Chapter 1—Blank Slate

I groggily awoke on Monday morning, my arms still sore from moving into my new home. My mom just transferred to a new town for work (something to do with insurance), and, just like another piece of luggage or furniture, I was packed up and shipped away from my old life. I'd be lying if I said I'd miss what we "left behind"; there wasn't much to leave behind in the first place. I had no real friends and wasn't close to any relatives other than my mom (even that's a stretch). My parents divorced over ten years ago, and, while I keep in touch with my dad, things between him and me remain awkward at best. I'm closer to my mom, but she's a busy woman. Because of her job, she constantly travels to different regions and spends multiple nights away from home at a time; I'll basically be living at this new house on my own. I don't understand why we moved if she'll rarely be home anyway, but I guess it makes no difference.

My mom ensured I wasn't going to lose a single day of school, though. She enrolled me in class and set me up with a uniform so I could attend school right after we finished unpacking over the weekend. She probably didn't consider that joining class in the middle of the semester wouldn't help me keep a low profile like I wanted, so, as I put on my red tie and buttoned up my grey-brown blazer, I mentally prepared myself to bear the label of "new kid" for the rest of the semester (only if I didn't have to transfer schools again; else I might be stuck as "new kid" until graduation—ugh).

After making my way around the unpacked boxes (stuff scattered everywhere) and realizing my mom was nowhere to be seen (figures), I left my house on the way to school. As I drew nearer, I started to recognize more and more people wearing the same style of uniform. This confirmed I was going the right way, but at the same time I began to feel increasingly anxious. It wasn't a matter of how or who, but more a matter of when someone would start picking on me. What would it be this time? I wondered. My long hair? My timid nature? Being the new kid? Having the fragile body of a less-than-buff young man that loudly proclaims, "Kick me!"? Just as I began to space out, however, I heard a faint voice draw closer.

"Sorry! Excuse me, please! I'm in a hurry!" repeated a young woman as she ran closer to me. As I turned around to see what was going on, I quickly sidestepped to let her continue on her way.

"I'm sorry!" she said again with an embarrassed smile as she continued racing toward the school grounds. I paused to take in the scene; a girl with long, brown hair held in a ponytail by a giant, white bow (and a flash of green eyes?) made her way through the crowd, running as if her life depended on it.

What the hell? I thought while scratching my head. I must admit, she was pretty cute (from what I could tell), but why would she be in such a hurry? It's not like we're run— RIIIIIIIING!

—ing late! I finished and, just like the girl, took off running as the school bell rang. Hell, I don't even know where my classroom is. Well, so much for a positive first impression with my teacher; maybe I should try to play the rebel? … Hmmm, better not.

Despite being purposely misled by my fellow classmates (I was finally pointed in the right direction by a girl with lengthy purple hair and a … mature body), I finally arrived to my first class. As I opened the door, I felt (more than saw) around 20 pairs of eyes simultaneously shift in my direction. Great, I interrupted the lecture. So much for keeping a low profile …

"You must be Daniel, then?" quipped the teacher, not bothering to hide the fact she already hated me for arriving late on my first day.

"Yes ma'am, I'm really sorr—"

"Ten minutes late, sir. However, I will let it slide as this is your first day. Don't let it happen again."

"I'm sorry …" I spoke while lowering my head in shame.

"You will sit next to Sayori. Because you enrolled in the middle of the semester, you must ensure that you leave no gaps in your knowledge. Sayori!"

"Huh?" A girl with peach-colored hair cut relatively short and adorned with a red bow turned toward the teacher. Even with all the ruckus caused by my entrance, she didn't seem to have been paying much attention to begin with.

"Class!" the teacher declared. "This is Daniel, your new classmate. He just moved to our town last weekend, so I hope you all will help him get around school and around town. Now, please sit, Daniel, and allow us to continue the lesson."

Still ashamed by my late arrival, I silently sat at the desk next to Sayori as the teacher continued her lesson. Math. Now I understand why this girl's thoughts were drifting away from the lesson; daydreaming is more engaging than friggin' algebra. I turned to Sayori, who was seemingly doing her best to keep awake by doodling in her notebook. She noticed me looking at her, and I quickly returned my attention to my own notebook, hoping to avoid a potentially awkward situation. However, she leaned toward me and, in an instant, drew a smiley face on the corner of my notebook page. Surprised, I sat back as her attention wandered off again. After making sure our teacher's back was turned, I stretched my arm out and stealthily drew a similar smiley face on her notebook. Heh, I don't think she noticed …

"Hmph!" she exhaled as she turned around and drew a little face with its tongue sticking out on my notebook as retaliation. I looked up to see the very same expression displayed on her face. At first, I was worried I was annoying her, but the sparkle in her clear blue eyes indicated that she was only playing around. After a few more rounds of doodling back-and-forth, the bell rang, signifying the end of class.

