The bell signaling the start of break rang, and chatter immediately filled the classroom once more.
Haruya, Nagisa, and Hazuki had gathered near their desks, catching up after their vacation, when two figures suddenly approached them.
The first was a petite girl with blonde hair that framed her face in soft strands, her orange eyes practically sparkling with energy.
She clasped her hands behind her back, standing on the tips of her shoes before speaking. "Hi! I'm Taira Tamao!" she chirped, her voice light and friendly.
Beside her stood a boy with light skin, neat black hair that spiked downward, and calm hazel eyes.
Compared to Tamao, his presence was quieter, almost grounding. He gave a small nod. "…And I'm Yuma Sudo," he introduced smoothly. "Taira's childhood friend."
Nagisa tilted her head, curious. "Nice to meet you both! Did you need something?"
Yuma gave a faint sigh and explained, "She dragged me here so it wouldn't be awkward introducing herself to a group. She especially wanted to be friends with you two girls." He gestured toward Nagisa and Hazuki, his tone slightly teasing.
"Eh?!" Tamao's cheeks flushed instantly.
She turned toward him and began smacking her fists lightly against his chest in frustration. "You didn't have to say it out loud, Yuma!"
The boy didn't even flinch, only shrugging at her flustered reaction.
Nagisa burst into laughter, covering her mouth. "That's so cute! Don't worry, Tamao-chan, we'd love to be friends."
Hazuki gave her usual soft smile. "If that's what you want, then of course. Let's get along."
"Yay!" Tamao practically jumped in place, her cheer drawing a few curious looks from nearby classmates.
Watching the scene unfold, Haruya chuckled to himself.
'More friends, huh?'
He remembered his quiet resolution not too long ago after returning to Tokyo.
To try and reach out more and to form closer bonds with others, while he still had time in elementary school.
"Well, count me in too," Haruya said, grinning lightly. "Friends, right?"
Tamao turned to him, nodding eagerly. "Mm-hm!"
"And you too, Sudo," Haruya added, meeting the boy's calm gaze.
Yuma studied him for a moment before returning a small, almost amused smile. "Sure. Why not."
The five of them, Nagisa, Hazuki, Haruya, and now Tamao, continued chatting happily, with Yuma quietly chiming in here and there.
The lively energy of their little group stood out amidst the larger sound surrounding their classroom, as if something new was beginning to take shape.
For Haruya, it felt like the start of something special.
And so, with cherry blossom petals drifting beyond the window, the first day of Class 6-B drew toward its end.
...
The final bell rang, releasing the students from their first day back. Groups of friends streamed out of the classroom, laughter echoing down the hallway.
Near the school gates, Tamao and Yuma were the first to wave goodbye.
"See you tomorrow!" Tamao called brightly, her voice carrying across the street.
She bounced on her toes as she waved both hands enthusiastically.
Beside her, Yuma lifted a hand in a small, reserved wave. "Later," he said simply, before following Tamao down the road.
Haruya, Nagisa, and Hazuki lingered just outside the gate, watching the pair walk ahead together.
"They seem really close, don't they?" Nagisa said, tilting her head thoughtfully. Her gaze lingered on Tamao's lively gestures as she chattered away to Yuma.
Hazuki nodded softly. "They've been friends since childhood. You can tell they're comfortable with each other."
Haruya chuckled, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Yeah, though it feels like Tamao's the one dragging him around most of the time. He looks too calm to ever keep up with her energy."
Nagisa giggled. "It's kind of cute, though. Like they balance each other out."
She then glanced at Haruya. "I think it's good that Tamao came to us first. She's the type who brings people together."
"True," Haruya agreed. His eyes followed the pair until they turned down the street. "And Sudo's the opposite... quiet, but steady. I get the feeling we'll be seeing more sides to him later."
Nagisa hummed in agreement. "Mhm, I'm glad we met them. I think our class is going to be really fun this year."
"I agree." Haruya and Hazuki nodded.
