Yuru Yuri +1

By TheBlackKid

Chapter 1 – Introduction & First Day

Hello. My name is Sachiko Ichiko. I'm 14-years-old and easily recognized by my long orange hair and light-blue eyes. It's nice to meet you, and thank you for reading about me. I really appreciate it.

Right now, I'm in the middle of packing my belongings for a big move I'm doing. Due to my parents traveling overseas for business, I'm moving to the city from my small hometown in the county.

I'm honestly a little nervous. I've never been to the city before. I've heard stuff like it's dangerous and full of weirdos. And not only that, but I'm also a little sad. Mainly because I'm leaving my friends that I grew up with to live alone in the city. I was originally against it the idea, but my parents and even my friends said that it would be better for me. Some were even jealous of me. So because of that, I ended up going alone with it.

It's a big life change, but I think I can manage. My parents bought an apartment for me over there. So I already have a place to live. And they're going to be sending me money every month. So I won't have to worry about getting a job.

And I told my friends that I'll come by and visit sometime. And even suggested that they come and see me in the city. Once I get used to it, of course.

Now that I think more about the positives, I'm actually quite excited. *giggle*

I should really get back to packing now. It was nice talking to you. And I hope we can have lots of fun together. Bye now.

"Here you go. Everything's been moved up." One of the movers said to me as he placed the last box from the moving truck into my new apartment.

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help."

"Pleasure's all mine. Enjoy your new place."

"Will do."

The mover guy closed the door behind him and I watched from the window as the truck drove off. I turned around and looked at the box-filled apartment I'm now calling home. It's like a mix of "it's bigger than I thought" and "it's so cramped in here". I've never lived or seen an apartment before. So all of this could be a bit biased.

"So there's a kitchen, a bathroom, a closet, a patio, and…wait, what does the bedroom look like?"

I went towards the bedroom in the back and opened the door to see the empty space that already had my bed and desk inside. But other than that, it was completely empty.

"Whoa. It's…it's big. And even with my bed and desk in here, it still feels big. And there's even another closet in here! So cool!"

*RING* *RING* *RING*

"Ah! My phone! I left it in the kitchen!"

I scrambled to the kitchen to grab my phone before I missed the phone call. I managed to get there without breaking the stuff in the boxes or doing injury to myself and answered the phone with no hesitation.

"H-Hello?!"

"Uh, sweetie? Why do you sound out of breath?"

"Oh. Hi, Mom. It's nothing. I just…left my phone in a different room…again."

"Sachiko…"

"S-Sorry. It's just I got excited about being here and all and I went on a self-tour of the place. It was amazing."

"Ha-ha. That's our daughter. Always getting excited over the littlest things." I heard a new voice.

"D-Dad! Come on!" I whined.

"Sorry, sorry."

Like I said before, my parents are traveling overseas for business. So since I'm an only child, I couldn't be left alone at my house back home. Luckily, although unknown to me, my dad knows someone from when he was in high school who moved here when they graduated. She's a busy woman, from what I heard. But she'll help me out from time to time. So I got a bit of extra help while living here. Which is good.

"So, are you ready for the first day of your new school, sweetie?" Mom asked me.

"Yeah, I guess. I still miss my old one, but maybe this one will be good too."

"Well, it's good that you have a positive mindset on it." Dad said.

"By the way…what was the name of this school again? I'm drawing a blank."

"You already forgot?"

"It's been a busy day, okay? Something was going to leave my mind."

"I get it. Well, the name is Nanamori Middle School."

"Nana-what now? What kinda name is that?"

"Sweetie, don't judge. It's how schools are named in the city." Mom said.

"*sigh* I guess."

"Well, should be getting late over there. We'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay. Love you guys. And I miss you both."

"We feel the same way, Sachiko." Dad said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I hung up the phone and took a quick sigh as I looked around my new home one last time. This was it. My new life in the big city has started. And starting tomorrow, I'll be going to school in this big city. I was excited, but also a bit nervous. I hope I can make at least one friend there.

"*sigh* Well, I better get ready for bed. These boxes though…I'll have to find the time to unpack if not tomorrow after school, then during the weekend. It's going to be a lot."

I grabbed a change of clothes from my suitcase and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. Afterward, I laid in my bed thinking of what was to come starting tomorrow. Thinking of the possibilities only made me more excited/nervous. But I think I can manage it. Somehow.

"It all starts *yawn* tomorrow." I whispered in a tired voice before finally going to sleep for the night.

I had to wake up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for school. Which is about an hour earlier than me waking up back home. I heard that morning commutes in the city were kinda hectic. And so, I didn't want to take any chances.

I was now standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom looking over myself before heading out. My hair, face, and skin were all intact. But it was the uniform that I had concerns with.

The uniform consisted of a white vest(?) with the upper part and even the sleeves were a brown-ish color. And underneath was a long maroon skirt (or dress. I have no idea) with long sleeves on each side. It was such an odd design. I wasn't really sure if I would be able to get used to wearing this, but I knew I didn't have a choice.

I was about to leave my apartment for the first time when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and saw that it was a message from Mom.

"Hey, sweetie. Sorry, we can't call you now. It's actually nighttime where we are and we're really tired. But we just want to say have a good first day. And try to make some friends. Love you. Mom."

