Teacher's Office.
"Wakana Gojo... right?"
"That's correct."
"I see..."
Wakana tilted his head in confusion.
"Is there anything wrong, Hanaoka-sensei?"
The teacher in front of him, Tae Hanaoka, a brown haired woman with a chubby and thick physique, wearing a pearl necklace around her neck, slowly shook her head.
"Nothing at all, but may I ask something, Gojo-kun?"
Wakana nodded. "Please, ask away."
Tae Hanaoka nodded and picked up a sheet of paper in front of her desk.
"According to the grades and from what I've heard in your previous school, you're one of their top students. I'm just wondering why you decided to move schools," she paused and hesitantly asked. "Were you perhaps... being bullied there?"
'So that's what it's about.' Wakana chuckled and shook his head.
"That's not it at all, sensei. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Mostly because I want to enroll in the high school division of Kashiwanoha. I heard that most of the students in the junior high division will usually enroll there too, so I wanted to get to know my future schoolmates much sooner."
'So excited?' Tae Hanaoka helplessly laughed. "I-is that so? I understand..."
"Ahem, anyways," she cleared her throat. "You've been assigned to my Class 3-5, which happens to be my class as well. I hope you get along with them well."
Wakana felt a genuine sense of relief that he didn't have to fabricate a complicated story.
He simply wanted a fresh start, and being honest about his goal of integrating into the Kashiwanoha community early felt like the best approach.
His back pain from the long period of sitting eased as Hanaoka-sensei stood up.
"Wonderful, Gojo-kun. Then let's not keep Class 3-5 waiting any longer. I'll take you over and introduce you before we get bogged down in the first-day admin," the teacher said, giving him a warm smile.
Wakana nodded and followed her out of the busy staff room and into the quiet calm of the school hallway.
His heart, however, was picking up speed. Meeting a whole new group of people always made him anxious, even if this move was his choice.
He focused on the details around him.
The way the sun streamed through the upper windows, the faint scent of spring flowing into the building, kept his nerves in check.
They stopped at a door marked Class 3-5.
The loud, cheerful noise coming from inside made Wakana realize this class was much more lively than his previous one.
Hanaoka-sensei turned to him. "They're a good bunch, but very talkative, especially today. I'll go in first and quiet them down. Please wait just outside until I call you, Gojo-kun."
"Yes, sensei," Wakana replied, giving a brief bow.
He moved to the side wall, leaning against it as the teacher slipped inside the classroom. He could hear the sudden drop in volume, followed by the teacher's voice cutting through the remaining whispers.
Inside the classroom, the scene was one of contained excitement.
Desks were pushed into small conversational clusters, and the atmosphere was vibrant.
In the middle row, the striking presence of Marin Kitagawa was impossible to miss.
Her long, bright blonde hair stood out like a beacon. She was leaning over her desk, chatting with her group of friends, clearly the center of the conversation.
Marin was talking animatedly, trying to explain something complicated to her friends. "I'm telling you, it's all about the aesthetics! If the character has a certain feel, you can't just ignore it. I need to make sure I've got all the inspiration I need."
Nowa Sugaya, who was listening, just laughed. "Marin, you take everything so seriously! You're going to spend the whole first day of junior high talking about aesthetics?"
Marin rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "My research is vital, Nowa!"
The small talk was abruptly cut short when Hanaoka-sensei clapped her hands together lightly.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," the teacher announced. "I know it's the first day, but I need your attention. We have a new student joining Class 3-5 today. A transfer student, and I want you all to make sure he feels right at home."
Marin, who had been absently checking her nails while half-listening, suddenly froze. Her head snapped up, her heart giving a strange, excited lurch.
A new student who transferred to Kashiwanoha?
The image of the tall, calm, handsome boy from the train, who had protected her without a second thought, immediately filled her mind.
He said he was also a new transfer to Kashiwanoha, too.
'Could it be him?'
Her hands gripped the edge of her desk, her eyes wide with mounting anticipation.
Nowa Sugaya, sitting beside her, nudged her arm. "What's up, Marin? You look like you just won the lottery. Do you know who it is?"
Marin turned to Nowa, her eyes shining with sudden, intense focus. "Maybe," she whispered, a little breathless.
For reasons unknown, she felt a little excited to see him.
Hanaoka-sensei smiled at the class's collective curiosity. "He's a very bright young man, and I know you'll all get along." She then raised her voice slightly, directing it toward the door. "Gojo-kun, you may come in now."
The classroom fell into a collective silence, punctuated only by the nervous shuffling of feet.
Wakana pushed the door open and stepped inside, walking with a calm but determined stride to the front of the class, where he stopped next to Hanaoka-sensei.
