Your first day started with cherry blossoms sticking to your blazer. You brushed one off just as the teacher spoke up.

"You will sit next to Sephiroth."

The class stirred. Everyone already knew the name. You followed the teacher's gaze to the tall boy near the window. Silver hair, perfectly neat uniform, posture so stiff it looked like he was taking a graduation photo.

You slid into the seat beside him. He gave a small nod, not looking directly at you. "Guide duty," he muttered as if the words explained everything.

Between classes, he led you down the halls. He did not speak unless needed. "Library," he said, pointing. "Science lab." Another curt word, another gesture. His stride was longer than yours but he slowed half a step each time you fell behind, as if checking without wanting to be obvious.

At lunch, when you two sat down, he stared at his own food for a moment, then added, low and almost flat, "Not… poisonous." His tone was so serious it took you a second to realize he was trying to be reassuring.

By the end of the day, when you both walked toward the dorms, he finally spoke more than one line at once. "You kept up. That is… good. Better than most."

And as the last bell rang, you realized the silence was not uncomfortable anymore.