The summer had come and gone, leaving behind memories of lazy days and fleeting moments of joy. For Ein and Aphmau it marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as they prepared to start their new journey as freshmen at Phoenix Drop High.

   Ein stood in front of the mirror in his room, adjusting his uniform nervously. The prospect of starting high school filled him with a mix of excitement and anxiety. He glanced at the door, where Aphmau's voice echoed in his memory.

     "Come on, Ein! Let's go outside and hang out with everyone!"

     Throughout the summer Aphmau had been relentless in her efforts to include him in her circle of friends. She dragged him to picnics in the park, movie nights at the cinema, and even a few impromptu karaoke sessions. At first, Ein had been hesitant, unused to the warmth and camaraderie of Aphmau's social circle. But slowly, he found himself opening up, tentatively allowing himself to enjoy these moments of connection.

     Now, as he remembered those times, a small smile tugged at the corners of Ein's lips. Aphmau's unwavering optimism and kindness had slowly chipped away at the walls he had built around himself. She had shown him what it meant to belong, to be part of something greater than his own painful past.

     Aphmau's voice called out from downstairs, interrupting Ein's thoughts. "Ein! Are you ready? We don't want to be late on our first day!"

     Ein took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. He joined Aphmau downstairs, where Sylvanna greeted them with a warm smile and a hearty breakfast.

     "Good morning, you two. Ready for your first day of high school?" Sylvanna asked, her eyes sparkling with pride.

     Aphmau nodded eagerly. "Definitely! I can't wait to see everyone again. I hope Kawaii~Chan doesn't forget to bring her lunch....again."

     Ein nodded quietly, his nerves still simmering beneath the surface. He appreciated Aphmau's enthusiasm, her ability to see the best in every situation. It gave him a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, high school wouldn't be as daunting as he feared.

...

     As Ein and Aphmau walked together towards Phoenix Drop High, the morning air was crisp with the promise of a new school year. They chatted casually about their summer adventures and the classes they were looking forward to, the nervous energy of starting high school mingling with their excitement.

     Arriving at the steps of the school, Aphmau pulled out her phone with a grin. "Hey, Ein, let's take a first day of school selfie!"

     Ein hesitated for a moment, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. He wasn't used to being in the spotlight, even if it was just for a photo. But Aphmau's enthusiasm was infectious, and he nodded reluctantly.

     "Just a quick one," he said, flashing a small smile.

     As Aphmau raised her phone to take the selfie, someone suddenly bumped into them from behind, causing her to nearly drop the device.

     "Hey, watch it!" Ein exclaimed, his irritation flaring as he looked up to see a tall, mysterious figure swiftly walking past them.

     The man glanced back at them briefly before disappearing into the crowd of students entering the school.

     Ein clenched his fists, feeling a surge of frustration.

     "Damn jerk," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with annoyance.

     Aphmau steadied herself and looked at Ein with concern. "Are you okay, Ein?"

     "Yeah, I'm fine," Ein replied tersely, trying to shake off his irritation. He glanced around, but the mysterious individual had vanished among the crowd.

     Aphmau frowned, sensing Ein's unease.

     "Let's forget the selfie for now. We can take it later," she suggested, her tone gentle.

     Ein nodded gratefully, thankful for her understanding. "Yeah, sounds good."

     Together, they entered the school, the incident with the mysterious man lingering in Ein's thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unsettling about the encounter, a sense of unease prickling at the back of his mind as they began their first day at Phoenix Drop High.

     As the school day at Phoenix Drop High unfolded, Ein found himself caught up in a whirlwind of new faces, unfamiliar hallways, and the buzz of excited chatter all around him. Aphmau, true to form, seemed to effortlessly navigate through the crowds, her friendly demeanor and occasional clumsiness endearing her to classmates and teachers alike.

     Throughout the day, Ein observed Aphmau as she greeted old friends and struck up conversations with new ones. Despite her occasional stumbles and mishaps—like tripping over her own shoes in the hallway—she seemed to attract positivity and laughter wherever she went.

