"..."
"Ayane, what do you think of that student?" Septarion asks me as I look at the student named Setsuna, who has incredible grades.
"W-Well, she's amazing..." I murmur to Septarion. Setsuna is undoubtedly incredible, not only for her grades but also for her great beauty. Her white hair with pink details is truly something beautiful to observe.
But the fact that she looked at me and then specifically at Septarion leaves me wondering if she's a magical girl. I may have just jumped to conclusions and she didn't even look at Septarion.
After finishing talking to the teacher, Setsuna turns to the classroom and starts walking, but instead of going to the empty seat, she comes close to me, but without looking at me, just staring straight ahead, almost mechanically.
She stops near the desk where I'm sitting and looks at the girl sitting next to me.
"Excuse me, may I sit here? I would feel more comfortable, the teacher has already given prior permission," Setsuna says in a "gentle" tone, but it seems strange, even though it's gentle.
She just says that and stares at the girl, who becomes a bit nervous.
"H-Haha, s-sure, I was actually wanting to try a new spot, you can take it," the girl replies hastily while putting away her things and going to the empty seat, leaving a vacant space.
'She...sat close to me...could it really be because of me?' I think about drawing her attention, but the teacher soon starts the class while Setsuna takes her materials and starts writing, completely oblivious to me.
'I-I guess I was just mistaken...' She doesn't even look at me, just mechanically takes notes as the teacher writes, with a speed that matches the teacher's. From what I see in her notebook, her handwriting is impressively beautiful. She must have practiced a lot.
I sigh, realizing I was mistaken, and start writing as well, while Septarion just sits quietly, staring at Setsuna, I think he believes she was looking at him.
But I think we both just misunderstood, she doesn't show any interest in me at all. I guess we were too quick to think something just because someone briefly looked at us for a few seconds.
'...She's really very beautiful...and those wing accessories are so cute,' I think, unable to focus properly as I look at Setsuna. She has a mystical aura that is attractive.
Many students besides me also look at her with curiosity. Her coldness and almost mechanical movements create an image that seems to come straight out of a work of art.
And the wing accessories on her head give Setsuna an almost angelic air that contrasts with the coldness in her expression. It's simply beautiful.
"Students, pay attention," the teacher calls out, as many students are distracted by Setsuna, who has a very special and striking presence that really captures attention.
Soon, everyone starts paying attention, reducing the focus on Setsuna. I also try to pay more attention while copying the material from the board in my notebook until it's time for the first break at 10:00 AM.
The teacher leaves the classroom, and soon some girls gather around Setsuna. I just grab my small lunchbox to eat here, as the girls I talked to yesterday are trying to talk to Setsuna, so I have no one to talk to.
And it's difficult to leave the spot I'm in, as it's near the window and the exit is blocked by several girls who want to talk to Setsuna.
So I just start eating my meal while listening curiously to what they're talking about. Septarion has flown to another magical girl, so I'm alone.
"Hey, is it true that you came from an orphanage? How did you get a perfect score even without being able to study?" one of the girls asks with a mix of curiosity and malice.
'They shouldn't be doing that...' I feel uncomfortable. This is clearly a way to try to diminish her achievement. I'm not stupid, I understand this, and if it continues, I will intervene.
I don't do anything yet because Setsuna seems not to care, and I know that some people don't like it when outsiders interfere.
"Yes, I came from an orphanage. Do you want to know how I got a perfect score?" She speaks in a way that piques the curiosity of the girls around her.
"It's quite simple. I just took the test, without studying, without learning more, without studying on the internet. I just looked at the questions and knew the answers, after all, only those who don't know anything study."
"When you know things, you can get the maximum with the minimum, controlling the time with perfection and mastery." The girl who asked the question becomes embarrassed and walks away, leaving.
Even to me, that hurt a little. She just said that she is smart enough to take the test without studying anything and that only those who are not capable from the beginning study, which greatly diminishes the value of all the effort to study.
