Chapter I. Present Life

The classroom buzzed with a mixture of chatter and laughter as students lounged about in a room of four rows of five wooden tables and chairs. At the front of the room, a blackboard loomed behind the teacher's desk, while three large windows on the left let in glimpses of the world outside. Some students were settled into their seats, while others chose to perch on their tables, leaning into conversations as the minutes ticked away.

In the back left corner sat Aito, a seventeen-year-old high schooler who seemed withdrawn from the vibrant atmosphere around him. His dull brown eyes, framed by dark bags that hinted at sleepless nights, stared out the window with a distant gaze. A mop of untamed brown hair fell over his forehead, his posture hunched.

The teacher strode into the room, clutching a book under their arm, their presence commanding immediate attention. Aito felt the shift in the air as the laughter faded into the background, replaced by the teacher's impatient movements at the front of the room. Waving the book like a wand, the teacher summoned silence, ready to unleash another lesson upon the class.

Aito rested his head on his hand, his eyes drifting out the window once more. In the distance, an island floated in the sky, suspended at five thousand meters above—a curious sight that momentarily lifted him away from the confines of the classroom. Just as he lost himself in the dreamlike vision, the teacher approached him, their footsteps heavy with annoyance.

The book slammed down onto his desk, jarring Aito back to reality. A startled jolt ran through him as he looked up, meeting the teacher's fiery gaze.

"How many times do we have to go through this, Aito? Pay attention!" the teacher snapped, their voice slicing through the remnants of Aito's daydream.

With a huff, the teacher retreated to the front of the room, leaving Aito to shrink further into his seat. The room erupted with laughter and giggles, students reveling in the moment. Aito, feeling the heat of their amusement, buried his head in his arms, staring blankly ahead. For him, the classroom faded; the walls closed in as he dreamed once more, not of islands in the sky but of a world where he could escape the weight of their laughter and the relentless beckoning of reality.

"If only." He muttered to himself.

Aito trudged towards the school gate, his eyes fixated on the ground, his body slouched in a posture that spoke of reluctance. The sound of laughter and chatter enveloped him—groups of students mingling, their conversations punctuated by bursts of giggles. He caught sight of one student staring his way, but as their eyes met, Aito quickly averted his gaze, his heartbeat quickening. He picked up his pace, a sense of urgency driving him away.

"Ugh, Aito's such a creep." One girl remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"I know, right? He talks to himself all the time." Another chimed in, laughter bubbling up in response.

Aito's heart sank. He could hear them whispering, words that felt like daggers piercing his already fragile self-esteem.

"Look at his eyes; it's like gazing into a dead fish's. They're so lifeless—it's creepy." A third voice added, eliciting a fit of giggles from the group.

The laughter echoed in his ears as he hurried away, his hand instinctively covering his eyes as if that could somehow shield him from their judgment.

"Dead fish, huh?" He muttered to himself, a bitter taste filling his mouth.

Just then, he collided with someone, the jolt breaking through his spiraling thoughts. He stumbled back, startled, and immediately fled behind the school building to find a moment of solace.

"Watch where you're going!" A male student barked as Aito disappeared from sight.

Safe behind the building, he sank to his knees, his grip tightening around his head as if he could crush the overwhelming thoughts swirling within. The laughter of his peers drifted to him, a haunting reminder of his isolation.

"Why am I like this?" He whispered, shaking his head in frustration. The question echoed back at him, amplifying his despair. "Not helping, Squiggles." He groaned, looking at the small, mischievous entity that floated beside him. Squiggles nudged against Aito's cheek, a comforting gesture, but Aito pulled away, unable to shake off the gloom hanging over him.

"Would you stop already?" He snapped, though his annoyance was born more from his own anguish than from Squiggles' incessant antics. The creature, sensing his distress, floated away a bit, but Aito released a deep sigh, wishing for clarity. "Can't hide forever, I guess." He stood up, brushing off the dirt from his knees. As he turned to take a step forward, he sensed something was off; he glanced back to see Squiggles lingering behind, hesitant.

"What's wrong, Squiggles?" Aito asked. Squiggles floated back a few paces, eyeing something beyond the school grounds—the dense green of the forest creeping at the edges of the property.

"Hey, wait up!" Aito called, his curiosity piqued. He trailed after Squiggles, who was now drifting towards a weathered fence that bordered the forest. Hunching over next to Squiggles, Aito watched as the entity effortlessly phased through the boundary.

He bit his lip, contemplating the risk as he observed Squiggles darting back and forth. With a glimpse into the inviting shadows of the trees, he made a decision. Climbing up the fence, he swung his legs over and landed on the other side, glancing back at the school before turning his focus to the wildness that lay before him.

