1: The Beginning of Freshman Year

Monday, April 8th 2000

A/N 1: As the title indicates, this is a sequel to my story "Serendipity". If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend reading that story before taking a look at this one.

A/N 2: Japanese naming conventions will be used as needed during dialog. However, narration (regardless of whose POV it's following) will not be bound by such restrictions.

A/N 3: Perspective will consistently switch per chapter between Kotomi and Tomoya, starting with the former. If a chapter happens to follow a different character's POV, the pattern will pick up afterwards where it left off.

"Good morning, students,"

The Principal adjusts the microphone protruding from the podium and fiddles with his bow tie. Despite his nervous body language, he looks clean-cut with thin, well-trimmed gray hair and a face that lacks even the inklings of stubble.

"I am Okita Jiro. Today, I will begin Hikarizaki High School's 25th school year,"

Obligatory applause follows. While speeds vary, only few others, including myself, actually have the correct clapping speed. The discordant sound is audible yet not even diverting to the common ear. Even those who are consciously aware of the noise of their hands slapping against each other wouldn't notice the sub-par speed of their peers.

"For us in the faculty, this is landmark year. When our school was launched in 1974 by our founder, Kubo Mitsuru, he desired to create a school with academic standards that had never been set in our town before. Since then, tens of thousands of students have attended this high school, and according to research conducted by our staff, 88% ended up in careers that satisfied them."

He grips both sides of the podium. "It has taken the dedication and work ethic of staff and student alike to make this school what it is today. If that loyalty continues, this should be another excellent year."

Another round of applause ends abruptly at the signal of the Principal.

"I am sure most of you checked which classrooms you were assigned for this year. If you haven't, see the billboards on the right walls of the auditorium once I am finished."

He nods slowly. "Let us have a moment of silence Kubo-sama who died in a traffic accident three years ago on July 16th, 1996."

Each head in the auditorium bows their head and closes their eyes to pay respects to the school's late founder. Because of how sudden and without warning my parents' death had been 4 years ago, I completely understand how horrible this must have been for his family, and everyone who knew him.

After fifteen seconds, the mourning period ends. Jiro-sensei steals a glance at his watch and clasps his hands together.

"It is now 7:55. You are all permitted to stand up from your seats and head to class,"

Most of us are a little more than eager to get to class. Another chaotic, informal situation occurs as students pile through corridors and walk up stairs to get to their classrooms.

"Again, if anyone is unsure of their class room number, take a look at the billboards on the right wall."

Class 1-D. I repeat to myself as I navigate the crowd of people. Normally, I'd head straight to class, but Tomoya had suggested the idea of walking together after orientation was complete.

I see next to one of the billboards, standing apart from the students around him. My heart skips a beat as he runs his right hand through his unkempt hair. A tiny ounce of red settles in his cheek as he waves over to me.

"Kotomi-chan," he smiles. "'Ready to go?"

"Sure," I beam, triggering another blush from him. "Let's go,"

"Hey, hey, hey," Kanna wraps her arms around both our shoulders and pulls us together. Since middle school, the freckles on her cheeks became more pronounced, but despite what a couple people who had rudely pointed this out to her said, I think it actually adds to her charm. "You two love birds can't just fly into the sunset without saying good-bye. You have friends besides each other,"

"I know," I tease Kanna as I slip out of her hold. "It's a shame we don't get to be in the same class."

"It's no big deal," she points her thumb towards the hall to our left. "Class 1-C is just one door away, so if you'd like to talk between classes, I'm right there."

"I'm pretty sure we aren't supposed to leave our classrooms until lunch," I remind her.

"In that case, I'll come to you," she holds up my hand. "I really don't get it, though; you earned a scholarship to this school no sweat. Why don't they just let you cut classes?"

"Technically, I have no records as a student here," I tilt my head. "Besides, even the smartest students can learn something new from a classroom setting. I'm sure I wouldn't ace any tests without taking the class,"

"Yeah, yeah," she runs her ring finger down her nose. "'Can't you take a joke?"

"With you and academics, sometimes it's hard to tell when you're speaking in jest."

She smirks. "That's fair. Now, as for you, Tomoya."

