Unknown Girl
"I wish I could be in the same class as Ryuki and my brother this time," Asuka said with a sigh, waiting for the class announcement.
"I wish that too, but I don't care about Yuta," Saki replied bluntly.
"Ouch, that stings a little," Yuta said with a chuckle, joining the two girls as they waited.
Three years had passed since elementary school. Now, Ryuki and his friends were starting their first year of junior school. For the past three years, Asuka had never been in the same class as Ryuki or her brother, Yuta. In their first year, she was alone. In the second year, Saki joined her. In the third year, she was by herself again. As they stood waiting for their junior school class placements, Ryuki wondered which class Asuka would get this time.
After a while, the names appeared on the board. Just like the past three years, Ryuki and Yuta were in the same class again. Ryuki thought, Is some god messing with me? How am I stuck with him four years in a row? As for Asuka, she wasn't alone this time—she was with Saki. She looked disappointed not to be with Yuta and Ryuki, but at least she had Saki.
"What? Why does this boy always get the same class as my little brother? Did he bribe the teacher or something?" Saki asked, pointing her small finger at Yuta's nose.
"It's not a bribe. It's the power of our true friendship. No one can break it," Yuta said proudly. Ryuki ignored them as they started arguing.
Saki and Yuta always fought over who got to sit next to Ryuki when they went out for food or worked on projects. Ryuki let them bicker. He knew they'd never end up together anyway. How did he know? His gift wasn't just for reaching goals quickly—it could also give advice. He'd asked it how to stop Saki and Yuta from falling in love without ruining their friendship. The answer was always the same: "Nothing." Every morning, he checked, and it stayed "Nothing." So, he didn't worry about it.
Ignoring their squabble, Ryuki glanced at Asuka. She looked sad. She'd never once been in the same class as her brother, whom she adored. Ryuki couldn't do much about it. Well, he *could*, but he wasn't going to.
"Yuta, let's go to class," Ryuki said. He walked off with Yuta since class was about to start. Behind them, Saki grumbled, pouted, grabbed Asuka's hand, and headed to their own class.
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"I have the worst luck. I just want to be in the same class as my brother. Why can't this school put us together for once?" Asuka complained as she walked with Saki.
"Yeah, this school is trash," Saki added, still in a bad mood.
The two girls kept griping about the school as they entered their classroom. They checked their ID numbers and found their seats.
"Wow, this school isn't so bad," Asuka said, glancing at Saki, who sat next to her.
"Right, they've got a little sense," Saki agreed with a nod.
Then Saki looked at the girl sitting on her other side. She had tan skin and long purple hair that fell down her back. She wasn't cute like Saki or Asuka—or most kids their age—but she was beautiful, like an older girl.
"Hey, I'm your neighbor, Shizimu Saki," Saki said, introducing herself.
The girl's eyes widened as she looked Saki up and down. She muttered, "So Saki's in my class. That makes it easy."
"Hi, I'm Kimiru Rena," she replied with a sweet smile. She had a calm, cool vibe that made Saki feel like Rena was older, even though they were the same age.
Saki then pointed to Asuka. "Oh, and this is my friend, Takeru Asuka."
"How did you two meet before that event? This is weird," Rena muttered, looking puzzled.