Hi! My name is Aihara Kotoko, I'm currently seventeen years old, and I'm in the A class of my high school. You're probably wondering things like, 'Class A!?! Wow! You must be really smart, huh?' And, I mean, yeah, I guess I'm pretty smart, but that's not why I love being in the A class. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always noticed how people struggle. For example, there's an old lady somewhere out there that's struggling to stay standing. Somewhere there's a young man that's barely making enough to support himself. Somewhere there's a child, yelling for their mother, and somewhere, there's a woman wishing her baby hadn't passed. Thoughts like these constantly swirl in my mind, and I'm sure that a lot of people would be depressed by these thoughts, but me? They're the thoughts that keep me going, the ones that push me to make a difference. I'm going to be the change I want to see, even if I only do it, one deed at a time. After all, a smile is contagious, isn't it? And there's one person I have never seen smile, and his name is Irie-Kun. I'm going to make him smile, even if it's the last thing I do. But first, let's start at the beginning.

The First Day of School. The Day of my Speech.

Just take a deep breath. They're only people, right? It's fine. They don't know you... WHICH IS THE VERY REASON I CAN'T MESS THIS UP! IF I MESS THIS SPEECH UP, THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE KNOWN FOR!

"Earth to Kotoko? Hello, Kotoko, are you in there? You do realize that you're pulling your hair out, right?"

"Huh?"

I look at Watanabe, my best friend since preschool.

"Your hair, you're ripping it out... by the roots?"

"Oh."

I release my hands from the rats nest that is my hair. It's then that I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Look, you'll be fine. You're the most popular person I know, they'll love you. I mean, who wouldn't? You kind, funny, smart, loving, pretty, loyal, encouraging, happy—"

"Okay, okay. I get it. I'm amazing."

He winks at me.

"You know it. Say it loud, say it proud!"

His smile reassures me. He's always been like a brother to me. He keeps me out of trouble, and I make sure that no one, and I mean no one, bothers him. I was about to thank him when:

"Next, you'll be hearing from our most gifted student, Aihara Kotoko!"

Loud applause fills the air, as Watanabe pushes me towards the curtain. I can do this!

I walk on stage, nod a thanks to the teacher that introduced me, and take a deep breath.

"Hi! My name is Aihara Kotoko, but please, call me Kotoko. Over the years, I've worked, and I've worked. And finally, I'm able to stand where I am today. But I couldn't have gotten here without the help of my friends and family. But enough about me, what about you? Life. It's just a word, right? Wrong. It's the only for sure thing that you and I have in common. Life is a journey, a long road trip, really. But, what's a road trip without friends? I'm sure you all have people that you generally spend time with, but, do you really know those people? Do you think you could reach out a little more? Now, I've already introduced myself to you, but now it's your turn. Turn to the person next to you and, with a smile, introduce yourself."

I release yet another breath as the sound of squeaky chairs fill the auditorium, and I hear the soft murmurs or whispered introductions.

"There. That person you just met. That's your new friend. Someone who can help you through the hard times. School. It's a burden, right? Something we just put up with? Wrong again. School is the only taste of life we get before we're thrust into the real world. School is a wake up call. And high school just makes it real. We only have a few years left to be kids. So let's make this time worth while, but not just socially, academically too. I hope to become close with all of you. And I hope you see that I truly am here for you if ever I'm needed. Once again, I'm Kotoko, and our story begins here."