Early spring had passed and now the flowers were in full bloom. The new school semester was starting soon. Rima was very excited, she felt like all the weird looks she got from the other kids didn't matter any more. It felt like she could walk in that classroom with a huge smile during rain or shine, as long as she had Nagihiko to come back to.

It was probably because of him that it all started, not that Rima noticed. It was on that first day of the new semester when Rima walked into Shiro elementary with her pristine white skirt and big white bow clipped into her hair at a slightly tilted angle, that she was noticed.

Rima carried the biggest smile with her into that class room and sat with a cheery aura. All the girls watched her with a forming hate coming from seemingly nowhere. While the boys observed with a sudden new interest.

The blonde girl sitting in the back of the class had never attracted anyone's attention before. Now she was making headlines as hushed whispers floated through the school at rapid pace. The bell for lunch rang and Rima packed up to leave for the lunch room. Everyone watched as she quietly grinned to herself. Everyone wanted to know why she was smiling. Rima always sat alone, no one ever paid attention to her, even some of the teacher's didn't like her. Why was she so happy?!

Rima bounced out of her chair and walk-skipped through the classroom. She was near the door when a brown haired girl stood in her way.

"What's your name?" The question held a friendly ring but the girl's voice was somewhat venomous. Confused how to answer Rima simply just said the safe answer:

"Mashiro Rima-chan." Feeling threatened for some reason, a little bit of Rima's confidence had deserted her.

The brown haired girl twitched. Rima expected a follow-up question but the girl remained silent. Finally after silence from the whole class, the wavy brown haired girl stepped aside. Rima awkwardly exited and fled for the lunch room.

By now the whole 4th grade was buzzing with rumors of an incredibly cute student. Rima felt all the eyes on her during lunch as she shyly nibbled her sandwich. When her lunch was finished Rima dumped her lunch and headed outside to the playground. A boy got up at the same time she did and they walked out together. Well, they walked out at the same time, and kind of stood next to each other, but they weren't together.

The boy had light brown hair that shined when the sun hit it. It was short, sort of like a bob. He had a straight face, walking around looking like nothing around him mattered. In his hand was a brown leather brief case that looked too heavy to be carrying around. After the two were safely outside almost all the boys flew up and dashed outside.

Rima and the boy were in silence for a while far ahead of the other children. Rima glanced at him through the corner of her eye. It couldn't be helped, her curiosity couldn't be helped.

"What's that?"

The boy flinched but didn't stop walking. There was a slight breeze, the only noise being the gentle rattling of the swing set's chains.

"Nothing really." He grumbled. Rima pressed her lips together, she detected a lie.

"Is it heavy?" Rima continued. Her eyes focused on the case with an intensity. She had to restrict herself from pouncing on him and stealing the box.

"..."

The two had stopped. The boy hid his face with his bangs. The whole atmosphere had changed. It was silent for a long time. Then some kids coming out of the school saw the mysterious 'new girl' with some boy.

Most of the kids stopped to whisper to each other. Even from several feet away Rima could hear the words:

"Are they together?" "No way!"

Rima wasn't sure of her social standing at that time, but it processed that she would cause some trouble for the boy if they didn't run. So Rima grabbed him and they sped off to a secret corner of the school play ground.

The boy jerked away his hand after they had successfully hid behind a tree.

"What are you doing?!"

"Will you show me what's there?" Rima bluntly asked.

"It's really personal." He said quietly.

"Then what's your name?"

The boy seemed to look down ever farther. "Call me Shouta."

"Shouta huh?" Rima paused and smiled. "I like that name."

Shouta blushed. He never really talked, let alone talked to cute girls. "I think I should go." He suggested.

"Do you have too?" Rima asked. She didn't know why, but this boy attracted her. Not the way Nagihiko did, but attracted never the less.

Shouta nodded, he looked like he was sitting on pins and needles. Rima pouted and sighed. "Ok, but only if we can talk again tomorrow."

Shouta nodded again and then snuck away. Rima spent the rest of her lunch hour under the shade of the tree. She didn't worry about getting grass stains on her white skirt, or what the other kids thought. She just couldn't wait to tell Nagihiko about it.

When she did, Nagihiko didn't have a reply. It was just quiet for a bit.

"He sounds...interesting" Nagihiko said awkwardly. Rima stared at him, soon Nagihiko broke down.

"Well?" Rima questioned.

"It's just...his name." Nagihiko said. Rima thought; what was wrong with his name?

"His name?"

Nagihiko nodded. "It's a word that Westerner's use. Haven't you heard it before?"

Rima shook her head. "No."

Nagihiko froze and then smiled akwardly. "Never mind then."

Rima frowned but didn't ask any more questions, she decided not to mention it to Shouta either.

Hee hee! Shouta is actually a character in the anime. Filler character but in the anime never the less. For those who don't know what a shota is, (How do you not know?!) there's a couple meanings. One, it's the yaoi boy on the bottom or the passive participant when two guys do it. Meaning two (the one I usually use) is a cute adolessent boy. Such as Kagamine Len the Vocaloid or Sealand from Hetalia or Honey from Ouran. Anyway this was short and seemingly pointless, but Shouta will be important in the story later.