"That was all?" I thought aloud, believing the class had passed rather quickly.

"Maybe when you arrive on time, you'll notice that the class periods are longer, young man," said the teacher, overhearing my voice.

I stood in silence, embarrassed yet again as everyone began to pick up their belongings and leave the classroom.

Sayori turned to me and smiled as she gathered her belongings. "Hi! I'm Sayori! What's your name?" she asked.

Wow, she really wasn't paying attention when I came in the room, was she? "Hey Sayori. My name is Daniel." I forced a smile in return, struggling to overcome the social anxiety I felt at introducing myself to someone new.

"Hi, Daniel! I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new around here?"

"Ummm … The teacher mentioned I just enrolled here when I arrived to class; weren't you paying attention?"

Sayori giggled and avoided eye contact with the teacher as we walked out of the classroom together and into the hallway. "I fell asleep during class again, ehehe. I only woke up when the teacher called my name and told you to sit next to me." She stopped and turned to me suddenly. "Hey, how about we go grab a snack? If you're new here, I'd better show you around!" she exclaimed excitedly, wrenching my arm out of its socket as she dragged me down the hall. Man, how can she have so much energy?

The rest of the day proceeded about as normally as I'd expected. I ended up having Sayori in some of my other classes, but she kept herself focused on the lessons; I guess our doodle war won't continue until next math class. She led me around the school grounds and most of the school itself, chatting all the while. I hoped Sayori didn't mind my silence, as I was content to just listen to what she had to say (considering how frequently she spoke, I don't think it was a problem). She asked me after school if I wanted to walk home with her but didn't seem too disappointed upon learning that our houses are practically in opposite directions from the school.

"It was great meeting you, Dan! We're gonna have a lot of fun now that we're best friends! See you tomorrow!"

Wait, "best friends"? But before I was able to say anything or even wave goodbye, she began skipping off away from the school. How can she still be so energetic after a full day of school? After waiting until her figure disappeared over the horizon, I realized I should get going too. Hm, is that girl with the white bow from this morning around? … Guess not. However, before stepping off to head home, I heard some voices behind me. Right. I haven't been bullied enough yet today. I braced myself.

"Hahaha! You're too precious! You almost look like a boy!"

Oh, the long hair and weak build barely let me qualify as male; that one's new, I thought as I turned around toward the voice. I was about to respond when I realized the comment wasn't directed at me, but instead at a girl who looked to be from a younger grade than Sayori and me. She was rather short, but what stood out the most was her pink hair: very cu—

"You're really cute, Natsuki!" said the guy whose earlier comment I thought was directed at me. He had clearly hit a nerve, because the girl standing in front of him had her arms crossed, looking about ready to explode.

"DON'T CALL ME CUTE!" she yelled suddenly, turning a few curious heads in our direction.

… And there's the explosion.

"Fine then, you're adorable, 'tsuki. See you tomorrow! Hahaha!" He grinned as he walked away from her.

Natsuki stood there for a moment, fuming silently, then kicked a rock with everything she had. The rock flew away much farther and faster than I expected; if it had hit anything (the bully's head, for example), it would've done some serious damage. She must be very strong: noted. However, the kick carried Natsuki too far forward, causing her to lose her balance and comically fall onto the sidewalk in a sitting position. Some other students snickered as they passed by. I tried my best to not laugh too as I walked toward her and offered my hand to help her stand.

"Don't touch me! I don't need help! I'm fine!" Natsuki shouted, standing up as I deferentially raised my palms in the air.

"Say something! Or are you some sort of mime? If you are, you aren't in the right school!" she yelled again. I backed up a couple steps. I didn't want to become her punching bag, especially after I saw what she did to that rock.

"Sorry … I just wanted to help."

"Well, I already told you that I don't need your help. Bye." Turning on her heel, Natsuki quickly left without another glance in my direction. Watching her go, I shook my head silently and let out an exasperated sigh. Man, I can't handle this kind of interaction. I'd rather just go home.