She clenches her right fist. "If you don't treat Kotomi-chan well, I'll give you a piece of my mind."

"H-hey, I've been friends with her longer than you have," he stutters. "Besides, there's no reason I'd randomly start treating her badly."

"I was just making sure you understood," she narrows her eyes. "I love this girl to death, so I won't stand for you making a move on her."

Tomoya raises an eyebrow. "The way you're talking, it sounds like you're the one who wants to make a move on her."

"W-what?" Her features scrunch up in befuddlement.

"Kanna-chan," I cross my arms suspiciously. "Is there something you haven't been telling me?"

"NO, of course not!" She breathes fire at Tomoya. "'Look, my point is, don't do anything impolite, alright?"

"Sure, sure," he swats in the air.

"That's all I wanted to hear," she shakes his hand. "Well, I'll see you guys in class."

"Bye," she follows the rest of the line, leaving us in the mostly deserted auditorium.

"'Should we get going?" I break the silence."

"Oh, sure," he nods as we walk down the hallway. Since our departure is later then everyone else's, our classmates have already arrived. We approach our classroom in silence.

"Can I just say Kanna's crazy?"

"I wouldn't call her 'crazy'," I giggle. "She's just eccentric,"

"I don't think Pinkie Pie's quite as spastic," he snarks.

"That's harsh. She's a bit insensitive, but I think she's been a good friend."

"Yeah," he winks. "'Like Kanna said, though; don't take things so seriously."

"Oh, duh," I blush as we carry on in silence. After a couple more seconds of walking, I steal a glance at Tomoya. His face is tilted downwards slightly.

I wonder what he's looking at . . . Wait, is he staring at my chest?

I lock eyes with him. On cue, he turns away, thoroughly flushed.

That's . . . awkward.

"Tomoya-kun?"

"Y-yes?" He replies. "What's up?"

"I hadn't thought of it until just now, but um, do you look at me a lot?"

I know how blunt I sound, but I'm not used to this awkwardness. Even as hormones rage in our heads, we've been able to carry conversations with blushing and turning away every five seconds. If we talk about this now, we should be able to work things out.

"W-well," he tugs at his collar. "Only once in a while. I-I guess I find you pretty, I-I mean, I do find you pretty."

He looks awful. I didn't mean to make him so flustered. Nevertheless, I have to carry on.

"Thanks," I smile the best I can. "I think your handsome too,"

"A-ah," he closes his eyes so he doesn't have to face me. "Thank you,"

I realize we've stopped walking. There's no doubt about it; we have to try and deal with this here and now.

"I'm sorry!" He yells before I have a chance to speak. "I-I didn't mean to make this so awkward. I just couldn't help it. Over break, I'd kinda started to notice you even more than I did before. I-I'm just more conscientious of every move I make."

"I understand," I blink, trying my hardest to keep my calm. "I've been feeling weird too,"

"Really?" He quirks an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure you're the more composed one."

"Just because I'm better at hiding my insecurities, doesn't mean I don't have them," I gaze into his eyes. "I mean, I guess it makes sense that things are awkward now, you know? We've been friends since we were kids, and now, it's the first day of high school. It's different than we were in middle school." I slide my legs together.

"Yeah," he grimaces. "Do you feel kinda weird when you call me 'kun'? 'Cause, I do when I call you 'chan'."

That hurt a bit more than I was expecting. Still, I have to be honest. "I do. It's been such a force of habit for us that until now, we barely even questioned it. But, now that we're in high school, and everyone sees that as such a big deal, it's tough to figure it out."

"It's like, I can't even decide if we're friends, or, something more." His eyes stay hooked on mine. "Are . . . Are we like that?"

A gulp resounds through my throat. Sweat streams down the side of his neck as I try to think of an answer.

"I don't know yet,"

I stroke some of my loose strands of hair back behind my ears. Hesitating slightly, I hold his hand in mine.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see,"

He watches my arm as if I'd infringed an obvious barrier, like I'd sped up when the traffic light flashed red. However, I'm confident I'm making the right choice in approaching him with such a sentimental gesture.

Finally, he smiles and tightens his grip on my hand. "Class is starting. We better get going,"

Edited August 13 8:20 AM