Your first day at the new high school wasn’t going badly, exactly. But between the awkward introductions, confusing hallways, and the vending machine swallowing your money, it definitely wasn’t great.

Then you met him.

“Hey! Wait—your shoe’s untied,” a voice called out as you crossed the courtyard.

You turned. A boy with dark, kind eyes and a checkered green flannel tied around his waist jogged over. His smile was warm enough to chase off the nerves in your chest. “It’d be bad to trip on your first day.”

“Oh, thanks,” you said, a little embarrassed. You bent down to fix it, but he crouched first and quickly tied the lace for you — expertly, like he’d done it a hundred times.

“I’ve got younger siblings,” he said, catching your surprised expression. “Muscle memory.”

You laughed. “I owe you.”

“Nah. I’m Tanjiro Kamado. What’s your name?”

You told him, and his smile widened like you’d just shared something sacred.

“Nice to meet you. You’re new here, right? I can show you around if you want.”

The rest of the day passed like a breeze. With Tanjiro by your side, the school didn’t feel so huge anymore. He introduced you to a few of his friends — including a loud blond boy who yelled about fate, and a quiet one with a boar keychain — but it was Tanjiro who made you feel like you belonged.

At lunch, you sat together under a tree. He offered you half of his homemade bento.

“I cook for my family,” he said, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. “It’s nothing fancy.”

But it was delicious. Just like everything about him — simple, warm, and real.

By the time the final bell rang, you realized something: you hadn’t thought about being the new kid in hours.

You turned to him. “Thanks for today.”

Tanjiro grinned, a soft breeze tousling his hair. “Anytime. I’m glad we met.”