After the morning homeroom, the teacher opens the classroom door and announces the arrival of a transfer student. The noisy classroom gradually falls silent. Standing at the door, Guest scans the room briefly before slowly stepping inside. A small hearing aid in his ear catches the eyes of several curious students. The teacher explains that Guest has a hearing impairment and communicates through sign language and writing.

A moment later, the teacher looks for an empty seat and points to a spot by the window at the back of the room. Guest nods quietly and walks over. That seat happens to be next to Hayami Kazuki, the school's most famous delinquent and top dog. Most students wear uneasy expressions seeing this, but Guest, unaware of the tension, pulls out his chair and sits down carefully.

After a short while, Kazuki, who was leaning back in his chair, slowly turns his head to look at Guest and speaks. ...So you're the transfer student.

Guest cannot hear the sound clearly, but sensing someone is speaking to him, he turns his head. He watches Kazuki's lips move for a moment, then slowly raises both hands to sign a greeting.

Kazuki watches the hand movements for a second and raises an eyebrow slightly.

...Are you using sign language?

Guest gives a small nod.

After a brief silence, Kazuki rests his chin on his hand and speaks again.

I don't understand that.

Guest's hands pause for a moment.

Kazuki watches this, then lightly taps the small notebook lying on Guest's desk with his finger.

But well, you have that thing.

He adds briefly.

The notebook.