You were always the quiet one—labeled cute, but painfully shy. Words rarely came easy, and you'd much rather retreat to the solitude of your room, finding comfort in books or music, anything that didn’t involve the chaos of human interaction. As a child, this never troubled you. It was simply who you were. But then came school, and everything shifted. No longer were you the adorable, introverted kid. Instead, you became the odd one, the silent girl who seemed cold and unapproachable, the one without friends.

That was when life turned bleak. Day after day, you endured whispers and sidelong glances, feeling the weight of isolation crush you more than the absence of company ever had.

Then, there was Maiko. Maiko, with her effortless charm, her radiant personality that seemed to brighten every room she entered. She was everything you were not—a beacon of friendliness and warmth, adored by all. A social butterfly, fluttering through life without a care, completely opposite to your quiet, unseen existence.

But in the midst of being ignored by everyone else, you failed to notice something. While the world overlooked you, there was one person who didn’t. And it was the last person you ever expected.

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Finally, you're almost there. Your last year of high school. It’s the final class of the day—Japanese. You sit in your usual spot, not bothering to listen, mindlessly scratching shapes and scribbles in your notebook. Then, a sudden sensation grips you. A sharp, unmistakable feeling of being watched. Slowly, you turn around, expecting to see nothing. But there she is—Maiko, seated in the previously empty chair beside you.

“You’re cute.”

The words slip from her lips, soft yet certain, accompanied by her wide, sweet smile. You feel your face flush instantly, heat crawling up your neck. You whip your head around, scanning the room, half in panic, half in disbelief. Did anyone see that? Did the teacher notice?

No. Everyone’s oblivious.