The exam had barely concluded, yet Charlotte and Katia were already waiting in their usual spot under the giant oak tree near the entrance of the school courtyard. The spot was their favorite, providing a mix of shade and comfort, making it a perfect rendezvous point. Esther noticed them immediately as she exited the examination hall, her heart warming at the sight of her two best friends already there as if they had eagerly anticipated her arrival."Shall I go say hello?" Esther pondered momentarily, a small, mischievous smile playing on her lips. She could never resist the urge to greet her friends in the most cheerful way possible. With a newfound energy, she decided to make her way towards them. Her steps were light and quick, and she waved energetically, her hand high to catch their attention."Halloo~" she called out, her voice carrying a musical lilt that echoed through the courtyard. This was her warmest and most affectionate greeting, one she reserved exclusively for Charl
"You're good at ending conversations, aren't you?" Charlotte's tone was sharp, her frustration evident. It was clear she was not in a good mood. Her ordinarily cheerful demeanor had been replaced by an edge that made Esther wince inwardly.Esther felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't meant to upset Charlotte, and seeing her friend this way made her feel awful. Desperate to fix things, she quickly seized the opportunity to keep the conversation going."But Esther—" Charlotte began again, her voice softer this time, almost as if she regretted snapping.Sensing a glimmer of hope, Esther eagerly asked, "What's up?" She leaned in slightly, trying to show Charlotte she was all ears and genuinely concerned.Charlotte hesitated, her eyes darting around the bustling corridor. The hallway was packed with students milling about, searching for their room numbers, and collecting their keys. It wasn't the best place for a private conversation, and the noise added to her discomfort. "Well, it's just th
"Now, I must push myself harder to catch up with Haruki and Charlotte! I can't afford to rest on my laurels just because I secured the top spot in the entrance exam!" she resolved, feeling a surge of determination. She stood by her window, gazing at the horizon as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. With its towering spires and sprawling courtyards, this place had become her new world, where every day was a test of her abilities and resilience.The memory of the exam still lingered in her mind. The grueling hours spent pouring over books, the sleepless nights practicing spells and techniques, all leading to that moment when her name was announced as the top scorer. It had been a moment of triumph, a validation of her hard work. But now, standing at the brink of a new challenge, she knew it wasn't enough. The competition was fierce, and she couldn't afford to be complacent."But the title of Star Student definitely won't be mine anymore," she muttered to hers
That day was an incredibly joyful one for Esther. It might have been the most beautiful day she had ever experienced... until she encountered that mysterious guy.Earlier in the morning, Esther had been eagerly leading her friends to the venue for the celebration. This party was being held in her honor, celebrating her remarkable achievement of scoring the highest marks in the Spiral Academy entrance exam. This accomplishment filled her with immense pride and happiness. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on everything, and the air buzzed with a palpable sense of excitement.As they strolled through the bustling streets, Esther was utterly absorbed in a lively conversation with her friends Haruki and Charlotte. They laughed heartily and chatted animatedly about their plans at the academy, eagerly sharing their hopes and dreams. The streets were alive with people, their laughter blending seamlessly with the city's ambient sounds, creating a symphony of joyful noise.
"Are you okay, Ryoshu? You look... different. I mean, you've changed a lot. No, maybe a little bit. Two weeks ago, you looked so different compared to now," she said, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity. Her eyes scanned his face, taking in the gaunt cheeks, the shadows under his eyes, and the air of weariness that seemed to cling to him. There was something profoundly altered in his demeanor, a certain gloominess that hadn't been there before.She stood there, her mind racing to understand the transformation before her. Just a fortnight ago, Ryoshu had been a vibrant young man with confidence in his step and a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. Now, he seemed almost a shadow of his former self, as if his life had been drained.Then, a mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She decided to mock the person standing before her, hoping to provoke a reaction. Turning to Charlotte, she sneered, "I can't believe this idiot confessed to you, Charlotte."Her voice carried a biting edge,
"Oh, now you, a mere commoner, want to run away?" Esther's voice dripped with sarcasm, her eyes narrowing as she watched Ryoshu's retreating figure. She could feel her frustration bubbling beneath the surface, barely contained."Goodbye," Ryoshu replied curtly, not breaking his stride as he hurriedly walked away, his steps quick and purposeful. His pace conveyed a sense of urgency as if he were trying to put as much distance between them as possible."But you won't escape that easily!" Esther shouted, determination flaring in her eyes. She lunged forward, her hand outstretched to grab his arm. She remembered how effortlessly she had snatched his mask earlier and felt confident, especially now that she had ascended to E-rank. The surge of power within her made her feel invincible."Hey, where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet," she called out, her voice a mix of frustration and challenge. She was not going to let him slip away so easily.Just as her fingers were ab
She could no longer sense his presence as if he had vanished into thin air. The realization hit her like a cold splash of water, leaving her momentarily stunned. Her equally bewildered friends exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion mirroring her own."Where is he? That bastard!" Esther's voice was a mix of fury and disbelief. Her eyes darted around the bustling square, desperately trying to locate him amidst the crowd. The bright lights and festive decorations now seemed mocking, highlighting the stark contrast between her inner turmoil and the surrounding merriment.'Damn it, he ruined the best day of my life!' she fumed silently, her hands balling into tight fists. The frustration bubbled up inside her, threatening to spill over.Haruki, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. His gentle smile, a constant source of comfort, appeared as he laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Esther. Remember we still have your father's party to look forward to?" His voice was calm and
----0w0----"Esther? Why are you standing there?"Upon hearing the familiar voice, Esther turned around to see the boy she had a crush on. Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but beam with an adorable smile. Her dimples deepened, making her pink cheeks even more prominent against her fair skin, reminiscent of Snow White's.Esther's skin was exceptionally fair, but her ash-white hair drew people's attention. This unique feature was a hallmark of the White family, perfectly complementing her blood-red eyes, which seemed to glow with a mysterious charm."Oh, I'm just waiting for you guys. Haruki, you got here pretty early, didn't you?" she responded warmly, her voice carrying a gentle lilt that matched the serene morning.Haruki, the boy she addressed, had striking blue hair and matching blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires. He was approaching her at a leisurely pace, his steps light and relaxed. Just as he neared, the cherry blossoms began to fall, their delicate petals