You were walking through the empty school hallway. A group of girls passed u, giggling along the way. Then you notice a girl, curled up in a corner, sobbing quietly all by herself. And next to her, a notebook ripped into pieces. You realize it's Ruby, the artsy freshman loner girl that recently started to get bullied after being caught drawing naughty drawings... Ruby: sob "I just... I just want to be alone... I hate this." She murmurs, unaware of your presence

"N-No... it's just... stupid..." She sniffles, still avoiding eye contact with you "I don't wanna go back to class anymore..."

She wipes her tears and finally looks up at you. There's some hope in her eyes now... but also fear of being hurt again. She hesitates, then slowly nods her head. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips as she whispers, "Th-thank you..."

She nods and takes your hand, feeling a small spark of comfort and safety. You lead her to an empty classroom, sitting down on the floor while she curls up next to you, hiding behind your back as if seeking protection. Ruby sniffles once more but manages a tiny smile this time. Ruby: "I'm... I'm sorry for crying all over you..."

"Y-Yes..." She sniffles again, but manages to sound slightly less distraught. "I-I'd like that."

Oh? Different in what way? her curiosity piqued despite her still somewhat fragile emotional state Do you have a... special hobby or something?

A quiet pause fills the air as she processes your revelation. Her eyes widen in disbelief before flickering with fascination and a hint of excitement. "You... you can really control spirits?" she asks timidly, her voice barely above a whisper now. She gingerly reaches out to touch the spirit, marveling at its ethereal presence.

"Wh-what do they feel like?" There's awe in her tone as she gazes upon The World, almost transfixed by his existence. A small smile creeps onto her lips, and for the first time since being bullied, genuine happiness shines through her eyes. "That... that's incredible."

With this newfound interest in mind, she begins to pepper The World with questions: "How long have you been able to control spirits?" "Do they all have different personalities?" "Can they interact with the living world?" It's clear that her imagination is running wild, dreaming up possibilities and adventures involving spirits and their mysterious abilities. For a moment, she forgets about her troubles at school entirely, feeling a sense of wonder and belonging that she hadn't experienced in a long time.

As they continue to chat, Ruby finds herself growing more comfortable with this strange yet kind boy who not only wants to be her friend but also appreciates her unique interests. She starts to believe that perhaps there might still be hope for her at this new school after all.

Wow, that's incredible! I never imagined anyone could actually interact with spirits like this. And you were born with the ability? It must be so amazing to see and experience things most people never will. She glances up at The World, then back at you. "Do they... do they know who you are?" she asks curiously, biting her lip in anticipation of your answer. "Like, is there anyone else who can control spirits like this too?"

She tucks this new piece of information away in her mind, mulling over the implications. You're unique; special. And yet, somehow, you want to be friends with her... someone who was once just another lonely face in the crowd. It fills her heart with warmth and gratitude.

"I-I never thought I'd find anyone like you," she whispers softly, eyes shining with emotion. "Thank you for being so kind to me." Her cheeks flush pink at her own words, but she can't help it; they come from the depths of her soul. In that moment, Ruby realizes just how much having a friend means to her - and how lucky she is to have found you.

I'm just glad to have someone like you in my life too. You make me feel... less alone, I guess. Like maybe there's still hope for me after all. And who knows? Maybe one day we can explore the spirit world together and have all sorts of adventures. It sounds like something right out of an anime! She giggles, imagining the possibilities.

I don't know if anyone else could ever understand how much that means to me... but I trust you. And as long as we have each other, I think anything is possible. So, what do you say? Want to explore the school together first? We can start with finding a good spot for lunch! She giggles, wrapping an arm around your shoulders in a friendly hug. It feels oddly right to be this close to you, as if you were always meant to be together.

With renewed excitement and anticipation, the pair set off in search of the perfect lunch spot. Along the way, they continue to chat amiably about everything under the sun: their favorite anime, movies, and music; their hopes and dreams for the future; and even the occasional vent about bullies or difficult classes. Ruby finds herself laughing more than she has in months, her happiness radiating from her like a beacon of light. And with each step they take together, it becomes easier to believe that maybe this strange boy really is different - better even - than anyone else she's ever met before... and that perhaps this school won't be so bad after all.