ℍ𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕚𝕤 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨

Chapter 1

As Yoshika was leaving the Yukimura household, she was stopped by her brother, Seiichi Yukimura, who seemed to be confused as to what she was doing.

"What are you doing Yoshi?" Seiichi asked.

Yoshika turned away from her brother, her tears hidden as her hair casted a shadow over her face. Reluctantly, she responded in a hushed whisper, "I'm leaving."

The room went silent, yet neither of them dared to speak. It was like the tension was visible to the siblings, neither of them wanting to say anything. Yoshika hadn't the guts to look her brother in the eyes; fearful of his reaction. Yet, there was none. She took his silence as an answer of rejection and disgust in her decisions. She didn't want to stand there much longer and quickly made her way out of the house.

Maneuvering to slide past her stunned brother, she quickly made her way out the door. Quickly hailing a taxi, she gave him the address and as she was heading to her new apartment, she used the time to reflect. As she left, the memories flooded her mind and she had second-guessed herself, but quickly decided against it.

After a few minutes of driving, Yoshika was at her destination, paying the taxi driver as she then went to the trunk to grab her luggage and enter her new apartment. It's design was simple and held the necessities, plus the rent wasn't too bad on her funds either.

It had cream-colored walls with oak borders. The floor was polished wood and to the left was a kitchen and a door that led to what was she guessed to be the bathroom. In the bedroom, there was a simple cot with a desk and a few ceiling lights.

She quickly unpacked all her things before deciding to leave to tour the new neighborhood and area. On her way, there was a takoyaki stand that caught her attention. She bought a few before continuing on her walk.

After a few more minutes of wandering, she felt it was about time to head back home. As she was heading home, she passed by what she recognized as her new school and decided to drop by to see the principal for her uniform since she previously didn't have the time to do so. She walked through the school aimlessly in search of a person that could lead her to the director's office.

As she continued to wander the halls and floors of the school, she realized that she was walking around the tennis courts. While she looked at the tennis courts, she quickly took notice of a tall and stoic teenager who seemed to be out of it, upset even. She could tell he was trying to mask it, but it was like she could see through the supposed "mask" and saw the pained and sorrowful look that he held. She decided to make an attempt in helping him out a bit...

"H-Hi. Are you okay?" Yoshika asked gingerly. The teen looked up from his spot on the bench to see Yoshika who looked at him with a worry-filled face.

"I-I'm fine. Who are you? I haven't seen you around campus and you're not wearing the uniform," the guy trailed off, his eyes wandering from her face to her clothes and back up to meet her gentle gaze.

Yoshika gave him a small smile and replied, "that's because I haven't gotten the uniform yet. I just enrolled here and I need help finding the principal's office, though I saw how you seemed a bit down. I want to help you more than letting you struggle alone."

In a way, it seemed to have cheered him up a bit as he gave her a slight smile but oddly enough, it vanished as fast as it had come. "Thank you for your kindness," He bowed, "I'm Tezuka Kunimitsu. Year 3."

Yoshika smiled as she bowed, introducing herself to him as well, "I'm Yoshika. Enrolling to be a year 3 student."

"As repayment, I'll show you where the office is," Tezuka offered.

"Sure! That would be greatly appreciated..." Yoshika agreed with an eager nod.

It was almost as if Tezuka had forgotten his past problems as he stood up and began walking towards the direction of the office. Yoshika quickly followed, catching up enough to be in-step with the stoic teen.

They walked together to the office, light chatter being made here and there as they walked the empty halls. For once, Yoshika felt that she had a real friend. Someone that wouldn't look down at her for being the sister of Seiichi Yukimura. Someone who would like Yoshika for being herself and not judging her at first glance.

Arriving at the office, Yoshika turned around to thank Tezuka for his help, but Tezuka had noticed that someone was watching them and he was frowning. Yoshika noticed his off-set eyes and decided to look in the direction that Tezuka's eyes lingered in, seeing a blue fabric behind one of the potted plants.

She turned back to Tezuka as she thought of a great idea. "Tezuka!" she called.

Tezuka turned in her direction, a confused look on his face. She motioned for him to lean down a bit and he obliged, Yoshika whispering something into his ear. He nodded and stood up straight again and Yoshika walked into the office, leaving Tezuka out with the mysterious person.

In the office, Yoshika chatted with the principal about her classes and such, picking up her uniform while she was there. She then walked out the office, the principal bidding her farewell as she left.

When she turned around from closing the office door, she heard a thud behind her. She turned around to see that it was...