We waited one month for the results. I couldn't bring myself to open the letter. My sister opened hers right away. No surprises, she got accepted. Seeing as I was looking intensely at mine, she snatched it and opened it in my stead. Her eyes darkened.

— I knew it! I didn't pass.

I claimed.

— I'm so sorry.

She said in a solemn voice. She continued in the same tone.

— But...

Her expression suddenly got lighter.

— You'll have to stick with me this year as well.

— Don't do that! You know I don't like it.

I ran after her and she evaded me with ease.

— Big bro, you know how I like to tease you. I'm the only one who can do that.

— It's not funny, Yui!

— For me it is. I guess since we're going to high school next year, I should stop being so childish with you.

— You know far too well you won't change even a bit.

— You know me too well.

— You say that every year since we got to school. You were barely four at the time.

— Maybe I will mean it one day...

— The day you will, I would be so shocked I might collapse out of surprise.

— See, I knew I was right to keep teasing you.

— Hm! I didn't mean it in that way and you know it.

I mumble in displeasure.

As always, when the school year ended, we both finished first of our classes with perfect grades. After summer break, it would be our first year in high school. We're among the first ones in years who would go there. 

It had been three years since all the high schools closed because of a lack of attendance. Some reinstated themselves as adult highschools, small colleges or wide spectrum schools. Others just closed because of lack of funds or attendance. The reinstatement of high schools for children started this year. 

A lot of children got held back because of the lack of high school facilities, such as me and my sister. That's why, in some school institutions they instigated programs meant to help the many children who got held back to learn at their rhythm and get more motivation at school. I'm excited to go there, but at the same time, I'm a little nervous. I'm an average boy and all the others will be geniuses. I won't really feel at my place, but at least it will bring me one step closer to college. 

In any case, this class is sure to be full of fire-teen and I'll probably be the only non-fiery one. I wonder if I could still be friends with them. I don't want to feel like an experimental subject again. It makes me feel like an alien.

— Hey, bro! They say we could visit our high school in summer to get accustomed to the new setting beforehand. Do you wanna come?

— Yeah, sure! I could find the library more easily and discover great spots to study.

— What a nerd! You only think about studying, don't you?

— You're one to talk, you don't even need to study to get perfect grades.

— Sorry! I didn't mean to imply something like that.

Yeah, my sister is a tease, but she knows when she goes too far.

— When will we go?

— How about next week?

— Yeah, sure! It will leave me the time to finish my summer reading.

— Mhm...

She hummed as a sign of triumph. She wasn't entirely wrong to be calling me a nerd.

The week flew by in an instant as I was studying and reading everything I was asked to and much more. I was ready for any surprise test they might throw at me. If they want me to talk about 'a book of my choice' I have ten in store waiting just for that. I'm positive I can finish any homework given to me in less than one day. I'm ready for anything. 

This afternoon, we will visit the entire school and I will make sure to never get lost or arrive late to class. I will make this program mine! Ha! Haha! Okay, I should stop acting like a villain... It doesn't really suit me.

— There will be a tour to show us around, wanna come or do you want to explore all by yourself?

— Hm... As it's my first time, I'll go with the tour.

— Great! I'll ask the guide to show the library last!

— Hey!

We went to the main hall where it was supposed to start.

— For the ones who are here for the tour, come here. It will start in five minutes!

Said a guy, seemingly our guide. He didn't seem really motivated, but he made an effort to put on a smile.

— I'm so excited for high school!

Declared a girl not far from us. I heard others whispering around her.

— Well, she might be the only one.

— I bet you she's one from the special class.

— No wonder! It's obvious.

— And see her hair? She must have put potassium on it. There's no way she has natural purple fiery hair!

— Yeah, right, how vain of her!

Hopefully the purple-haired girl didn't seem to mind. My sister went straight to her. I followed her like a child would follow their mother. It seems that the girl and my sister have one thing in common, they don't listen to other people's criticism...

— Hello there! I love your hair!

— Hi! I love yours as well. I always wanted to have watery hair. And that color, it looks just like old pictures of turquoise ocean.

— I know, my parents always tell me that. How did your hair turn in that color? Is it natural?

— Well... Actually, yeah! People always think I put chemical compounds in them, but it just changes depending on how I'm feeling.

— What does purple mean?

— It means I'm curious or looking forward to something.

— Make sense!

The girl laughed.

— You didn't even doubt what I said.

— Why would I? In any case, I always believe that people are honest until proven otherwise.

— You sound like a lawyer. I think we're gonna be great friends!

The hair of the girl made red sparkles.

— Why? You intend to break the law?

My sister added. Another girl spoke up behind me.

— Well, that's the start of an explosive friendship. I hope they won't get a matching tattoo by the end of the school year.

I turned to face her. She was a lot shorter than me, which was surprising as I was rather short myself. Even my sister was taller than me. I spoke to her as she was clearly talking to me. Who else was there to talk about that?

— I hope not... Are you friends with the purple-haired girl?

— Yeah, she's my best friend.

— How can you say they will end up with matching tattoos if she is your best friend? Aren't you a little jealous?

— I'm not the jealous type of person. She always made friends so easily and enemies as easily. She's straight forward and that's what I like about her. Even so, she never left me behind. She has tons of more interesting friends than me, but it's me who she spends most of her time with.

I looked at my sister and the girl she was talking to.

— I understand, my sister is the same. She always thinks about everyone's good, but never forgets herself in the midst of all this. She usually knows when to step up and when to stay low.

— Seems like they were destined to be best friends.

I glanced at her in surprise. She explained herself.

— She's my best friend, but she can have other best friends. It doesn't bother me. I wouldn't be able to imagine her with only one best friend anyway. I'm Maddie by the way.

— I'm Ashitake, but you can call me Ash. Nice to meet you Mad...

My sister and Maddie's best friend walked in on our conversation and wrapped their arms around our shoulders.

— Are you calling your new best friend mad?

Said my sister.

— He called you mad, didn't he?

Asked the purple haired girl to her friend.

"Is it me or those two are trying to ship us together?"

I thought to myself.

— That's my sister, Yuiana.

I explain to Maddie.

— And my best friend, Sarah.

— Who are you calling 'that'?

My sister asked me. Sarah Interrupted us.

— Either way, we're not here to talk about that. We wanted to tell you that the tour is starting.

— Then, let's go.

I then declared. We all went to follow the guide.