Aqua Terrarium (Nagi No Asukara)

Chapter Two: Feelings Hidden Beneath Half-Smiles

A/N: This edit took too long to be posted. Sorry for that. This pandemic really took a toll on me since it's affected my work and studies. Also I've probably gotten a bit too invested in two games lately, Genshin and SinoAlice, so writing has been put in the last of my to-do list.

Edited: November 29, 2020

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"Well then, please introduce yourselves." The teacher gestured them to the whole class, Aoi noticing the students' eyes betraying emotions that ranged from curiosity to utter disgust. Being the centre of attention always put her on edge so, with a huff, she decided to start the introduction first to save them the agony of standing on a stage like circus animals.

"My name is Shimizu Aoi, nice to meet you all." She bowed before flinching inwardly when the tone of her voice sounded too clipped and annoyed. It wasn't the tone she was going for but it couldn't be helped since she couldn't stay calm in front of so many people that no doubt didn't like them being here. Aoi could see Hikari give her an approving nod making the girl look away and lower her head since she didn't really want to start a fight with the surface people.

"My name is Isaki Kaname, hope we all get along." Kaname moved forward and greeted everyone, making Aoi sigh in relief that his proper greeting might help everyone forget about her rather rude introduction. Just as he moved back, he passed Aoi a reassuring smile which made her turn red before his eyes glanced back to the class.

"Hiradaira Chisaki, nice to meet yo-," Chisaki tried her best to introduce herself but not before a kid snorted, Aoi's eyes instantly back to the class, her gaze narrowing into slits.

"Ahh, why does the room smell like fish," One of then cackled making her clench her fist when she saw Chisaki flinch from the corner of her eye.

"Well this room reeks of pig dung! Sakishima Hikari's the name and I have no plans making friends with any of you piggies," Hikari retorted aloud, his eyes glaring at the whole room who was stunned to silence by his words.

Even though Hikari and Aoi argued a lot, the girl couldn't help but always admire his guts to step up against people who made fun of them. It's probably one of the reasons why he became the group's de facto leader as the days went by.

"Sa, Manaka give them a good whiplash too," Hikari urged Manaka who was next to him, the poor girl stuttering in shock.

"Eeehhh?! B-but..." Manaka tried to say, Aoi's eyes following her constant glances to the back of the class, only to meet the boy who snagged her with a net sitting at the end of the room, his quiet gaze staring out into the sky.

"What are they? A married couple?" Aoi could hear a few snickers when her gaze returned to Hikari and Manaka who were indeed fighting like married people.

"I'm not talking to you anymore, Hii-kun!" Manaka finally yelled angrily, her embarrassed yet teary eyes looking away from Hikari who looked like he had been kicked.

Aoi sighed for the umpteenth time at the sight, wondering if they were ever going to get along with the whole class. She was already doubting their chances after Hikari had called them pigs.

"Aoi-chan, your seat is next to Kaname and Tsumugu at the back," The teacher instructed her once they all settled down.

Aoi nodded at the instruction and began to make her way to where Kaname and the quiet boy, now named Tsumugu, sat. Just as she was about to reach them, she felt something greet her leg in surprise which caused her to trip on the ground, the contents of her bag spilling to the floor.