"Well then, let's go home." Haruya gestured as the two girls started to follow him to the exit.
Soon, Hazuki split from the group, going towards a different direction to her home.
And next, as the remaining pair reached a familiar fork in the road, it was finally time to split as well.
Nagisa ran forward towards her own direction, waving at Haruya, "See you tomorrow, Haruya-kun!"
Haruya nodded with a smile. "See you tomorrow, Nagisa-san. Be careful on the road."
As Haruya soon reached his manor and entered the big gates, he was greeted by a familiar blonde woman in a maid's clothing.
"Welcome back, Haruya-san. How was your first day of school today?"
The blonde woman, Hayasaka, asked.
Haruya thought for a while before answering, "It was better than I expected."
"Akari-san would be happy to hear that," she replied.
Hearing her mention his mother's name, Haruya suddenly remembered something.
"Oh yeah, how was the pastry we made for your niece? Did she like it?"
Hayasaka's smile grew a little wider as her eyes became more gentle. "My niece Ai loved it. She wishes to someday taste more of you and Akari-san's pastry again in the future."
'Her niece's name is Ai, huh.'
Haruya suddenly fell into a brief memory during the Shibazakura Festival in Chichibu, remembering the girl who forgot her glasses, Ai Mie.
'Isn't she also from Tokyo? I wonder how she's doing now,' suddenly remembering the girl's face that went close into his, staring him with her wide, beautiful eyes.
Hayasaka noticed that Haruya had suddenly fallen into his own thoughts, calling out to him. "Haruya-san? Is everything okay?"
Haruya snapped back to reality. "Ah, I apologize. Just remembered something. Tell your niece that if she and I both have free time, she can come visit us here in the manor. My mom and I can make something else for her."
The blonde woman shook her head, "That would be too intrusive of you and Akari-san's personal time... I can't have her do that."
Haruya grinned. "It's no problem. My mom and I would enjoy making pastry for someone who loves eating it. Your niece is always welcome here."
Hayasaka thought for a while and reluctantly nodded, "Thank you for your kindness, Haruya-san. I'll be sure to remember it."
"Don't mention it. I'll be going to my room now. Call me if my mom arrives home," Haruya waved his hand and headed inside the manor.
Looking at the young boy's fleeting back, Hayasaka softly sighed.
"He's grown up to be a wonderful boy, just like you wanted, Akari-san, Kenjiro-san."
Back in his room, Haruya leaped and plopped down into his large, soft bed.
He raised his phone above his head and stared at the two new names on his PINE friends list.
Taira Tamao and Yuma Sudo.
A grin had unknowingly crept up to his face, excited for the uncertain future.
Suddenly, a notification had popped up at the perfect time.
Menma: Haru, how was your first day? Me and the others had a blast today. We all ended up in the same class and celebrated at the secret base together for our first day.
She soon sent a photo of herself with a V pose selfie, with Anaru, Jinta, Poppo, Yukiatsu, and Tsuruko smiling in the background.
Staring at the photo for a while, Haruya also sent a photo taken during their class, with Nagisa, Hazuki, Taira, and Yuma posing with him.
Menma: Wow, are these your friends in Tokyo? They all look so nice! Especially the girl with purple hair, she looks so pretty!
Haruya: Yep. The two on the right, Tamao-san and Sudo-san, are new friends we made today. The girl on the left with blue hair is Hazuki, one of my long-time friends. The girl with purple hair is Nagisa, my first friend here in school.
Menma: I see... They seem nice! I'd like to meet them when I visit you!
Haruya: Sure, I'll introduce them to you when— wait, what? Visit when?
Menma: In the future, of course! I can't do that now, can I?
...
Menma, on the other side of the screen, wiped the nonexistent sweat on her forehead. "Almost revealed the surprise. Good thing I was able to give an excuse."
She looked and her phone screen for a while and put it close to her face with a smile.
'I can't wait to see you again, Haru!'