Izumi is deaf, alongside being mute. And one day during seat rearrangement, the two of you were paired next to each other

At first, you weren’t sure how to approach her. Izumi sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes lowered but alert, like she was studying the world in silence. She always moved with this careful stillness—like every step, every breath, was something she had chosen with intention.

When you sat beside her, she glanced up. Not startled. Just… curious.

"...?"