Tomo sat throughout class with a reasonably alert expression. 'Reasonably' in and of that she of course was blind and sometimes teachers could get a bit disheartened when it looks like the entire class if open-eyed sleeping. The sunlight on her face and back, she was more content at pretending to listen, that actually listening. It was only the first day after all. Mariko Matsushita did seem a bit more cynical than most of the people she interacted with, but at least she wasn't a bully. Aggressive and pessimistic she could handle. Bullies require extra and extensive care. All in all, they were a troublesome lot that she disliked dealing with. ___________________ The bell rung for their lunch break and Tomo let out a pleased sigh. Taking out her white cane, a tell all sign of blindness, yet beholden to a simplistic and almost silly nickname, Tomo made sure she was the last to leave. Ten to fifteen people with white canes all clacking together was not something she wished to get caught in the middle off. Holding her lunch box, wrapped in a pretty decorative cloth, she made her way through the halls toward the cafeteria. It was rather easy to find it, since she could just follow voices of other students who talked about it, seeming to know where they were going. The cafeteria was loud. Uncomfortably loud. It made her ears ring. So instead of staying she bought a can of peach juice and made her way out to the grounds. Stepping outside was a sigh of relief from the whirlwind of noise she had just exited from. Sunlight… Tomo turned her face up towards the sun and smiled, instantly rejuvenated. Ah, but she couldn't just stand there in front of the door! Moving with a fluid grace, she made her way, cautiously, off the concrete and into the grass. Sitting under the shade of a tree that wasn't too far away, she set aside her white cane and smiled, quiet content with what she had found. Just the right amount of shade and sunlight, with a cool breeze and the smell of countryside mountain air. Perfect for enjoying a nice peaceful lunch. Untying her lunchbox's cover, she could feel the smooth finished wood of her traditional lunch box. Kitome, her now-former nursemaid and governess, had spent years teaching how to make her own lunch. It had been a messy and very long lesson, but after a while Tomo had learned well. Cooking was just something you had to grow used to. It was difficult, but the challenge, and winning the challenge, was an amazing feeling. Three tiered lunchbox and a can of peach juice. The bottom tier was her rice, steamed and flavored with a slight hint of lemon juice to give it a refreshing zing. Second tier was fish and vegetables, all wrapped in rice paper so it wouldn't get too messy when eating. And the top tier was dessert. An assortment of fresh fruit, lightly sugared, with a few wrapped candies. Not only was she proud of her lunch, but it was wonderful delicious. So she took her time eating it, her chopsticks the matching set kind to go with her traditional and lovely decorated lunchbox. Oh sure she couldn't see them. But they were engraved so she could feel them. The beauty of well carved antique wood with a lovely dark finish. She could only imagine the kind of colors that were apart of it's design. And as for the organization of her own lunch, she had years of practice. Everything was perfectly placed and well organized. A beautiful if not delicious looking lunch, though Tomo wasn't quiet sure what an non-delishous looking lunch would be. The doll of a girl tilted her head to the side as she took a bite of her meal and grinned at the wonderful bursts of flavor. She moved slowly, her lunch on her lap, both legs primly set under her, her back straight as dark wavy hair fell down her back. Tastes of foods were something she relished in. If seeing people really loved colors, then she was the unseeing girl who loved tastes. Although… sunlight was one of her favorite sensations, next to the smell of rain. Although it was a bit lonely, outside eating under her small tree, she told herself she had plenty of time to make friends. Placing a cherry in her mouth, she was surprised by the burst of juice it let loose when she bit down. Calmly, she set her chopsticks down and reached out for her handkerchief. Her small slender pale hand only had to pat around a few time in order to locate it. The sweet juice had slipped over her pink mouth and down her chin. How unseemly! She blushed softly at her own embarrassment and quickly patted herself clean before it dripped onto her uniform. She hated to get a stain on. Because once she got a stain, she wouldn't be able to find it again in order to clean it. And she disliked that thought entirely. Very well. She would just have to eat her cherries with her handkerchief ready and with careful bites. Perhaps biting them in half first would...