It's the first day of high school, and as usual the teacher decides to make everyone introduce themselves. A parade of students do so; most you recognize from middle school. Then, a beautiful girl stands up and shuffles to the front of the class.

"My name is Saki Yoshida..." she says, her voice soft. "My hobbies are reading and gaming—er, I mean, shopping. Nice to meet you all."

She anxiously sweeps her eyes across the class as the room erupts in whispers.

Woah...they're whispering like crazy, she thinks desperately. Did they see through me? That I'm just trying to be a normal person? Did I...mess up? Is it impossible for me?

With these glum thoughts plaguing her mind, she hurries back to her seat.

Saki glances at you, hoping against hope that her wish to make friends has been heard. She's silent, waiting for you to say something...anything. Her heart races in anticipation and fear, as she wonders what you might think of her.

Saki looks up at you, her eyes wide with surprise and relief. "R-really? N-nice to meet you too...Raitz." Her voice is quiet and hesitant, but she can't help the little shy smile that spreads across her face.

Saki feels her face heat up at the same time as you, smiling even more brightly. "Y-yes! I'd like that." She takes a seat beside you, carefully setting her books down on the desk. Her heart is racing with hope and excitement now. Maybe today won't be so bad after all...

"I-I...um..." Saki's cheeks flush with embarrassment as she trails off, looking down at her lap. "W-well, it's just that sometimes I feel like being different is kind of lonely." She hesitates before continuing. "And I thought maybe if I made some friends who liked the same things I did...then maybe they wouldn't mind me for who I am..."

Her voice is small and pleading, revealing her true desires and fears.

Saki listens intently to your words, her expression shifting between surprise and hope as you share your thoughts about being different. It's the first time anyone has ever told her that it might not be such a bad thing. "I-I guess I never really thought about it like that..." she whispers, looking up at you with wide eyes.

She smiles softly and leans in closer to you, their shoulders brushing together. "T-thanks for talking to me like this...it means a lot." Saki's heart races with excitement and anticipation, feeling more connected to you than anyone else she's met so far today.

Maybe being herself isn't so terrible after all? Maybe she can find happiness and acceptance with someone who understands her unique interests and quirks...She wonders if this is what it feels like to have a friend.

She giggles softly, feeling more comfortable with your gentle encouragement and curiosity about her interests. "Well," she says, leaning back in her seat as she remembers one of her favorite games. "I used to play this really old-school RPG on my computer...it's called Shining Force. I played through it like a hundred times!" She grins, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"And you?" she asks, glancing at you hopefully, wanting to know more about the person who is now becoming her first true friend in high school.

"Oh! I've heard of that!" Saki exclaims, her face lighting up with interest. "I bet Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer would make a really cute couple...if they were real people," she adds softly, blushing slightly. It feels good to be able to talk about something she loves without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Saki looks at you with grateful eyes, already feeling a sense of closeness and camaraderie forming between the two of them. Maybe high school won't be as terrible as she thought it would be...maybe today is the beginning of something really special?

"They're both great characters," Saki agrees with a smile, nodding thoughtfully. "But I think you're right--they do suit each other better." She looks down at her desk for a moment, then back up at Raitz. "Thanks again for talking to me about this...I never expected someone to understand what I meant when I said I liked being different. It feels nice to finally have someone who gets it."

Her heart swells with happiness and hope, grateful for the connection she's making with you today. Maybe everything will work out just fine after all? She can only hope...

She blushes slightly and looks away before responding, trying to gather her thoughts. "I-I'd like that," she says softly, smiling up at you. The thought of spending more time with someone who understands and appreciates her is truly invigorating, making her heart race with anticipation for what might come next in this new friendship.

Maybe today won't turn out so badly after all? Maybe there's hope for a brighter tomorrow? She can only imagine the possibilities...and she hopes they will both be good ones.

As they exit the school grounds, Saki Yoshida looks around excitedly, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling world outside of class. She clutches her bag tightly, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation as she walks beside Raitz. Her eyes light up when she sees a small café nearby, its warm interior beckoning like a refuge from the cold autumn air. "Ooh, can we go there?" she asks, pointing toward it eagerly.

"That place looks nice," Raitz agrees with a nod, leading her over to the café. They find a cozy table in the corner and order some drinks while they discuss their favorite video game characters and plot out possible adventures for them together. Saki feels as though she's finally found where she belongs - surrounded by people who understand and accept her just as she is, with no judgments or pretense.

She leans in closer to Raitz, feeling a new sense of confidence and contentment wash over her. Maybe this really can be the beginning of something special...something that will last for a long time to come.

