In Japan, socializing was actually very important. Whether at school or in society, all kinds of people formed little groups. If someone was alone, they could easily be excluded or even bullied. So... there were very few people in school who did not have several close friends.
The main targets of campus bullying were also people like them. In order to avoid being too isolated, most people tried hard to blend into small circles, caring greatly about how others saw them.
But... Shiina Mashiro directly ignored this unspoken rule of school. She did not care about other people's stares or opinions and simply ignored the cold violence around her.
Because... she did not understand it.
But now... Shiro was about to gain another friend. Looking at the girl before her, Rita no longer felt the rejection she had once felt toward Shiro. Instead, she felt admiration. This girl seemed to be called Fukaya Shiho!
After art class ended, Shiina Mashiro naturally became the center of attention once again. Her paintings... were beyond even the teachers' abilities. Some of those teachers even asked Shiina Mashiro for guidance.
But when faced with her teachers' questions, Shiro looked completely baffled. Her painting skills were exceptional, but asking her to explain them... Shiina Mashiro had no idea where to begin.
"Rita, is there something interesting outside the window?"
During national studies class, Rita was called out by the teacher at the podium while she stared blankly out the window.
"Sorry!"
Coming back to her senses, she politely apologized without paying attention to the looks from her classmates.
"Then, Rita, please explain what this 'Drinking Alone Under the Moon' describes..."
Although Rita had apologized, perhaps to make her pay attention in class, the National Studies teacher decided to put her on the spot. In