"This better be worth getting detention." He muttered, not entirely convinced.

Squiggles floated around him, urging him to follow deeper. Aito rolled his eyes, feeling the weight of his worries still clinging to him. "Lead the way, almighty floating Squiggles." He sighed as he joined Squiggles on this unexpected venture.

Aito followed Squiggles into the depths of the forest, his heart racing as he scanned the towering trees around him. The canopy above thickened, casting a wavering gloom over the path. Suddenly, a faint light broke through the underbrush, and Squiggles paused, turning to look back at Aito.

With a whimsical air, Squiggles floated up and perched atop Aito's head, his curious eyes fixed ahead. Aito could feel the light weight of the creature nestling into his mop of hair.

"I see, beyond here, huh?" Aito murmured, drawing in a steadying breath. He exhaled slowly, straightening his posture before pressing forward. He brushed aside the thick greenery with his hands, stepping into a glade.

As he crossed the threshold, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"What the..."

There lay a girl on the ground, seemingly unconscious.

Her tanned skin and dark red hair, styled in a French braid tied into a ponytail, complemented her shrine maiden's outfit, though it hung unevenly due to the chaos of the forest. Currently, loose strands framed her face, and the dishevelment only added to her ethereal presence.

Spirits surrounded the girl like a protective veil, their forms swaying gently in the air. Squiggles approached, intrigued, as the spirits began to rise from her body, floating away like wisps of smoke. Yet one spirit, shaped like a fish, lingered atop her head, as if reluctant to leave.

Aito blinked, attempting to grasp the sight before him. The tanned girls back shimmered, glowing with the outline of wings that felt almost otherworldly. In her right hand, she clutched a blue ribbon. His heart raced as he rubbed his eyes, convinced he must be dreaming. But when he looked again, there she was—her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine.

The glowing wings faded into nothingness as he took a small step back, averting his gaze out of instinct. She sat up, her eyes never leaving him, though her expression shifted.

Furrowing her brow, she muttered, "I must be going crazy." She shook her head, as if casting away her doubts. "It is almost as if this Wasureta can see—" Her words caught in her throat as she turned her gaze toward Aito. The nervous boy met her stare, his heart pounding.

"...Me?" she finished, confusion in her eyes.

Uneasy, Aito diverted his gaze, staring at the ground. He fidgeted restlessly, a breath building in his chest before he mustered the courage to respond. "Are you alright?"

The girl gasped in surprise, falling back onto her hands, a wince of pain escaping her lips. Alarm surged within Aito as he instinctively stepped forward, drawn by her apparent distress. Yet, her hands shot up in caution.

"Halt! Stay where you are!" she commanded, her voice sharp.

He halted mid-step, his eyes darting to her warning hands, filled with trepidation. The tanned girl slowly rose to her feet, taking a few shaky steps back, blood seeping through her fingers as she clutched her side. Aito's gaze flicked down to the injury, a deep concern flooding his expression.

She glared at him, defiance mingling with pain, her long, dark red hair cascading past her shoulders. Dressed in a torn white kosode and a red hakama—one side considerably longer than the other—her clothes were dirtied from her ordeal, the remnants of struggle evident in her appearance.

In that moment, Aito felt the weight of the forest around them, a mixture of fear and intrigue mingling within him as the mystery of this girl unfurled before his eyes.

The tension in the air was palpable as she stood her ground, her voice low and menacing. "Please walk away."

Aito hesitated, but instinctively took a slow step forward. The girls eyes widened in alarm before narrowing with determination.

"Those injuries—" Aito began, but she cut him off sharply.

"I am not going anywhere with you, Wasureta!" she snapped.

"—A hospital." He finished, his words hanging in the air between them. They blinked at each other in confusion.

"Pardon? A hospital?" She replied, perplexed. She studied Aito with a newfound curiosity, her gaze flicking over him. He looked away, nervousness creeping into his demeanor. Suddenly Squiggles burst out from Aito's head, piquing the girls interest. Without warning, Koi floated by and moved toward Squiggles. The tanned skinned girl watched as the two spirits began to circle each other.

Aito turned his head, both him and the girl transfixed by the unusual display. They glanced at one another, but Aito quickly looked away, heat rising to his cheeks.

"You are... not going to hurt me?"She asked, her voice softer, laced with uncertainty.

Shaking his head, Aito replied, "You see them too, right?"

The dark red haired girl turned her gaze back to the playful spirits. Squiggles drifted back to Aito, while Koi returned to perch on her palm.

"You mean the spirits? Of course I can see them, all of my people can." She assured him, a hint of pride in her voice. Her hand reached out, and Koi settled comfortably in her palm. Aito observed her, intrigued.

