Lunchtime arrived as it always did, but instead of grabbing her bento and heading upstairs to room 2-B to meet Yugi and the gang as she usually did, Nataki decided to break the uncomfortable ice that had formed between her and the new student. Her own recollection of moving to Domino City just over a mere three months ago still came to mind with much clarity.

"After that look she gave you?" Haine scoffed. "Nat, you're either too nice, or too foolish."

"I remember feeling a bit apprehensive when I first transferred here." She replied. "And you 'took me under your wing' so to speak . . . everyone could use someone like that."

Haine raised an eyebrow in protest. "You think she needs someone to look out for her?" She asked before gesturing to the new student with a quick flick of her head.

Nataki casually glanced in the direction Haine had indicated and noticed that many of her peers had formed a crowd around her. Much to her surprise, the girl seemed dispassionate to the enthusiasm that she had stirred among the people in the room. In fact, she looked almost bored by the attention.

"I suppose not . . . but I would like to get to know her." Nataki concluded before standing up from her seat and proceeding over toward her.

"Geez, hold up!" Haine exclaimed while following close behind.

Upon reaching her, the crowd seemed to open up slightly. Nataki couldn't help noticing how beautiful the girl was – far from anything she'd ever seen before: hair that looked like it had been spun from the sun's rays of light; eyes the same hue sharp with scrutiny and tinged with the smallest bit of interest; pursed lips that curved into a very slight smile at noticing her approaching.

"Hi there, Shizukami-san." She began. "I'm Kuzana, Nataki. And this is Suzude, Haine. It's very nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, surely." She replied with the normative politeness.

"I'm looking forward to working together during the rest of the school year." Nataki added. "By the way, I think that's really cool that you moved from Tokyo! I've heard that it's beautiful at night with all of the neon lights and skyscrapers."

"Quite, actually." She agreed. "But living in a metropolitan area loses its luster after awhile. I much prefer the less crowded cities. Domino seems a much better fit for me."

"I can see that." Nataki nodded. "Even Domino City seems overwhelming at times to me. I grew up in a much more rural setting, so the hustle and bustle of city life gets exhausting after a while."

"Why move here then?" She asked suddenly.

Nataki paused a moment. It wasn't so much what she had asked, but rather how she had asked it that caused Nataki to stop short. Haine even noticed the abruptness of the question and shot the newcomer a speculative look.

"Well, I suppose that . . . as much as Furubira means a lot to me, and I do miss it quite often, I wanted to venture out into the world and start making a life for myself." She smiled. "There are so many opportunities here that Furubira just doesn't offer, and I believe that self-discovery happens when you leave what you know behind and carry an open mind as you experience new things."

Haine stood in silence, taken aback by the sincerity behind her words. "Wow, Nat. You're something else, you know that?" She smirked while smacking her playfully on the back.

Akana said nothing for a moment before finally acknowledging Nataki. "It seems you are a very . . . introspective person, Kuzana-san." Then, with a slight smile she added, "I look forward to getting to know you more." And with that, she stood up and disappeared into the hallway, which led a few of her classmates to follow after her with more questions and things to say.

Nataki's heart fluttered at her words before realizing she hadn't asked her to join Haine and herself for lunch. Oh well . . . maybe next time.

As if reading her thoughts, Haine tapped her on the shoulder. "So . . . table for two?"

Nataki chuckled lightly and nodded.

"Here? Or with Yugi and the others?"

"Here is fine." Nataki acquiesced.

"Well, it seems like she likes you well enough . . ." Haine insisted. "Don't know what that look was for though."

"It doesn't matter anymore." Nataki replied as she took a bite of her lunch. "I feel better now."

"Good."

Nataki was thoughtful while she continued to eat with Haine. While she was listening to Haine talk about her next swim meet, her mind kept wandering back to the newcomer. There was definitely something very unique about her . . . or maybe she was overthinking it? While she had seemed pleasant in manner, Nataki couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off. She was something akin to a dream – impossibly real, but also somehow familiar. Congenial, but contained in her demeanor. Pleasant, but purposeful in her conversation. Speaking with her had left Nataki feeling less anxious, but also . . . odd.

Haine must have noticed her attention had shifted, and snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"Huh?"

"Did you hear what I said?" Haine queried while raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, um, yes. You have a swimming match today against Kiseki High today." She said softly. "Good luck Haine-chan! I know you'll do great!"

"Yeah, thanks . . ." Haine replied, not quite convinced that Nataki had been listening throughout the entirety of the conversation.

"I wish I could watch you, but I have to leave right away to go 'you-know-where.'"

"Eh, it's not a big deal." She shrugged. "Maybe next time."

"I promise I'll come see you soon." Nataki added. "I bet you swim like a dolphin!"

"Pssh, I'm not that good." Haine spat. "But thanks for thinking it."

Nataki shot her a playful smile before continuing her lunch. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the transfer student return to the room and sit down at her desk. She shot Nataki a curious glance before turning away and retrieving a book from her schoolbag.