Chapter 2 — The One Who Reaches Out
The quiet hum of conversation filled the classroom, blending with the soft clatter of desks being adjusted and chairs being scooted.
Lots of students has their own friends, and of course their conversation is different any time. Sometimes is about that and sometimes is about this.
But for the twins...
The twins stood near the entrance, frozen in place like a pair of forgotten statues. Elira's fingers tightened around the paintbrush she still held, while Elena gripped her book as if it were a lifeline.
They had expected the same—mockery, whispers, the kind of snickers and side-eyes that had trailed them since elementary school. But none came. Not yet, at least.
Kaito turned from his desk and waved them over. "Yooo~ Twins, Your seats are still the same. I kept them for you."
Seems like their days is gonna be a lot of fun with Kaito who handle the class very well where none of them even cared for the twins. It's good 'cause they didn't get bullied at all.
It was such a simple thing, yet the warmth behind his voice made it feel like a gift. Elena led the way, walking with her usual grace, head held high, chin lifted in silent defiance. Elira followed just a step behind, more cautious, eyes darting from face to face.
Kaito smiled when they reached him. "Morning. I hope yesterday wasn't too overwhelming."
Elena's response was a curt nod, but Elira offered a timid, "Thank you for walking us to the gate."
"I meant it," Kaito said, turning back to his bag. "People around here aren't all bad. Just… unused to things that don't fit their frame."
Elira tilted her head. "Like us?"
Kaito laughed softly. "Exactly like you."
...
The first few periods passed without incident. The teachers, while strict, were far more respectful than what the twins were used to.
No one called them out unnecessarily, and for once, Elira wasn't made to read aloud while her classmates stifled laughter. Elena managed to sketch quietly in the margins of her notebook without being reprimanded.
During the break before lunch, Kaito turned toward them again. "Do you two usually eat alone?"
Elira hesitated. "We… don't usually eat at all with others."
"Well," Kaito said, already placing his bento on his desk, "you're welcome to eat with me, every day if you like."
Elena studied him for a moment, then slowly reached into her bag. "You're persistent," she muttered.
He shrugged with a sheepish grin. "I prefer the term 'reliable.'"
They ate together in silence at first, the quiet broken only by the soft rustling of wrappers and the occasional click of chopsticks. Then, as if spurred by some internal push, Elira spoke up.
"I write stories," she said suddenly. "In case you were wondering."
Kaito blinked, then smiled. "What kind of stories?"
Elira fiddled with her chopsticks. "Fantasy, mostly. About people who are broken… but find a place to belong."
Kaito nodded slowly. "That sounds beautiful."
She looked down, cheeks tinged with pink. "Thanks."
Kaito turned to Elena. "And you? What do you like to draw?"
She paused, then reached for her sketchbook, flipping it open to a page she hadn't shown anyone. On it was a soft pencil drawing of the classroom—the windows casting light across desks, with indistinct figures drawn in soft outlines.
But two figures were drawn in detail. One with long, straight hair holding a book. The other with shorter hair, face half-turned.
"That's… us," Kaito said, recognizing himself. His tone was filled with wonder, not mockery.
Elena closed the book again. "It's easier to understand people through drawings."
"I'm honored," he said. "You're really talented."
This time, both girls glanced at each other. The words weren't empty. They rang with something unfamiliar—genuine praise.
...
That afternoon, a soft commotion stirred at the back of the class. A new notice had been posted: club recruitment week was beginning. The board was filled with colorful flyers, handwritten notes, and sign-up sheets.
Elira hovered near the board during the break, eyes scanning the options. Literature Club. Drama. Cooking. None quite caught her attention—until she saw it.
Writer's Circle. Weekly Meetings. Room 3-F.
She stared.
"You thinking of joining?" Kaito's voice drifted beside her.
Elira startled, then nodded. "Maybe. I've never joined a club before."
"There's a first time for everything," he said. "I think you'd be great there."
She smiled. Small. Real.
On the other side of the hallway, Elena lingered near a different flyer: Art & Design Club. No flashy colors, just a sketch of a blooming rose. Simple. Elegant.
Kaito appeared beside her too. "That one's good. My cousin's in it. They're very open-minded."
Elena didn't respond, but her hand lingered near the sign-up sheet.
After classes ended, the hallway outside Class 2-B was quiet, most students rushing to club activities or heading home. The twins lingered near their lockers, waiting.
From down the hall, a group of boys passed by, laughing. One slowed as he noticed the girls.
"Hey," he called, grin sharp. "You two twins or clones?"
Elira flinched.
Before the boy could say more, Kaito stepped between them. His voice was calm but cold. "Not funny."
The boy scoffed. "Just messing around."
"Well, don't," Kaito replied. "You want to joke? Do it with someone who finds you funny."
The group moved on, murmuring.
Elira's voice was soft. "You didn't have to…"
Kaito looked back at her. "I wanted to."
That evening, back at home, the twins sat together in their small shared bedroom. Elira wrote in her notebook, words flowing more freely than ever before. Elena painted quietly beside her, dipping her brush into soft watercolor palettes.
A knock at the door. Their grandmother peeked in.
"Elena. Elira. Dinner's ready. How was school?"
They looked at each other.
Elira smiled. "Better."
Elena nodded. "Different."
Their grandmother watched them a moment, then smiled gently. "That's good. It's about time."
As the door closed, Elira turned back to her notebook and scribbled something in the margin:
Today… someone saw us.
For the first time in years, she didn't feel invisible.
To be continued...