"Your people?" He echoed, a question etched on his face.

With surprise, the girl looked at him, then glanced upward. Aito followed her gaze to find a gap in the trees revealing an island floating serenely in the sky. His eyes widened, and he turned back to her, wonder mingling with curiosity.

"You live on the island?" He prompted, hope blooming in his chest.

"You can see the island too?" The tanned skinned girl asked, astonishment lighting up her features. Leaning forward slightly, she searched his face. "Who are you?"

Aito averted his gaze but managed to mumble, "Oh, uh, I'm Aito."

"Sorako. Pleased to meet—" She waved her hands in exasperation. "That is not what I meant."

Rubbing her forehead, Sorako strode closer to Aito. He took a step back unconsciously, glancing sideways as she halted just a few paces away.

"Are you really a Wasureta?" she inquired, her tone serious.

"I am, I think?" Aito confessed, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

Sorako placed her hand thoughtfully on her chin, tilting her head as she studied him. "But you can see us?" She asked, astonished.

He nodded. "I can."

Taking another step closer, Sorako tentatively reached out her hand, palm up. Aito's heart raced as he watched her approach. When she poked him softly in the chest with her forefinger, she jumped back in surprise, a pained wince crossing her face as she clutched her side.

"You are solid." She said, her voice a mix of awe and intrigue.

"And you need a doctor." Aito remarked, his gaze narrowing at her injuries.

Sorako looked down at herself and let out a light chuckle, turning away from him. "Those places will not do much good when ordinary Wasureta cannot see me." She said as she resumed walking a few paces away.

"Besides," she added, glancing back, "why should I go there when I can just do this?"

With an air of confidence, she tied her hair back into a long French braid. A ponytail dangled at the back, framing her face as she turned to Aito with a sly grin.

"Try not to be too mesmerized." She teased. She faced Koi, tucking her left palm under her right hand. "Let us sing together, Koi." She instructed, and the spirit settled on her palm, closing its eyes.

Sorako began to sing, her voice a melodic invitation.

"Sing with me a melody,

Glow along that gentle light."

A radiant glow emanated from Koi as it hummed along with Sorako, and sunlight streamed through the treetops, casting a warm glow upon her.

"That shines all around us and wraps us tight,

Illuminating the skies above..."

As if summoned by her voice, spirits emerged from the forest, swirling around her in a dazzling display of colors, their soft hums harmonizing with her melody. Sorako's eyes lit up with joy as she opened them, turning her head slightly to take in the spectacle.

Aito watched in awe, his heart swelling as a dim orange glow enveloped him. An unexpected sharp pang pierced his chest, and he clutched it, momentarily overwhelmed, but the pain dissipated as quickly as it had come. His attention remained fixed on Sorako, captivated by her presence.

"Where the island floats, we sing our song,

To bless the spirits who grant us life." she continued, her voice ringing with certainty.

The scene was enchanting, and Aito felt riveted. As Sorako sang, her radiance intensified, and the injuries that marred her body began to fade away. Squiggles, too, floated in a circle around Aito, glowing with a pale blue light, humming softly in accompaniment.

With one final note, Sorako stopped singing, and the other spirits, apart from Squiggles and Koi, began to disperse back into the forest. Turning to Aito, Sorako caught him staring, his mouth agape in wonder.

"Thank you, Koi." She whispered, watching as the spirit lifted off her palm.

In the heart of the forest, Sorako stood with a playful grin. She glanced at Aito, her eyes sparkling with mischief as the other spirits peeked out from the shadows and then vanished again.

"Looking at your face is like looking at a Koi carp." She teased, her laughter echoing like a gentle chime through the trees.

Aito's expression shifted from surprise to confusion, his gaze dropping to the ground. His brows furrowed, and he took a step back, his shoulders slumping as disappointment flickered across his features. "Because my eyes look lifeless, huh?"

Sorako tilted her head, her laughter bubbling up like a stream. "No, silly! Your mouth was gaping wide like a fish out of water."

Aito's surprise turned to a sense of wonder as he looked at her again, the hint of a smile breaking through his previous discomfort. "How did you do that?"

With a serene gaze, Sorako watched the Koi swimming gracefully around her. "That was me borrowing the spirits' power through song." She explained, a sense of pride lacing her words.

Aito cocked his head, skepticism mingling with curiosity. "...Okay?"

She chuckled once more, the sound light and airy. "I doubt it would make much sense to a Wasureta." Her eyes flicked playfully from Aito to the little spirit that rested atop his head.

