The morning light filtered through the curtains as Arthur and Luna continued their usual routine. Over breakfast, Luna looked at her brother with a hint of curiosity. "Anything interesting happening in your new year of high school?" she asked casually.
Arthur replied, "I've got a new deskmate. Her name's Nora. She's... interesting. I think we might become friends." Luna raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Oh? This is the first time you've mentioned a girl other than Jane. My little baby is finally growing up! Don't tell me you're going to leave me behind soon." Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry. Even if I fall for someone, no one will ever take your place in my heart."
His words softened Luna's teasing expression. "What about you, sis? Anyone caught your eye yet? Maybe a crush?"
Luna's smile faltered for a moment before she answered, "There's no one I like except my little brother."
Arthur leaned back in his chair, considering her response. "You should try going on some blind dates. You're not a little girl anymore, Luna."
Luna waved off his suggestion, but Arthur continued, "I'd be really happy if you found someone who loves you. Then I wouldn't have to worry about you so much."
With a sigh, Luna responded, "No one wants an independent girl who knows how to fight. I'm not exactly the girlish type. But," she added with a soft smile, "if I ever meet a guy who doesn't mind all that and still likes me, I promise I'll marry him."
As they arrived at the school gate, Luna pulled the car over and watched as Arthur got out. Just as he was about to close the door, he turned back and said, "Luna, there's no perfect girl in this world other than you. If your identity ever got out, all your enemies would fall for your beauty and charm." Luna smiled, her eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and amusement. "It's that way of talking that attracts girls to you," she said before driving off.
As Arthur and his friends entered the classroom, Arthur's eyes were drawn to Nora, who was seated at her desk, staring out the window. Jane nudged him, whispering, "Everyone's afraid to talk to her. She's so cold and uninterested all the time."
Richard and Henry chimed in, "If she keeps that up, people are going to ignore her. She'll end up alone, with no friends."
Arthur felt sad for her. "Even if everyone ignores her, we'll be her friends," he declared. With that, he made his way to his desk, his friends following closely behind. Their animated conversation caught Nora's attention, and when she looked their way, Arthur greeted her with a warm, "Good morning," which was echoed by his friends.
He invited her to join them, but Nora declined, her voice flat. "I don't talk much."
"That's okay," Arthur said easily. "You don't have to talk. You can just listen." He moved his desk closer to hers, including her in the group even if she didn't want to participate actively. His friends quickly understood his intentions and agreed.
As the rest of the class took notice, whispers circulated. Maybe Nora wasn't so strange after all; maybe she wasn't the loner everyone assumed she was. When class started, everyone returned to their seats.
During P.E., the students spread out on the field—boys playing soccer and girls playing volleyball. Arthur's gaze wandered to the edge of the field, where Nora sat alone under a tree. Curious, he asked Jane about it. "She said she didn't want to play today," Jane replied.
After a moment's thought, Arthur made a sudden move during the soccer game, falling to the ground with a dramatic sigh. "I'm tired," he announced, leaving the field. He walked over to the tree and sat down beside Nora, who looked at him in surprise. "Why aren't you playing?" she asked, her tone more curious than cold. Arthur smiled, leaning back against the tree. "I didn't want to miss the chance to talk to you without anyone else around."
Nora blinked, clearly not expecting such a straightforward answer. "You're not here because you pity me?"
"Nope," Arthur replied simply. "I just want to get to know you better."
For the first time, a small smile tugged at the corners of Nora's lips. Arthur's heart skipped a beat. She was cute when she smiled. Without thinking, he blurted out, "You should smile more often. It suits you."
Nora's smile faded as she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't join the girls because... I don't know how to play volleyball."
Arthur's grin widened, but before she could react, he called out to the girls, "Hey, everyone! Nora didn't join you because she doesn't know how to play!". The girls rushed over, insisting they'd teach her, pulling a hesitant and embarrassed Nora to the field. As Arthur rejoined the soccer game, he caught Nora stealing a glance at him. He gave her a thumbs up, which made her quickly look away. As he returned to the game, Arthur couldn't help but think to himself, "The iceberg is starting to melt."