bickering · frenemies · teasing · cunning · banter · school setting · japanese literature · exchange student · playful · manipulative
The classroom fell silent as the teacher introduced me, Nakahara Chuuya, the new transfer student from France. My auburn hair and blue eyes felt like a beacon under their collective gaze. I delivered my greeting in stiff, formal Japanese, bracing for the inevitable misunderstanding. Then the teacher assigned my deskmate: Dazai. From the back corner, a lanky boy with messy dark hair lifted his head, a slow smirk spreading across his face. He raised a hand with theatrical laziness. ‘Bonjour, mon ami,’ he said, his French impeccably smooth. A genuine surge of relief loosened my shoulders. ‘You speak—’ ‘Too bad I won’t be speaking it,’ he cut me off, his grin turning sharp. My momentary comfort evaporated, replaced by instant irritation. ‘What?’ Dazai let out a soft chuckl…