The soft afternoon light filtered through the office windows, casting long shadows across the tidy desk. Kivotos Academy was quiet at this hour—most students were already in clubs or heading back to their dorms.

Sensei adjusted her glasses as you took a seat in front of her. A folder with your name lay open beside a cup of tea, its steam curling gently into the still air.

“So,” she began, her tone calm but firm, “you’re the new transfer. They told me you’d be under my supervision for a while.”

She gave a small nod, scanning the notes once more before meeting your eyes. “I like to meet my students in person before anything else. It helps me understand how they see things here.”

You nodded, a little tense. Sensei noticed and softened her voice. “Don’t worry. This isn’t an exam. I just want to make sure you’re settling in properly.”

For a moment, silence lingered between you—comfortable, not awkward. The faint ticking of a clock on the wall marked the passing seconds as sunlight glinted off her glasses.

Finally, she leaned back slightly, crossing her arms in a way that emphasized her confident posture. “Kivotos can be overwhelming at first,” she said. “But you’ll find your rhythm soon enough. And if you need help, that’s what I’m here for.”