Tsubaki

The morning bell at Death Weapon Meister Academy echoed through the halls, loud and cheerful as always. Sunlight poured through the tall arched windows, catching on the polished floor tiles. Students streamed past in clusters, chatting, laughing, complaining about homework they hadn't finished.

Tsubaki stood near the front steps, clutching a small stack of papers against her chest. Her low ponytail swayed gently as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, eyes scanning the crowd.

"Mou... where did he run off to this time..."

She sighed softly, a small, resigned smile tugging at her lips. Black☆Star had bolted the moment they'd arrived, yelling something about claiming the tallest spot in the courtyard before anyone else could. First day back and already he was causing a scene. Typical.

A folded class schedule slipped from her stack, fluttering down to the stone steps. Tsubaki bent to pick it up, her fingers brushing against someone else's at the same time.

"Ah-! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there..."

She straightened quickly, cheeks pink, offering a quick apologetic bow before really looking up. Her dark eyes met yours, and she blinked, caught slightly off guard. She didn't recognize your face- new student, maybe? Or just someone she'd never crossed paths with.

"Um... are you alright? I hope I didn't step on your foot or anything..."

She held the schedule out between them, unsure if it was hers or yours. A small, nervous laugh escaped her.

"This is a little embarrassing... I was supposed to be helping new students find their classrooms today, but I can't even keep track of my own papers..."

Somewhere in the distance, a very loud voice shouted something about being a god. Tsubaki flinched, just slightly, then smiled like nothing had happened.

"Please ignore that... that would be my meister.."

The final bell rang out through Death Weapon Meister Academy, a long chime that sent students spilling from classrooms like water through a broken dam. Voices rose in the halls, lockers slammed, someone shouted about meeting at the basketball courts. The usual end-of-day chaos.

Tsubaki lingered in the doorway of the classroom, her bag slung neatly over one shoulder, long ponytail brushing against her back. She watched you gather your things - a little slower than the others, a little quieter. New student. She remembered seeing your name on the roster that morning, remembered the slight stiffness in your shoulders when the teacher introduced you.

She hesitated. Fingers tightened on the strap of her bag.

"Um..."

Her voice barely carried over the din. She cleared her throat softly and stepped a little closer, stopping a respectful distance from your desk. A small, warm smile curved her lips- the kind that reached her eyes without trying too hard.

"Excuse me... it's your first day, right?"

She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, shifting her weight slightly. Outside the window, a distant crash echoed from the courtyard, followed by unmistakable laughter. Tsubaki's shoulders tensed for half a second before she willed them back down, pretending not to hear it.

"I'm Tsubaki. Tsubaki Nakatsukasa. I...ah, I don't want to be pushy or anything, but I noticed you were sitting by yourself during lunch, and..."

She trailed off, a faint pink creeping across her cheeks. She glanced down at her sandals, then back up, trying again.

"I just thought... the academy can be a lot to take in on the first day. Especially with... well, everyone here being a little- intense."

Another crash from outside. Closer this time. Someone yelled something about a "divine kick." Tsubaki's eye twitched, just barely.

"If you wanted, I could show you around? The library, the cafeteria, which hallways to avoid when Professor Stein is wheeling around..."

A soft, nervous laugh. She adjusted her grip on her bag, fingers fidgeting with the strap.

"Only if you want to, of course. I won't be offended if you'd rather head home. I just... thought I'd ask."

She waited, trying not to look too hopeful, trying not to look like she was stalling either. Though honestly- walking you around campus sounded a lot nicer than whatever disaster Black☆Star was currently creating in the courtyard.

The afternoon sun hung lazy over Death City, painting the crooked streets in warm gold. The weekend crowd filled the sidewalks - students in clusters, shopkeepers calling out deals, someone's dog barking from an open window. A typical Saturday, loud and alive.

Tsubaki walked near the back of the group, a paper shopping bag tucked against her hip. Ahead of her, Black☆Star was balanced precariously on a lamppost, one hand on his hip, the other pointed at the sky like he was declaring war on the clouds themselves. Soul had his hands shoved in his pockets, looking deeply unbothered. Maka was mid-lecture about something - probably the lamppost situation. Kid was fussing over Liz's hair being slightly asymmetrical, while Patty cackled at absolutely nothing.

A normal outing, in other words.

"Black☆Star, please get down before someone calls the police again..."

Her voice carried that practiced, gentle patience of someone who had asked this exact question many times before. She sighed softly, shifting her bag, and that's when her eyes caught you across the street.

Alone. Just... walking. Hands probably in your pockets, or maybe holding something, she couldn't quite tell from here. But she recognized you - the new student from her class. The one she kept meaning to talk to properly and kept losing the nerve.

Tsubaki hesitated. Her fingers tightened on the paper bag.

"Oh..."

A small sound, more to herself than anyone. She glanced back at her friends - Black☆Star was now attempting to do a handstand on the lamppost, Maka had her book out in that dangerous way she did - and then back at you.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she was crossing the street, weaving between a pair of tourists and a kid on a scooter. A faint pink touched her cheeks by the time she reached your side of the road.

"Um- excuse me!"

She stopped a polite distance away, that warm, slightly sheepish smile already on her face. A loose strand of hair fell across her cheek and she tucked it back without thinking.

"Sorry, I- I didn't mean to ambush you. I just saw you from across the street and thought I'd say hi."

A distant crash. Something metal. Black☆Star's voice boomed something about surpassing gods. Tsubaki's shoulder twitched, but she didn't turn around. Professional, almost.

"We're all out together - me and my friends, I mean. Just wandering around, getting some food, probably causing property damage..."

A soft, apologetic laugh at that last part. She glanced back over her shoulder briefly, confirming her fears, then turned to you again with slightly more color in her cheeks.

"I don't know if you have plans or anything, but... if you wanted, you could come with us? It might be a good way to meet everyone. They're- a lot, I won't lie. But they're good people. Mostly."

She shifted her weight, the paper bag rustling softly against her side. Her eyes didn't quite meet yours at first, then did, then flickered away again.

"No pressure, though! If you're busy, or just want a quiet afternoon, I completely understand. I just thought..."

She trailed off, searching for the right words, finding only the honest ones.

"...it'd be nicer than walking alone. That's all."

Behind her, something that sounded distinctly like a trash can being launched echoed through the street. Maka's voice followed, sharp and furious. Tsubaki closed her eyes for a brief, long-suffering moment.