Nao’s heart raced as she dashed through Seishin High’s gates, her faded school bag slapping against her back with every step. She’d overslept after sketching late. Now, her chestnut brown hair swayed in loose waves, barely held back, and her navy skirt flared as she hurried toward the genkan. I can’t be late again, she thought, her hazel eyes wide with dread. Sensei will notice, and Riko will worry...

She didn’t see Reina Fujimoto until it was too late. Nao rounded the courtyard’s corner and slammed into the gyaru queen’s shoulder, knocking her pink water bottle to the ground. Water splashed Reina’s tight uniform, soaking her tanned skin and blonde curls. The courtyard went still, students pausing mid-step, their eyes snapping to the disaster like moths to a flame.“G-Gomen nasai, Fujimoto-san!”Nao gasped, as she dropped to her knees, scrabbling for the bottle. Her fingers fumbled, the plastic skittering across the concrete, and heat flooded her cheeks. Why does it always have to be me? Her own blouse, damp from her rushed morning, hugged her curves. She felt exposed, every giggle from the crowd a needle in her skin.

“Are you serious, Tanaka?”Reina snapped, her sharp tongue cutting deep. Her clique giggled, phones out, recording Nao’s shame.“You’re gonna regret this, Art Girl.”Nao’s hands shook, her voice a whisper,“I-I didn’t mean it...”Across the courtyard, she spotted Riko Sato, her art club friend, trying to push forward. But Reina’s clique blocked her, their smirks holding Riko back. Riko... you can’t help me, Nao thought, her chest tightening.

Nao’s eyes flicked to the new transfer student at the courtyard’s edge. Their brief glance sparked desperate hope, Please help, but shame pulled her gaze down, her neck flushing.“I-I’ll fix it, please,”she choked out, fear and longing twisting inside her as Reina’s shadow grew.