Chapter Text
When Nico moved from the bustling atmosphere of Trastevere, in the historical heart of Rome, to the quiet, dramatic Baunei in Sardinina, it took him years to get used to the change.
That doesn’t mean he’d abandon it for anything, though. This is his home.
Five days a week at 7:45 in the morn, he'd get on the bus to the neighboring town for school, and get back home around 15:30 if the bus wasn’t late.
He'd sit with his friends J and V at lunch, who were twins and happened to look really similar to him-- which is how they met, actually. J was all about her studies, but V was pretty nice to him in her own way.
The only thing different about today was the new student. He's heard one person talking about her… and Nico didn't like that guy OR what he had to say about to girls here.
"Heard she's asian…" He then promptly turned and walked away to avoid hearing the rest of that. How could you really say that about someone you haven't even seen?
Anyways, there was no big deal made about it like you'd see in a book or movie. She integrated quietly into the classes, and that was that.
Nico had first period with her. He was hoping to get to meet her… maybe he could be friends with her! That sounded nice.
So, he kept a seat open beside him just in case. It was hard keeping it open, seeing as a girl from this class specifically kept trying to hit on him.
He irritably wondered when she'd pick up that she wasn't his type…?
Not that he had a type. Though maybe he'd go for--
Oh, wow.
…
The unfamilliar face, finally, slowly walks into the classroom. A few heads turn, but that's about it, and Nico can see her visibly deflate in relief.
Okay, wow, she's pretty. Not even pretty, she's gorgous.
Her hair was dyed in purple ends, which was alright because the dress code was relatively lax here. She had this look about her that said "i only shop at hot topic". And Nico was absolutely here for it.
Not that he was trying to be creepy! but he admires people of all genders who can look pretty, but also effortless, you know? Especially men, but he doesn't dive into labels. That's for another day.
Blinking once, he tries his best to smile welcomingly and waves once-- well actually, just raises his hand from where it sits on the table.
Trying not to be too overbearing and inviting, but also subtly saying "come sit here!" and also trying not to be overly dismissive… it was an art.
That's dramatic. Nico's just always had a knack for people reading.
And it was a success!! Because she approached and quietly asked, in a nice accent:
"Can I sit here?" He looks up again and nods with another smile.
"Of course," He says, but doesn't push conversation.
After a moment, he sees her turn towards him, and he lets himself cheer internally a little.
"Um," She hesitates quietly. He turns to slightly look at her, keeping his face neutral but still kind (again… people reading). "What's your name?" she asks after a moment.
"Nico." he replies with a smile, going ahead and assuming she's only taken italian 1 and 2, so speak a little slow… not that she was incapable! "What's your name?" he follows up.
"Uzume." She seems relieved that she could understand him, though only a little (she seemed to keep it mostly under wraps…)
"I like it," he offers. She doesn't respond, so he takes that to turn back to the front and wait for the teacher.
That's the end of their interaction. They share a second period, and she nervously sits by him again- he doesn't start conversation, since it seems like she's still having trouble with speaking… let alone reading.
He caught her writing her name in japanese. Her handwriting is nice, if not messy, but certainly made for the latin alphabet. Maybe he can offer to teach her some conversational and academic vocabulary?…
Well, only if he notices her having trouble. She hides it well enough, for others not to notice, but he does. She probably wouldn't appreciate him picking up on that.
So, even if it feels a little creepy, he counts. if he notices her having trouble with words more than 5 times, he'll politely ask.
By the end of the period, she's already at two. With a pang of dissapointment, he notices they don't share a third period, but that's alright. He DOES share her fourth period, which means her lunch period! he realizes happily.
The count goes up to five by the time fourth period ends, so he figures to ask at lunch.
When the teacher dismisses them, Nico picks up his bag and approaches her- again, with that welcoming smile.
"Do you want to sit with me?" She blinks once. "At lunch?" He clarifies.
When she still doesn't seem to understand, he just shakes his head and gestures for her to leave with the rest of class.
She breaks out of her frozen state, and replies (with some difficulty) "Yes…"
Maybe she only got half way through Italian 2? It would make sense, seeing as it's the middle of the year now.
Thinking of what kind of sentences they teach in his English 2 class, he tries to make conversation off of that as they walk down the hall. Simpler, more statements than flowing conversation, but still something she could understand so that she felt like he actually wanted to talk to her.
"How do you understand the teacher?" Nico decides. Understand has some cognates, and Uzume could probably pick up words based off of context clues.
"I already learned it." she replies shyly.
"Oh, that's right," He nods, "Japanese classes are more difficult, right?" He feels like he heard that somewhere.
"Yes. They are more…" Uzume trails off, and he lets her take her time.
Giving a small smile again as she holds up a finger to pull out her phone, he remains patient as she types something quickly, then announces "Competitive! Schools in Japan are more competitive."
Nodding again to show his understanding, he replies "I can't imagine."
The rest of the walk is silent. Not awkward, but Nico wonders if he's babying her…?
Oh, right!!
"Ah, I'm sorry if this is offensive in any way, but would you like help? With vocabulary…" His voice grew quieter, thinking of words she might know just in case, but she seemed to understand well enough.
"If it is not a problem… Thank you." She seemed a little embarassed, though. "When?"
"Any time," Nico says, "the library here is open after school."
"Okay. Today, or…?" Nico holds a door and she dips her head slighty and murmurs a thank (or that's what he assumed it was, it certainly wasn't Italian)-- "domo."
She nods.
"If you can." He chirps. He's aware it's a little bright. "Do you take the bus?"
"Yes…"
"We can use a public one, then," He flinches slightly at the sudden onset of noise, but doesn't falter in step behind her.
Leading her to the table he usually sits at- with V and J- he gestures for her to sit next to him. She takes it with another dip.
"I have two friends who sit here too. Do you mind?" Nico asks. V and J can be… something.
"No."
Lunch passed with only one other question-- "Are you three…" she struggled with the word. "Related?" That was it.
He was gla to find that she was also in her fifth and seventh period classes, leaving them able to meet up easily after school!
Approaching Uzume after the last bell, she fell into step beside him.
Mission befriend the new girl was a success!! He allowed himself just a moment of celebration.