It's nighttime? Where are they that it's nighttime right now?

I pushed the thought to the back of my head and typed up a response to the text.

"Okay. Love you, too. Tell Dad I said hi."

I then placed my phone back in my pocket and took a quick sigh to myself.

"I'm off." I said to…literally no one. I'm so used to living with my parents that it's a common thing for me to do. I then opened the door and locked it behind me. As I started walking to my new school.

The walk itself wasn't that bad. In fact, it was actually really peaceful. It gave me time to think to myself. as I was still a bit nervous about all this sudden change.

About and hour later, I had arrived at the oddly-named school known as Nanamori. Walking inside, it looked like a normal school. Well, almost. Throughout my self-tour, I didn't see a single boy here. Neither Mom or Dad said that this was an all-girls school. Maybe they didn't know either?

"Hey! You there!" I heard a voice.

"Huh?" I turned around to see a woman in a lab coat heading towards me. She had short grey hair and was really pretty, too. Not sure what she wants with me, though.

"You're Sachiko Ichiko, right?" The woman asked me.

"Uh…yeah. Do I know you?"

"Well, no. But your father does."

"My father…wait. Are you Dad's old friend?"

"Hey. Who are you calling "old"?" The woman got insulted.

"W-Well, I didn't mean it like that…"

"Ha. I'm only kidding. I knew what you meant by that."

"O-Oh. Thank goodness." I said as my nerves relaxed a bit.

"Anyway, yes I am your dad's friend. Nana Nishigaki. I'm the science teacher here."

"The science teacher? Wow, what luck."

"That help is closer than you thought it was?"

"No, because I'm terrible at science."

"I see. Well, that's no problem. My classes will surely make you explode with improvement."

"E-Explode?" I sounded nervous again.

"Well, that's a figure of speech."

Why do I feel like it isn't?

"Anyway, I came looking for you because you have a few things to sign for. After that, I'll take you to your classroom."

"Okay, then."

I followed Nana to the teacher's lounge and there I sighed a few papers that apparently my parents couldn't do themselves. After that, we headed for my new classroom filled with my new classmates. I was still a bit nervous, but something else was in my mind that took up more space.

"Hey, uh…Nishigaki."

"Oh, please. Call me Nana." She said.

Wow. That close already?

"Okay, Nana. How did you and Dad meet?"

"Ah, yes. That. Well, I'm actually a year older than him."

"Really?"

"Yep. He and I went to the high school back in your hometown. We met when I, uh…"accidently" blew up the Science Clubroom."

"Why did you put the word accidently in air quotes?" I asked, sounding concerned.

"Well, it was kinda sorta an accident." Nana said while rubbing the back of her head.

I didn't know how to respond to that.

"Anyway…until that room was fixed, I used the Physics Clubroom. Where your father was a member. And we became friends not long after."

"I see. That's some story. Especially the "blew up the clubroom" part."

"Hahaha. I'm pretty proud of my explosions. There like a work of art, you know?"

"I…kinda see the resemblance."

"*sigh* At least you understand. The others don't seem to get it. But that's to be expected from Jiro's daughter." I noticed that Nana was feeling a little sad after saying that. which made me ask one last question.

"Hey, Nana. When was the last time you saw my dad?"

"Oh, that? Last time was when I went to his graduation ceremony. Which was about…20 years ago."

"T-Twenty years?! Why didn't you guys visit every once in a while?"

"It's not…that easy." She sounded really sad after that response.

"Huh?"

"Well, enough about me. Here's your class. I'll come by during lunch to check up on you. See you later."

"Uh…okay. Thanks again, Nana."

I watched as Nana walked away from me and started thinking once again. She really felt sad all of a sudden when she said that she hasn't seen Dad in 20 years. They are still friends, aren't they? Why would they not reconnect with each other? Especially for that long?

It's kinda weird. But I also feel sorry for her. I wouldn't want to not have any contact my friends for even a year. Let alone 20 of them.

I then faced the door to the classroom in front of me and did a huge sigh to release the nerves out of me one last time.

Alright. Here I go. No turning back now. I can do this.

I opened the door and walked inside to have the first thing I see were a bunch of eyes staring at me. It was quite uncomfortable. But then again, most people tend to look at the door when someone enters a room. It's just a common reaction.

"Oh, there you are. I was wondering when you would show up." The teacher said to me. Then she faced the other girls in the class. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet a new transfer student starting today. Please introduce yourself."

"U-Uh…okay." I said before walking up to the front center of the class. "*ahem* H-Hello. My name is Sachiko Ichiko. I moved here from a small town in the county due to my parents being overseas. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Ichiko-san." The entire class said. It bought a small smile on my face. Mainly because I got some kind of response from everyone. Which was one of my main concerns.

"You can sit in that empty desk by the window, Ichiko-san." The teacher said to me.

"Thank you." I said as I headed for the empty desk.

After I sat down and class resumed as normal, I had more thoughts running in my mind. Not just how the rest of the day would turn out, but that talk with Nana. It still interests me to no end. Maybe there's a secret the two of them are hiding? Who knows really.

At least now, I can get one of my worries out of my mind. Let's see how this first day plays out, shall we?