Okashiratsuki. Manhua

Nachi had always been the outlier, the one who never quite fit in with her classmates. Her porcelain skin stark against their sun-kissed tones, she was accustomed to the whispers and stares that followed her down the school halls. But it was on the day she joined the swim class that everything changed. Utsumi, with his gentle demeanor and kind smile, saw Nachi for who she truly was, beyond the pale exterior. As their friendship blossomed, Nachi discovered a sense of belonging she had never known before. Utsumi's acceptance and genuine interest in her thoughts and feelings melted away the walls she had built around herself. With each shared practice session and whispered conversation by the poolside, Nachi found herself opening up in ways she had never thought possible. The day of the swimming competition arrived, and as Nachi and Utsumi stood side by side, their hearts beating in sync, she felt a surge of determination like never before. With Utsumi's hand reassuringly squeezing hers, they dove into the water as a team, their movements perfectly synchronized. Stroke by stroke, they surged forward, their connection stronger than ever. And as they reached the finish line, victorious, Nachi realized that true friendship knows no boundaries. With Utsumi by her side, she had found a kind of acceptance and understanding that transcended superficial judgments. In his eyes, she saw herself reflected back, not as an oddity to be whispered about, but as a person worthy of love and respect. And in that moment, Nachi knew that she had found a friend for life, someone who saw her for who she truly was and accepted her unconditionally.