Kai was sitting on her bed when the landline rang. She answered it.

"Hello?" she said.

"May I speak with Kai Sugisaki?" said a male voice on the line. "This is CPS Officer Newman."

"I am Kai," Kai replied.

"We have a relative of yours," the officer continued. "She needs a home. You are her only living relative. Her name is Hana Kureno."

"Okay, send her here," Kai said.

"We'll have her over within an hour," Officer Newman replied.

And sure enough, within an hour, the doorbell rang.

Kai went and answered the door.

A girl came in with black hair and blue eyes. Her appearance contrasted with that of her cousin, who had blonde hair, but the same blue eyes.

The girl looked down. She was clutching a slightly burnt suitcase. "I'm Hana Kureno, your cousin."

"Come in," Kai said. "My name is Kai Sugisaki."

Satoshi walked in. "Kai, who is that?"

"Satoshi, this is my cousin," Kai replied. "Hana Kureno. She is going to be living with us, if that's okay."

"It's fine," Satoshi replied. He turned to Hana. "I'm Satoshi Hiwatari."

Hana looked away from him. "Thank you both for letting me stay here. I'm sure I won't be here long."

Satoshi and Kai looked at each other, and Kai seemed to say something to Satoshi, because he left.

Hana looked up as soon as he left. "Isn't it a weekday? I haven't been to school in a while…"

"Yes," Kai replied. "I was about to get ready when the phone rang. I'll have to let you borrow one of my uniforms. Follow me."

She went to her room, and Hana followed. Kai rummaged in the closet and got out a uniform.

"Here you go," she said, handing it to her cousin. "You can change in the bathroom. I'll change in here."

"Um…Kai?" Hana asked. "Where's my classroom?"

"Right here," Kai replied, opening the door.

The girls walked into the classroom. Kai took a seat near the back, and Hana sat next to her.

"School…" Hana said softly. "I haven't been since…well, a long time, anyway."

"Hey Kai, who's the new girl?" asked a black-haired boy, coming up and sitting in the desk in front of Kai.

"This is my cousin, Hana," replied Kai, sighing. "She just got into town. Hana, this is Takeshi Saehara."

Hana sighed as well. "Why is it so hot in this room? Someone open a window."

Saehara looked at her. She was seriously sweating. "It's not hot."

The door to the classroom opened, and a boy with reddish-brown hair came in.

"Daisuke!" exclaimed Saehara. "Come meet the new girl!"

He dragged Daisuke over to where Hana and Kai were sitting.

"This is Hana, she's Kai's cousin," Saehara said.

"Ugh, this is so not the time…" Hana muttered, wiping sweat off her forehead. She quickly went to the window and opened it. "I'm sorry, Daisuke. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too," Daisuke replied. "I'm Daisuke Niwa."

"Hana Kureno," sighed Hana, smiling a little bit.

Daisuke smiled at her. "I hope you enjoy being here."

"I don't really think I could enjoy being anywhere," Hana said softly.

Daisuke was confused by her statement, but sat down quickly as class began.