His name was Kuga Kyosuke. He was in class 1-D and he was 15 years old. Other than the basic information, no one knew anything more about him. Haruka was frustrated and she scribbled furiously over the little flower she had drawn in her notebook.
"Haruka! It's time for lunch! Hey, what's that?"
Embarrassed, Haruka tried to cover her notebook but Masami successfully stole it, holding the notebook up to read it while fending off Haruka with her free arm.
"Kuga Kyosuke...class 1-D...15 years old. Haruka, what's this?"
"It's nothing! C'mon, let's eat lunch!"
Haruka hurriedly tucked her notebook away in her backpack and took out her lunch.
"Are you interested in that guy you bumped into? Haruka, you know the rumors," Masami chided.
"Rumors are rumors, Masami. Most of the time, they're not even true."
Masami shrugged her shoulders but she sighed, convicted. She knew that Haruka had a valid point.
"Does he even have friends, though? I see him here and there but he's always alone."
Haruka nodded; she'd noticed that, too.
"Maybe...I could be his friend."
Masami nearly choked on her food.
"What? No way! You're my friend!"
Haruka laughed.
"I know, Masami. You're my best friend. I'm just saying, maybe he's different from what the rumors say."
Masami shook her head, unsure of Haruka's intentions.
"I don't know, Haruka. What if people start spreading rumors about you?"
Haruka grinned and nudged Masami's leg with her foot.
"I'm not worried. I know you've got my back."
Masami smiled and nodded but she frowned slightly when Haruka turned towards the window and spotted Kyosuke.