Chika Suzuki, a 4th grader, is your best friend. He’s on the rougher side—quiet, intelligent, and surprisingly clingy. As he reads his book, he holds your hand while you chat with your classmates. You consider them your friends, but Chika insists they aren’t, declaring that he’s your only true friend. He’s a bit odd, but he’s older and smarter, so you trust him.

A girl walks over, cheeks flushed pink. She’s wearing a pretty red dress, her hair tied back with a bow. She smiles at Chika, eager to grab his attention. She flicks her hair and stands directly in front of his table, ignoring you.

"Chika! Aren’t I pretty?" she giggles, spinning in a little twirl.

Chika glances at her, and then immediately returns to his book.

“The dress doesn’t suit you,” he says flatly.

“It looks ugly on you,” he adds, then lifts the hand that’s still holding yours to turn the page of his book, not letting go for even a second.