     Ein, on the other hand, kept mostly to himself, silently observing his surroundings and trying to get a feel for the dynamics of high school life. He felt like an outsider, unsure of where he fit in amidst the sea of students bustling around him.

     During lunch break, Aphmau sat down beside him in the cafeteria, her tray clattering with excitement.

     "Can you believe how fast the day is going?" she exclaimed as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

     Ein nodded, mustering a small smile. "Yeah, it's definitely different."

    Aphmau grinned, undeterred by his reserved demeanor. "You'll get used to it, Ein. High school is all about finding your groove."

     Ein listened quietly, appreciating her optimism even if he didn't fully share it. He glanced around the cafeteria, noticing groups of students laughing and chatting animatedly. A pang of loneliness tugged at him, reminding him of his struggle to connect with others.

     "Aphmau," he began hesitantly, "how do you do it?

     Aphmau paused, her gaze softening with understanding as she turned to Ein. "Do what?"

     Ein hesitated, unsure of how to put his feelings into words.

     "You know, just... be so... social," he managed finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

     Aphmau smiled gently. "It's okay, Ein. I know it can be overwhelming at first."

     She leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. "Honestly, I get nervous too. But I've found that being friendly and open helps. People respond to kindness."

     Ein nodded, absorbing her words thoughtfully. He admired Aphmau's ability to remain upbeat and approachable despite her own insecurities. It was a quality he wished he possessed.

     "I guess I'm just not used to it," Ein admitted quietly, his gaze drifting back to the bustling cafeteria around them.

     "That's okay," Aphmau reassured him, her tone warm and encouraging. "You'll find your way. And remember, you don't have to rush. It's all about taking things at your own pace."

     Ein managed a small smile, grateful for her understanding. "Thanks, Aph."

     As the school day progressed, Ein found himself deep in thought as he considered which clubs to join. He glanced down at his schedule during a free period, scanning the list of extracurricular activities offered at Phoenix Drop High. There were options ranging from art and music clubs to sports teams and academic groups.

     Lost in his contemplation, Ein was suddenly jolted back to the present by a loud thud and the unmistakable sound of a dodgeball hitting the wall next to him. He looked up just in time to see a dodgeball whiz past his face, narrowly missing him.

     "Whoa!" Ein exclaimed, his heart racing as he turned to see Katelynn, a girl from his homeroom grinning mischievously as she retrieved the dodgeball.

     "Sorry about that!" Katelynn called out, waving at Ein with a playful smirk. "Watch out next time!"

     Ein chuckled nervously, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise to his cheeks.

     "Yeah, thanks," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

     Aphmau, who had been nearby, rushed over with a concerned expression. "Ein, are you okay? That was close!"

     "Yeah, I'm fine," Ein assured her, trying to shake off his surprise. He glanced back down at his schedule, making a mental note to be more aware of flying dodgeballs in the future.

     As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Ein made a decision. He had spent most of his free periods considering which clubs to join, but none had quite captured his interest. Instead of committing to a club right away, he opted to head to his last class of the day: werewolf class.

     Walking through the hallways, Ein navigated the bustling crowds of students heading in different directions. He glanced down at his schedule to double-check the room number and found himself intrigued by the unique name of the class.

     Arriving at the designated classroom, Ein hesitated for a moment before entering. The room was already buzzing with conversation as students settled into their seats. Ein found an empty desk near the back and took a seat, curious about what the class would entail.

     As Ein observed the heated argument unfolding at the front of the werewolf class, he could hear people whispering around him.

     "Hey, see that guy arguing with Balto?" the classmate whispered to another, "He's the new kid. I heard he said something that really got on Balto's bad side."

     Ein furrowed his brow, watching the exchange with interest.

     The classmate continued in a hushed tone, "Balto doesn't take disrespect lightly. This could get ugly."

