Chapter Text
It was nothing but a mere whim.
It is perfectly normal for humans to be bored with their life no matter how painfully blissful they are. It's human nature to change and challenge nature–in order to seek a better life or simply crave pleasure in it.
It was nothing but another day to live.
Wake up in the early morning. Get dressed by Hanatori-san. Greet her Mama if she is there while having breakfast. Then go to school, following whatever the teacher does. Doing exceptionally well is a must. Socializing with her classmate kindly is an obvious thing to do. Then, go to additional classes or tutoring or playing music. Then after that, she–
It was simply a clear sky.
That day was not particularly special. A bunch of noises can be heard as always from the field. She got a perfect score in math and P.E that day. She received many compliments and an admiring gaze from all.
She felt something tickling her inside that day. A sudden impulse, maybe something she has been piled up with when seeing her classmate playing together after school every day just coincidentally burst up. Mai decided to be a little naughty and wanted an activity like the rest of her classmates. She decided to sneak past Hanatori-san who was waiting in front of the school gate.
Mai decided to go home by walking, a bit of a detour to the nearby Park that her classmates often included in their topic conversation lately. They said it has a huge red slide. Three cool swings that can throw yourself as high as possible. A large sandbox, they said you can make a shiny ball of mud from those sand. They aren't covered in gold or silver. But, Mai thought she likes it. She wanted to know how to have fun like her classmates. Maybe tomorrow she can bring it up in the conversation and her classmates won't have that kind of eyes on her whenever the conversation of the park comes out. Mai decided to go to the sandbox. Yesterday the girls were talking about making shinny dango and they are going to compete with each other next week about whoever makes the shiniest dango. Next week, Mai has her piano lesson after school. So, she won't be able to join. But, at the very least, now she can try to make one on her own.
Well... How to make it? For starters, let's just gather as much as possible sand. Mai nodded and started working. She will figure it out later, perhaps.
As Mai gathered the sands, an unfamiliar voice came out.
“What are you doing?”
Mai looked up. A girl with long hair. Her hair had the same color as sakura. Her face was covered with dirt, probably because she played around too much. That girl was towering over Mai, she looked interested. Ah, she has brilliant amethyst eyes. It captured Mai's attention for a moment. Before Mai shifted her gaze, she feels warmth rose to her cheeks. It is a bit weird, Mai noted. She is used to have herself as the object of attention. But, maybe, because this girl is looking at Mai straightly. Mai nodded.
“Um, I try to make the shiny ball of mud”
“Ehh, that’s so”
That girl is probably older than Mai. Maybe probably around 2-3 years older, she crouched down beside her. She was looking at Mai’s hand rather intensively.
“Uh, excuse me, what are you looking at?”
“That is a bad mudball”, she pointed and grinned playfully as if finding an answer, “That’s not how you're supposed to do it!”
This weird stranger then proceeded to take a bunch of sand in her hands. She was making the ball shape rather firmly, “You should make it dry!” she smiled and Mai did the same. Following her steps, even when that girl’s recklessly sprinkled too much sand on it. She looked enjoying it. So was Mai. That girl was so spirited, she wasn't afraid at all to make herself dirty. Mai then also followed the suit. Mai now gets it why her classmates spoke about this topic enthusiastically. It is simply sanded that spilled with a bit of water and made it into a fine ball--as the name suggested.
“Mai-sama!”
A familiar voice from her butler. Hanatori ran to where Mai is squatted down. Her friendly face was covered in panic.
“Ah, Hanatori”, Mai simply responded. She almost clicked her tongue, but considering the girl beside her, Mai refrained herself to do so. Her playtime was over. Mai glanced upwards, ah, the sky was turning orange already. She spent that much time. Mai acknowledge. That's why Hanatori was drenched in sweat. She felt bad.
“Oh your mom already picked you up, huh!”, that girl said. She gave a wide smile, “Then I will be back! My mom should be done now!” She stood up without cleaning her dirty clothes or face.
“Bye, bye!”, she then ran off to the park’s exit. Yet, that girl then stopped, she once again ran towards Mai and Hanatori.
“Oh right! You should dry the mudball! It should be dry tomorrow if it is not raining! Well, then, I am off! Bye, bye!”
Mai wasn't fast enough to tell her to wait. That girl was so fast. Yet, her lips made a smile, even without her noticing.
Hanatori’s speech went in and out of Mai’s ear back then. It is not like Hanatori had the courage to confess her careless attention to her mama. And it is not like her mama would spend time hearing it.
“Ah, who is that girl, Mai-sama? She seems like a kind girl. She accompanied you huh”, Hanatori’s question was sent to Mai after Mai sat down in the car.
“Who is that girl, indeed”, Mai mused as she was looking at the slightly orange sky. She did hope she would meet that girl again tomorrow. Both of them will check the mudball. Mai hoped tomorrow wouldn't be raining.
It was not an opera, it was not a classical music theatre, and it was not an art exhibition, however, playing with that girl was refreshing. Mai enjoyed it.
“Hanatori, I want to meet that girl again”, Mai told her small wish. ‘Order’ might fit a better word. Mai did notice how Hanatori looked in awe from the mirror. The corner of her lips is lifted. Mai could not wait to meet that pink-haired girl again. Will the mudball be okay? Hopefully, tonight and tomorrow won’t be raining. Mai prayed hard that day.