Chapter Text
The carriage came to a stop with a gentle lurch, barely a whisper of wheels ceasing to roll over the hard-packed earth. Rinka opened her eyes slowly, as if emerging from a warm, shapeless dream, her purple pupils blinking against the orange light filtering through the window. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. Then, the scent of salt, distant flowers, and something sweetly spiced brought back her memory.
Yokohama.
The city of witches, mages, and creatures that didn't quite belong to the human world.
A huge, bright, almost childish smile spread across her face. She pressed her hands against her chest, feeling the accelerated thrum of her heart, and let out a sigh filled with hope.
"I made it!" she exclaimed in a low voice, as if fearing that saying it too loudly would break the spell. "I'll be able to become a great witch after this."
Her fingers gripped the edge of the window frame as she gazed out at the streets. Everything felt new, vibrant, charged with an invisible magic that tickled her skin. She spotted a small stall selling savory crepes, and her stomach responded with a treacherous growl.
"I want one too," she murmured, hopping down from the carriage with a light leap.
The vendor, a man with a graying mustache and swift hands, nodded with a smile.
"Of course, young lady."
Rinka handed him a few silver coins, accepted the hot crepe wrapped in wax paper, and went on her way, nibbling it with delight. The savory flavor mingled with the fresh air, and for a moment, the young girl felt that everything in the world was exactly where it was supposed to be.
She walked without hurry, letting her feet guide her toward a flower shop. There, amidst chrysanthemums and hydrangeas, she spotted a wilted, solitary rose, its petals drooping as if it had lost all hope.
"Poor thing," she whispered.
She leaned over it and softly whistled a short melody, almost like a lullaby. A thread of energy escaped her lips, as subtle as the vapor of morning dew. The rose trembled. Its petals stood upright, regaining a deep, velvety, vibrant red.
Rinka smiled, satisfied, and continued on her path.
Seiryu Academy rose before her like a dreamlike fortress. Towers of pale stone, endless gardens, and banners fluttering in the wind. And standing at the entrance, waiting for her, was a woman so beautiful that for a moment Rinka thought she was an apparition.
Kikyo was tall and slender, possessing a presence that required no haste to command authority. Her pale skin resembled antique porcelain, almost translucent in the light. Her feline, golden eyes, complete with slit pupils, fixed upon Rinka with a practiced gentleness. Jet-black hair fell in a liquid curtain nearly to her waist, and a kanzashi shaped like a red rose floated above her head as if defying gravity.
"Right this way, miss," Kikyo said with a soft smile that revealed nothing.
Awestruck, Rinka followed her into a room where another woman awaited. Kin Toki. The headmistress.
Kin possessed an androgyne beauty—features somewhat too sharp for a woman, yet softened by a deep serenity. Her midnight-blue hair hung heavily, with turquoise highlights shimmering at the ends, and a silver kanzashi engraved with a phoenix gleamed among her strands. Her almond-shaped, deep teal eyes seemed to read every corner of one's soul.
"Welcome to the Academy. I am Kin, the headmistress of this school," she spoke in a voice that was simultaneously warm and authoritative.
Rinka nodded, nervous.
"Yes… I want to attend this academy."
"Is there no test?" she asked, bewildered when the headmistress said nothing more.
Kin offered a faint smile, a barely perceptible movement of her lips.
"Take a moment to touch that stone." She pointed to a dark, opaque stone resting on a pedestal. "That way, I will see if you have what it takes to be a witch."
Rinka approached. The stone was cold to the touch, but as soon as her fingers made contact, an intense light burst from its center, illuminating the entire room. Kin observed the radiance, unfazed.
"Grant light to the stars, bless the earth, and give thanks to the Witch of the Dawn, Flora," she recited, her smile widening. "By the way, Rin, right next to our school lies another academy… Kurogane Boys' Academy. Dark mages and others reside there; avoid contact with them at all costs."
