Rendered in Code and Color

Chapter 2: A Serendipitous Seating

"What's up, my nerds!" Kaori said. She had a tight grip around Miyuki's wrist, who was caught off balance and off guard.

"Kiki!" Said Ayaka, jumping up to hug Kaori.

"Sup." Came Hiroshi with a nonchalant wave.

"I'm even more excited now! I had no idea you chose this elective, too!" Ayaka said.

"Hey, Aya-chan," Kaori replied warmly. "I saw you guys over here and I just had to introduce you to Miyuki. You should see her art! It's soooo good!"

During this whole interaction, both Miyuki and Kazuki had slightly pensive expressions. It was very subtle, though. To them, it seemed like they were staring at each other, but to any passerby it might look like they were avoiding each other. Ayaka and Hiroshi seemed none the wiser, as they her happily catching up with their long-time friend. Kaori on the other hand, had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"It's good to meet you all, my name is Shimizu Miyuki." She said with a polite bow.

Kaori nodded along proudly with the introduction before something hit her, making her forget about her dubious plot.

"Mhm, mhm. Wait. WHAT? Shimizu?! Like that super powerful political family?!" Kaori burst. 

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Miyuki had a softer expression than normal as she entered her next class along side her new friend, Kaori. Why was this? It's quite simple. Her interaction with Kazuki minutes before. Realistically, she knew she couldn't call it so much as an interaction. But she still felt both happy and relieved. She was slightly embarrassed, having been caught looking directly at him, but the nod he gave her when they locked eyes— A simple acknowledgement, sure, but one that spoke volumes.

Did he remember her from high school? If he does, would that mean that he's been watching her, too? She tried not to get her hopes up though. In the past, no matter how hard she tried, she could never find a time to approach him. She wasn't exactly aware of any romantic feelings towards him, but he always seemed like one of the most genuine people she had ever come across. That alone was enough to peak her intrigue.

However, Kazuki arrived at their highschool during the second year. He was quite the mystery to everyone. He didn't ignore people, and he didn't give off negative vibes. He just, didn't seem to think socializing was necessary. By the time he started school there, the majority of the students had become comfortable enough with Miyuki that they would approach her every chance they got. Closing any opportunity for her to approach Kazuki.

She was happy to spend time with her classmates, but something about Kazuki's solitary life was appealing to her. She always found comfort in her alone time. She didn't have to concern herself with expectations, nor did she have to suppress part of herself. She envied those who could bask in that solitude under the watchful eyes of the public.

What she felt towards Kazuki, however, was not envy. Just a burning curiosity. Like the urge to pet a sleeping cat, she just wanted to reach out to him. She wanted to know what his world looked like. Would her world look different from his perspective? Or was she just another person in the background to him?

That's why his simple nod in the cafeteria meant so much. Even if he didn't remember her from high school, she wasn't just some person in the background. She was someone he noticed.

"This class should be really fun! We get to collaborate with different people and-" Kaori's words bounced off Miyuki's ears.

She wasn't naive enough to call this fate. She certainly wasn't about to claim it was intentional in any way. But here, in this same class, sat Kazuki. He seemed to be passionately talking to the same people from the cafeteria. Would this be her chance to finally meet him? They never shared a class in highschool. They only time they were ever in the same room was if a teacher sent her to his class on an errand. Or a few times when P.E. was more than one class.