As I entered my house, I noticed a note from my mom on the kitchen counter that I must've missed in the morning:

Daniel, I won't be back home until late tonight and need to leave tomorrow for a meeting out of town. I'll see you tomorrow morning before I leave. Feel free to use this money to buy yourself dinner tonight. We'll talk about school tomorrow over breakfast, but I hope you had a good day!

I folded up the note and grabbed the money beside it. The sun was already setting, so I decided to leave immediately to look for a store and pick up some instant noodles (I'm no cook; I really should learn since my mom is gone so often, but I don't see the point in trying after repeatedly subjecting my taste buds to my abysmal culinary skills).

After walking a couple blocks, I finally glimpsed the light of a convenience store sign emanating from around the street corner. Just as I was ready to make the turn, I noticed a familiar white bow fluttering in the wind. Squinting through the dusk, I recognized the brown-haired girl from this morning standing still in front of an empty plot of land in the middle of the neighborhood. It was difficult to tell from where I stood, but it didn't look like she was doing much: just … staring, unaware of the world around her. That's weird … What could she be looking at? Shouldn't there be a house there? Maybe I should approach her? … Nah; she looks like she wants to be left alone. Without warning, she lifted her arm, almost in a trance—almost like she was … reaching for something. This is wrong. I shouldn't be watching; this feels like a private moment. My stomach growled suddenly, snapping me out of my reverie and reminding me why I was here in the first place. I swiftly walked into the convenience store, thanking the cashier as I bought my noodle dinner. As I began the walk back to my house, I quickly checked, curious (but not wanting to intrude on her privacy) if the girl with the white bow still stood in front of the empty lot. As my eyes scanned the growing darkness, however, she was nowhere to be seen.

After finishing dinner, I unpacked my school notebooks and saw the doodles Sayori made during math class, realizing I never asked for her phone number. Wow, this "best friends" thing sure got off to a good start. I guess I'll ask for Sayori's number eventually. Hopefully she'll ask for mine first; then I won't have to worry about breaking that social barrier. Which reminds me … My thoughts turned to the brown-haired girl I saw this morning and later outside the convenience store. Should I introduce myself to her? She was pretty cute. But what was she doing earlier tonight, staring off into the distance by herself like that?

Even though I spent the rest of the night playing video games, I couldn't get the girl with the white ribbon out of my head. Why can't I stop thinking about her? I've only met her twice. It can't be a crush … right? Then why do I feel drawn toward her? Unfortunately, my swirling thoughts offered no answers as I drifted off to sleep.

The next day, everything began as expected: a shower, breakfast with my mom, and a walk to school. I waited at the school entrance for a few minutes to see if I could meet Sayori or catch another glimpse of that brown-haired girl that I couldn't seem to stop thinking about. Hell, I even kept an eye out for Natsuki, worried that she was still being picked on by that guy from yesterday (not that I could do much about it; that guy looked almost double my size, and Natsuki appeared to have more strength than me anyway). I was unsuccessful in spotting any of them, however, and started walking toward class. On my way, I noticed the girl with the purple hair (and … curvaceous figure) rise from her sitting position in the grass outside the school and begin to walk to her first class. As she adjusted the book in her hands (I spotted a creepy-looking eye on the cover), she failed to notice a pen drop from her bag and land on the ground. Wanting to repay her help locating my class yesterday, I went to pick the pen up but lost the girl amidst the crowd before I could return it. Hopefully she has a spare pen for today.

"DAAAAAAAAAAAN!" yelled an excited voice. I watched Sayori sprint toward me, eyes glimmering and the same bow from yesterday bouncing up and down with each step. Hm, I guess she wears it every day.

"Sayori?! I thought you were already in class! Why are you arriving so late?" I said with an accusatory glare.

"I should ask you the same question, mister! Ms. Hudson will flay you alive you if you arrive late again!"

"But we don't have math today, I should be going to …" I trailed off as I checked my schedule. "… history class! Did you seriously forget which day of the week it is?"

"Ehehe." She giggled while playing with the tips of her index fingers. "I guess I got distracted. I was late today because I was running some errands."

"Errands?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! Um, now that you mention it … Dan?" She smiled at me, those bright blue eyes (which were actually quite pretty, I noticed) sparkling again. "Have you thought about joining a club yet?"