"Yes!" Rinka agreed, though a spark of curiosity ignited in her chest.
*What were the boys from that academy like? Were they handsome? What kind of powers did they have? What songs did they play in their free time?* Her imagination ran wild before she could stop it, and she felt a slight flush warm her cheeks that had nothing to do with the stone.
The door swung open again, and a familiar figure walked in.
"An?" Rinka blinked, incredulous.
The young woman with slightly sharp blue eyes and short brown hair featuring a pink lock over her shoulder paused at the threshold with a restrained smile.
"Rin-sama," An said with a nod of her head.
Rinka couldn't hold back. She ran to her and wrapped her arms tightly around her, burying her face in her shoulder.
"I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Rin-sama," An replied, returning the embrace with a gentleness that contrasted with her reputation as a relentless guardian.
Kin observed them with a neutral expression.
"I ask that Rin be placed in your group. It is decided."
An sighed, nodding.
"As you command, Headmistress."
---
The tour of the academy was a constant state of wonder. Stone courtyards, endless gardens, and corridors lined with stained-glass windows projecting impossible colors. Rinka turned her head at every step, utterly marveling.
"What are the groups the headmistress mentioned?" she asked, ducking under a low-hanging branch.
"Many students form groups to help one another," An explained. "It is much harder to work alone."
"Who else is in our group?"
"I will introduce them to you right now."
The library was a sanctuary of silence and paper. Bookshelves reached toward soaring ceilings, winding spiral staircases, and dim lamps glowed softly. There, sitting at a table covered in books, was Taka Hashimoto.
Taka was beautiful in a way that was impossible to ignore. Her dark plum hair fell in soft waves down the middle of her back, and her amber eyes shone with a hypnotic warmth. Within her pupils, something starry danced, as though holding miniature constellations.
"So many books…" Rinka whispered, awed.
"Yes, the library is incredible. Many people come from afar just to read them," Taka said, approaching with a smile. "You must really love books."
"I love reading stories," Taka replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "They're so good! Besides, I like to imagine what the boys from Kurogane Academy look like based on some of the notes."
Rinka let out a knowing giggle.
"I was wondering about that too."
---
They continued walking until they reached the training grounds, where a group of girls was playing a sport Rinka didn't recognize. Balls flew through the air, bodies moved with precision, and the atmosphere vibrated with shouts of encouragement.
"What are they doing?" Rinka asked curiously.
"They are practicing a popular game at the Academy," An explained.
One of the players caught her attention immediately. She was short, with a dark magenta ribbon tied carelessly over ash-brown hair tinged with violet highlights. Her grayish-green eyes scanned the field with a mix of boredom and sarcasm. It was Miharu Himemiya.
The other girl, Kiyomi Shirakawa, had caramel-brown hair styled into twin pigtails and large purple eyes. Her figure was voluptuous yet athletic, every movement radiating an explosive energy held back by pure discipline.
Kiyomi dodged a ball, caught it mid-air, and hurled it to the far end of the field with lethal precision. The team erupted in cheers. Rinka clapped enthusiastically.
"Did you see us?" Kiyomi asked, approaching with a fierce smile.
"Yes! You're amazing at this game!" Rinka said, her eyes gleaming.
"She is a new student who will be joining us," An chimed in.
"I'm Kiyomi," the young woman said, placing a hand over her chest. "Pleased to meet you, miss."
"I'm Miharu," added the shorter girl with a sly smile. "It's a relief you're joining us. It was about time someone arrived who doesn't look at me like I'm some weird bug."
"Miharu," Kiyomi scolded under her breath.
"Just kidding. Well, kind of."
Rinka laughed. "I like you."
"Everyone says that right before they regret it."
An arrow whistled through the air, followed by a sharp explosion.
"I'M SO SORRY!" shouted a girl with braided black hair and green eyes—Kanae—running toward them with cheeks burning red from embarrassment. "My shot slipped! I didn't mean to scare the new girl!"
