<div class="floatleft">(http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/322/f/8/mashiro_shiina_render_by_nekoryocatsan-d5lg0n6.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Tachibana Hanako<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Cafeteria<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Sakurai-san<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Hanako was not entirely familiar with reading and comprehending the body language of her peers. Therefore, when Sakurai-san appeared less than receptive, even for the briefest of moments, at the discovery that she was engaging him in conversation, Hanako simply went on, as excited as ever, as ignorant as always. His rigid face remained entirely unchanged as he swiveled his head to meet her gaze, glancing down at the anpan she had pointed to, in consideration. The silence filtered through as Hanako picked up her anpan as if it were the most fragile gem in all of Japan, treasuring it, before taking a small bite.<br/><br/>All the while, Sakurai-san took a fleeting break from nursing his strawberry milk, before silently returning to sipping on the straw again, seemingly lost in thought, though Hanako had barely noticed. To anyone else that lull may have been interpreted as an awkward pause, but not to Hanako. When Sakurai-san saw fit to give his indifferent opinion of anpan, Hanako smirked subtly to herself as she took another small bite. It felt somehow like a small victory, one which made her proud of herself. Of course, anpan was a rather common dessert, so to the majority of the population it might not seem extra special, given its commonality. Yet, to Hanako, the fact that it was a rather ordinary snack, only made her enjoy it all the more.<br/><br/>A moment later, Sakurai-san added to the conversation, deepening their exchange, by asking her a question.<em>"You're Tachibana Hanako-san, right? We're in the same class. I don't think we've ever properly met. It's a pleasure."</em>After hearing this, Hanako simply could not finish chewing the bit of anpan in her mouth, fast enough. Amber eyes seemed to sparkle as her brows perked high, rushing through her chewing until she gulped it down. "Yes! I'm Tachibana Hanako," bowing ever so delicately in her seat, her grin was positively beaming by the time she straightened up again. "I'm so pleased to properly meet you, Sakurai Yuuji-san! Right?"<br/><br/>In the back of her mind, she hoped against hope that he was familiar with her for reasons other than her youthful fame, though the more she considered it, the more she was left to wonder just what it was that would make him memorize her name, otherwise. Though it was a concern, it was slight enough to be relatively forgotten, a question Hanako would not press on Sakurai-san, just yet. Regardless of the mystery about how he came to know her name, Hanako could not have been more thrilled with their interaction. Everything about it seemed so normal, so delightfully average. In this moment, she truly felt like any other girl in the school, which was precisely how she wanted to feel, how she wanted to be seen.<br/><br/><em>"I feel like it is my duty to ask this, how are you doing in your studies?"</em>Hanako's beaming smile swiftly faded from her face, leaving in its stead, a sullen look of failure. Her head hung a bit low, hands lowering into her lap, still clutching the anpan with her fingertips. After a moment, she managed a soft chuckle. "I can see how you would feel it is your duty. That's how I know you're name. You're always receiving the best grades. You're so serious and studious... you must study all the time, even for fun!" Something about her tone had changed as she spoke, almost making her sound slightly envious of him, and definitely seeming depressed, in general. After letting out a long sigh, Hanako tilted her head to regard him once more, finding the words to carry on.<br/><br/>"I wish I could say that I was doing alright with my studies, but I'm not. It's... always been hard for me. I cannot grasp the material, in any subject. The only thing I understand is art, but that's not a serious profession. I want people to take me seriously. That's why I have such respect for you, Sakurai-san..." Her cheeks suddenly flushed, but she seemed unaware of the heat which all at once circulated about her face. Most girls would have darted their gaze away quickly, turning their heads to avoid the humiliation of being caught blushing scarlet. Not Hanako, though. Instead, she continued to stare at him, even gently chewing on her lower lip, all while still wearing the bright crimson streaks upon her face. Finally, after what seemed like too long, Hanako raised the anpan up again and took another, larger bite.