"By the way," she began, curiosity piquing her interest, "I have been wondering... That spirit is awfully attached to you."

Aito placed a hand on the small creature. "Yeah, Squiggles has been with me forever."

Sorako snorted, bursting into a fit of giggles that danced through the air. "Squiggles? You named a spirit, Squiggles?"

Embarrassment crept up Aito's face as he scratched his neck and turned away, his eyes narrowing at the forest floor. "It looks like a Squiggle..."

Gradually, Sorako's laughter faded, replaced by a more serious demeanor as she wiped her eyes. "You really are a strange Wasureta—or maybe you are special?"

Aito let out a dry laugh, a hint of disbelief lacing his voice. "Special, huh?" He sighed, a weight settling on his shoulders.

Seeing the shift in his mood, Sorako stepped closer, her presence warm and comforting. "Then, do you wish that you were not able to see us? To see this incredible world above?"

He didn't meet her gaze, his eyes cast downward as uncertainty flickered in his heart. "I don't know," he admitted, a shrug betraying his deep thought. "I can't imagine things being different."

With gentle hands, Sorako reached out, cupping his cheeks and guiding his face to meet hers. His cheeks squished together, and her eyes held him captive, sparkling with understanding. "There is nothing wrong with the way you are." she said softly, her gaze unwavering.

Aito couldn't help but notice the difference in her eyes, an otherworldly beauty that called to him. "Your eyes..." he breathed, captivated.

Sorako placed her hands on her left eyelid, a shadow of sadness crossing her features. "This symbolizes our bond with the spirits. We are born with it."

"That's really cool." Aito marveled, his own eyes lingering on hers.

She looked away, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Not everyone in my village has it." She admitted, glancing toward the trees. "It is a rare condition. My mother was also born with it..."

Aito leaned in closer, intrigued, but Sorako quickly shifted her gaze back to him. "It's not something important." she added hastily.

"Is that why you were cautious of me?" he asked, a glimmer of understanding dawning on him.

Sorako nodded, her expression serious. "It is forbidden to come to the surface."

Aito regarded her thoughtfully. "Why are you down here then?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at the gap in the trees, where fragments of the sky peeked through. Aito followed her gaze, noticing the scattered leaves and branches. Their eyes met once more, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Made quite the entrance, huh?" He mused, causing Sorako to look away, her cheeks tinged with pink.

"Forget about that," she insisted, her tone shifting back to earnest. "I came here with a purpose!" She faced him, determination etched in her features. "My people are in danger—our home is losing its ability to float."

Aito's gaze followed hers as they both looked upward at the island suspended in the sky. "Do you know why?"

Sorako shook her head, her expression troubled. "No, but I suspect it has something to do with the spirits."

He glanced at Squiggles who was perched atop his head and back to Sorako, who was now staring firmly into his eyes. "Have you ever seen a colorless spirit?"

"Colorless spirit?" Aito echoed, confusion knitting his brows.

Sorako's tone turned grave. "I began noticing them a few days ago, and they are rapidly increasing in number." As she spoke, Koi swam gracefully around her, their colors vibrant against the dim backdrop of the forest. "I believe they have something to do with the island becoming unstable. That's why I came down here—to discover where they are coming from."

Aito stood with a look of disbelief his gaze fixed on Sorako. "And so your people's laws be damned?" he challenged, watching as she deliberately averted her eyes, linking her hands behind her back. With a raised brow, Aito's expression deadpanned, demanding an answer. "...seriously?"

Sorako turned to face him, her eyes glinting with determination. "Seriously." She replied, her tone unwavering.

Deciding to shift the conversation, Aito asked, "So what's the plan now?" He kept his focus on Sorako's back as she pondered for a moment, placing her right hand on her chin.

"Aimlessly wander around the surface looking for colourless Spirits?" she mused. "Well, that WAS the plan..." A sly grin spread across her face as she locked eyes with him.

"But now," she declared, "I have a tour guide." And with that, she walked past him, Koi, floating beside her. Aito remained rooted for a moment, watching Sorako disappear into the thicket. She paused and turned back, catching him off guard. "Shall we get going, Mr. tour guide?" She teased, a playful glint in her gaze.

Aito pointed to himself, questioning her intent. Sorako nodded, her confidence palpable, before she turned again and melded into the forest's embrace. As if sensing his uncertainty, Squiggles floated in front of him. "What have I gotten myself into..." Aito muttered under his breath, contemplating the uncharted territory of their new adventure.

With one last glance at the place where Sorako had vanished, he jogged after her.

However, unbeknownst to him, a shadowed silhouette lurked behind a tree, its grey hair dancing in the wind. The silhouette melted away quietly, leaving only a glittering light.