너는 최고야 ! [ You Are The Best ! ]

03. you'll be lucky to make a friend on your first day

"How is your new school? Did you make any friends?" Quietly, the dark haired woman stepped into her granddaughter's room. Her brown eyes softened at the sight of the young girl laying in bed with her dog. Looks like this was enough of an answer to her question, but Kim didn't want to leave things at that. She closed the door beside herself and sat on the edge of Park's canopy bed.

"I know it's scary. . . But you'll meet some nice friends soon, I promise." Kim smiled softly, patting the girl's head. Park blinked her eyes before sitting up, a small frown marring her features.

"It's so big and there's so many kids. . ." Park mumbled, shifting closer to the woman to rest her head on her shoulder. Cho had even woken up to join the two as well, snuggling up beside Park again. The white haired girl sighed, running her fingers through his fluffy white fur. "And there's no other girls that wear the boys uniform!!"

"But you really liked it, why change your mind now?" Kim chuckled, wrapping an arm around the little one. "Don't let others scare you into being someone else. . . How about this, promise me that you'll join a club!"

"What--?" Park furrowed her brows. "No, I don't want to. . ."

"Pick a small one, something you like!" The raven haired woman chirped. "Like art club, or book club or k-drama club."

"Halmeoni. . ." The young girl frowned, sinking in her place. K-drama club? That probably didn't even exist. Though, the bright look in her grandmother's eyes gave her motivation. So, she made a promise. She'd join a club and make some friends, it couldn't be that hard right?

The next day, early in the morning; Park grabbed her things and slipped on her shoes. "I'm going to school! Bye Cho!" She waved off her grandparents and gave Cho a scratch behind his ear before rushing out. Locking the door behind herself, she skipped down the front porch steps and carried onto the sidewalk. A few feet behind her was another student heading to Raimon, it looked like they lived on the same street. He'd seen her leave the house and everything, perfectly remembering her face from the other day.

"Hey. . . !" The tealette called out to her. She'd looked over her shoulder and watched him catch up, completely oblivious as of to who he was. Though, she recognized his uniform and didn't react badly. "You're a new student, right?" He had a rather gently voice, and charming features. Long teal hair that framed his face perfectly despite covering half of it. His eyes were a soft hazel, matching his warm smile. The fact that he was good looking was even more unsettling.

"U-uhm, yes, that's right." Park muttered, trying to avoid eye contact but not seem rude at the same time. "How did you know?"

"Oh, I see," He chuckled, rubbing at the back of his neck. "We're in the same class."

"O-oh, gosh, I'm so sorry. I must have forgotten--" embarrassed, she bowed her head in apology.

"No, that's alright!" The tealette waved a hand in dismissal. "I didn't get to introduce myself anyways. . ." With that, he offered a hand. "Kazemaru Ichirouta."

"It's nice to meet you. . ." With a small, forced smile, Park shook his hand with both of her own. She had such small hands in comparison, and the gesture was painfully cute. "My name is Park Mio."

As kind as this boy was, Park silently wished he'd just go away.

So after classes, she'd get up and leave immediately. He never got the chance to speak with her, it was almost like she was purposefully avoiding him. Kazemaru would see her every day after classes walking home while he was with the track team. Running his laps, he'd watch her on school grounds until she disappeared. Maybe she just didn't like him. . .

One day he'd caught her talking to another boy and a girl. Kazemaru came to a complete halt, frowning to himself. It was that loud brown haired kid that was running around lately looking for members, apparently his soccer club was a bust and he needed a few more players to make an actual team. So far he'd gotten no one, but he still ran around with that sign.

If Park had let Kazemaru get closer to her, then he'd have suggested she joined the track team. Now that other kid seemed to have coaxed her away. For some reason she was smiling at them, but she wouldn't genuinely smile at him. She was friendly, and even laughed at one of that boy's jokes. 

It wasn't fair.