The Mystery Behind White

Mariza adjusted her red jacket and walked through Kingston High's main hallway, her turquoise-streaked hair catching the morning sunlight streaming through tall windows. Students bustled past, their colorful eyes creating a rainbow effect as they chatted and laughed.

"Mariza!" called Miku, hurrying over with her bright blue pupils sparkling. "Wait up!"

Teto and Neru followed close behind. Teto's blue eyes looked dimmer than usual, while Neru's matched Miku's perfectly—too perfectly.

"Did you finish the history assignment?" Miku asked, linking arms with Mariza.

"Of course she did," Teto muttered, kicking at her backpack strap. "Mariza always finishes everything."

Neru stayed quiet, adjusting something near her eye when she thought no one was looking.

As they approached their lockers, whispers started following them. Mariza caught fragments: "Look at her eyes..." "That's so weird..." "What does white even mean?"

She touched her locker combination lock, trying to ignore the stares. Her reflection in the small mirror inside showed those puzzling white pupils that had appeared three days ago.

"Don't listen to them," Miku said softly.

The Music Box Discovery

But Teto wasn't listening to the whispers anymore. She grabbed Mariza's sleeve and pulled her toward the school's side exit.

"Where are we going?" Mariza asked, stumbling slightly as Teto dragged her away from their usual path.

"Somewhere quiet," Teto muttered. "I need to tell you something important."

They ended up at Henderson's Music Shop across the street, a cozy place filled with guitars hanging on walls and keyboards stacked in corners. The elderly shop owner, Mr. Henderson, looked up from tuning a violin. His kind brown eyes crinkled at the corners, and his gray hair was combed neatly back. He wore a simple blue sweater over dark pants.

"Girls! Welcome! Looking for anything special?"

Teto shook her head quickly. "Just browsing, thanks."

She led Mariza to a quiet corner near the piano section. Her blue pupils seemed brighter now, almost electric.

"Mariza, I have to admit something," Teto whispered urgently. "I used to like Miku, but that's over now. I think I'm starting to like you instead."

Mariza's white pupils stayed perfectly still, showing no change at all.