“Alright, open your books and turn it to page twelve.” A woman’s gentle voice spoke inside the classroom, her strict yet tender eyes roamed around the place to watch her students do what they’ve been told.

While listening to the sound of flipping pages, Ms. Nanaki busied herself from examining the students’ faces. Since she’s the new teacher of the school, she’s still unfamiliar to almost everything. The former teacher, who’s already old enough for the job, took her retirement this year to have a rest and enjoy life. That’s the reason why Nanaki was hired here to fill up the empty slot of responsibility. She doesn’t object or anything though, in fact, she likes the atmosphere everyone was giving off, making her job flow smoothly.

Orbs darting around, Nanaki silently recorded her learners’ features and looks in her mind. They all seemed to be cheerful and energetic, leaving no trace of negative vibes. As soon as she was pleased with her observation, she spotted someone odd at the very back of the row, right next to the window.

A ghastly pale and unblemished skin, slightly long disheveled ebony hair, and a feminine body. Huge, black-rimmed nerdy glasses obstructed his pretty face. Nanaki would admit, the unknown boy caught her entire attention.

“Are you all done?” She asked, cutting off her train of thoughts.

“Yes, sensei.” They all obediently responded, fueling the female’s anticipation.

Ms. Nanaki opened her own book, one hand placed on her hip and the other held a medium-sized chalk. As she scanned the page’s contents, she said: “Before we could start our lesson today, can you please read the short story given to us?”

As she was done talking, her index finger pointed at a certain someone. Everyone followed the direction and found the teacher referring to their quiet classmate, Keika Haruki.

Hearing the classroom’s sudden eruption of laughters and snickers, the boy who’s lost in his daze flinched as he removed his gaze from the view outside of the window. Feeling nervous and awkward, Haruki immediately knew that all of them were making fun of him. Anxiously fiddling with his fingers under his table, he glanced through his glasses and fallen strands of hair to see the new teacher pointing at him. Beads of sweat trickled down from his forehead, confirming that he’s apparently in a hot seat. Haruki don’t know what to do, he’s an absolute introvert and he clearly doesn’t want any of their attention.

“Hey, what’s the matter? Why are you guys laughing?” Ms. Nanaki asked, confusion and worry laced on her small face. “Is there something wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong, ma’am.” One of them answered, chuckling.

“Then why did you guys laughed out of the blue?”

“Sensei, the boy who you wanted to read the story out loud is a mute!” Someone shouted in the middle of the noise, which made the uproar worse.

Ms. Nanaki widened her eyes, staring at the mentioned mute boy and quickly made them shut up. Coughing to settle down her stupid mistake, she gave the boy an apologetic smile. Base on his physique and behavior, Ms. Nanaki could fluently say that he’s someone antisocial. And it’s totally wrong for her to choose him to read the story for the class considering he’s mute. “I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean to. And please, don’t bully him. If I ever caught you making fun of him, we’ll see each other at the guidance office with you parents.”

Afraid of the new teacher’s warning, the students never looked at Haruki anymore. Just then, everybody forgot about the incident and continued to the discussion.

Haruki’s fair hands finally stopped trembling, he’s no longer hyperventilating. Releasing an exhausted breath, he wiped his sweat away as he tried to focus on the lesson. His thick and long eyelashes fluttered every blink, his soft pink lips drew into a thin line. Picking up his pen, he never raised his head again as he listened attentively to Nanaki’s voice, jutting down the important parts.

Faster than the lightning, the bell rang to indicate them for a recess. Haruki’s classmates quickly threw themselves out of the room to head towards the bussling canteen. Not in a hurry, Haruki took his time to clean up his table and shove his things inside his bag. And due to being poor, he can’t afford anything to eat. His monthly allowance are just enough for his three meals a day and school fees. That’s the reason why he’s working and studying hard, he needs to top every subject to receive scholarship for college.

While zoning out, the black-haired boy have failed to notice Ms. Nanaki standing right in front of his table. Haruki jolted in surprise when he saw her, anxiety hastily running through his veins. Being pressured by the teacher’s scary face, he couldn’t help but to lower his head.

“I apologize again for what I’ve done earlier, young man.” Ms. Nanaki sheepishly smiled. “I didn’t know, it’s my fault for not asking first.”

Haruki waved his hands in the air, signing her that ‘it’s okay’. Even though he had already heard her apology, Haruki didn’t raise his head to see her expression.

She chuckled, “You don’t need to be shy. What’s your name?”

Haruki quickly rummaged his bag’s pocket and took out his school’s identification card. Ms. Nanaki gently received the item and read the information. She tugged on her lips, returning the card back to him. “Very well, Keika-san, it’s nice to meet you. Are you going to the canteen, too?”

Haruki faintly shook his head.

Ms. Nanaki pursed her lips, “Then, would you like to join me eat?”

The boy looked at her and pointed at his mouth. Ms. Nanaki was confused for a second before understanding what he meant, she’s suppose to read his lips. Nodding, she intently focused on what he had to say and replied: “No, no, it’s alright. I’ll treat you food, it’s also a token of my apology.”

“I might be bothering you, ma’am.” Haruki mouthed.

She laughed, “It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re not, I’d be more happy if you accompany me, Keika-san.”

Thinking thoroughly about it, Haruki didn’t dare disappoint her and nodded in agreement. Standing up from his chair, he watched as she shot him a reassuring grin before trailing behind her.

It’s Haruki’s first time of meeting such kind teacher who had never discriminated him.