Under the Ginko Tree

Chapter 1: Spring Beginnings

Spring had come to the college campus, bringing a sense of renewal and excitement. The cherry blossoms bloomed, painting the pathways with delicate pink petals. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the entire campus. Students bustled about, eager to embrace the new semester and all the opportunities it held.

Nezuko and Makomo shared a cozy dorm room on the second floor of the Sakura Hall. Their room was a perfect blend of their personalities. Nezuko's side was adorned with soft pastel colors, fairy lights, and plush toys, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Her desk was cluttered with textbooks and notebooks, evidence of her dedication to her studies. On the other side, Makomo's minimalist style was evident in her simple yet elegant decor, with a few potted plants and neatly arranged books.

"Nezuko, have you seen my water bottle?" Makomo called out, rummaging through her drawer.

Nezuko looked up from her notebook, her pencil tapping against her lips. "I think you left it in the common room last night."

Makomo sighed. "Of course. Thanks, Nezuko. You're a lifesaver."

"Anytime," Nezuko replied with a smile.

Meanwhile, on the fourth floor of the same building, Muichiro sat in his single dorm room, staring out the window. The room was sparsely decorated, with only the essentials: a bed, a desk, and a few personal items. His hair, which used to flow down his back in beautiful waves, was now cut short, a change that symbolized his fresh start.

He glanced at the clock and realized it was time for his morning class. Grabbing his backpack, he made his way out of the dorm and into the bustling hallway. The campus was alive with activity, students chatting and hurrying to their classes. As he walked, he couldn't help but notice the admiring glances he received from several girls.

In the common room, a group of freshmen, including Senjuro and Sabito, were animatedly discussing their schedules. Senjuro's eyes lit up when he saw Muichiro approaching.

"Hey, Muichiro!" Senjuro called out, waving.

Muichiro offered a small smile. "Good morning, Senjuro. How are you settling in?"

"Great! Sabito and I have almost all our classes together," Senjuro replied enthusiastically.

Sabito nodded. "Yeah, it's been pretty awesome so far."

"That's good to hear," Muichiro said, his smile widening a fraction. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."

As he continued to his class, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It was something he had grown accustomed to since cutting his hair. The girls on campus seemed even more interested in him now, and it made him uncomfortable.

In the meantime, Nezuko and Makomo were on their way to their first lecture of the day. They walked through the quad, enjoying the pleasant weather.

"I'm really looking forward to Professor Himejima's history class," Nezuko said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Makomo nodded. "I've heard he's an amazing teacher. Plus, it's nice to have Tanjiro around."

Nezuko smiled at the mention of her brother. "Yeah, it's comforting to know he's here."

As they reached the lecture hall, they saw Tanjiro chatting with Inosuke and Zenitsu. Inosuke's boisterous laughter echoed through the hall, while Zenitsu looked slightly flustered.

"Nezuko! Makomo!" Tanjiro called out, waving them over.

"Hey, big brother!" Nezuko greeted, hugging him.

"Hi, Tanjiro," Makomo said with a warm smile.

Inosuke grinned at them. "Ready for the new semester?"

"Absolutely," Nezuko replied. "How about you, Zenitsu?"

Zenitsu's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. "I'm ready... as long as I can avoid failing."

Everyone laughed, the atmosphere light and friendly. As they took their seats, Nezuko noticed Muichiro entering the hall. Their eyes met briefly, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She admired his calm demeanor and the way he carried himself with quiet confidence.

After class, Nezuko and Makomo decided to grab a coffee at the campus café. As they waited in line, Nezuko couldn't help but bring up Muichiro.

"Makomo, what do you think of Muichiro?" she asked casually.

Makomo raised an eyebrow. "He's interesting. Quiet, but there's something about him. Why do you ask?"

Nezuko shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just curious. He seems nice."

"Nice, huh?" Makomo teased, a knowing smile on her face. "You seem to notice him a lot."

Nezuko blushed, looking away. "It's not like that. I just think he's... different."

Before Makomo could reply, their coffees were ready. They took their drinks and found a table by the window, enjoying the view of the campus.

As the day went on, Nezuko couldn't shake her thoughts about Muichiro. There was something about him that drew her in, something she couldn't quite put into words. She decided she needed to get to know him better, to understand the person behind the quiet exterior.

That evening, as the sun set and the campus lights flickered on, Nezuko found herself walking towards Muichiro's dorm. She hesitated for a moment before knocking on his door. There was a brief silence before the door opened, revealing Muichiro.

"Nezuko," he said, surprised. "What brings you here?"

She smiled nervously. "I thought maybe we could hang out? If you're not busy, that is."

Muichiro stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. "Sure. Come on in."

As Nezuko entered his dorm, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. The room was simple but comforting, much like Muichiro himself. They spent the evening talking, discovering shared interests and laughing over small things. Nezuko realized that behind Muichiro's quiet exterior was a kind and thoughtful person, someone she wanted to know more about.

As the night grew late, Nezuko bid Muichiro goodnight and made her way back to her own dorm. She couldn't stop smiling, feeling a newfound connection with him. She knew that this was just the beginning of something special, a bond that would grow stronger with time.

And so, as spring continued to blossom around them, Nezuko and Muichiro's story began to unfold, one chapter at a time.