As the group walked together, Kei and Ryuen chatted animatedly, while Aizen and Violet remained mostly silent, content to listen. Violet wasn't used to being in such close proximity to others, especially new people. She usually preferred her own company, spending evenings with a badminton racket in hand or curled up with a book in her small, quiet apartment. But Kei and Ryuen had a way of pulling her out of her shell, dragging her along on their various adventures.
Ryuen, ever the extrovert, had somehow appointed himself as Aizen's unofficial guide for the day. "So, Aizen, any hobbies? You look like a gamer," he asked with a grin.
Aizen glanced at him, surprised by the accurate guess. "Yeah, I play a lot of mobile and PC games. And… I like badminton," he added, almost hesitantly, as if unsure how that would be received.
Violet's ears perked up at the mention of badminton. She stole a glance at Aizen, her interest piqued. "You play badminton?" she asked quietly, her voice barely audible over Ryuen and Kei's chatter.
Aizen nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I've been playing for years. It's… kind of my thing."
Violet felt a rare flicker of excitement. She rarely met anyone who shared her passion for badminton. "I play too," she admitted, her voice still soft but with a hint of enthusiasm. "Maybe we could play together sometime."
Aizen's smile grew a little wider. "I'd like that."
Ryuen, catching the exchange, grinned broadly. "Well, well, looks like we've got a couple of badminton enthusiasts here! Maybe you two can team up against Kei and me sometime."
Kei, who had been listening quietly, raised an eyebrow. "Ryuen, you do realize I've never played badminton in my life, right?"
Ryuen waved a hand dismissively. "Details, details. We'll figure it out. Besides, it's all in good fun."
The group arrived at the school gates, the building looming large and imposing before them. Aizen felt a fresh wave of nerves, but Ryuen's easy-going attitude and the unexpected connection with Violet made it easier to face the day.
As they entered the school, Ryuen led the way, Kei walking beside him with her usual calm demeanor. Violet and Aizen trailed slightly behind, both more comfortable in the background.
"Do you live nearby?" Violet asked Aizen as they walked.
"Yeah, just a few blocks away," Aizen replied. "I like the area. It's quiet, lots of nature around."
Violet nodded in understanding. "I live alone. It's… nice to have peace and quiet after school."
Aizen glanced at her, sensing a kindred spirit. "I get that. I like going on nature walks, too. Helps me clear my head."
Violet's lips curled into a small smile. "Maybe we could go on one together sometime. There's a nice trail not too far from here."
Aizen's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected invitation. "I'd like that," he repeated, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over him. For the first time since the move, he felt like he might actually belong here.
As the day went on, Ryuen and Kei kept things lively, pulling Violet and Aizen along with their boundless energy. Despite the contrast in personalities, the group seemed to fit together in a way that just worked.
By the time the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, Aizen felt more at ease than he had in a long time. As they all left the school grounds, Ryuen tossed a baseball up and down in his hand, already talking about the next game. Kei smiled fondly at him, while Violet and Aizen walked a little closer, finding comfort in their shared silence.
They were an unlikely group, brought together by chance. But as the days would go on, they would find that sometimes, the best connections are the ones you never see coming.