There are infinite stories in all the worlds, and this one takes us to a little town called Misora, in Japan. It wasn’t one of the most popular places of the country, but it was a peaceful and nice place to live. The citizens spent their lives with their usual routines, thinking that nothing out of the ordinary could happen in such a place. But that was far from the truth, as there was one special store in the town: a small patisserie in the middle of a deserted street. A very peaceful place with a garden and trees where customers could take some sweets and enjoy them in company. But the store had one secret.

-Are you finally done?

Who asked that question was a small green creature, similar to a frog, called Witch Rika. She was a real witch who run that store.

-Yep, we’re done! I’m tired!

Around Witch Rika there were several girls wearing cute aprons. These girls were witch apprentices, who learned to use magic and worked at the store, making sweets with magical effects. Aiko, a blue-haired girl with energetic attitude, exclaimed that as she stretched. Next to her was Hazuki, with her long brown mane, glasses and a ribbon on her head.

-This time we had more customers than usual, right?- pointed out Hazuki.

-Yeah, we almost sold out everything. Can you take this, Onpu?

Who said that was Momoko: blond, with ring pigtails and cheerful. She gave some trays to Onpu, with short purple hair.

-Yes, I will put this away- said Onpu.

-Phew, it’s finally time to go back home!

And finally, there was Doremi. She had bright red hair, forming two big pigtails on her head with the shape of mandarines.

-You better not slack around, Doremi!- scolded Witch Rika.

-I know, I know, I’m just…

Doremi tried to reply, but the phone rang. Doremi picked it up.

-Hello, this is the patisserie!- greeted Doremi. -Oh, hi, mom! What? Can’t Popu go? Aaaah… OK, I will go… Yes, I have some money. Bye. Sorry, girls, but my mom told me to buy eggs from the supermarket, so I have to leave now. I promise I will help you next time!

-You better not slack off tomorrow, got it?- said Aiko jokingly.

Laughing, Doremi changed to her casual outfit thanks to a special magical charm in her wrist, left the store and walked towards the shopping area. The sky was still orange as she run happily through the streets, seeing people getting back home after work or playing with their friends. She went to the supermarket, quickly bought the eggs her mom asked for and run again.

-I should better hurry! Still, I wish we had a steak tonight instead of omurice...- commented Doremi to herself.

During the way back home, the girl had to go through a park. Doremi got into the park, but stopped when she saw a solitary figure in the middle of a park. There was a girl standing in there, with dark green hair that reached her shoulders and a blue ribbon on it, a pink t-shirt and a green and purple skirt with suspenders. She had her hands at her back as she seemed to look at the distance.

-Tomorrow… How will it go?- murmured the mysterious girl to herself.

Doremi remained still for a while, looking at that girl. She had never seen her, but could feel a delicate aura around her. She felt compelled to talk to her.

-Ehm… hi!- exclaimed Doremi.

Hearing her, the mysterious girl turned around. As their eyes crossed, Doremi noticed how her green eyes sparkled under the setting sun’s light. During her time as a witch apprentice, she learned those were the eyes of a nice kid. Then, the girl got a bit nervous and stuttered.

-Oh, sorry! Am I...- said the girl nervously. -Don’t worry, I’ll leave now.

-Hey, don’t worry! I’m just passing through- said Doremi. -Are you new around here? I don’t remember seeing you at school.

The girl blushed a bit and simply nodded.

-Nice to meet you! I’m Doremi- greeted Doremi extending her hand.

The girl was a bit shocked. Still blushing, she approached hers and shook Doremi’s hand.

-I’m… I’m Seiko- said the girl shyly.

-Seiko? That’s a really cute name!- exclaimed Doremi smiling, making Seiko blush even more. -So you just moved? Where do you live?

-Yeah, my… family moved here some days ago- said Seiko. -I’m… not sure how to tell you. I don’t know much… about the town…

-Don’t worry! You’ll get used to it. Misora Town is a nice place. What school are you going to?- asked Doremi.

-Oh, ehm… I think… Misora Elementary… I’m not sure if that’s the name, it’s up on a hill- explained Seiko stuttering.

-You are going to Misora? That’s my school too!- exclaimed Doremi. -Then we may see each other there. If you need anything, just talk to me, OK?

