Chapter 17 – A Lonely Girl's First Friend

"Geez. It sure took a while to get Mikuru off of Mugi, huh?"

"That's because you scared her when you said that she's going to be all alone." Mio said to Ritsu.

"I-I said I was sorry, okay? I didn't plan on making her feel worse."

"Knowing how you think, I find that hard to believe."

It was sometime after we all met up and now Ritsu, Mio, Yui, Mugi, Nodoka, Himeko, and I were in class. About to officially start our…final year of high school?

"Is this really the last year of high school? Last year felt so short…"

"It's probably because you moved here very late into your second year." Nodoka said.

"It was the beginning of October when you first transferred here." Himeko said. "The second term was already ¼ of the way done."

"*sigh* I still don't understand this Japanese school system. It's so confusing compared to the one in France."

"I'm still mind-blown by the fact you have it so easy over there." Ritsu said. "Do you know how much I would LOVE coming to school for 4 ½ a week? That's so much free time to just…do whatever."

"If we had that much time to just "do whatever", then how would we learn?" Himeko asked.

"Well, if Miharu can get to the 12th grade with that logic, then I'm pretty damn sure I can, too!" Ritsu yelled out as she made a prideful pose with one foot on her chair.

"Yeah! The easier, the better!" Yui yelled while doing the same thing.

"I-I see…" Himeko gained a sweatdrop.

"Well, don't worry, Miharu." Mugi said to me. "Now you'll get to experience a full year of school in Japan. Especially since it's our final year."

"Oh, yeah." Ritsu said. "Third-years get so many perks. You're in for a hell of a good time, Miharu."

"What exactly happens in a typical Japanese school year?"

"Well…it's too early to say. Since it just started. But you'll find out sooner or later."

"I see."

As the bell rang and everyone went to their seats, I was already drifting off in my own thoughts as the teacher began talking. I wasn't sure how long I was out, but I was brought back when I felt a small vibration in my pocket.

Huh? My phone? Who's calling me now of all times?

Secretly checking my phone without the teacher noticing, I saw that it was a message from Mugi.

"You're worried about Mikuru-chan?"

She's spot on, as always…

"Yeah. I am. Can't help but worry since she's alone in that class."

*BZZZT*

"Can't blame you. I'm worried, myself."

"About Mikuru? That's odd."

*BZZZT*

"Well…it's not just her."

"What?"

It was about a minute or two later that I got a response. And when I saw what Mugi texted, I can see why she's worried.

"Miharu…I feel like something in this very school is going to make our lives complete and total hell."

Aw, crap. That can't be good.


Mikuru's POV

MEANWHILE…

*moan* I-I cannot believe that I am actually doing this. I-It had never accrued to me that I would be the only first-year student. I-I do not know anyone here and I am scared to go inside.

I creped my head through the door and looked inside my new classroom. A bunch of girls were either talking with others or just sitting alone. And even if I do the latter, the former might happen and I might panic in front of them all.

"I-It looks like it is still early. M-Maybe I can sneak out and go home. I do not think I am ready for such a…"

"Um…excuse me."

"*shriek*"

"Eeek! I-I am sorry! I-I did not mean to scare you!" I was suddenly made face-to-face with a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes. She looked really pretty…but also kinda familiar.

"U-Um…it is okay. I-It is my fault for talking to myself. I-I will get out of your way now." I said as I left the doorway.

"Huh? Are you not in this class?"

"W-Well…y-yes. I-It is. B-But I am not going. I-I cannot do this and I am going home! I-It is too terrifying!"

"Huh? W-Wait! Please!" I heard the girl call out. But I did not stop running. Just talking to a girl I did not know terrified me to extreme measures. I think I am having a panic attack.

I did not think that school would be this scary! Why did I agree to such an activity?! Mother! I wish to come home!


I had ran so much that I was out of breath. And decided to take a rest underneath some stairs nearby. I was completely under them. So I was hopeful that I wouldn't be seen by anyone.

