**Chapter 2 – The Strange Girl**
The blonde girl didn't look away from Dio, keeping a fascinated smile on her face.
The other children began whispering among themselves:
"It had to be Toga…"
"Two monsters attract each other…"
"Do you think they'll kill us?"
Hearing the whispers, Dio thought that perhaps he had found someone different like him. He approached the empty chair beside her.
"Hello, my name is Dio Brando. I saw the way you looked at me and I'd like to know why you're not afraid" he said.
"Hehe, I'm Himiko Toga. My quirk is Transformation: if I ingest someone's blood, I can transform into that person. And I'm not afraid of you because we're the same," she said with a smile. "We both need and like blood."
"Do you want to be my friend?" he asked quickly.
"Yes, of course!"
Dio was overjoyed. And so began a friendship between two young children rejected by others because of their quirks.
…
"Alright, children, school is over. You may go home with your parents" the teacher announced.
Dio stood up and left, talking with Toga. When he spotted his mother, his eyes lit up.
"Mom!"
"Dio!"
Jasmine was immensely happy to see that smile on her son's face.
"Mom, this is Toga, my first friend!" Dio said.
"Hello, Mrs. Brando" Toga said a bit shy.
Small tears of joy ran down Jasmine's cheeks. Her son had finally made a friend.
"Mom, are you okay?" Dio asked, worried.
"Yes, dear. I'm just happy you finally made a friend" Jasmine replied.
Dio then noticed Toga's sad expression as she looked around, searching for something.
"Toga, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing… it's just that my parents don't accept my quirk.They don't even talk to me properly... Seeing you with your mom… I got jealous…" Toga said, lowering her head.
Dio froze. Jasmine frowned in indignation.
*So young, and already rejected by her own parents because of her quirk? How cruel…* she thought.
"Sweetheart, don't be sad. Would you like to come play at our house? I'll take you home afterward" Jasmine said.
An instant smile lit up Toga's face.
"Yes! Please, miss!"
"You don't need to call me 'miss.' Just Jasmine is fine."
"Yes, miss… Jasmine!"
Jasmine smiled and took the children home.
…
"Bye, Toga! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye, Dio! See you tomorrow!"
"Son, I'll be right back. I'm taking Himiko-chan home" Jasmine said.
"Okay, Mom."
…
"Good night, Himiko-chan!"
"Good night, Auntie Jasmine."
Hours passed on the clock.
"You're finally back! Where were you?" Toga's father asked.
"Hi, Dad… I was at a friend's house" Toga replied.
"A friend? Who would be friends with a monster like you?" he said in a mocking tone.
Toga instantly lowered her head and ran to her room, holding back tears. Looking at the stars through the window, she asked herself: *What did I do wrong? Why does everyone hate me?*
But then she remembered a certain blond boy with bright crimson eyes. A joyful smile appeared on her face as she lay down to sleep, eager for the next day.
…
Dio and Toga's friendship grew stronger as the years went by.
Time passed quickly, and eight years went by. Now, both were about to enter elementary school.