The school library was quiet, the sound of flipping pages and the occasional scratch of a pencil against paper creating a soothing ambiance. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting warm golden light across the room. Hannah sat at one of the large wooden tables near the back, her head bent over a book. Her eyes scanned the words, but her mind wandered, lost in thoughts that had nothing to do with the text in front of her.

Hannah pushed a strand of chocolate-colored hair behind her ear and sighed softly. She had come to the library to escape, to find some peace and quiet, away from the intensity of the Kuzuryus, lurking after her around the school. She was finally feeling like she could relax when she sensed someone approaching. She looked up, and her gaze met that of a girl standing a few feet away.

The girl had short, fiery red hair that framed her face in soft waves, falling just above her shoulders. Her eyes were bright and curious, the color of freshly brewed tea, and they seemed to sparkle with a quiet confidence. She wore a white short sleeved shirt that was crisp and clean, tucked neatly into a light green pinafore. Over her chest was a white and red checkered pattern tie, tied in a perfect knot. She looked neat, composed, and somehow friendly all at once.

Hannah raised an eyebrow as the girl offered a small, tentative smile before speaking.

"Hi," the girl said, her voice light and cheerful. "I noticed you've been here for a while. I'm Mahiru Koizumi." She shifted slightly, one hand gripping the strap of her camera bag that hung over her shoulder. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Hannah blinked in surprise. It was rare for anyone to approach her so directly, especially at school. She studied Mahiru for a moment, taking in her open expression and the way she carried herself, like someone who was used to standing her ground but wasn't looking for a fight. Finally, Hannah shrugged, gesturing to the empty chair across from her.

"Sure, why not?" Hannah replied, closing her book to give Mahiru her full attention.

Mahiru took the offered seat, placing her bag carefully on the table. "Thanks. I've seen you around, but I don't think we've ever really talked before," Mahiru said, leaning forward slightly. "You're Hannah Togami, right?"

"Yeah, that's me," Hannah confirmed, a little wary but curious. "You're in the photography club, right?" Hannah asked, recognising the redhead girl's face plastered on club posters around the school.

Mahiru's face lit up with a smile. "Yep, that's right! I'm the club president, actually. I love capturing moments, you know? It's like freezing a piece of time and keeping it forever." Her eyes sparkled with passion as she spoke, her hands moving animatedly.

Mahiru leaned back in her chair, studying Hannah with a curious tilt of her head. "So Hannah, I've seen you around.. mainly with Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu and Peko Pekoyama." she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if just saying their names might draw unwanted attention. "People say they're dangerous, you know? Like, real mafia stuff. Are you, um.. involved with them?"

Hannah couldn't help but roll her eyes at Mahiru's cautious tone. "Oh, trust me, I'm not 'involved' with them by choice. I'm only staying with them because my clan are on some stupid business trip. It's not like I asked to be shoved into the middle of their crime family drama."

Mahiru's eyebrows shot up. "So, it's true then? About the mafia stuff?"

Hannah shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Well, they're definitely involved in some shady business. Fuyuhiko likes to act like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders because he's the heir or whatever, but mostly he's just controlling and irritating. He thinks he can boss me around just because I'm staying at their manor." She sighed, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. "He's always telling me what to do, what not to do. Like I'm some little kid who can't make my own decisions."

Mahiru nodded sympathetically. "I can see how that would be annoying. Fuyuhiko's kind of a jerk around school, too. He's always scowling at everyone, and it's like he has this permanent chip on his shoulder. Most people are too scared to even go near him."

Hannah was taken aback by her genuineness while talking to her. People usually avoided Hannah, not wanting to get too close because of her reputation or her connection to the Kuzuryu clan. But Mahiru seemed genuinely interested, not just in her name or what it meant, but in who she was. It was... refreshing.

"Yeah, well, he's not exactly Mr Sunshine." Hannah muttered. "He's all about image and control. He hates it when I do anything that might mess up his 'perfect order.'" She did air quotes with her fingers, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Honestly, he just needs to chill out. He acts like the world's gonna end if someone doesn't listen to him for two seconds."

