The First Day

Written for Taichihaya Week

Chihaya woke up excitedly and jumped out of bed. It was her first day of grade school! She saw Chitose go the year before. The elder sister looked great in the dress mom picked for her. Today she is going to wear it. It is too small for Chitose now.

Chihaya went to the bathroom. Washing up and brushing her teeth, she stared at the mirror. Due to her energetic nature, her mom decided to keep her hair short. She said something like, having fewer things to think about. Chihaya never minded that it was short like a boy's. What mattered was that she and her sister look alike. So that means she is pretty too right?

"Chihaya, hurry up! Or you will be late!" Her mother lovingly called out. The girl rushed to her room and hurried wore the dress. She ran down the stairs to eat breakfast with her family. "The dress suits you Chihaya." Her mom complimented while his father nodded in agreement.

"Nee-san, what do you think? Do I look as pretty as you?" The cheery younger Ayase inquired.

The elder huffed and answered, "I am prettier."

Chihaya innocently smiled. "Of course, you are!"

Breakfast ended and their mom walked them to school. As they approached the school gate, Chihaya's eyes beamed. It is a spacious place, so this is what a school looks like! Their mom walked them to their classroom. Chihaya was given a name tag by her teacher and assigned to seat with the other girls.

"Why is your hair short?" One girl asked. "To be pretty, you need long hair." The latter explained and flipped her hair.

"Yeah, it should be long enough to be braided." Another chirped in. "If you keep it like that, you will look like a boy. So unpretty."

It was not how she imagined the first day of school will. Chihaya wanted to make friends, but the girls didn't like her short hair. But what can she do? It is not like it can grow fast.

The first period was over. Everyone was told to go out and play. The girls ran off to the swings, seesaws, and slides. Nobody asked Chihaya to come along. Feeling dejected her eyes caught sight of the boys. They were playing a game where you have to kick the ball. It seems fun. Chihaya decided to run in their direction and ask if she can play.

"You are wearing a dress it will get dirty." A boy reprimanded. He had the biggest doe-shaped eyes Chihaya has ever seen. "If you want to play with us, you should wear pants, shorts, and a shirt." The lad explained. " It will be hard to kick and run in your clothes."

"You will let me play if I wear something appropriate tomorrow?" Her eyes gleamed at the invitation.

"Taichi! She can't play with us. She's a girl, girls don't play soccer." Some of the boys argued.

"Come on guys, don't be mean." The boy in front of her answered back. He blinked his eyes and stared at her. He sure has ridiculously beautiful long lashes. "We'll see what she's got."

"Fine." The others accepted, but they are not happy about it. The boy smiled at his classmates proudly.

The boy reached out to offer her a handshake. "My name is Mashima Taichi. What's yours?"

The girl happily accepted the gesture. "Ayase Chihaya, nice to meet you Taichi!"

The next day Chihaya went to school wearing comfortable clothes. Chihaya commented that she looked like a boy. While her mom reprimanded the elder to let the younger be. "Chihaya said she can play better with these clothes. So it isn't that bad."

As soon as playtime started, Taichi invited Chihaya to play soccer. The boys were surprised at how fast she could run. And she has a lot of energy to keep up with Taichi. "Ayase sure can play. It seems like Taichi found a match." The boys commented. "And the two of them seem to be having fun."

The class ended. Chihaya sat in her classroom waiting for her mom. Chitose went with a classmate, so they will be picking up the elder afterward. As she glanced at the room, she saw Taichi in the corner. He was reading a book and scribbling notes. Since she had nothing better to do, the little girl approached him. "Taichi, what are you doing?"

The boy was startled by the intrusion. "I am studying English. My mom said I should start learning early." To be honest, Chihaya did not understand any of the foreign characters in the learning materials.

"Wow, knowing these strange letters. That's awesome Taichi." The girl beamed and the boy smiled back. "By the way, thanks for letting me play earlier." The lass added. "If it weren't for you I would have ended up alone." The lad across her facepalmed and stared at her. She was puzzled if he was judging her. "Taichi, what's wrong?"

"I will never allow you to be lonely." He boldly said out of the blue.

Chihaya smiled and grabbed Taichi's right hand. "Then let's be friends from now on." A blush crept on the boy's face as he nodded. The girl's eyes gleamed, feeling accomplished that she made a friend. Soon enough both their moms arrived. Both went on their separate ways. Chihaya energetically waved goodbye as Taichi entered the car.

"Is that girl a classmate of yours?" His mother asked. Taichi nodded. "She looks very energetic. Maybe that is why she has short hair."

"Do you think it's ugly Mom? Most of the girls in class think so." Taichi inquired the elder.

"Women are modern now Taichi. It does not matter how they look. It is a matter of what they can do." The parent explained. "But of course, you are Mashima Taichi. Make sure to be always number one."

"I understand mother." Taichi acknowledged as he looked out the window and smiled. Not how they look but what they do. He recalled Chihaya's energy, honesty, and bright smile. She sure is a lot to handle, but he likes it. He's going to stick around with her because she is lots of fun.