"All of you are now part of Otonokizaka Academy. Congratulations on your acceptance!"

Cheers roared throughout the auditorium as the school director ended her speech and applauded. Students who were present at the school opening had smiles present on their faces.

"And now," said the school director as the cheering died down. "A word from the student council president."

It was quiet as the blonde made her way to the pedestal, her expression serious. The new students appeared to have been entranced by her grace and beauty. Murmurs could be heard from the students. Whether they were talking about good or bad things, I'll never know.

The microphone's static high pitched noise blasted. "Ah, sorry, sorry about that." The president finally spoke. She seemed quite nervous. Well, it's understandable. She cleared her throat before she spoke again, "Good morning, everyone. I am this school's student council president, Ayase Eli."

Ayase Eli, huh?

"Hey, hey, doesn't she seem pretty strict?" I felt someone nudge my shoulder. I thought nothing of it and continued listening to the boring speech. "Don't ignore me! I'm talking to you, you know?" This time, it was a silent yet coming from the same person who nudged my shoulder, I assume.

I turned my head to look at her, "What do you want?" I didn't mean to seem cold. I'm just horrible at talking to people, sorry, okay?

She slightly flinched. Guess she finds me intimidating now. "T-The president seems like a strict person, d-doesn't she?" Now, she's talking in a more formal fashion, it almost seem funny since it certainly didn't fit the way she looked. She had ginger hair that was tied into a side ponytail and energetic dark blue eyes which almost always appeared to have a mischievous glint in them.

"Sorry about that," I muttered to her. "I didn't mean to come off as cold, you can talk to me like how you usually talk to other people." My goal was to seem warm and welcoming, but my resting neutral face wasn't cooperating at all.

"A-Ah…" she looked confused at first, but it was quickly replaced by a genuinely happy one. "Anyway, my name's Kousaka Honoka, nice to meet you!" she brought out her hand for me to shake.

"Likewise. My name's Arishima Akane." I took her hand and shook it. More cheers suddenly erupted from the students around us. "Looks like the speech is done."

She nodded her head as she smiled brightly. "Yeah! Hope we get in the same class!"

Well, there are only 2 classes for the incoming first years, so… "Yep."

The chances shouldn't be that slim.

As I walked the hallways towards my designated classroom, I could feel almost everyone staring at me. Some were even talking in whispers to their friends, glancing at me from time to time. I shrugged as I looked straight forward.

Is it because of my blonde hair? Well, it's not my fault I have blonde hair. They're the ones who have to deal with it.

Clutching my bag and holding it close to my chest, I stood in front of my classroom door. I took deep breaths as I closed my eyes.

That's right… inhale, exhale… don't want to get a panic attack now… inhale, ex-

"Akane-chan!" an energetic voice piped up from behind me. I quickly turned around to see who it was. As expected, it was the girl I met earlier. Honoka, was it? Although, she was accompanied by two girls.

"Hey," I greeted her, my expression still as stoic as ever. "So we really are classmates, huh?" I told her as a hint of happiness escaped my lips. She seemed surprised at first, but she quickly responded with yet another bright smile on her face. The two girls beside her smiled as well.

"Uh, yeah! Well, if the classroom you're standing in front of is your classroom, then, yes! Oh, and we're classmates with my two friends, too!"

I look at the both of them as they smiled at me.

"My name is Sonoda Umi, pleased to make your acquaintance." Said the blue haired girl. At first glance, she looked like some kind of Yamato Nadeshiko, with the long dark hair matched with her amber eyes.

The second one spoke up, "And my name's Minami Kotori! It's nice to meet you." She sounded chirpy… like a bird?

"I'm Arishima Akane, it's nice to meet you both."

Honoka slung an arm over my shoulder, "You're getting along fine with them, good, good! Now, let's get inside our classroom!"

She opened the door and stepped inside, yelling, "Gooooood morning, everyone!" Everyone present in the classroom turned their heads to look at us, some in surprise, others in amusement.

Umi then stood in front of Honoka while Kotori and I just stared at everything that's unfolding right before us. "Sorry about that, everyone, Honoka here is just excited about high school." The students giggled then returned to what they were previously doing.

Honoka frowned and pouted, whining to Umi about how the blue haired girl ruined her so called "grand entrance".

"They're…. a handful, aren't they?"

Kotori chuckled, "I don't really mind."

The teacher came in the classroom a few minutes later and assigned us to our seats. Unfortunately, I was assigned to it on the front row so the teacher could keep an eye on me. Honoka and the others were at the back rows, near the window.

Currently, our homeroom teacher is discussing things about Science, and I'm taking notes.

With a pen on my right hand, and my notebook in front of me on my desk, I listened to her.

"We can then conclude that-"

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," our teacher said. The door slid open, revealing the president and vice president of the student council.

"May we have a moment to talk to the freshmen?" the blonde inquired, tucking strands of her hair behind her right ear. I stared at the both of then, everyone was. Almost immediately after she spoke, my classmates murmured to each other again. I didn't let that affect me as I continued to stare at the two.

This was the first time I saw the vice president. She was tall, but not as tall as the president. Her purple hair was tied into two lower ponytails. She must have noticed me staring since she gave me a smile and mouthed me a 'hello'. Not knowing how to respond, I looked away.

The both of them walked in front of us, as the president held up a sheet of paper. "This here," she said as she showed it to us for all to see. "Is a list of all the clubs currently in the school. Each student is required to join one. You may make your own club, too. Just make sure you have at least five members when you start out."

As the president continued to ramble on about clubs, I propped my elbow on my desk and rested my chin on the palm of my hand. I looked at the window and sulked.

"Is that clear?" Looks like she's done. The class responded gleefully. "Is that clear?" she repeated, but it sounded like she was directing it to someone. Letting my curiosity get the best of me, I turn my head, just to be greeted by Ayase Eli, herself, in front of me.

"Yes," I answer her, my expression blank.

She took a good look at me one more time before she head over to the vice president. "Oh, and, if you're not sure which club to join, you can always go to the student council office. We'll help you out." Said the purple haired 2nd year. The president looked confused by her statement, but nodded anyway.

They thanked our homeroom teacher then pinned the sheet of paper to our classroom's bulletin board before going outside.

Clubs, huh?

"Hey, hey, Akane-chan, which club are you going to join?" Honoka was, once again, nudging my shoulder. It's currently lunch time and we decided to eat outside under the large tree in the middle of the courtyard.

Students passed by with joyful smiles as the cool wind blew calmly, making the leaves sway. I look down at my lap, where I placed my lunched box. Picking up a piece of meat with my chopsticks, I shrugged, "I'm not sure. I'm actually thinking of paying a visit to the student council office." Umi, and Kotori, who sat next to Honoka, nodded.

"I'm thinking of joining the Sewing Club." Kotori said as she took a bite of her lunch. It fit her well.

I nod, eating the piece of meat, "What about you, Umi?"

Before Umi could respond to my question, Honoka filled in for her, "Actually, Umi comes from a family of braaaave warriors and scary samurai so-"

"I'm thinking of joining the Archery Club." Umi cut her sentence short as she smiled warmly at me, leaving Honoka feeling ignored and whine some more at her.

"Anyway," Honoka said as she recovered from feeling rejected. "I'm joining the Cooking Club! My family runs a sweets shop, you see. You should stop by some time, Akane-chan!" Honoka was grinning like an idiot as she replied.

"Sure," I plainly muttered as the three of them smiled warmly at me.

This isn't that bad.