new student get!

[winepouring]

[ Shi Qingxuan stood outside the classroom, hand fidgeting with the sleeves of his uniform, adjusting and readjusting them. He understood why his brother wanted to move here, and he had no problem going to a new school, restarting in a new group! It was just...he was a little nervous still...

When the teacher finally gave the cue for Shi Qingxuan to enter, he nearly jumped out of his skin. With a deep breath, he walked into the room, bounce in his step and head held high, and looked at his classmates. ]

Hello! My name is Shi Qingxuan— [ He writes it on the board. ] I'm sixteen years old! I'll be joining Group Four from today on. It's an honor to meet you all!

[ And he gave a respectful bow, long hair falling over his shoulders, before taking his seat with his appropriate group. The smile on his face never seemed to leave. Not through the whole class, like the smile was part of the blue-and-white uniform he wore. It wasn't until class ended that something dawned on him, and his smile wavered just a bit.

...His brother walked him here. He didn't know the way back home.

Thankfully, their teacher knew a solution!

That serious-faced boy in his group, the one who didn't talk through class - he lived around him! And he hadn't left yet! Not as long as he managed to run along behind him and get his attention! ]

Excuse me! Excuse me, Okumura-senpai! Please wait!

Comments

[infurence]

[ He's got one hand stiffly held up as part of his lame farewell to one of his group mates. They're unexpectedly parting ways with his friend announcing he has some other engagement. It's a common occurrence as of lately but it hardly gives Koushuu a reason to complain.

A short sigh follows as he watches the other boy's back and he lowers his arm in favor of gripping the strap of his bag. If only that meant he'd get somewhere. Instead, he momentarily freezes with hearing what's undoubtedly his own name.

Inside the classroom, though?

Peering over his shoulder, Koushuu blinks once or twice through blond fringe before he's distinguishing the possible source. The rest of his body follows when he's face to face with... with... the sore thumb. The guy who's sticking out like one among the usual business. He's a little different but Koushuu hasn't given it any thought until this second. ]

I shouldn't be ungrateful but we're in the same class. I can't be your senpai. Saying something like that in front of other people will only end up confusing.

[ His response is quiet but isn't expressing any outright menace just yet. If the other boy's fucking with him, he's going to deal with that bridge when he gets there. ]

[winepouring]

[ Ah... ]

Ahaha... [ He knocks at his head with his knuckles. ] That's true... Though you've been here longer than me, so it's hard not to see you as my senpai...

[ But they are the same age, in the same class, so maybe it is a little ridiculous to be thinking like that... ]

Anyway, I'm still not very familiar with this village... It's much bigger than the place my brother and I are from. So the teacher told me that I should try walking home with you until I get the hang of it! Apparently we live in the same neighborhood now!

[ The whole time he says this, he's smiling easily like they're already friends. ]

You don't mind if I tag along, do you? We're neighbors now, after all.

[infurence]

[ Apparently — ]

Does that mean you don't know where you live?

[ His brow's slightly furrowed as he processes this information but his expression otherwise doesn't shift. ]

The teacher didn't say anything to me about it. But I can't really keep you from following me. [ A shrug follows. ] If that's how it is, okay. Just get to the point next time. You don't have to justify it with unnecessary filler.

[ There's a pause. That's all there is to it, right? ]

I'm assuming you're ready to go, then?

[ Not to imply he's unwilling to wait around but Koushuu's starting to head for the door. ]

[winepouring]

Of course I know where I live!

[ He flusters a little at being asked that, but- he isn't telling him to get lost, so he trails behind him as he walks to the door. ]

I'm ready, I'm ready! Let's get going!

[ He feels a little ashamed having to ask for help now, but he refuses to let it show. ]

Anyway, as I said, I just don't know the way! Once we're in the neighborhood, I'll know where I'm going. Haven't you ever moved before, Okumura-san? It's not easy to remember everything immediately!

[workaday]

[ With the other's cooperation, they navigate out of the building easily enough. ]

Um... My life's not really exciting~? It's kinda boring, really, and I've lived in the same place all my life.

[ Which he doesn't sound too proud of. Such a mundane existence is a waste, right? Tomoya rubs the back of his head and shrugs once. ]

But you have a point. You introduced yourself earlier to the whole class but I don't remember your name at all. I guess I was distracted by something else?

[ Definitely not the guy's face or overall presence or anything like that. Only weirdos fixate on that kind of stuff!

Once they fall onto a trail leading away from their school, he glances at the other boy. ]

As long as you make an effort to learn where your house is then it's fine. I don't go straight home most of the time and it'd be troublesome if you wait around for me!

[winepouring]

[ He envies that he's never moved... Moving is awful! ]

You didn't get my name? It's Shi Qingxuan! It's written with "Master," "Blue," and the "gen" from "Genbu." [ Yes, this is the least Japanese-sounding name possible, but in sci-fi Japan, anything goes.

And now he's thinking, This guy must be easily distracted if he can miss an entire introduction!

Well, that doesn't really bother Shi Qingxuan. It's just another thing he thinks as they walk. ]

I'll learn soon, I really will... Though I wouldn't mind waiting for you, either. What do you usually do after school? I don't really know what's around here... So if you want company, we can go together!

[workaday]

[ ... It probably wouldn't have made a difference whether or not Tomoya paid attention.

His brows knit together and he nods along. Uh, right... He's going to do his best to remember the guy's name. But he blinks out of his shortlived stupor as the other continues on. ]

Huh? No, I don't need company. Because I've lived here for so long, I have a couple friends. So it's not like that at all!

[ It's necessary to correct Shi Qingxuan. He's not an absolute friendless loser, thank you! ]

I spend a lot of time with Hajime. Erm... Shino Hajime. He's in our group? The real pretty one? We've know each other for a while. And sometimes we hang out with Tetora and his friends. He's not in our group but we get along? Nagumo Tetora? And then some other people, too.

[ Y'know, the usual orgy.

Going on like that has him momentarily falter and his bottom lip curls inward. ]

Uh, hey, you don't seem like you're bad or anything? If you want, you could hang around with us one of these days.

[winepouring]

[ Shi Qingxuan...is perfectly aware of the fact he has an uncommon name. Please do your best to remember it...

In truth, Shi Qingxuan didn't think he was lonely or that he necessarily needed company, but he doesn't say this, just smiling brightly as he starts naming his close friends. Rather than seem lonely, doesn't Tomoya seem rather popular now? He's really surrounded himself with friends! ]

Are you sure you can fit me in? [ He laughs, and there's a light bounce in his step like he's playing with his cantus to carry him lighter on his feet. ] I didn't think you needed company before, but who knew you were already so popular! You have connections in our own group and with the others! Now I really appreciate you taking the time to walk home with me.

[workaday]

You really like exaggerating, don't you...?

[ There's an exasperated sigh but he catches himself. ]

It's not all that serious. You might make your own friends quickly. [ Nothing about this person suggests shy, anyway. ] But you can be with us unless you really don't want to.

[ It's best to keep his eyes forward. Safety and all that. The hill they're going down is by no means steep but that's not the point. Watching someone walk when they aren't in need of help is weird. ]

And, er... I'm not doing anything today since Hajime's got his own thing going on. So we can do something.