A/N: Oops. I forgot to update this hehe Anyway, this is another flashback to when Yukiko and Hitomi first met. The anime said that Hitomi joined Eden when he was 16 y/o but this takes place when he is 17 y/o. Yukiko is 17 y/o here as well and they are both in 2nd year high school.

Chapter Ten: First Meeting

The class was bustling with excitement early this morning, this she noticed as she glanced up from the manga she was reading (of which she made sure no one could tell was really a manga). The girls were chatting amiably with each other, though more so than usual. Even the boys were talking about something. Curious, she listened to them, focusing her eyes on the manga to make it seem like she wasn't listening at all.

"Satsuko saw him talking to Takahashi-sensei earlier at the staff office."

"How strange. Getting a transfer student in the middle of the year?"

"Who cares? By the way, is this transfer student cute?"

"That's what you're concerned about?"

"Hey, there aren't a lot of cute boys in this class, you know!"

Ah, so they were getting a transfer student in their class? In the middle of the school year? Strange, indeed.

With her curiosity sated, she went back with her reading, no longer interested with their conversation. However, before she could indulge herself with her reading material, the door to the classroom slid open. Quickly, she pushed her manga inside her desk drawer as she pulled out her notebook and textbook instead just as their homeroom teacher walked in.

After the usual routine of morning greetings and bow, the chatters still didn't settle down.

"Right, right. Everyone settle down. Classes have started, you know. Maiko, put away your phone and Yukio, don't make me confiscate your game console."

She could hear Yukio groaning at this but put away his game console. Once the class settled down, the homeroom teacher faced them with his usual blank expression as he tapped his shoulder with the teacher's notebook.

"Anyway, we have a new student joining us starting today. I want you all to treat him well," he paused as he looked outside the sliding door he left open. "Come on in so I can introduce you to everyone."

The class waited in anticipation as they watched the transfer student walk inside the room.

A teenage boy walked easily inside the room, stepping up to the podium beside the teacher's desk. He faced the class and immediately, the girls giggled with excitement at the sight of his attractive face. Although he was on the attractive side, his appearance was anything but. His shirt untucked and the first few buttons undone while his tie was sloppily done. His hair was long, just reaching his neck (was the even allowed?) and tall for his age. He didn't seem to really care to his surroundings as he lifted one hand to stifle the yawn that escaped his lips.

All in all, he seemed like the type of person Yukiko knew instantly that should be avoided at all cost.

All of a sudden, his eyes focused on hers, surprising her. Normally, she would've looked away, feeling conscious that perhaps he could see her real eye colour. But that was impossible! She was wearing her contact lenses. Still, she found herself unable to look away even if she wanted to. Something about him pulled her in.

Mr. Takahashi, unaware of the silent look the two were sharing, wrote the transfer student's name on the board, the chalk squeaking as it made contact on the board.

"This is Hitomi Aikawa. Why don't you introduce yourself, Aikawa-kun?"

Aikawa, without breaking eye contact with her, introduced himself.

"My name is Hitomi Aikawa but you can just call me Hitomi." His lips formed into a smile as he tapped the side of his head twice.

"Nice to meet you."

Somehow, she got the feeling that his words were directed at her.