"Really?" she exclaims, her eyes wide with excitement. "I've always wanted to try it! But I was never sure if people would want to play with me because...well, you know..." Her voice trails off as she looks down at the table, suddenly feeling self-conscious again.

Raitz gives her a reassuring smile and pats her hand gently. "Don't worry about that. I'd love to play with you anytime." The warmth in his voice makes Saki feel safe and protected, as if nothing else matters when she's with him. For the rest of the afternoon, they talk nonstop about video games, sharing stories of their favorite characters and strategies while lost in each other's company. It feels too good to be true...but somehow, it is.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden light across the city skyline, Saki Yoshida knows that she has found something truly special here today: not just a friend, but someone who truly understands her on a level she never thought possible. She can't help but wonder if this feeling will last...but for now, she intends to enjoy every moment of it while she still can.

She blushes as well, surprised and touched by your words. "Me too," she whispers softly, looking down at her hands folded on the tabletop. "I had so much fun today...it really means a lot that you want to spend time with me." Her heart feels like it's about to burst from happiness, relief, and excitement all mixed together in one overwhelming sensation.

For the rest of the evening, they linger at the café, talking until well past their curfew. Neither of them seems to mind the late hour or the chilly autumn air; they're both wrapped up in each other and the connection that they share, so strong it feels almost tangible. As Saki Yoshida walks home with Raitz under the starry sky, she can't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future begin to flicker within her heart. Perhaps things might not turn out so badly after all...perhaps there really is someone who understands her and cares for her, even in this new, strange world known as high school. She resolves to cherish every moment spent with Raitz, knowing that the memories they'll make together will last a lifetime.

As she walks and talks with Raitz under the starry sky, Saki realizes that her house is just around the corner. She can feel a mixture of anticipation and nervousness building up inside her; being so close to home means she'll have to say goodbye soon. But at the same time, she doesn't want this perfect evening to end yet either.

"Yeah, it's just down here," she says quietly, pointing toward a well-lit house with cozy lights shining through the windows. "Thank you for walking me home...it means so much to me." Her heart races as they approach her doorstep; she doesn't want their time together to end, but knows that they'll have plenty more adventures together in the days ahead.

With a final, shy smile at Raitz, Saki reaches for the doorknob and opens the door, stepping inside and out of the warm glow of friendship and acceptance they've shared all evening. But even as she closes the door behind her, she can't help but feel a pang of longing as Raitz's voice drifts softly through the open window...their laughter mixing with the gentle whisper of the night breeze.

As Saki sits down beside Raitz in class, she can't help but smile to herself, feeling a warm glow of happiness and contentment filling her heart. Even though it's only been one day since they met, it feels like they've known each other forever; their connection is that strong. She glances at Raitz out of the corner of her eye, noticing how he seems more confident today, almost as if he's glowing from within.

Their interactions throughout class are marked by subtle nods and knowing glances, hidden whispers about their shared favorite games and inside jokes that only they understand. It feels incredible to have someone who gets her, who doesn't judge her for being different or weird. In fact, Raitz seems to appreciate those very qualities that made Saki feel like an outcast before meeting him.

As the class progresses and their shared bond grows stronger with every passing minute, Saki can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. Will they spend time together after school? Maybe explore some new places or try out that MMORPG Raitz mentioned yesterday? The possibilities are endless...and for once in her life, she feels like anything is possible. She can't wait to see where this new friendship will take them both.

She leans in closer to him during a particularly interesting lecture, not wanting to miss a single word but unable to resist the urge to feel his presence nearby. "Do you think we'll ever find out what really happened between those two characters in that game?" she whispers conspiratorially, her heart racing with excitement at the thought of sharing this secret moment with Raitz. As he glances at her from the corner of his eye, a tiny smile playing on his lips, she knows they'll figure it out together - just like everything else now seems possible.

Maybe we could even write our own fanfiction about it...or create some artwork? I always loved drawing the main character's costumes. The idea of sharing that with someone makes me feel so happy...and it would be even better if that person was you, Raitz. You understand me in a way no one else does...it feels like we were meant to be friends.

Her cheeks flush with pleasure at his touch and she leans into the hug gratefully. "Of course we can! I don't have any plans after school today, so we can spend all afternoon doing whatever you want." She takes a deep breath, feeling more confident and content than ever before in her life. With Raitz by her side, nothing else seems to matter anymore; they are their own little world where everything makes sense and feels right.

As the class continues, she finds herself lost in thought about all the amazing things they'll create together. Maybe one day they'll even become professional game designers or artists, creating masterpieces that will touch people's hearts all around the world...just like Raitz touched hers on their first day of high school. The possibilities are endless and exhilarating, and she can't wait to see where this new journey together takes them both.