"*sigh* What am I doing? A girl my age coming to high school. I already had some doubts about the whole idea. How did Mother convince me to do this?"

*A MONTH BEFORE MIHARU MOVED TO JAPAN…*

"Huh? Return to school? M-Mother, I do not think I can…"

"Mikuru…you already missed most of your first year of junior high and it's looking like you'll miss all of your second year, too. Granted…we had reasons for that…"

I started becoming sad as I began to think about why I left school so suddenly. Yes, it was mainly because I was too shy to do much of anything. But there was another reason. One bigger than my anxiety problems.

"Father…I do miss him so."

"*sigh* I know, Mikuru. I miss him, too."

"Would it not be best if I worked here in the hotel with you, Mother? I am pretty sure Father would appreciate such an action from his daughter. I can not bear to have you be alone once more."

"Mikuru…" Mother went silent as reached over and pulled me for a hug. "…You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. You need to continue your education. I'm pretty sure your father would like that more than you staying inside this small hotel all your life. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Y…Yes. Father would like that. But I am too scared to even think of such an idea. There would be so many new people at my old school. I am pretty sure the friends that I have are all gone."

That was when Mother went silent again and kept staring at me with a look that felt uncomfortable to stare at.

"Wh-What?"

"Mikuru…do you remember what was said after your last test result?"

"What was…last said? I do not remember. Is it important?"

"It concluded that if you were to return to school, you would go straight to high school. It's because of your birthday, remember?"

"Mikuru?"

I did not respond.

"Mikuru?"

I still did not respond.

"Mikuru. Are you okay, sweetie?"

I did not respond. But I felt my body tense up with worry as more and more thoughts ran through my mind. Increasing my anxiety ever so rapidly as I began to tear up.

"M-M-M-M-M-M-Mother…WAAAAA! I CAN NOT DO IT! PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ME GO!"

"Mikuru…your anxiety is something else sometimes." Mother gained a sweatdrop.

*PRESENT TIME*

It was rather rude for Mother to say that right in front of me. But…she is right. My anxiety has only increased since Father's passing. To the point where I rarely leave the hotel. The party at the Hirasawa residence was the first time I went outside in about a year. And yet, I still have not gotten used to the idea of leaving every morning to come to school.

"*sigh* I really am a mess."

"How are you a mess? If you do not mind me asking."

"Huh? Wh-Who is there?"

"Up here."

I looked up above and saw that same blonde-haired girl from before standing over me from the stairs.

"Y-You…H-How did you know I was here?"

"I am trained to find lost things. Whether it be an object or a person like yourself."

Trained?

"I-I see."

Without really saying much else, the girl came down the stairs and sat next to me. I felt my anxiety rising up once more. I felt like I was going to pass out from another panic attack.

"You know…I was really worried about you."

That is until I heard that.

"W-Worried? A-About me? W-We do not know each other, do we?"

"Yes. It is true that we only met today. But the way you ran off earlier…it made me believe that I did something wrong. I wanted to apologize. So I came looking for you."

"O-Oh. I-I see. W-Well, uh…y-you really did not do anything wrong. Th-This is just…h-how I normally act."

"Is it now?"

"I-I have…v-very high anxiety problems. I-I get scared whenever I am near someone I do not know and I often stutter my sentences. I-It is a common trait of mine."

"I see. I am rather shy myself. I have only been around one person most of my life and so…this is technically my first time meeting someone other than that one person."

"I-I see."

Come to think of it, this girl is a lot like me. Really shy, only been with one person…it is kinda like looking into a mirror of sorts.

"W-Well, uh…I-I am sorry for running away. I-It is a natural instinct."

"Oh, I completely understand. I still sometimes do that myself. Plus, I did kinda scare you."

"Sc-Scared? I-I was not scared. Y-You just…h-happened to appear out of nowhere, that is all." I felt myself blush a little.

"You know…your stuttering makes it difficult to believe such a statement."

