[Shujin had been pretty unkind to the both of them— Ann, too, had always felt better knowing that he literally had her back whenever she made it to their homeroom. It was the same for all of them, wasn't it? People just loved to whisper about people they didn't understand— or chose not to.]

I've never been so glad to be wrong. This place is pretty neat, but I don't think I'd like being here all on my own for very long.

[She huffs softly, giving him a bright and only slightly-tired smile when the hug breaks and she steps back.]

I'm fine— I was on a ship when I got here. Guess it's a good thing you can swim, huh?