Unfortunately, I ended up being late after all.
Still, I had to check where my class was. At this point, most people had just arrived, so it wasn't too bad.
"Thank goodness…"
Lucas walked over to the class roster board and scanned the list for his name.
"First-year… Class 5… Lucas."
"Alright."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, his eyes caught another familiar name—Hitori Gotoh.
First-Year Class 5… Hitori Gotoh.
…?
So we're in the same class?
Well, she should already know where she's going.
Lucas turned away from the board and headed toward the classroom building.
He found Class 5, walked in, and randomly sat in an empty seat.
But the moment he looked up, he spotted Gotoh Hitori slouched over her desk.
While the rest of the class chatted in groups or pairs, she sat alone.
Lucas blinked.
They kind of looked like opposites.
Was she socially anxious?
Based on their conversation earlier that morning, he was pretty sure—
Yeah, she definitely had social anxiety.
Lucas stood up, walked over, sat beside her, and poked her head gently with his pen.
Gotoh Hitori jerked upright like she'd just been caught stealing. She raised her head with a fearful look, as if some terrifying delinquent had approached her.
"Gotoh-san, fancy seeing you again," Lucas said with a warm smile.
"Y-Yes… Lucas-san."
She looked like she was watching a villain monologue in a movie.
Man, even if you're socially anxious, basic conversation should still be possible, right?
…Forget it.
Lucas stood and extended his hand. "Nice to be in the same class again this year. Let's get along, Gotoh-san."
Gotoh looked at him, pretending to be calm, but she was clearly panicking inside.
Do I shake his hand or not…?
No—I need to be strong!
She started to reach out… but then froze and immediately pulled her hand back.
I still can't do it!
Watching her struggle, Lucas gave a small, helpless smile.
He didn't really understand what it was like to have social anxiety.
But if they were going to be in the same class, he figured he'd better try to adapt to her rhythm.
"Gotoh-san… do you have social anxiety?"
It was better to ask directly than tiptoe around it.
She flinched and gave a tiny nod. "Yes…"
How does he know?! Did he look into my past?
No, that can't be it… Even if I couldn't talk to Lucas-san before, he doesn't seem like that kind of person…
"I see. So I guessed right."
Guessed…? He figured out my personality that easily?!
Lucas-san… might actually be someone I just can't handle…
Her gaze fell to the desk like a flower wilting in the shade.
Lucas sighed and rubbed his forehead.
It's really hard talking to someone with social anxiety…
But he didn't feel like getting to know anyone else in the class. Gotoh was the only familiar face.
So he resigned himself.
Well, Gotoh-san, I'll be relying on you this semester.
Time passed, and soon the rest of the students had filed into the classroom.
The seat Lucas had taken earlier was now claimed by someone else, so he ended up sharing a desk with Gotoh Hitori.
"Oh? You all showed up early this year."
The homeroom teacher entered the room and scanned the class with a smile.
"Alright, since we're all new here and don't know each other yet, let's start with some introductions."
He tossed a textbook onto the podium.
Students started stepping up one by one, introducing themselves energetically.
Except for two people.
Lucas glanced at Gotoh Hitori, who still had her head buried in her arms.
Nearly half the class had already introduced themselves. Only the two of them remained seated, statues among the movement.
"Gotoh-san, stop spacing out. You'll have to go up soon," Lucas whispered close to her ear.
"Ah… huh…?"
She blinked in confusion, clearly having no idea what was happening.
Lucas pointed toward the front of the classroom.
Self-introduction…?
No… that's way too scary!
Gotoh trembled like she was standing naked in a snowstorm.
Lucas sighed again and rested his forehead in his palm.
"Well, there are still two students left who haven't gone up," the teacher said.
Lucas turned to Gotoh. "C'mon, Gotoh-san. I'll go first."
He gave her a nod of encouragement and walked up to the front.
"Hey everyone, I'm Lucas."
"I don't have any special talents."
"That's it. Looking forward to spending the year with you."
He gave a quick bow and returned to his seat.
Something about that calm, low-key introduction gave Gotoh a strange sense of courage.
Maybe I can do it too…
Maybe… I could even—
Nope. Never mind. Still terrifying.
