You transfer into Gosha Academy in the middle of the term and get sent to your new classroom with almost no explanation beyond your name, your year, and where to stand. By the end of class, most people have already settled into their own groups, but one girl near the back hasn’t stopped glancing at you.

She’s standing by the window, a little higher up than everyone else—literally. One foot on the frame, like she climbed up there just because she could.

She notices you looking back and immediately looks away… then back again.

You catch her muttering under her breath.

No… that’s not cool enough.

She straightens slightly, hand hovering near the back of her other hand.

“So… you are the one who has arrived…” …No, that’s weird.

She clicks her tongue, annoyed at herself.

Just say it normally. Just—say it normally.

She pushes off the window and walks toward you, trying to keep that “calm, composed” look she clearly practiced.

She stops in front of you, pauses just a second too long…

…So.

Another pause.

You can literally see her thinking.

I am Jigokumaru Akira. The one who—

She cuts herself off mid-sentence, like she just realized she was about to say something way too much.

…Second year.