I would like to thank you for reviewing my story, so in return I shall review yours.
[Review for 1st Chapter]
I love how you captured the feelings of a would-be author in this story. She has many feelings that I am pretty sure we can all relate to one way or another. However, if I look at this from a psychologic point of view... this part:
"Thank you. I do plan on entering the competition, though I won't be offended if I don't win. I just want to write to my heart's content, that is all"
Though I know what you are trying to convey, no girl would actually say that outloud in a classroom. From what I've seen back here where I live, something like this would be said:
"Thanks! I've already planned on doing the competition, but I'm not expecting to win anything. I just like to write for fun!"
It sounds more... 'not thought out', which is how we talk in everyday conversations.
Again, from a psychological point of view:
"What bliss! What happiness!"
I personally think you should cut that part out. Yes, any one of us would be happy to be published, but in my opinion no one would think like that.
You get into a lot of details of likes and dislikes for the main character, Touya. This is a good thing, as we get to know more about Touya, however it seems to me that you seem to be drabbling a bit too long. Readers would like to read things like what color is someone's hair and the color of their eyes... but when you get into things like everyday-clothing which get changed everyday, the description of exactly what the characters are wearing become obsolete.
This part:
"Nico and I began talking."
Is too generic I think. You should add some kind of action along with it. Try "As we watched our classmates pack up their things, I turned to the slender boy scanning the room around him."
Something like that. Again, this is my own opinion, you don't have to follow it.
"Of course it's okay you silly goose!" The 'silly goose' is something no one would say back 'here'. I'm not sure where you live and if that's how people speak where you live though. Maybe it's just me.
Sweet, we got a raging-psycho-sister all of the sudden. That scores some bonus points. The only thing I would say is that she is a bit... weird with how she starts her arguments. Such as asking what she learned in math and then quickly going to the topic of how dumb Touya is, then to how Touya somehow led her mother to her death. Not to mention right in the middle of the school. People, especially sisters, don't willingly bring up family issues in school because both of them have a public reputation to uphold. People would think that Junko is some kind of crazy sister-abusing... sister... (Horrible wording, but you get my point).
So in short, crazy sister equals win. Crazy sister flipping out on her younger sister in public equals ._.?
Like how you made their father a rash, blunt father. How you characterized him was pretty good. However:
"There was a short, pregnant pause until he spoke."
...Pregnant? o.o?
You have very good writing skills and the storyline is pretty good too, however I feel that your... overuse of description is hindering the flow of the story.
Good chapter! I'll read the next one later since it's... pretty huge...

Poor Nico and Yuuka. I feel really sorry for them, whether it's the pain of school or the pain of family, no one deserves to be slapped and expected to grow up at the age of six. I'm completely with Akiko on that one.

Anyway, great chapter! As always, keep writing and I look forward to your next installment.

Damn, that step mother is evil! I feel bad for poor Yuuka. I thought she was a cute kid. Oh and I love the NicoXAkiko moments! So cute!

Aw, this was so sad! I really liked Nico though. He and Akiko make such a cute couple, so I'm definitely rooting for them. They have so much in common!

I was so into this story that I didn't even realize that the first chapter was so long. I like how you describe your characters and I love your sense of POV. I never really thought that was my strong point and I've only ever written two POV stories in my life.

I like Akiko's connection to the peach blossoms and in a way, I think that Junko is angry that she looks so much like her mother and looking at her only reminds her of what she's lost but that's personal opinion.

I'm definitely interested in what will happen next. I'm addicted to this story now.