Makoto and Haru walked into homeroom on the Monday morning the week after midyear exams. They both took their seats and waited for class to begin. "Hey Haru-chan, what do you think we're going to be learning next?" Makoto asked, looking at his best friend.
"I don't care. I want to swim," Haru replied, staring out the window at the sakura tree outside in the courtyard.
"Typical Haru-chan. Well, I hope it isn't advanced calculus," Makoto laughed. At that moment, Amakata-sensei entered the classroom, two teenagers following behind.
"Good morning class! Today, we have two new students joining us," she announced, turning to the two students. "This is Noriko Akane and Shiro Kimura. If you two could introduce yourselves to the the class, that would be wonderful,"
"Hey. The name's Akane. Girly name, but I'm a guy," Noriko said, smiling at the rest of the class. Noriko had red-orange hair, green eyes like Makoto's, and a sun-kissed complexion like he had a tan. He stood at about five foot ten and had broad shoulders that looked like they had been built up by a sport. Noriko looked very athletic. For his uniform, he wore a green tie, like Makoto and Haru.
"My name is Shiro. I have the name of a boy, but I am a girl. It is nice to meet you," Shiro whispered, barely heard by the other students. Shiro had silvery-blonde hair, blue eyes like Haru's that, Makoto noticed, were distant. She had pale skin, like Nagisa. She was about 5 feet, 6 ½ inches tall, Makoto estimated.
"Welcome, Noriko and Shiro!" the class welcomed. Amakata-sensei smiled at the new students and then at the class.
"Akane-kun, you will sit next to Tachibana-kun. Kimura-chan, you will be sitting next to Nanase-kun. Tachibana-kun, Nanase-kun, raise your hands so Akane-kun and Kimura-chan may find their seats," Amakata-sensei said, looking at the two boys in the back of the room.
"The new students get to sit back here with us! Isn't that great, Haru-chan?" Makoto asked, raising his hand.
"Stop adding chan to my name," Haru replied, also raising his hand.
Makoto laughed. "You'll never change, will you, Haru-chan?"
"Hm," came his answer.
Makoto watched as the two new students headed towards him and Haru, Noriko leading and Shiro following close behind. Noriko pulled out Shiro's chair and whispered something to her. She nodded and sat down, pulling her chair in. Noriko then took his seat next to Makoto. He turned to face his new classmate.
"Name's Noriko. Nice ta meet ya, Tachibana-kun," Noriko greeted, extending his hand to Makoto.
"You can call me Makoto if you'd like. Nice to meet you too, Noriko," Makoto replied, taking Noriko's hand in a firm shake.
"You've got a strong grip, Noriko," Makoto said, surprised.
"As do you, my friend. You work out?" Noriko asked, taking his hand back.
"Yes, I swim. I'm in the swim club with Haru-chan," Makoto answered, looking at the aforementioned swimmer, who was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook.
"Oh wow! That's cool. And a coincidence, seeing as I swim too," Noriko exclaimed, eyes shining. "I swim butterfly and breast. What do you swim?"
"I swim back," Makoto said, smiling. He looked over at Shiro. "I have a question. How do you know Kimura-chan?"
"That's a long story for another time. And, piece of advice, don't call her Kimura-chan. She hates being called by her last name. Haven't the slightest idea why, though. So, anyway, can I join the swim club?" Noriko advised.
"Sure-" Makoto started, only to be interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Both Makoto and Noriko turned to the source of the sound, only to see a very angry Amakata-sensei glowering at them.
"Is there something you want to share, Tachibana-kun, Akane-kun?" she asked, dark aura surrounding her.
"No Ma'am!" both boys yelped, fearing for their lives. Amakata-sensei gave a satisfied nod and headed back to the front of the room, going back to the lesson that Makoto and Noriko were not paying attention to.
"We'll talk about it after class," Makoto whispered, avoiding a death glare from Amakata-sensei. Noriko nodded quickly, then shot a glance at Shiro, who sat at her desk quietly, listening to the lecture. Worry flashed across his face for a brief moment, so brief that Makoto almost didn't notice it.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, and Noriko jolted up, looking at him.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."