The Butterfly Effect | Tankana

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Unfamiliar Faces

Kanao's POV

As I walked inside the school gates, I observed my surroundings. There seemed to be many students around the campus, each with friends along with them and some who were walking alone, just like me. I tried to shake off the butterflies I felt in my stomach but couldn't. It's my first day in an actual high school after being home-schooled my whole life.

"Wait for me!" I heard a familiar feminine voice from behind and stopped.

Thankfully, I have this one friend by my side.

"Aoi," I said as I waited for her to catch up.

We met at the butterfly estate when Shinobu introduced me to her. Despite my shyness, Aoi understood me and stayed as my friend. We're basically like sisters.

"I made some snacks for us to share" Aoi showed the bento box she is carrying in her hands.

I smiled at her in response and we resumed our walking to find our classroom, the school was bigger than I expected. After passing lower grade level classrooms and faculties we finally saw our classroom which was at the second floor of the building.

Even though we were early, I still felt nervous when I saw people I haven't met and I don't know what kind of personalities they have. Aoi entered the classroom first then I followed. I kept my head low, trying not to make eye contact with some of the people who were sitting or with a group of friends.

When Aoi and I settled down in our chosen seats, my eyes wandered around the classroom, the room itself felt peaceful. The view from our window was some villages and a mountain behind. And the people.. They're not too loud but not too quiet either. Maybe this won't be as bad as I expected.

"Kamaboko!"

I got startled when a man yelled inside the classroom. He had black hair but blue tips on the ends of his hair and was definitely an energetic person.

"He's so loud and annoying already." Aoi whispered at me and I chuckled a bit.

"No need to yell out loud, Inosuke." Another man who just entered the classroom went up to him and calmed him down.

He looks familiar.

While I sat, I looked at the man closely.

"Is something wrong?" Aoi asked.

"Nothing, I just think I saw that guy with dark red hair before." I replied.

Aoi also glanced at the man I was looking at.

But before I could be sure, the bell rang and our homeroom teacher went inside the classroom. Instinctively, everyone in the classroom went to their respective seats and stood up to greet and bow to the teacher in front.

Minutes passed, and I realized that it was my turn to introduce myself in the class.

I stood up and inhaled.

"I am Kanao Tsuyuri."

It felt tense seeing everyone look at you for 5 seconds.

"Oh, you're the girl who got perfect marks in the English entrance exam?" The teacher asked and I could hear my classmates gasp and be amazed.

"Yes." I said shyly.

Someone tapped on my shoulder from behind and introduced himself to me.

"My name is Zenitsu, and I suck at English." He said with a frown. "Please teach me, I can't afford to fail this year again."

I didn't know what to say to him so I just glanced at him and nodded lightly, he looks quite fascinating because of his yellow hair.

I turned my head to my left side and saw another man with a buzz-cut type of hair but with a small clump of messy black hair on top of his head that falls back. He noticed my look and had a small pink tint on his cheeks.

"Uh, I'm Genya." He looks tough on the outside but talks shyly.

"Hi" I gave him a wave and sat straight on my chair. Now that some people introduce themselves to me, I can feel a bit familiar with them now. But I can't bring myself to talk with them casually as I haven't seen or met them before.

The class orientation finally ended as the bell rang. Mostly everyone immediately stood up and left the classroom. I stood up and stretched my arms.

"I'm so hungry." Aoi sighed and grabbed her lunch bag. "C'mon, let's eat."

"Where?" I asked and grabbed my lunch bag as well.

"I know a place, it's around a tree that no one really goes to."

We walked outside, passing by some classrooms again. Aoi also gave me a short tour of the school since she has been here for 2 years already. It was nice to discover new places.

As we stepped foot outside the back door of the building, it felt as if I wasn't in a school. It was like a peaceful garden with well-kept plants and flowers. There were wooden benches and tables with chairs scattered throughout, some students could be seen sitting and relaxed here too. The air was fresh, filled with the sound of leaves rustling and birds singing nearby. I'm surprised not everyone chooses to stay here but in the canteen instead.

"Here, put your stuff on the table." Aoi said as she found a vacant spot right under an oak tree.

I admired the place while Aoi opened the bento boxes. I looked at the appetizing food she made and packed inside.

She then put something on top of my rice, signaling me to try it. I grabbed my chopsticks and saw the chicken teriyaki, the flavors melted in my mouth as I chewed on it.

"It's delicious." I smiled and continued to eat my food.

"I'm glad you like it." Aoi seemed proud, but she should be. She's a really good cook and I enjoy her cooking every time.

"Oh no, I forgot to bring the snacks I wanted you to try."

"I'll go get it back in the classroom"

I nodded at Aoi.

"Okay, come back quick." I said.

As Aoi went to fetch back the snacks she left, I stayed under the oak tree, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the school garden.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed when someone walked by and dropped a water bottle right in front of me. Startled, I looked up and saw a boy with kind eyes and messy dark red hair bending down to pick it up. His expression was warm, and he smiled at me as he straightened up.

"Sorry," he said casually.

"Kanao, isn't it?"

"Yes," I replied.

"I saw you earlier in the classroom, I'm impressed that you got perfect marks on English."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to respond. He waited for my response and his smile widened slightly, as if recognizing me from somewhere. The convenience store.

Silently, I pulled out my coin from my pocket.

"What is that?" He seemed intrigued.

Just when I was about to flip it, Aoi returned shortly after, breaking my thoughts with her energetic presence.

"Got them!" she exclaimed, holding up the snacks while walking towards here.

"You can call me Tanjiro, let's talk another time." my attention was back to him as he said that.

I smiled faintly and nodded quietly. Tanjiro started walking away since Aoi was almost back. He had tried to talk to me, but I hadn't been able to respond. Now I thought that I shouldn't have done that.

"Did I disturb you guys?" Aoi asked, noticing my subdued demeanor.

"Nope.."

Maybe. If I had more time to process and decide, maybe I would have been able to talk with him and make a new friend. But there's always a next time. For now, I was content just being here with Aoi, enjoying the calm surroundings of my new high school.