-Really?- asked Seiko with enthusiasm, her eyes shining again. -I mean… I don’t want… to be a bother…

-It’s OK, I will be happy to help!- exclaimed Doremi.

-Thank… thank you...- thanked Seiko shyly. Then, she looked at Doremi’s bag. -What… what do you have there?

Doremi looked at her plastic bag, and her face turned pale.

-Oh, no, the eggs! My mom has to make dinner with this!- exclaimed Doremi scared. -I’m sorry, Seiko, but I have to leave now! I hope to see you at school!

Doremi left running while waving at Seiko, who remained in the park, waving back at her. Once alone, Seiko smiled and murmured to herself:

-Doremi… Your name is cute too…

The next morning, Doremi was running to her school. She wasn’t late, but she sometimes it took her longer to prepare herself. The girl went upstairs and got to her class.

-Phew, I made it in time!- exclaimed Doremi tired.

-Hi, Doremi!- greeted Momoko. -You overslept again?

-No, my dad was at the bathroom and I couldn’t prepare- said Doremi as she approached her desk. -Hey, what’s this?

The girl pointed out at a single chair that was next to the wall at her back.

-We don’t know. It was already there this morning. Ms. Seki went by earlier and told us not to touch it- explained Momoko.

-I don’t get it, but whatever- said Doremi while sitting down. -I just hope class is not too hard today.

-OK, everybody, sit down.

That was Ms. Seki, the teacher of Doremi and Momoko’s class. She was tall, with long dark hair, confident expression and a black suit. As all the kids sat down, the teacher went in followed by a dark-hair girl.

-Wait, that is…- murmured Doremi when looking at the girl. The, she exclaimed: -Seiko!

The girl at the front of the class was no other than Seiko, the girl she met yesterday. Seiko recognized her voice and looked at her. Her eyes shone just like that afternoon and she blushed a bit with shy happiness.

-Do… Doremi!- murmured Seiko.

-Do you know each other?- asked Ms. Seki.

-Oh, yes… We met yesterday… at a park...- murmured Seiko.

-Oh, that’s nice!- said Ms. Seki with a smile. Then, she looked at the whole class. -As you can see, we have another new student that will join our class from now on. Why don’t you introduce yourself?

The shy girl nodded, took a piece of chalk and began writing on the blackboard. When she finished, everybody could read: “Seiko Tengawa”. Seiko turned towards the class.

-Hi everybody…- greeted Seiko shyly. -My name is Seiko Tengawa… I’m 10 years old and I just moved with my family from Asemata Town. It’s a bit far away from here. I… I look forward to meet you all and… I hope we can be friends.

When she finished her introduced, Seiko bowed in front of the class. All the kids clapped at her, especially Doremi.

-Well, let’s see… Wait, your desk is not here yet?- asked Ms. Seki a bit annoyed. -I asked the janitor to bring it, but there’s just your chair. I have to go…

Doremi looked at her back and she knew that chair belonged to Seiko. She had an idea.

-Wait, Ms. Seki. Seiko can sit here in my desk!- proposed Doremi.

-Or even better, we can put our two desks together and we all have more space like that- proposed then Momoko.

-Really?- said Seiko happily. -I don’t want to trouble you…

-It’s OK, don’t worry about us. What do you say, Ms. Seki?- asked Doremi.

The teacher thought about it silently, with her hand on her chin. Then, she smiled and nodded.

-Fine by me. We can use that solution for now. When the class is over, I will bring your desk here. Of course, if that sounds good to you, Seiko- asked Ms. Seki.

Blushed, her eyes still sparkling, Seiko nodded shyly and walked to the back of the classroom, where the other two girls had already put their desks together and approached Seiko’s chair. The new student sat down between them.

-Hi… Doremi...- greeted Seiko shyly.

-Hi! What a coincidence, right? Oh, right, let me introduce you: she’s my friend Momoko. Momoko, this is Seiko. I met her yesterday- explained Doremi.

-Hi, Seiko! It’s so nice to meet you!- greeted Momoko while shaking Seiko’s hands.

-Oh! Ah!- muttered Seiko as her face turned bright red and smiled nervously. -It’s… it’s nice to… meet you too…

A synchronized “Woooow” resounded as the class listened Seiko greeting Momoko in her native language.

