In High School
The midday recess bell chimed through the corridors of Hoshikawa High, a cheerful melody that sent students spilling out of classrooms like a sudden breeze. Chairs scraped against floors, conversations sparked, and the once-orderly room bloomed with laughter and chatter.
Fumiko stayed where she was, her elbows resting on the desk, a paperback novel propped open in her hands. Around her, classmates gathered in little groups, some stretching after long lectures, others heading out to the courtyard for snacks. Their voices blended into a soft background hum, but her eyes remained fixed on the page.
It wasn't that the story was especially gripping, though it was a pleasant escape. What kept her reading was the quiet it gave her, a fragile shield against the restless thoughts that had haunted her since morning. Child of dawn… powers… the Abyss. The words from her recurring dream whispered faintly at the edges of her mind, like the rustle of leaves in distant wind.
She turned a page but barely registered the words.
*Was it really just a dream?*
A sudden, cheerful voice snapped her back to reality.
"Fumiko!"
She looked up to see Ami weaving through desks, a juice box in each hand and an impish grin on her face.
"Here,"
Ami said, offering one of the boxes as she slid into the seat across from her.
"You look like you need a sugar boost."
Fumiko blinked, then smiled despite herself.
"Thanks. Perfect timing."
Ami jabbed the straw into her own drink and took a loud slurp.
"So, what are you reading, huh? Looks pretty intense."
"Nothing special,"
Fumiko replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Just a fantasy novel. You know how I get with these."
Ami's eyes sparkled with playful admiration.
"Good for you, girl! At least you're doing something useful, reading and gaining knowledge, while I'm over here just wanting to hang out with youuu!"
She puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout that made Fumiko laugh.
"You're ridiculous,"
Fumiko said, shaking her head.
"ehehehe"
Ami shot back, winking.
Fumiko chuckled again and closed the book, sliding it into her bag.
"Fine, fine. Speaking of hanging out, I almost forgot about our plan. Let's actually do it today! So… where are we going?"
Ami tapped her chin, pretending to think deeply.
"Hmm… how about… TOKYO MALL! I heard they just launched a new fashion collection. And they're running student discounts this week!"
The sparkle in Ami's eyes could have rivaled the noon sun.
Fumiko smirked, amused by her friend's excitement.
"Sounds like a plan. Okay then, be ready by three p.m. We can't miss that discount."
"Yesss!"
Ami pumped a fist in triumph.
"You're the best."
Fumiko sipped from the juice box, letting the sweet apple flavor wash away the dryness in her throat. For a moment, it felt nice to talk about something simple, clothes, shopping, ordinary teenage things. But as Ami launched into an enthusiastic rant about which stores to visit first, Fumiko's mind wandered again.
*If the dreams are real… can I really just spend the afternoon shopping?
Or maybe… maybe that's exactly what I need. Just one normal day.*
The thought comforted her, though a faint unease lingered like a shadow beneath sunlight.
"Earth to Fumiko,"
Ami teased, waving a hand in front of her face.
"You spacing out on me already? We haven't even started shopping!"
"Sorry,"
Fumiko said quickly, forcing a smile.
"I was just thinking about… school stuff."
"School stuff?"
Ami raised an eyebrow.
"You've been zoning out a lot lately. Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired, I guess."
Fumiko hesitated, tempted to share more, but stopped herself. How could she explain dreams of glowing figures and cryptic prophecies without sounding crazy?
Before Ami could press further, two more voices chimed in from the doorway.
"Planning something, girls?"
Rin strolled in first, leaning casually against the doorframe. Behind her came Yuki, whose cheerful grin lit up the room like morning sunshine.
"Yo, Rin!"
Ami waved them over.
"Yeah, we're plotting something big, Tokyo Mall this afternoon!"
"Whoa, Tokyo Mall?"
Yuki's eyes widened with instant excitement.
"Let's all go together! It'll be fun!"
Rin smirked.
"Can't say no to shopping, especially with a group. Count me in."
Fumiko looked up, a smile tugging at her lips despite her earlier worries.
"Yeah, let's all go together. It'll be more fun as a group anyway."
"Aww, that's so sweet of you, Fumiko-chan!"
Yuki exclaimed, throwing her arms around her in a spontaneous hug.
Fumiko laughed as she gently patted Yuki's back.
"Careful, you're going to crush me."
Yuki pulled back, giggling.
"Sorry! I just get excited!"
"Clearly,"
Rin said dryly, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.
Ami leaned forward, eyes glinting mischievously.
"Okay, so it's settled –Tokyo Mall, three p.m., full team assembled. But we must start at the new fashion floor. No arguments."
Rin shrugged.
"Fine by me. I need new sneakers anyway."
"Oooh, maybe we can grab bubble tea after!"
Yuki suggested, clapping her hands together.
"Bubble tea is mandatory,"
Ami declared like a general issuing orders.
Fumiko smiled at their playful energy. For a few precious moments, their chatter filled the room with warmth that made the world's hidden dangers feel far away.
As the conversation shifted to favorite clothing brands and the best flavors of bubble tea, Fumiko rested her chin on her hand and let her gaze drift toward the window. Outside, autumn sunlight spilled across the courtyard, students laughing beneath the turning leaves.
*Maybe this is why the figure in my dream called me "child of light," she thought. Because even when the world feels dark, there are still moments like this, moments worth protecting.*
Her chest tightened with a strange mix of fear and determination. She didn't fully understand the message of the dreams, but she knew one thing: whatever lay ahead, she wanted to keep these simple joys safe.
"Hey,"
Ami's voice broke through her thoughts again.
"You're smiling like you just solved world peace. What's up?"
Fumiko blinked and quickly shook her head.
"Nothing. Just… thinking about how nice today is."
"Aww,"
Yuki cooed.
"That's so poetic, Fumiko-chan."
"Poetic and mysterious,"
Rin added, arching an eyebrow.
"Careful, or you'll make the rest of us look boring."
Fumiko chuckled, feeling the faintest flush creep across her cheeks.
"I'll try to keep my thoughts less dramatic."
"Good luck with that"
Ami teased, giving her a playful nudge.
The bell rang again, signaling the end of recess. Chairs scraped as students filed back into their seats. Ami tossed her empty juice box into the bin and grinned.
"Don't forget, three p.m. sharp,"
she whispered as the teacher entered.
"No backing out!"
Fumiko nodded, a small but genuine smile curving her lips.
"I'll be there."
As the classroom settled and the lesson resumed, she opened her notebook and tried to focus on the words on the board. Yet, in the quiet corners of her mind, the mysterious voice from her dream lingered like a distant melody.
*I will always be watching over you… my child…*
Fumiko tightened her grip on her pen.
"Whatever this is"
she thought,
"I'll figure it out. But for now… today, I choose normal."
And with that quiet promise to herself, she let the rhythm of the school day carry her forward, unaware that the ordinary afternoon ahead would soon lead her closer to the extraordinary path she could no longer avoid.