The gentle hum of morning life filled the air in Sakura Town. The distant chirping of birds and the rustling of cherry blossoms in the breeze signaled the start of a new day. For Misato Sakura, however, it wasn’t just any ordinary day. Today, she would be starting school for the very first time.
She had spent most of her life living quietly under the care of Aroma Shirosaki, her kind and attentive guardian, in this small but beautiful town. And though she had always enjoyed the calm and simplicity of her routine, there was something about today that made her feel both nervous and excited. School, after all, meant new faces, new places, and new experiences.
Misato rolled out of bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and glanced around her small room. A few books were scattered across her desk, and the morning sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow on everything. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to make this day a good one.
Downstairs, Aroma was already bustling in the kitchen. The familiar scent of rice and miso soup drifted up the stairs, pulling Misato from her thoughts.
"Good morning, Misato!" Aroma greeted her with a cheerful voice as Misato entered the kitchen. “Are you ready for your big day?”
Misato smiled, though there was a hint of hesitation in her expression. "Good morning, Aroma. I think so. I’m a little nervous, though."
Aroma placed a bowl of steaming rice on the table and looked at her reassuringly. "It's normal to be nervous, but don’t worry. You’ll do just fine. Besides, everyone’s going to love you!"
Misato sat down and began to eat quietly. Despite Aroma’s comforting words, the fluttering in her stomach wouldn’t quite go away. She had lived in Sakura Town for a few years now, but she had never really mingled with many of the children her age. This would be her first real opportunity to make friends, and the thought of it filled her with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
After finishing breakfast, Misato stood up and hurried back upstairs to change into her school uniform. The pale blue skirt and white blouse felt a little stiff, but she adjusted it in front of the mirror, making sure everything was neat. She tied her long black hair into a loose ponytail and grabbed her school bag.
With one last glance around her room, she headed downstairs and out the door. Aroma waved to her from the front porch, calling out, “Have a wonderful day, Misato! And remember to be yourself!”
Misato nodded, smiling slightly. She had been hearing that phrase—"be yourself"—a lot lately. But what did it really mean to "be herself" when she wasn’t even sure who she truly was yet?
As she walked down the quiet streets of Sakura Town, Misato took in her surroundings. The cherry trees lining the road were in full bloom, their pink petals drifting softly to the ground. It was a beautiful day, and the familiar sights of her town helped ease some of her nerves.
Soon, the school came into view. The Sakura School was a traditional building with wooden panels and a large gate at its entrance. Misato’s heart began to pound as she stepped through the gate, her eyes darting around at the other students who were already gathered in groups, chatting and laughing.
She felt small and out of place as she made her way to the classroom. As soon as she entered, her anxiety spiked. The classroom was already buzzing with energy. Kids were talking loudly, running around, and greeting each other like old friends. Misato scanned the room nervously, unsure where to go.
Suddenly, a bright voice interrupted her thoughts. "Hey! Are you the new girl?"
Misato turned to see a girl with short, choppy hair and a wide grin approaching her. The girl’s uniform was slightly rumpled, and she had an easygoing confidence that immediately put Misato at ease.
"Yeah, I’m Misato," she replied, trying to match the girl’s energy.
"I’m Chie! Nice to meet you!" The girl extended her hand enthusiastically, and Misato shook it, feeling some of the tension leave her shoulders. "Come on, sit with me!" Chie continued, pulling her toward a desk near the front.
Misato followed, grateful to have made a friend so quickly. As she sat down, she glanced around the room, feeling more comfortable now. There was still a lot of noise and chatter, but now it seemed a little less overwhelming.
The teacher arrived shortly after, and the classroom settled down. The first lesson of the day was fairly straightforward—introductions, basic rules, and schedules. Misato paid attention, trying to absorb everything. But her mind kept drifting. She couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of the day would be like. Would the other students be as friendly as Chie? Would she be able to keep up with the lessons?
During the break, Chie introduced Misato to some other students. One of them, Anitama Konaru, was a tall boy with messy hair and a pair of glasses that seemed too big for his face. He gave Misato a shy smile and waved.
"Hi, Misato. Welcome to Sakura School," Anitama said, his voice soft but kind.
"Thanks," Misato replied, returning his smile.
Another girl joined them shortly after. She had long, dark hair and a quiet demeanor. "I’m Hatusuki Anaru," she introduced herself in a soft voice, her eyes briefly meeting Misato’s before she looked away.
Misato could sense that Hatusuki was shy, much like herself, and felt an instant connection with her. "It’s nice to meet you," Misato said warmly.
As the day went on, Misato found herself relaxing more. The classes were engaging, the teachers were kind, and she was slowly starting to feel like she belonged. During lunch, she sat with Chie, Anitama, and Hatusuki, sharing stories and getting to know them better.
Though it was only her first day, Misato could already feel a bond forming between them. The anxiety she had felt that morning was now just a distant memory. Instead, there was a sense of hope—a hope that this place, this school, could be her new beginning.
As the final bell rang and the students began packing up, Chie nudged Misato’s arm. "Hey, wanna walk home together?"
"Sure," Misato replied with a smile, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
As they stepped outside, the soft breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms. Misato looked around at the familiar streets of Sakura Town, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Today had been a good day—better than she had expected.
Walking side by side with Chie, Anitama, and Hatusuki, Misato couldn’t help but feel like she was finally starting to find her place. This might be the first day of school, but it also felt like the first step toward something much bigger.
Episode 2: ???