As I was on my way back to the children's home, I was confronted by a group of my classmates—some girls and a few boys.
They blocked my path. I tried to walk past them, but one of the girls grabbed me by my ponytail.
"You're not going anywhere, Nishida-san," she said.
Nishida is my surname.
"You let Azusa-chan clean up the mess you made, and you didn't even thank her for it," she continued. "Nor did you apologize for inconveniencing her. Where are your manners? And you're supposed to be as Japanese as we are, huh? Then why do you lack proper etiquette?"
"Which of your parents is the Black one?" one of the boys asked. "It must be your father. He probably prevented your mother from giving you a proper Japanese upbringing. That's why you weren't taught any manners."
I turned around and asked calmly, "Are you guys done?"
"I don't like that angry look on your face..." another girl stepped forward. "Hey, stop glaring at us like that."
She pushed me back—and slapped me across the face.
Here we go again... I was about to get beat up.
"Apologize for being a mannerless bitch, okay?"
I said nothing.
"Say something!" she demanded, raising her hand again—but before she could hit me, Azusa grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Azusa's sudden appearance took everyone by surprise.
"Himawari-san..." Azusa said sternly, clearly upset. "Didn't I tell you it was my fault? That Nishida-san didn't do anything wrong?"
"How was it your fault?! We saw her throw your lunchbox away!"
"I taunted her, okay?!" Azusa shouted. "Now, please leave! How dare you insult and hit my friend?!"
"I'm sorry..." the girl muttered, looking away.
They all backed off and walked away, leaving me alone with Azusa.
I was stunned and confused by Azusa's behavior. Was she helping me out of pity? Or did she genuinely see me as a friend?
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," she sighed. "It's all my fault..."
"Yes, it is all your fault," I said, catching her off guard. "If you hadn't shown any interest in me, if you never approached me or spoke to me, then they wouldn't have even acknowledged my existence. The only reason they bully me is because you made me visible. So I hope you'll stop trying to be friends with me from now on. Just leave me alone."
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble. Truly, I am," she said softly, sounding genuinely remorseful. "But... I just like you."
"Why?" I stared at her, confused. I couldn't comprehend her.
"Because you're so cool...! We're both Hāfu, but you're Black and Japanese! You've got the best looks from both worlds! And you also have those golden eyes—The Eyes of Wonder! You look absolutely stunning! And the way you speak, the way you don't seek out company—you're a lone wolf. So independent, self-reliant, self-sufficient... and just... ugh! I wish I was more like you!"
Hāfu (ハーフ, "half") is a Japanese term for people born with one Japanese parent and one non-Japanese parent.
"What..." I was astonished. This was the first time I'd ever received a compliment.
"Unlike you, I wanted to be seen. To be acknowledged. Because deep down, I felt insecure," she chuckled. "That's why I got into modeling. That's why I try to befriend everyone. That social validation? I live for it. If even one person doesn't like me—for whatever reason—I feel doomed. I wanted to befriend you specifically because I could tell you were sincere. You wouldn't want me as a friend for my popularity or status like the others. I was tired of all the fake friendships... I just wanted something genuine."
She opened up to me.
And... it resonated.
Because even though I'm antisocial, it would be nice to have one genuine friend I could rely on when it truly mattered.
I don't have a family. So... maybe I should at least have a friend.
"Fine..." I sighed.
"Huh?" she blinked, surprised.
"I'll accept you as my one and only friend, okay?"
"REALLY?!" Azusa blushed, completely overjoyed.
"Yes." I averted my gaze. "I apologize for throwing your lunchbox. And thank you for cleaning up the mess I made. Also... thank you for always standing up for me whenever I got bullied. I appreciate all of it."
"Nishida-chan...!" she exclaimed, her eyes welling up with happy tears.
"And I would like you to prepare a lunchbox for me," I added. "But instead of grilled salmon, I'd prefer chicken teriyaki. And instead of a rice ball with seaweed, I'd rather have brown rice."
"I'm so happy you want to try out my lunchbox, Nishida-chan!" she beamed. "You always eat bun bread every day—that's gotta be unhealthy!"
"Ugh," I groaned, annoyed that she pointed it out. "And just call me Chisa, by the way. It's fine."
"CHISA-CHAN!" she squealed, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.
I quickly pushed her away.
"Hey! Chill out!" I exclaimed. "That's too much, okay?!"
Azusa laughed.
And I... couldn't help but smile.
Azusa Saegusa is a special person—
The first person in my entire life who actually wanted me to be a part of theirs.