-Wait, can you talk English?- asked Doremi surprised.

-Just a bit… What I remember from class...-explained Seiko bashfully. -I’m good at English, but not so much at History…

-Be careful though! Dumb-remi is bad at everything!- exclaimed a snarky boy in the middle of the class, making the other kids laugh.

-Tetsuya!- growled Doremi.

-OK, everybody, calm down. Class begins now!- said Ms. Seki.

The first hour went by rather quickly. Seiko was a bit lost, but she enjoyed Doremi and Momoko’s company, who pointed at her what lesson they were studying. Still, Tetsuya was right: Doremi did some exercises wrong, but Seiko tried to explain her mistakes, which the red-hair girl appreciated. After that first hour, Ms. Seki brought a new desk that she placed next to Momoko. Seiko had know more space, but as hours went by, she was a bit nervous again. Finally, lunch time arrived.

-Great, time to eat!- exclaimed Doremi. -Hey, Seiko, do you want to eat with Momoko and me?

-Oh!- exclaimed Seiko surprised. -Really? I don’t want to be a bother…

-Don’t worry, it will be fun- said Momoko.

The three girls put their desks together and ate their lunches. As they talked, Doremi felt that the new girl relaxed more and more, finding out that Seiko was more cheerful and kind than her initial impression. Seeing that, other kids from the class approached Seiko and made her questions. Even if she was a bit nervous, the girl was happy to answer them and enjoyed their company. After lunch, they had to prepare for P.E.

-Not sure if I want to run now after eating...- commented Doremi while taking out her sports uniform.

-Yeah, I get it. It’s a bit...- began saying Seiko.

-Tengawa, let’s go.

Ms. Seki was at the door calling at Seiko. The kids were a bit surprised, but Seiko simply smiled and said “See you later in the field”.

-Where is she going?- asked Momoko surprised.

-My, my, her first day and she’s already in trouble!- commented a blonde girl called Erika.

-What did you do now, Erika?- asked Doremi annoyed.

-Me? Nothing! You offend me!- complained Erika. -But it’s strange that Ms. Seki took her. I guess she got into trouble.

That was far from the truth, as Seiko, wearing her sports clothing, appeared along Ms. Seki in the field, both of them acting normally.

-Seiko, are you alright? What happened?- asked Doremi worried.

-What? No… Nothing!- exclaimed Seiko nervously. -It’s just… my old school had lockers so I’m not used to changing my clothing in front of other kids. For now they are letting me go to an empty room.

-Phew, what a relief!- said Doremi. -I was worried, you know?

-You… were worried… about me?- asked Seiko confused.

-Yeah! You are a nice girl. How could you get in trouble the first day?- asked Doremi.

As she said those words, Doremi and Momoko noticed that Seiko’s expression changed. She was smiling gracefully and her eyes sparkled again.

-Thank… thank you… and I’m sorry for worrying you...- said Seiko smiling.

The rest of the day went by quickly and classes were soon over. Doremi picked up everything and got ready to leave when she saw Seiko still preparing her things.

-Hey, Seiko! Do you want to go home together?- asked Doremi to Seiko.

-Oh, really?- asked Seiko surprised. However, she got a bit sad later. -I’m sorry, but I have to stay here a bit more. Ms. Seki needs to give me some extra homework to catch up with you all. But… I’d love to go with you other day… if I’m not a… bother…

-Of course! We can do it tomorrow or other day!- exclaimed Doremi.

Doremi was then interrupted by other girls that appeared at the front door: her friends Hazuki, Aiko and Onpu.

-Doremi, Momoko, are ya ready?- exclaimed Aiko. -We should leave now!

-Yeah, don’t worry. See you tomorrow, Seiko!- said Doremi waving at Seiko.

-Hey, who is that girl?- asked Hazuki as the group walked away from the class.

-Oh, that’s Seiko, she’s new...- said Doremi.

As they walked away, Seiko went to the door and saw the group leaving. Then, Doremi turned around and saw the girl standing by the door. With a gently smile and bright eyes, Seiko waved her hand softly at Doremi, who returned the gesture. A few seconds later, Seiko was alone in the classroom. The girl sighed.

-Maybe one day… I can do that too…