"A-As I said. Th-This is a common trait of mine."

"I know. And I can relate, as well. I am known to say "Eeek!" a lot."

"Eeek? I do not understand its meaning."

"It usually means "to be startled" or such things related to it. I am easily startled. So it became a part of my vocabulary indefinitely."

"I see. Such a mysterious word."

"*giggle* Yes. Indeed it is."

"What is so funny?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"You did not stutter the last few sentences. I had just noticed."

"Huh? I…did not stutter?" I was shocked myself once I had noticed it on my own. "I…I do not understand."

"Maybe it is because you are comfortable around me now."

"C…Comfortable?"

*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*

"Th-The bell! I-I was going to sneak out of here and go home! I-I had completely forgotten about it!" I whined in distress.

"Well…since you are still here, do you mind if I help you conquer this first day?"

"Y-You…You would do that? For me?" I turned to face the girl.

"I really do not mind. Helping people is in my DNA. So this is quite normal for me."

"I see. Well…thank you. I really appreciate it."

"It is not a problem at all, uh…w-wait…"

"Have we been talking for this long without knowing each other's name?"

"Well…the conversation at hand was pretty distracting."

"That…is true." I then went silent for a moment. Preparing myself to do something that I…really haven't done since meeting Miharu-san. "Well…my name is Mikuru. Mikuru Tamura."

"And my name is Sumire. Sumire Saitō."

"It is nice to meet you, Sumire-san."

"It is nice to meet you, Mikuru-san."

We both had said that with a bow. And once we had realized that, we both ended up giggling at each other. With me gaining my first smile as a high school student.

"Well, now. Shall we head to class, Mikuru-san?"

"Yes. Let us make our way there, Sumire-san."

And with that said, we both walked to our classroom together. Both of us feeling better that the misunderstanding was cleared up. and also happy that we each made a new friend.

M-Maybe…M-Maybe high school will not be as bad as I believed it to be.


Mugi's POV

"*stress-filled moan* *stress-filled groan*"

"Mugi. You've been moaning and groaning all morning. It's getting annoying."

"Huh? Oh. Sorry. Mio-chan. I just…have a lot of things on my mind."

"You mean with THAT situation?"

"Well…yeah. Most of it relates to that."

"Geez. It's been like…6 months since this whole feud between Mugi and her father started and there's still no end to it?" Ricchan asked. "He really is a stubborn piece of…"

"Ricchan…"

"Tch! R-Right. S-Sorry, Mugi."

"This really isn't like you, Mugi-chan. Being sad and stressed out." Yui-chan said.

"And especially for this long, too. Is having Miharu-senpai around really that big of a problem for your family?" Azusa-chan asked.

"Well, my father is dead set on it. My mother doesn't want to be too involved. She just wants us two to make up. But seeing as how it's been 6 months already, I find that objective getting harder and harder to do."

"Well, Mugi. It all depends on what you want out of it." Mio-chan said.

"What I…want out of this?"

"What I mean is…do you wish to stay in Miharu's life?"

"O-Of course, I do! Miharu's my half-sister and I want to be with her for a vigintillion years!"

"What the hell is that?" I heard Miharu and Azusa-chan whisper in a confused tone.

"If that's what you want, then you should stick by that decision."

"Yeah, Mio's right." Ricchan added. "If you want to stay with Miharu, then you have every right to do so. You said it yourself. You prefer this, don't you?"

"Yes. I...I really do." I said after thinking about it to myself for a little while. "I may be estranged from my family right now. But being with Miharu has made me happier than…well…I can't really remember when I was this happy. Being on my own without these "Rich Girl Privileges" following me everywhere has really opened my eyes as to what exactly I was missing for nearly 18 years of my life. Granted, the situation I'm in is nowhere near a normal way to realize it. But it's better than nothing, I guess."

