The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter until the door slid open.
A teacher stepped in, followed by a girl with long silver hair that shimmered under the sunlight. Her eyes were calm, and her posture perfect. She walked like a princess, quiet but full of confidence.
"Everyone, this is our new transfer student," the teacher said. "Please welcome her."
She stepped forward and gave a graceful bow.
"Hallo. Wie geht's euch?" she said softly.
A few students blinked in surprise. Some looked confused.
"That's German…" someone whispered.
The girl smiled a little. "Ah, sorry. That means 'Hello, how are you?' in German. My name is Alice Tsukishiro. Nice to meet you all."
She spoke in fluent Japanese after that, her voice calm and clear.
The boys stared at her in silence, a few even blushed. The girls whispered to each other.
"She's like a doll…"
"So pretty…"
"Is she a model?"
The teacher nodded. "Alice moved here recently from Germany. Please treat her kindly."
He looked around. "Hmm… where should she sit?"
There was an empty seat near the back, by the window.
"How about there, next to Minazuki?"
Alice nodded and walked to her seat. Her steps were quiet. Some students followed her with their eyes the whole way.
Shun Minazuki, sitting near the window, barely looked up from his book. He noticed the soft voice, the strange language… but didn't react. He gave her a quick glance, then looked back down.
She sat beside him without saying a word.
For a moment, the sunlight hit her silver hair just right—it looked like it was glowing. Even then, Shun didn't seem impressed. Just another new face, he thought. Pretty, sure. But not his problem.
Class went on. The teacher talked, students took notes, and Alice stayed quiet and focused. She answered when called on, her voice perfect, her Japanese fluent. Everyone noticed.
Even during lunch break, a few boys tried to talk to her.
"Hey, Alice-san, want to eat with us?"
"Do you like Japanese food?"
But she politely turned them down with a small smile. "Thank you, but I'm fine."
She opened a bento box—simple, but carefully made. She ate quietly, alone.
Meanwhile, Shun walked to the rooftop like he always did, found his favorite spot, and laid down with his arms behind his head.
He thought back for a second…
Silver hair… soft voice…
"Feels like I've seen her before," he whispered to himself.
Then he closed his eyes.
And slept.