Hiyori's first day of school was a mix of fear and cautious hope. She clutched her mother's hand tightly as they walked to the entrance, the unfamiliar building looming above her. Children's laughter filled the air, a sound so foreign to her that it almost hurt to hear.
Her mother knelt to straighten Hiyori's uniform, her eyes hollow but her smile forced. "Be good," she said softly, her voice carrying a faint tremble. "Make some friends."
Hiyori nodded, her grip loosening. She wasn't sure what to expect, but something about this place felt… different.
Inside the classroom, the walls were covered with colorful posters and drawings. The teacher, a kind-looking woman named Miss Aoki, greeted each student warmly, her voice like a gentle melody.
"Good morning, Hiyori," she said with a smile. "Welcome to our class."
Hiyori offered a small nod, her words caught in her throat. She found a seat near the window and watched the other children settle in, their chatter filling the room like birdsong.
At first, she felt out of place, like a shadow among bright, vibrant lights. But as the morning unfolded, she began to relax. The teacher's kind demeanor and the warm atmosphere of the classroom eased some of her tension.
During recess, a girl with pigtails and a wide, toothy grin approached her. "Hi! I'm Aiko. What's your name?"
Hiyori hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "Hiyori."
Aiko beamed. "Do you want to play tag with us?"
For a moment, Hiyori froze, unsure of how to respond. But something about Aiko's smile made her feel safe, like the world wasn't as frightening as it had always seemed. Slowly, she nodded.
The next few minutes were unlike anything Hiyori had ever experienced. She ran across the playground, her laughter bubbling up despite herself. The other children's joy was infectious, and for the first time, Hiyori felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—happiness.
When she returned home that afternoon, her mother noticed the faint smile on her face. "Did you have a good day?" she asked, her tone cautious.
Hiyori nodded, clutching her schoolbag tightly. "It was… nice," she said, her voice hesitant but genuine.
That night, for the first time in weeks, Hiyori's diary entry wasn't filled with fear or sadness. Instead, she wrote about the playground, about Aiko's laughter, and about how the classroom had felt warm and welcoming.
"I think I like school," she wrote.