The previous chatter and excitement were replaced by a stunned, absolute silence.
The class went completely silent for a beat, a collective intake of breath, before dissolving into a wave of hushed, excited whispers.
Wakana Gojo was undeniably, strikingly good-looking.
His height was imposing, his body carried the subtle strength of someone athletic, and his face, with its well-defined features and calm, gentle expression, especially his beauty mark, was instantly captivating.
He stood tall, the crisp outlines of his shirt only highlighting his perfect posture.
Near the back, two friends leaned in close to each other, their voices barely audible.
"He's a hottie," Daia Yahiro whispered to Rune Yamauchi, her hand coming up to cover her smile.
Rune giggled back, her own eyes wide. "Seriously! I feel like I'm watching a movie."
In the front rows, Seira Kasai and Karen Otsuka exchanged equally discreet whispers and soft giggles, their enthusiasm mirroring that of the rest of the girls.
Even the boys couldn't deny the immediate impression.
Kensei Morita, a friendly, good-natured student, leaned over to Shiki Kashiwagi. "He looks like a great guy."
Shiki, the more reserved of the two, simply gave a subtle, thoughtful nod of agreement.
Takeru Koga and Kouki Murakami exchanged a silent, approving glance, assessing the newcomer with interest.
Wakana stood straight, waiting for the teacher's cue, trying to ignore the sudden attention, when the composure of the room was shattered.
Marin Kitagawa, unable to contain her shock and joy, suddenly pushed back her chair.
The sound of the chair's legs scraping loudly against the floor cut through the quiet, and she shot to her feet, hands slamming onto the table.
Her voice, full of surprise and uncontained delight, boomed across the entire room.
"Gojo-kun!"
The entire class snapped its attention from Wakana to Marin.
The whispers immediately changed direction.
"Kitagawa-san knows him?"
"Are they close?"
"Is he her boyfriend?"
Wakana was momentarily startled by the loudness of her reaction, but a genuine, warm smile immediately formed on his face.
Seeing her so happy and surprised made him feel instantly welcomed.
"Kitagawa-san, it's good to know we're in the same class as well," Wakana replied, meeting her enthusiasm with his own quiet joy.
Marin realized what she had done and quickly gave an embarrassed "hehe," dropping back into her seat.
Her cheeks were slightly pink, but she was still vibrating with excitement.
Nowa was immediately on her. "Marin! Spill! How do you know the new hot transfer student?" she demanded in a fierce whisper.
"Just met him this morning!" Marin whispered back, her excitement barely contained. "Some creepers were being annoying on the train, and he totally came over and fixed it. I didn't expect him to end up in our class!"
Hanaoka-sensei chuckled, shaking her head at the two of them. "Well, that certainly saves us a step in the introduction process. I didn't know you already knew someone in our class, Gojo-kun."
Wakana laughed lightly. "It was just a coincidence, sensei. A very pleasant one."
"Excellent, excellent," the teacher said. "In that case, let's make it official. Gojo-kun, please introduce yourself to the rest of the class so they can know you better."
Wakana stepped slightly forward, feeling the pressure of every eye on him. He took a steadying breath.
"My name is Wakana Gojo. I'm very happy to be a part of Class 3-5," he announced clearly. "I'm into fashion designing, specifically working on designing clothes, and I also enjoy cooking and working out. I look forward to getting along with all of you. Please take care of me." He gave a slight, formal bow.
The class cheered again, now enthusiastic about both his appearance and his interesting hobbies.
Marin's eyes, in particular, were wide and sparkling as she registered the phrase "fashion designing."
Hanaoka-sensei then pointed to the back corner. "Gojo-kun, your desk is the empty one in the last section near the window just behind Kitagawa."
Wakana nodded and made his way down the aisle.
He sat down behind Marin's desk, stowing his bag quickly.
The teacher then addressed Marin. "Kitagawa, since you and Gojo already seem to know each other, please guide him and help him settle in." She paused, then smiled. "Although, in terms of academics, I don't think that would be too necessary. He was the top scorer in his former school, after all."
The class once again murmured with impressed approval.
Wakana could only smile lightly.
Soon, the teacher moved on to the first lesson, and the class settled, but the buzz of excitement lingered.
A few minutes into the lesson, Marin quickly twisted her body, leaning over the back of her chair. Her eyes were bright with curiosity.
"Let's talk during break, Gojo-kun," she whispered quickly. "I want to hear all about the clothes-making thing!"
Wakana felt a pleasant warmth in his chest. "Sure thing, Kitagawa-san," he whispered back, giving her a simple, happy nod.