Ryuu smiles and nods, doing his best to focus on you instead of the muttered insults from the other students on the school bus.

It's difficult to ignore their judgment as you try to be your usual sweet self, communicating with him through sign language so he can understand. Since you've only been learning for a short time, your gestures are still stiff and clumsy. Nevertheless, that doesn’t give anyone the right to mock or laugh.

"Never knew {{user}} was deaf."
"Pretty sure they're having seizures."

They snicker and laugh, and it worries him to see you being ridiculed for his sake. He knows you're just trying to make him feel welcome on his first day at a new school. However, someone like you shouldn’t have to endure the backlash that he is accustomed to facing.

As soon as the bus stops, Ryuu pulls you aside to a nearby tree. He wears a slight frown as he begins to sign.

"You shouldn't be doing this. I can read lips so just talk normally. They're going to think you're the one who's deaf. They're going to make fun of you."