"Yeah, I can agree with you there, Mugi." Miharu said. "Never in my life did I think I would move down here and find out that I have a half-sister. But since then, it's been so fun being around you. If we get extremely separated now, I wouldn't know what to do."

"M-Miharu…" Hearing that made me want to cry again. But I held it in. I already cried in front of Miharu and Ricchan. There's no way I'm doing it in front of any more people.

"You know…it really has been on my mind on just HOW you two are sisters." Yui-chan said.

"H-Huh?"

"Wh-What are you talking about, Yui-chan?" I asked.

"Well, if I'm remembering this right…Mugi-chan's Japanese. And Miharu-chan's French. I don't really get the resemblance."

"You know…I don't, either." Mio-chan said. "I mean, there are the facial features you mentioned earlier. But that's about it."

"And the fact that you both grew up in different countries doesn't really help, either." Azusa-chan added.

"W-Well, it makes sense to me." I stuttered.

"Y-Yeah, me too. C-Completely makes sense." Miharu stuttered also. Both of us had mildly red blushes on our faces as we both remembered how EXACTLY we became related.

"Ooh~. I sense some secrecy in the room~." Ricchan teased.

"Come on, you guys! Just tell us already!" Yui-chan begged.

"U-Uh…"

"W-Well…"

Crap! What do we do?! Everyone is staring us down! We could really use a diversion right about now!

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Um…Miharu-san?"

"Oh! Mikuru!"

Saved by the kōhai…

"Looks like you found your way here no problem. How's your first day going?"

"It's, um…doing well. Better than I thought, as a matter of fact. I even made a new friend."

"Wow. Already? That's impressive, Mikuru-san." Mio-chan said.

"Th-Thank you, Akiyama-san."

"So, who's your friend, Miku-chan? Do we know her?" Yui-chan asked.

"Senpai. If she's Mikuru-san's friend, then I'm pretty sure we don't know her." Azusa-chan said.

"Oh, yeah…"

"Sh-She went to the bathroom just now. Sh-She should be here any minute…"

"Mikuru-san."

"O-Oh. H-Here she is."

Mikuru-chan then came inside the clubroom…along with another girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes. And once I made full contact with her, I went into full panic.

"E-Everyone. Th-This is…"

"S-S-S-Sumire?!" I yelled out. Interrupting Mikuru-chan.

"Oh. Tsumugi-ojōsama. What a surprise."

"W-Wait, what?" Yui-chan asked.

"Ojōsama?" Miharu was confused with the honorific.

"Mugi, you know this girl?" Ricchan asked me.

With all the panic already built up inside me, I decided to just come clean and tell them who this girl is. Even though I'm going to HIGHLY regret it in the near future.

"*sigh* Everyone…this is Sumire Saitō. M…M-My maid."

"Wh-WHAT?! Y-YOUR MAID?!" Everyone in the room (aside from Sumire and I) yelled in total shock as they tried to process what I had just told them.

And how to prepare for more information.

*whine* This is NOT the diversion I had in mind!

Author's Note: The first day of the new school year continues as Mikuru tries (and mostly fails) to get over her anxiety. In the process, however, she ends up making a new friend. A friend that Mugi knows all too well.

So, just to throw this fact out there…I've never read the manga. When I first saw the anime, I didn't even know that manga was a thing. I was still new to anime at the time.

With that said, I had no idea who Sumire was until about a year ago. So, I was looking at the wiki as I was writing her in. It helped a lot.

So, with Sumire being in this story, it only means one thing. I aged her up. Like I said, I didn't know of her existence until about a year ago. So I had no idea that she's a first-year at the same time that Azusa is a third-year. Hell, I didn't even know that the story continued after the original four graduated. I was pretty satisfied with how the anime ended.

Anyway. Sumire is the last new character for this story. I was going to add Nao, too. But I couldn't make her work.

Oh, and by the way. Vigintillion is a 1 followed by 63 zeros. Yes, it's a real number. It's just never used. And for obvious reasons.

Thanks for reading. Later.