course."



Rise: "I... haven't looked at it that way."



She seems to contemplate what you said for a bit. Is she... bothered by her real self?



Rise: "Thanks..."



As she says that, she walks up to you and gives you a hug. You feel Rise's warm body press against you. It feels so nice...



Rise: "Let's head back. It's getting a little late."



y/n: "Y-Yeah, let's go."



You feel as though you're gonna cherish this moment for the rest of your life. You're the most excited you've been in a very long while. The trip back to Rise's place has been largely uneventful. A couple people did walk up to her, but she quickly dismissed them and hurried back to her Grandma's tofu shop. Once you finally arrive, she turns around to look at you.



Rise: "I hope I didn't inconvenience you too much by having you walk me here."



y/n: "Not at all. I actually live pretty close to here. I hope that you had fun today."



Rise: "I sure did. It was a lot more fun that I thought it would be. I made my first friend at this school, and that friend has also made me feel better about myself. So, thank you again."



y/n: "You are thanking me too much. I'm just being honest with you."



Rise: "Yeah... I know. Well, I'll see you tomorrow at school. Take care!"



y/n: "You too, see ya!"



Rise quickly waves at you and walks into the tofu shop. She said she made a friend, but she only interacted with you today from what you've seen... Is she referring to you? Well, you'll find out with time. The thought still seems unreal to you, but after what happened today, it feels like a very strong possibility. You hurry back home to prepare for another day with Rise.



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I hope you all enjoyed my little story! Part 2 will be coming soon. Please share your thoughts about the story in the comments and any critique that you may have, so my future works will be better.