The room smelled of crayons, glue, and the faint sweetness of the milk cartons being handed out for snack time. Twenty-three children sat at low tables, chattering in rapid Japanese.

At the back of the room, near the window, a boy with spiky ash-blonde hair sat alone. His small hands were clenched on the table, crimson eyes fixed on the new kid—Y/n—who had just been guided to an empty seat by the teacher.

The teacher clapped her hands.