Of course, it starts as any normal day. Sumire comes to school, school bag and homemade lunch with her. She sits down in class and has lunch during lunchtime. Then she walks home.

On her way home, Sumire bumps into someone by accident. Judging by their appearance, they seem to be a boy about her age.

"Sorry," she says.

"Watch where you're going, you whore!" He growls.

"Excuse me?" Sumire narrows her eyes. "I already apologized."

"Sorry doesn't count for nothin'! Next time, move your fat ass!" He yells.

Sumire decides to be the better person and lets it go.

"Sorry," she apologizes again. "I'll be sure to watch my steps next time."

"You better," the boy huffs.

"She doesn't need to," a voice says lowly.

Sumire and the boy turn around to see The Five Virtuosos from Kunugigaoka, bar Asano.

What are they doing here? Sumire thinks.

"You should watch where you're going too, brat," Seo growls.

"Brat? We're the same age!" The boy yells.

"Age doesn't matter when you're an utter bastard." Araki snaps.

"We'll destroy your life," Koyama threatens.

Sumire stares.

"Watch out, fool," Sakakibara says.

"Ren? Seo, Koyama, Araki? What are you doing here?" A voice exclaims.

Upon closer look, it's Asano.

"Gakushuu!" Sakakibara beams. "Don't worry, we're teaching this guy a lesson!"

"Don't," Asano sighs. "No teaching anyone lessons and don't call me Gakushuu. Anyway, I've been searching for the four of you-"

"But Gakushuu, this guy deserves it," Sakakibara interrupts, completely ignoring Asano's words.

Sumire pities him.

Asano sighs. He turns to the boy. "I apologize for whatever these idiots said to you," Asano bows. "Please don't mind them. If there's anything I can do to make up for it, please tell me."

He straightens as The Virtuosos protest behind them.

The boy scoffs, but turns away with a sort of flush on his cheeks.

"Shit, I'm gay," Sumire hears him whisper. He's quiet, very much so, but The Virtuosos standing feet away from them still hear him. They roar in protective fury, and Sumire watches in morbid fascination as they descend on the boy like rabid wolves. Asano tries to stop them, only to come out unsuccessful. "Hey, stop!" Asano exclaims.

When none of his efforts work, Asano comes to stand beside Sumire, watching his minions literally beat a poor middle schooler their age to submission. "It seems it is getting more difficult to restrain them," Asano says flatly, resigned. Sumire pats him on the back. "It's okay, Asano," she says. "At least you tried."

Asano sighs, burying his face in his hands.

"The school has been acting weird, huh," Sumire comments mildly, staring at the show in front of her.

Asano nods his head slowly, before dropping his hands. He inhales. Exhales. Stares resolutely at his minions and the poor boy they continue to beat up. Walks over.

Asano raises his arms and grabs the nearest person.

Araki goes flying over his shoulder, back slamming onto the concrete. The green haired boy groans.

The others stare. "Please, just-" Asano sighs, running a hand down his face. "Stop beating the poor guy up."

The others stare some more.

Asano gently pushes them away and helps the boy up.

"I'm very sorry about them, they're not usually like this," Asano apologizes, bowing once more. "It's fine," the boy says, staring at Asano.

Sumire doesn't blame him. She's pretty sure everyone in the school has had a crush on Asano at least some point in time.

"Do you need to go to a hospital? I'm sure we can find one close by," Asano offers. "Nah," the fellow teenager shook his head.

"What's your name?" Asano asks as the other Virtuosos sulk behind him, glaring sourly at the other boy.

"I'm Iwasaki Eichi," the boy says. He turns to Sumire. "Sorry about earlier. I was in a bit of a bad mood."

Sumire smiles. "It's fine."

"It's not," Araki mutters. "He needs to do more than an apology."

"Araki," Asano sighs, closing his eyes.

Once again, Sumire pities him.

Iwasaki stares.

"Iwasaki-san," Asano says. "Is there any way I can make amends for their behavior? I wouldn't mind doing anything you ask for."

Iwasaki opens his mouth. He pauses, staring warily at the Virtuosos behind Asano, looking one step away from murdering him.

"Uh, what school do you go to?" Iwasaki asks. "I'd like to transfer there."

"Oh HELL NO!" Sakakibara shouts, as the other Virtuosos hiss. Asano smiles.

"We attend Kunugigaoka Junior High," Asano says. "I'm the board chairman's son. I think I can get you a transfer. Kunugigaoka isn't far from here, actually, so you won't have too many problems getting there. If you need any help, though, feel free to ask me anything."

Iwasaki nods as the Virtuosos fume.

Sumire laughs.

Sumire recounts the story to her class the next day.

"That's hilarious," Karma wipes tears from his eyes after finishing a bout of insane, uncontrollable cackles.

"Aw man, wish I was there to see that," Okajima pouts.

Nakamura laughs.

"Poor Asano," Kanzaki brings a hand to her lips. "He must have a hard time dealing with them."

"No kidding," Kayano snorts.

Nagisa sighs.

Sumire stares at a cute dress in a store. She'd buy it if she could, but it hasn't got any in her size. "Ah..." She sighs. "There's none in my size."

"Of course there isn't," a voice says with disgust. "Have you seen yourself?"

Sumire turns to see a girl with short brown hair eyeing her.

"I mean look at you," the girl says. "You're fat. And ugly."

Sumire feels a vein pop, near her neck. She hates being called fat. Despite her irritation, she stays quiet and bows her head.

"Excuse you, she's way more beautiful than you could ever be," someone says.

Sumire sees a girl her age with long black hair- she thinks she's seen her around before in the main campus.

"Excuse me?" The short haired girl shrieks.

"You heard me," her fellow Kunugigaoka student sniffs.

Sumire stands, glancing back and forth between the two girls.

A catfight breaks out.

(Later, Sumire receives a package in the mail with no return address. When she opens it up she looks inside to see the cute dress she'd wanted earlier, in her exact size. It's even in her favorite color.

She doesn't remember seeing a version of the dress like that.

Also, how'd they know her favorite color?)

Sumire comes to Kunugigaoka with a box of enough manju for her whole class. During lunch, they eat outside (it's a beautiful day after all).

Okajima gorges on his while Isogai looks at his with a sort of reverence. Nagisa nibbles on his manju as Kataoka eats hers with as much grace as she can.

They all chat happily.

"Oh, hey!"

3-E turns to see Kikuchi Hiroshi of the baseball club approaching them.

"What are you guys doing out here? Is that manju?" He asks.

"What are you doing out here?" Karma retorts. "It's a nice day today. Besides, Hara made these. It's nice eating them out here."

"How did you even climb the mountain? Usually main campus students don't even try," Okano comments.

"Well, I wanted to see you guys!" Kikuchi exclaims cheerfully.

Later, Sumire has students from the main campus approaching her and pouting at the fact that she didn't make them any manju. She has to promise she'll bring them manju buns the next day.