     As Ein observed the escalating argument between this Balto guy and the new student (oh wait it's that asshole from earlier! howthehellisheinthisclass?!?), he recognized a familiar urge stirring within him—the temptation to intervene and assert himself. However, he also remembered the consequences of past conflicts where his involvement had only escalated tensions.

     Taking a deep breath, Ein consciously chose to avoid getting involved this time. He knew that his tendency to escalate things, fueled by a mix of anger and defensiveness, often led to regrettable outcomes. Instead, he focused on finding a sense of calm amidst the turmoil unfolding in werewolf class.

     Quietly making his way to a nearby desk, Ein sat down and opened his notebook. He tried to drown out the rising voices with the scratch of his pen on paper, jotting down notes from the class syllabus. His hands trembled slightly, a lingering reminder of the adrenaline rush that had almost pushed him to jump into the fray.

     Around him, the atmosphere remained tense as the argument between Balto and the new student continued to escalate. Ein resisted the urge to look up, knowing that getting drawn into the conflict could only lead to trouble. Instead, he focused on grounding himself in the present moment, determined to break the cycle of impulsiveness that had often defined his interactions in the past.

     As Ein continued to sit quietly at his desk, the tension in the room seemed to thicken with each passing moment. The argument between Balto and the new student reached a boiling point, their voices rising amidst the murmurs of the other students. Ein kept his gaze fixed on his notebook, his mind racing with conflicting emotions.

     The teacher, sensing the escalating conflict, stepped forward with a firm voice.

     "Alright, that's enough," he said, his tone cutting through the tension in the room. "Balto, take a seat. And you,"

     He turned to the new student, "Calm down. We don't need any more disruptions."

     Balto grumbled but reluctantly complied, shooting a final glare at the new student before sitting down heavily in his seat. The new student, still visibly agitated, took a deep breath and slowly returned to his desk, his hands clenched into fists.

      Around them, the other students exchanged nervous glances and whispered among themselves. Ein observed it all with a mixture of relief and lingering unease. He knew that his decision to stay out of the conflict had been the right one, yet he couldn't shake the lingering sense of tension that hung in the air.

     The class continued on like normal for a while. Ein heard the bell rung and got up out of his seat. Balto quickly shot up and made his way over towards the new kid.

     "You must really think you're hot shit, huh? You're lucky the teacher decided to intervene or else I would've wiped the floor with your ass," Balto snarled, "Tomorrow evening, don't sit in my seat. Got that?"

     The new kid simply rolled his eyes. That only made Balto angrier. Balto tried to punch the new kid only for him to get instantly flung out the window.

     "What the..." Ein's eyes widened. It was his first day of school and he's already seen someone get thrown out the window. How fantastic. Surely this school year couldn't get any worse...right?

...

     Sylvanna sat down with Ein and Aphmau in the living room, a warm smile on her face as she looked at her children.

     "So, how was your first day of high school?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

     Aphmau immediately began to recount her day with enthusiasm. "Mom, it was amazing! I made so many new friends, and I even joined the anime club! We talked about our favorite shows, and I can't wait to spend more time with them!"

     Sylvanna nodded, her eyes sparkling with pride. "That's wonderful, Aphmau. I'm glad you're settling in well."

     Ein, sitting quietly beside his sister, hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I... saw a fight happen in werewolf class."

     Sylvanna's expression softened with concern as she reached out to gently touch Ein's arm.

   "Are you okay, Ein?" she asked softly, her voice filled with motherly concern.

     Ein nodded slightly, meeting her gaze briefly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just... unexpected."

     Sylvanna nodded understandingly, her hand squeezing Ein's arm reassuringly. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here for you, okay?"

     Ein nodded in response, offering a faint smile to Sylvanna before excusing himself. He made his way up to his room, the events of the day replaying in his mind. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The echoes of the fight in werewolf class lingered, stirring memories he had tried to bury.

     Sitting down at his desk, Ein stared out the window, the evening sky casting a gentle glow in his room. He knew he couldn't avoid confronting his emotions forever. He's going to have to at one point...