Chapter 1

Revised 2/2020

When I was three, my father's company grew at a rapid pace.

When I was four, my father took me to meet Asano Gakushuu.

When I was eight, I wrote my first program. Father was so proud of me.

When I was eleven, I wrote my hundredth.

That same year, I was enrolled in Kunugigaoka Junior High.

When I was twelve, I met Shiota Nagisa. We got along quite well. I learned about my reputation as "Shirayukihime."

When I was thirteen, I met Akabane Karma.

Now I am fourteen, I have been placed in Class 3A. I don't want to be here.

My head rests on my desk with my arms shielding the bright, fluorescent lights from my tired eyes. This class is so stuffy. I'd rather be with my friends.

The soft scuffling of the indoor shoes the school provides for us signals the arrival of some more students. I just can't wait for the-

"Shirayukihime!" A loud nasally voice called. "I need help with this one math problem!"

-boys from the class over to show up. Maybe if I ignore him he'll go away.

"Shirayukihime I really need your help with this one!" Another one has appeared.

"Hey back off!" Student number one yelled. "I was here first!"

"But my problem is harder than yours! I should go first!"

Just ignore them.

"There's no difference in difficulty here we're in the same class!"

They don't exist.

"Yes, there is!"

You're in bed at home with Akiko.

"First come first serve!"

Akiko is on top of you like always, just purring away-

"You boys need to shut up and let Shirayukihime rest!" Another one. This time, it's a girl.

Akiko is the only one who-

"Please be quiet." A smooth voice interrupted. "Ichihara-san is trying to rest from a night of hard work studying."

'Ah! Thank goodness for Sakakibara-san.'

"Yes, if I remember correctly she stayed up till one working on a new program as well."

...maybe I can fake it and go home, Papa probably wouldn't object.

"A-Asano-san!" "We're extremely sorry!"

"It's fine, just try to not do it again. It would be terrible if something happened to worsen her already poor health."

The scuffling sound is back again. It sounds much more panicked this time.

"Chihiro, it's time for you to get up." Gakushuu places his hand on my head. I tuck my head further into my arms. "Chihiro." There's a slight threat resting behind his voice.

"I want to go home and sleep." I whine. Gakushuu huffs and starts to tug on my uniform sleeve.

"There's no point in you going home because we both know you won't sleep." It was my turn to sigh. "Come on." He coaxes.

"Fine." I lift my head and rearrange my bangs so they look just a little bit neater.

"Good," the corner of his mouth lifts to form a smirk. "Make sure you thank Sakakibara for stopping them before they could continue." I look away and nod. Just then the bell rang, and a new day of class began.

'I hope something interesting happens today. But, nothing ever really does.'

A/N: gosh writing 2020 is so weird. it hasn't hit me but it will soon.