Prologue B: In the Quiet of Her Smile

It was September 11, 958 S.E., the early light of 5:30 AM painting the world in soft hues. The crisp autumn wind swept through the quiet streets, carrying with it the scent of fallen leaves and the faint chill of the season. It tousled long, golden strands of hair, forcing them to crouch slightly. Her hands moved instinctively to the back of her head, attempting to tame the unruly locks as the gale tugged and whipped against her with relentless determination. Her luggage, a simple but sturdy wheeled suitcase, trailed behind her, making a faint rhythmic sound as its wheels rolled over the pavement.

Eyes squeezed shut, she braced herself against the cold rush, her form hunched as if shielding herself from the breeze. The wind howled briefly, then softened, fading to a gentle whisper before passing altogether. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her lashes fluttering against the morning light, and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Beside her, a girl with short, cherry blossom-pink hair tilted her head, her warm smile breaking the momentary stillness. Her eyes sparkled with a quiet playfulness as she leaned ever so slightly closer, her presence soft and steady, a stark contrast to the biting wind. She too carried her own suitcase, its wheels gliding easily across the street as she moved with a fluid grace. Her short hair, undisturbed by the breeze, swayed gently with her movements, its soft bounce a counterpoint to the golden locks that had just weathered the gale.

"Relax," the pink-haired girl said warmly, her voice carrying an effortless comfort, as if her words alone could chase away the lingering chill. "It's just the wind, just the wind. It's not going to beat you, ya know?" She chuckled softly, leaning closer, her warmth brushing against the moment like sunlight breaking through clouds.

The golden-haired girl blinked, her lips curving into a tentative smile that quickly shifted into an embarrassed frown. She turned slightly to her left, rubbing the top of her head downward in a self-conscious gesture.

"I-I know, capisce!" she burst out, her voice tinged with both frustration and embarrassment. "Y-you don't have to... point out the obvious," she added in a quieter, faltering tone, pausing occasionally to smooth her wind-tousled hair and tuck it behind her ears.

The pink-haired girl responded with nothing more than a warm, knowing smile. Tilting her head, she extended her hand toward her friend, her gesture radiating a quiet reassurance words could never capture. The golden-haired girl hesitated for a moment, her posture stiff and her mouth slightly agape—a mix of shyness and surprise. But despite the slight tremor in her movements, she accepted the hand, her fingers brushing against her friend's with an almost imperceptible trust.

"Geez, you know, I'm excited!" the pink-haired girl exclaimed suddenly, her face lighting up with uncontainable enthusiasm. She turned to her friend, her energy almost tangible as they began walking forward side by side. She stayed slightly ahead, her steps confident and light, while her golden-haired companion ducked her head slightly, her fingers pressing nervously together, though a shy smile lingered on her lips.

"F-for what?" the blonde asked, her voice soft, almost a whisper, jittering with uncertainty.

"You know what I mean!" the pink-haired girl replied, her excitement practically bubbling over.

"Like I'd forget..." the blonde mumbled before realizing her words came out with an unintentional chuckle, her shyness momentarily giving way to the warmth of their conversation.

The pink-haired girl walked with a bounce in her step, her legs moving straight with excitement as she hummed a cheerful tune. Beside her, the blonde trailed with visible jitters, occasionally sneaking glances at her friend. Each glance was met with an infectious grin from the pink-haired girl, which only made the blonde's awkwardness more evident.

As they approached the bus stop, crowded with students dressed in similar hues and styles of clothes, the pink-haired girl suddenly hopped forward, her energy as vibrant as ever. The sunflower-yellow-haired girl scrambled after her, her movements frantic and uneven. Her arms were tucked tightly near her head, fists clenched, and her feet shuffled in quick, awkward steps that barely kept up.

"Rose!" the blonde called out, her voice a shy exclamation that barely carried over the chatter of the students.

The pink-haired girl—Rose—skidded to a stop beside the bus stop, her sneakers squeaking faintly on the pavement. With an effortless twirl, she spun around to face her friend, her warm smile accompanied by a slight tilt of her head. The blonde stopped in her tracks, momentarily startled, her mouth hanging slightly open in surprise.

"What's the rush? You in a hurry?" Rose asked teasingly, her tone soft and friendly, her words laced with playful warmth.

"W-what do you mean, what's the rush?! Y-you practically hopped like a—a bunny, capisce!" the blonde stammered, her voice rising in a mix of embarrassment and frustration, her words spilling out as her cheeks flushed a faint pink.

"Oh, oops! Did I?" Rose said with playful sarcasm, sticking out her tongue slightly and winking her left eye. She raised her hand, forming a sideways V-sign next to her face before continuing, "Oops, I forgot! Woe is me!"

The yellow-haired girl hesitated, her gaze shifting downward as her hands fidgeted nervously. "Um... W-well... I-I guess... I-I didn't mean it like that..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, her timid tone carrying an oblivious sincerity that only made her shyness more evident.

"W-what? No, you're not supposed to say that!" Rose placed her hands on her hips, letting out an exaggerated sigh of mock exasperation. "What am I gonna do with you?" she said dramatically before breaking into a grin. "Come here, Claire. You're hopeless without me!"

"O-okay, if you say so..."

The girl referred to as Claire ducked her head, letting out a soft sigh as she awkwardly stepped forward. Her movements were slow and hesitant, her shyness weighing heavily on every step. Around them, clusters of students buzzed with excitement, their chatter filling the air as they eagerly waited for the bus. Both girls carried their wheel luggage behind them, the rolling sound of the wheels the only sound accompanying their steps.

Claire finally reached Rose's side, though she kept a few steps behind her, her trembling frame betraying the effort it took to stand among the crowd. She pressed her lips together, her hands clenched into tight fists at her waist, as if grounding herself amidst the overwhelming noise and presence of so many others. All of this—for Rose, her one comfort amidst everything.

Rose, ever the contrast, reached out and took Claire's hand without hesitation, her touch firm yet gentle. The sudden contact made Claire flinch slightly, but the warmth of Rose's hand quickly melted her resistance.

"See? Not so scary, right?" Rose said, her voice softening as she gave Claire's hand a reassuring squeeze.

Claire's lips twitched into a shy smile, her trembling easing as the comfort of Rose's presence settled over her like a warm blanket. Together, they stood amidst the growing crowd, the world around them bustling with energy. But for Claire, the noise and the chaos faded into the background. All she needed was Rose's unwavering light to guide her through.