Mahiru leaned forward, her eyes glinting with determination. "You shouldn't let any man boss you around, Hannah." she said firmly. "Especially not someone like Fuyuhiko. Just because he's got some fancy title and a dangerous reputation doesn't mean he gets to control your life. You're your own person, not his puppet."

Hannah felt a spark of agreement ignite inside her, nodding enthusiastically. "Exactly! That's what I've been saying. But everyone just thinks he's so untouchable, like you can't question him or stand up to him without getting your head bitten off. It's infuriating."

Mahiru's expression shifted, her voice taking on a slightly sharper edge as she leaned closer to Hannah. "Literally! And what about Peko?" she asked, her tone dropping conspiratorially. "I mean, have you ever seen someone so obedient? It's like she's his personal watchdog. She follows Fuyuhiko around like he owns her, ready to jump at his every command. It's pathetic. A woman shouldn't live like that, acting like some trained dog for a guy's every whim."

Hannah felt a pang of conflict rise within her. She had her own frustrations with Peko's unwavering loyalty to Fuyuhiko, of course. It baffled her how anyone could put up with his domineering attitude day in and day out, especially someone as capable as Peko. Still, Hannah was starting to see another side of the stoic swordswoman, one that wasn't entirely defined by her allegiance to Fuyuhiko. There were moments, small, quiet moments, when Hannah could sense that Peko's loyalty came from somewhere deeper, somewhere complicated. But in that moment, Hannah found herself nodding along, caught up in the momentum of the conversation with Mahiru.

"Yeah, I don't get it either." Hannah admitted, frustration seeping into her voice. "I mean- Peko is strong. She's smart. She could do anything she wanted, but instead, she's just... there, always at his side, always listening to him. How does anyone put up with Fuyuhiko like that? He's so controlling and demanding. I can't stand being around him for more than a few minutes without wanting to scream."

Mahiru nodded enthusiastically, emboldened by Hannah's agreement. "It's like she has no sense of self outside of him! And it's not just annoying, it's sad. You'd think someone like her would have more pride, more backbone. Instead, she's just wasting herself away, catering to him like some kind of servant. She could be doing so much more with her life."

Hannah's thoughts drifted to the image of Peko standing silently beside Fuyuhiko, her hand always hovering near the hilt of her sword, her eyes always scanning the surroundings for threats. To most people, Peko's behavior might seem robotic, unfeeling, and mechanical, but Hannah knew there was more to it. There was a dedication there, a sense of purpose that Hannah didn't entirely understand but could sense. It wasn't just about loyalty to Fuyuhiko; it was about something deeper, a duty that went beyond orders and commands.

"Maybe it's not just about Fuyuhiko," Hannah mused, surprising herself by speaking her thoughts aloud. "I think for Peko, it's more than just following orders. Maybe she feels like she has a responsibility, like she's protecting something important. I don't know... I've seen the way she looks at him sometimes. It's not just about obedience. There's something else there."

Mahiru raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You're too nice, Hannah. A guy like Fuyuhiko doesn't deserve that kind of loyalty, not from anyone. And if Peko can't see that, then she's just as much to blame. Women shouldn't be putting themselves second, especially not for men like him. We have our own lives, our own paths. We don't need to be defined by the men around us."

Mahiru's confidence was infectious, a breath of fresh air in a world where Hannah often felt stifled.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." Hannah said, forcing a smile. "Maybe Peko just needs to see that there's more out there than just Fuyuhiko. I know I'm starting to realize that."

Mahiru smiled back, satisfied. "Exactly. You have to look out for yourself, Hannah. No one else is going to do it for you, especially not people like Fuyuhiko. If you ever need someone to talk to, someone who actually understands, you can come to me, okay?"

Hannah's heart swelled with an unfamiliar warmth at Mahiru's words. She'd never really had anyone, especially another girl, validate her feelings like this. Her world had always been filled with people like Fuyuhiko; dominant, overbearing, quick to judge and slow to listen. Whether it was the stoic Peko, her distant father, or the ever-imposing presence of the Kuzuryu clan, Hannah had always felt like she was navigating a world where her voice was an inconvenience, something to be managed or ignored.

