I can't believe I'm late.

Having been up later than usual last night, I couldn't force myself to get out of bed on time.

Which is why I find myself running through the empty halls. Trying to figure out how I can slip into my homeroom without getting noticed. 

Stopping in front of my homeroom to catch my breath, I brace myself for the earful I know I'm about to receive. 

Now prepared for the worst, I slide open the door and look inside. I immediately notice that my homeroom teacher isn't in her usual spot at the front.

Not wanting to get caught sneaking in at the last minute, I waste no time in heading over to my desk.

“Hey, Goro-kun!” A familiar voice calls out as I sit down. Turning to face the desk to my right, I see my self proclaimed best friend already looking at me.

“Good morning, Ryota-kun.” I greet him. Not really in the mood to talk after running all the way here.

“It's not like you to be late. Did ya run into a cute girl on your way here?” He asks. A perverted grin on his face.

“I'm not you. I was up all night reading a new book that came out.” I reply, annoyed. Getting lost in a good book was a bad habit of mine. Though not as bad as Ryota-kun's tendency to turn up late chatting up girls.

“The ecchi one with the dragon girls?” He asks curiously.

“Don't assume I read the same perverted stuff as you do.” I say, disgusted at being lumped in with him.

“It's not perverted. It's moe. Every healthy young man needs a dose of moe every now and then. Not like you'd understand. Considering you get to eat lunch with Aoi-chan nearly every day.” He says bitterly.

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“We're just childhood friends.” I say. “There's nothing like that going on between us.” Honesly. How many times do I have to say this? Even my mom and sister bug me about it.

“You say that now. Ugh. It's not fair! Why can't I have a cute childhood friend!” He yells out. Attracting the attention of a few students.

“Anyway, I didn't want to talk so you could make me feel bad.” He leans in whispering  “I bet you're wondering where our punctual Watanabe-chan is.” 

I nod. Confused as to why he's whispering so suddenly. 

“Thanks to my amazing intel gathering skills, I know for a fact that she's busy talking to a new transfer student. And she's a girl!” He says excitedly. only interested if it involves a girl. Making it a waste of talent.

No wonder everyone calls him a pervert.

Before I can say this, I'm interrupted by the door sliding open. Focusing my attention to the front, I see our homeroom teacher, Miss Watanbe, walk in. Followed closely by a girl that must be the new transfer student.

“Alright! Settle down.” She yells out, silencing the class. “I apologize for being late, but I had important business to take care of.” Her eyes shift over towards Ryota-kun. “I'm sure somebody nosy is already aware, but we're being joined by a transfer student.”

Our attention switches over to the girl she motions to.

Or it would have, if we weren't already staring at the unusual looking girl at the front of the class.

With her long black hair covering most of her face, she looked like the type of ghost girl you'd see in a horror movie.

“This is Yukari Inoue. She'll be joining us from this point onwards. Why don't you introduce yourself.” From the way she speaks, it seems like even Miss Watanabe is unsettled by her appearance.

Inoue-san nods and stares forward. “I'm Yukari Inoue. I look forward to getting to know you all. He he he.” Even the way she speaks is creepy.

Looking around, I notice that the other students are freaked out as well. All except Ryota-kun.

“Let's see.” Miss Watanabe examines the classroom. Probably in search of an empty seat for Inoue-san. Her eyes finally land on the desk a few rows up from mine. I can't help but feel some relief as she nods and heads over to her new seat.

“Now that that's sorted, let's begin homeroom. Class representative, if you'd get us started.”

“Stand! Bow!” 

Homeroom proceeds like normal. Though I can guess that the normality won't last long with Inoue-san here.

I'll just have to hope for the best.