And I've studied so hard. That wasn't very nice, but I understand that the other girl started it, so I just sigh and wait.
"W-Well, that's incredible, haha, you're a genius," one of the girls says to break the bad mood. I think they were testing if she was someone easy to bully because of her problems or if she was someone to be avoided.
They did that to me, but the class representative intervened and helped me, and thanks to that, they lost interest in me.
"Where did you buy that hair accessory? It's beautiful," one of the popular girls in the class asks Setsuna, who gives a slight smile.
"It was a gift, a special gift made in a slightly more special way, so I think you'd only be able to get one if you asked for a custom-made one," Setsuna replies honestly, without arrogance or boasting.
But it makes sense. I've never seen a hair accessory in the shape of wings like that before. They look very realistic and well-made to be something cheap, so it must be quite expensive.
"Do you want to go to the cafeteria with us? There's something to eat now?" It seems the popular girls want to bring her into their group, which would make her life here easier if she accepts.
"Hmm...can I whisper a secret?" She speaks to the popular girl, who nods and approaches. Soon, Setsuna starts whispering to her.
I end up trying to listen, as a magical girl, even without transforming, I'm a bit stronger and have higher general abilities than average.
"I know what you do to earn the money you flaunt with your friends. It's disgusting that you use money from prostitution to bully less fortunate students."
"I recommend you stop this before you get pregnant. You know the school is not a place for these shenanigans, right? Get out of my sight before someone like you has a chance to contaminate this pure school environment."
Setsuna whispers this without malice or emotion. It's like a machine repeating a pre-programmed script, and this makes the tone even more frightening, making the girl shiver. No one else besides the girl and me heard this.
"...H-Hahaha, w-what a unique secret. I-I think my boyfriend is waiting, t-thank you for the chat, let's go, girls," the group leader says nervously as she leaves, the other girls following her without understanding anything.
'I...didn't know that girl was selling her own body and using the money for bullying.' This is something quite serious, and from the girl's reaction, it seems to be true.
"Hello," Setsuna snaps me out of my thoughts, speaking to me. We're alone in the classroom because most of the students have gone out to stretch their legs or have a light snack before lunch.
"H-Hello, I'm Ayane," I introduce myself, a bit nervous, as I see Septarion returning and perching on my shoulder.
"I'm Setsuna. Can we be friends?" She speaks directly, which surprises me.
"H-Huh?"
"I...don't have any friends, but I don't want fake friends like those girls who enjoy mistreating others. I don't like that, so I want a real friend," Setsuna explains, which explains what she said earlier.
'So that's why she was so cruel to those girls?...' I think I understand. Maybe Setsuna just doesn't understand that she was cruel and severe with those girls because she has few feelings.
"Okay! Let's be friends," I say enthusiastically. I'll be able to help this girl understand things a little better. I'm sure I can make her understand emotions better.
"...Good. How about we take a walk around the school? Can I call you Ayane?" Her polite tone is nice to hear.
"Yes, of course. And how would you like me to call you?" I ask, trying to be polite, since she's a bit different from the others, she might want me to address her in a more formal way instead of directly.
"Hmm, you can just call me Setsuna. In the future, when we're closer, we can see how it'll be," she says with a smile different from the emotionless ones she had shown before.
'W-What a beautiful smile.' She seems so angelic and sentimental with this smile. I guess this is what happens when someone who doesn't express anything finally shows a smile.
"W-We can go now for the school tour! I don't know much, but I can help," I say, trying to be helpful, while Septarion stares at Setsuna, who doesn't look at him at all.
"Ayane, I think I was mistaken. This girl didn't look at me when I entered the classroom or when I perched on your shoulder as if she couldn't see me. Maybe I was just too hasty," Septarion says, ruffling his feathers.
"We can go," Setsuna speaks almost at the same time, telling me we can leave.
"Yes, we can," I stand up to help her explore the school. We still have 20 minutes.