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眠そうな少女 (sleepy girl)

Chapter 1- 眠そうな少女 (sleepy girl)

I made sure that I was awake bright and early so I wasn't late, praying to the Gods that nothing bad would happen today. Today I was starting afresh in a new school for my last year in high school. I had my lunch money and my uniform was faultless. I made sure all my equipment wasn't broken and had a thousand spare pens in case any broke or people wanted to borrow a pen (and never give it back).

6:00am, time to set off. It may seem early but trust me, it will take me an hour to get to school, and if not then at least I'm early.

Today was going to be a good day. I'd make it through the day with my head low, most definitely not drawing attention to myself. In fact, I'd make it through the whole year if I could without unnecessary attention. I'd just finish off my studies, move into a small cottage in the countryside and maybe do some calligraphy, enter some competitions, nothing big or fancy.

Amazingly, I made it to school with nothing happening. Maybe this town won't be as bad as the others.

I sweat dropped at the time.

6:20am

Of course no one would be in school at this time. All the more time for me to explore and get to grips with the layout of the school without students roaming. I wandered across the campus, making a mental note of the gym, the art block, the drama room and the canteen. Still with time to spare, I made my way to my classroom where I sat at the back corner, waiting for homeroom to start. I rested my head on my arms watching the sun rise above the hills and slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep.

☆

"Should we wake her?"

"She looks so cute!"

"What is she even doing here?"

I slowly came around to my senses and felt several people around me. I sat up, panicking. How long had I slept for?!

"Ah! She's awake!"

"Are you lost? This is a high school, juniors shouldn't be here." One of the boys asked.

"A-Ano! I'm a high school student! I'm supposed to be starting today!" I cried, standing up desperately.

"Eh?!"

"So small..!"

My face flushed a million shades of red as they all oohed and aahed or commented about my height. I was quite small for my age and was very self conscious about it.

"What were you doing sleeping here?"

"I came early and fell asleep! I think.." I explained, my voice getting quieter in embarrassment.

"Haha! You're so eager, it's only school!"

The students began to chatter about me, not to me. Then the teacher arrived and everyone scattered to their seats, looking back at me every so often. The teacher took the register, but my name was never called.

"A-Ano.." I raised my hand, the whole class looking back at me, intrigued what the girl who fell asleep has to say.

"Hello, I don't seem to recognise you? Are you new?" The teacher was confused and my cheeks burned red again.

"Y-Yes. You didn't call name..." I looked down at my feet, my neck and face growing hot again.

"Ah that's because you're in the wrong class! You're in class 3-1, this is class 3-2." The teacher explained, the students cracking up at my mistake.

"I'm so sorry! I'll be on my way!" I bowed frantically and dashed out the room, searching for the correct classroom.

"Bye sleepy girl!" I heard the class call.

'Great! I'm late to class and I also have my first nickname!'