Lucas, back at his desk, glanced at her expression and almost laughed.
"Believe in yourself, Gotoh-san. You've got this."
Yes… I can do it.
Gotoh slowly stood, stared down at her shoes, and walked toward the front like a prisoner heading for trial.
"M-my name is Gotoh Hitori…"
"I… I like music…"
"I hope… to make friends… who like music too…"
Her voice got softer and softer, her head lowering with each word.
She felt like everyone in the room was laughing at her already.
Is my high school life already over…?
But then—
Applause.
Loud and clear.
She looked up, confused.
Lucas was clapping for her. Quietly, but with a small smile.
Lucas-san… might actually be easy to get along with.
***
"Haha, that's great. You can go back to your seat now,"
the teacher said with a smile.
Goto Ichiri walked stiffly down from the podium, her smile frozen in place, and returned to her seat.
At that moment, Lucas leaned over toward her.
He quietly observed Goto Ichiri, deep in thought about something.
Because Lucas was unexpectedly close, the nearby classmates were already whispering excitedly while sneaking glances at the two.
"Hey, hey, hey! Look, Lucas-san and Goto-san seem pretty close, don't they?"
"Ahh, I finally spot a handsome guy in our class and he's already taken! My high school romance is doomed!"
"But Goto-san's totally avoiding eye contact. She's been staring down at her desk the whole time."
"Seriously—don't tell me… but it looks like it's true."
The girls spoke in hushed voices, but in a classroom this quiet, even whispers echoed.
Goto Ichiri couldn't help but tremble as she overheard their comments.
This class is a nightmare.
She instinctively looked up and forced a smile toward Lucas.
"Um… thank you for what you did earlier."
That smile sent a chill down Lucas's spine.
If you don't know how to smile, maybe just don't, he thought, slightly horrified.
"You're welcome. It's just what desk partners do,"
Lucas replied calmly, then turned his head to the window, staring out at the blue sky.
I just hope I can enjoy high school a little.
After school—
"Goto-san, want me to walk you home?"
Lucas stuffed his books into his bag, slung it over one shoulder, and stood up.
"N-No…"
Goto Ichiri looked at his face, panic flashing in her eyes. She didn't dare to finish the sentence.
Ahhhh, even though Lucas-kun is kind of easy to talk to… I still can't bring myself to say no…!
Lucas was already at the door when he glanced back.
"So… is that a yes or no?"
"U-Use… use…"
Goto Ichiri, against her will, reluctantly accepted Lucas's offer.
Lucas smiled, walked back into the classroom, and casually picked up her schoolbag.
"Alright, let's go."
"I-I can carry it myself…"
Goto Ichiri murmured, voice barely audible.
Soon, they exited the school gates.
Lucas walked ahead, while Goto Ichiri followed behind with her head down—visibly awkward and out of sync.
Not far ahead, a little pink-haired girl was looking around anxiously.
"Isn't Onee-chan out yet?"
the small girl muttered.
"I thought her school let out early today since it was the first day…"
"Eri, look behind you,"
her mother called out.
The girl turned, saw her sister approaching—and then her eyes landed on the boy beside her, carrying her sister's bag.
"Onee-chan…?"
She froze. Her eyes widened dramatically.
"Mom! Dad! Onee-chan got a boyfriend and brought him home!!"
The little girl's voice rang through the street like a megaphone.
Goto Ichiri flinched, nearly tripping.
B-Boyfriend…?! L-Lucas-kun…?! That's… that's impossible!!
Lucas blinked in confusion at the loud declaration, then turned to Goto Ichiri.
"Goto-san… is that your sister?"
Goto Ichiri raised her head awkwardly.
"Y-Yeah… that's my sister, Eri. But, uh… please don't take anything she says seriously…"
Lucas smiled slyly.
"Oh really?"
"You're joking, Goto-kun."
Suddenly, Lucas grabbed Goto Ichiri's hand.
Goto Ichiri froze. If she were a cartoon character, her soul would've left her body.
"L-Lucas-san… y-you…"
"Shh. Don't talk."
Lucas calmly held her hand and walked straight toward the pink-haired little girl.
"Hi. I'm your sister's friend."