But sitting here, across from Mahiru, Hannah felt something shift. There was a connection, a camaraderie that felt new and exhilarating. It was the kind of connection that went beyond words, a silent understanding shared between two people who, for all their differences, were united by the simple fact that they saw each other.

"Thanks Mahiru," Hannah said, her voice softer, more sincere. "I don't really get to talk to many people like this. Most of the time, it's just... orders, and rules, and people telling me what I should or shouldn't be doing. It's nice to have someone who just... gets it."

Mahiru nodded, her expression earnest. "I get it. And you don't have to deal with it alone. Honestly, I think it's important to have friends who understand what you're going through. Life's hard enough without having to navigate it by yourself, right?"

Hannah nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. It wasn't just that Mahiru understood, it was that she cared enough to reach out, to make her feel seen. It was more than just sympathy; it was solidarity. In this moment, Hannah realized how much she'd been craving this kind of connection, how starved she'd been for genuine friendship in a life dictated by power plays and unspoken rules.

For so long, Hannah had been caught up in the world of the Kuzuryu clan, of power dynamics and violence, of loyalty tested by blood and secrets. Her life had been a series of sharp edges and closed doors, every interaction a performance, every relationship a potential threat. But with Mahiru, it was different. She could let down her guard, even if just for a moment, and be herself.

"So, what do you think?" Mahiru asked, breaking Hannah's reverie. "You want to hang out more? Maybe outside of school too?"

Hannah found herself smiling, a real, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Yeah, I'd like that. I really would."

"Great! Are you free after school, today?" she asked casually, though there was a hopeful undertone in her voice.

Hannah's eyes lit up almost immediately, her eagerness showing before she could even speak. "Yes, totally!" she replied, a bit too quickly, and then added more calmly, "I mean, yeah, I'm free. What did you have in mind?"

Mahiru's smile widened at Hannah's enthusiasm. "There's this little café not too far from here that I like. It's quiet, and the coffee's good. We could go there and hang out, maybe talk some more. I'd love to get to know you better, especially since we both seem to have strong opinions about certain people." She winked, a playful glint in her eyes.

Hannah chuckled, feeling a wave of relief and excitement wash over her. It had been a long time since someone had wanted to spend time with her outside of the usual clan obligations or school assignments. The idea of just hanging out, relaxing, and talking with someone who didn't constantly remind her of the looming pressures of her life was incredibly appealing.

"That sounds great," Hannah said, her voice warm. "I could use a break from all the craziness. And coffee sounds perfect right about now."

Mahiru pulled out her phone, a sleek and simple device that matched her no-nonsense personality. "Here, let's exchange numbers. I'll text you the address of the café, and we can meet up there after school."

Hannah quickly grabbed her own phone from her bag, fumbling slightly in her haste to unlock it. They exchanged numbers, the act feeling symbolic somehow, like the start of something new and meaningful. As Mahiru's name and number appeared in her contacts, Hannah couldn't help but smile. It felt good to have a friend, someone she could actually talk to without the constant tension that came with her life in the Kuzuryu clan.

"There, all set." Mahiru said as she slipped her phone back into her pocket. "I'll see you after school then. And don't worry about Fuyuhiko or anyone else. This is just for us."

Hannah nodded, a sense of anticipation building in her chest. "Yeah, I'll see you there. Thanks, Mahiru. I'm really glad we met."

"Me too," Mahiru said with a sincere smile. "I think we're going to get along just fine."

As Mahiru stood to leave, Hannah watched her walk away, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. It was a small thing, hanging out after school, grabbing coffee, but it felt like the beginning of something bigger. A chance to carve out a little space for herself, away from the pressures of clan politics and the suffocating presence of Fuyuhiko's expectations.

Hannah slipped her phone back into her bag, her thoughts drifting to the upcoming meetup. For the first time in a while, she felt like she had something to look forward to, something that was just for her. As she packed up her things to head to her next class, she couldn't help but smile, the promise of a new friendship lightening her steps.