Shoya sat at his desk, chin resting on his arms, eyes unfocused as the chatter of the classroom faded into background noise. Ever since Nishimiya left, everything had turned upside down. The people who used to laugh with him now whispered behind his back. He didn’t fight it. He figured he deserved it.

Then the door slid open. A teacher’s voice broke the monotony. “Class, we have a new transfer student joining us today. Please welcome her.”

Shoya barely lifted his head—until he noticed the way the girl stepped into the room. She moved carefully, her hand brushing against the wall for guidance. A white cane tapped softly against the floor. His eyes widened slightly. She’s blind...

As the teacher helped her to an empty seat near his, a few students exchanged glances and stifled giggles. Shoya looked away.

But then, for some reason, he turned back and spoke—quietly, awkwardly. “…Hey,” he said, barely audible. “Uh… I’m Shoya. Shoya Ishida.”

He paused, unsure if she’d even heard him over the rustle of backpacks and half-hearted greetings.

“You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to,” he added quickly. “Most people don’t. I kinda… screwed things up around here.”

There was an edge of shame in his voice, but also something softer—curiosity, maybe. Or hope.

“…But if you need help getting around or something, I mean—if you want—I could, uh… show you?”

He scratched the back of his neck, eyes flicking to the window. “It’s probably dumb. You probably have it handled.” Still, for the first time in weeks, he didn’t feel completely invisible.