"Don't worry," Rinka said, still a bit startled. "It was a memorable entry."
"I'm Kanae," the girl introduced herself, bowing awkwardly. "Welcome to our group."
An shook her head, resigned.
"We need to fetch your uniform, Your Highness. I'll go get it. You stay and explore whatever you like around the academy, miss."
"Alright," Rinka said, waving goodbye to the others with a smile.
---
The rooftop was a quiet haven. Twilight painted the sky in shades of violet and gold, and the breeze toyed with Rinka's blonde hair. She leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath.
Then she saw him.
A slender man with skin as pale as porcelain, messy black hair, and side-swept bangs that faded to white at the tips. He held a black wagasa that shielded him from the dying sun. His gray eyes met Rinka's, and time seemed to stand still.
"A man… in a Girls' Academy?" Rinka asked, taken aback.
"Your Highness, you should be careful with your ability," the man said, his voice completely unruffled. "You shouldn't get overly complacent with the joy of the witches."
"Wait, who are you?"
"Someone who knows more secrets than you ought to know, Your Highness," Akutagawa replied, taking a step back. "I apologize for the intrusion into Seiryu Girls' Academy. I must return to Kurogane with my team."
And with that, he departed, vanishing through the door like a shadow.
Rinka stood frozen, her heart thumping in her throat.
"Who was that man?" she whispered, unable to tear her gaze from the spot where he had just been.
---
The dining hall buzzed with the chatter of hundreds of voices. Rinka joined her group at a distant table set beside a window overlooking the garden. The sliced salmon melted softly in her mouth, and for a moment she closed her eyes, savoring the taste.
"This is so good…" she sighed.
"The head chef here is top-tier," Kanae said, nibbling on her takoyaki. "Even if they shove us into a corner, they can't take the food away from us."
"Why won't they let us into the main cafeteria?" Rinka asked, frowning.
Taka held up a finger.
"It's because we're Lapis. So we're at the very bottom."
"And what does that mean?"
"At this Academy, girls are divided into three ranks: Noir, Rouge, and Lapis. We belong to the lowest tier," Taka explained, a smile on her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Doesn't sound so bad…" Rinka offered innocently.
Kanae lowered her gaze, picking at her food.
"We all got terrible grades last term… and if we keep this up, we'll be expelled…"
Her green eyes shimmered with shame, and she covered her face with one hand.
"What!?" Rinka shrieked in shock.
"It's true," Miharu confirmed, leaning back in her chair with a mischievous grin. "We're the squad of the doomed. Still happy you joined us?"
Rinka blinked, still processing the news.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because we wanted you to have at least one afternoon of happiness," Taka said with genuine sweetness. "Even if just one."
Kanae sighed deeply.
"We really have to try our best. We can't fail this time."
Miharu gave a dry laugh.
"That's what we said last term."
"Well, now you have something we didn't have before!" Rinka snapped, raising her chin proudly. "You have me."
Kiyomi raised an eyebrow.
"And what do you plan to do, Your Highness? Defeat the exams with arrows?"
"I *am* going to defeat them, even if I have to study until I pass out over the books," Rinka declared with fierce conviction. "I have no intention of losing my place at this academy. And I certainly don't intend to lose any of you."
The others stared at her in surprise. Kanae was the first to smile, a soft tenderness shimmering in her eyes.
"You're braver than you look."
"I'm braver than anyone looks," Rinka corrected, taking another bite of salmon.
Miharu let out a short, genuinely amused laugh.
"I like her. She has the ego of a Noir and the heart of a Lapis."
"I hope you also have the brain of a Rouge," Rinka retorted, her smile returning.
Miharu burst into a dry chuckle.
"Ah, I'm going to dislike you in the absolute best way possible."
And for the first time at that table, laughter flowed freely—warm and defiant, carrying the silent promise that maybe, just maybe, this time they would succeed.