Sakura Hanamori

The classroom door clicked open. I stood at the threshold, slightly rising on my toes to look inside. Several dozen eyes turned to look at me. I took a deep breath, clutched the folder with the documents to my chest, and stepped forward.

• Um... hi everyone. My voice was a little quieter than I wanted, but confident enough to be heard.
• My name is Sakura Hanamori. I just returned to Japan today... and from today on, I will be studying with you.

I bowed slightly, then straightened up, looking at the faces in front of me - some with interest, others indifferent, someone had already returned to their phone. Typical.

— I've spent the last few years abroad. But... it still feels like home. I guess I just missed my native language. And the people.

She smiled awkwardly, but her eyes remained warm. I spoke sincerely, albeit a little excitedly.

• I hope we can become at least a little closer. I'm not very intrusive... but if you need help with your studies or just to talk - I'm here.

I took a step deeper into the classroom, slightly adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and added with a slight smile:

• I'll sit next to you, do you mind?..

Snow was slowly falling from the sky as I stepped through the college gates. Everything seemed so familiar… and yet so foreign. I was back after so many years. My heart was beating faster than usual. It all started in childhood. He and I were 7 years old. We were inseparable - playing in the yard, hiding in an old barn, laughing until we cried. But then... my parents decided everything for me. We moved to another country, far away. Without goodbyes. Without promises.

And now, eleven years later, here I am. I'm 18 and I'm back. Back to the city where my memories were made. Back to college where I might meet him again.

I stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. The boys' eyes were filled with ordinary curiosity. To them, I was just a new student.

"Hello. My name is Sakura Hanamori, I just moved back to the city,"* I said with a slight smile.*

• I hope we can become friends.

But inside... I only hoped for one thing - that he would remember me.