"That's why... I have a surprise for you!" exclaimed Maria, her voice filled with excitement, as she stood up and led Sayuri to follow her steps.
Sayuri's eyes widened with anticipation as she asked, "A surprise? What is it? Please, Maria, I want to know!"
Maria's mischievous grin grew wider as she knelt down and gently squeezed Sayuri's cheeks. "Well, I was thinking about hanging out with you," she revealed. "You know, take a walk around the City of Paradise."
Sayuri's face lit up with joy. "Really?!" she exclaimed, her happiness palpable. "I'm going to see people my age then? And I can play like normal citizens, however I want?"
Maria's eyes sparkled with love as she answered, "That's right! Just like normal people! No royal boundaries, and nothing to worry about!"
Sayuri's face lit up with excitement as she heard the thrilling news, and she jumped up and down in the spacious room before settling onto Maria's back. "Yahoo!" she exclaimed. "When are we going? Are we going today? I want to go today!"
Maria, however, had some sobering news for Sayuri. "No, we can't go today," she said, causing Sayuri's expression to dim slightly. "And I have the weekend off, so I won't be able to tutor you for two days."
But Maria had a plan, and she took Sayuri into her lap and raised her hands. "However," she said, "you'll come to your dancing lessons on Monday, right? So instead of practicing dances, we'll execute our secret operation, okay?"
Really?" Sayuri beamed at the prospect of their secret operation, "Is it really going to be next Monday?"
Maria nodded in confirmation, and Sayuri hugged her tightly and exclaimed, "Maria, you're the best! I love you the most! You're my best friend!"
Maria gently pulled away from Sayuri and placed a finger on her lips. "But this needs to stay a secret between us, okay? A bestie's secret!"
"Yeah, Bestie's secret!" Sayuri nodded, and they both made the "shhh" gesture, sealing the deal on their secret operation.
After returning to the castle, Sayuri spent the entire weekend on the edge of her seat with excitement, eagerly anticipating her upcoming adventure with Maria in the City. As each day passed, her excitement only grew stronger, and she could hardly contain herself.
Finally, on Monday morning, as the sun began to rise, Sayuri's overflowing happiness was impossible to hide. She could barely contain herself, even as they sat down to breakfast that morning.
Sayuri's father couldn't help but smile at his daughter's overflowing energy, enjoying the youthful enthusiasm that she exuded. "Well, look who's a little happy today," he teased playfully. "Did something good happen, Sayuri?"
Without missing a beat, Sayuri responded eagerly, her forkful of pancake forgotten in her hand. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "Today is Monday, and I'm going to practice dancing with Maria!"
Her mother, ever the doting parent, leaned over to clean a smear of honey from Sayuri's cheek with a handkerchief. "My goodness, aren't you a little overly excited about that, dear?" she asked with a gentle smile.
Sayuri beamed up at her mother, her eyes shining with joy. "It's because Maria is the best!" she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair and standing on it. "I can't wait to have fun with her!"
Leafa was surprised by Sayuri's behavior and gently reminded her to respect proper table manners. "Lady Sayuri," she said with a soft but firm tone, "I'm afraid you need to respect table manners. If you would, please settle politely back into your seat."
Sayuri's parents nodded in agreement, but they couldn't help but smile at their daughter's infectious enthusiasm. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure to execute my duty perfectly, so the little lady will grow and become a fine woman!' As Leafa bowed politely and apologized for any disruption, they exchanged knowing glances, both secretly grateful for the youthful energy and joy that Sayuri brought into their lives.
When Sayuri arrived at Maria's place, her excitement bubbled over, causing her to jump around erratically and almost knock over a nearby mirror. "Come on Maria, let's go already!" she exclaimed eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Sayuri," scolded Maria, her tone firm as she halted Sayuri's frenzied movements with just one word. "Stop moving around so much, or I'll reconsider our plan, got it!"
"S-Sorry Maria," stammered Sayuri, quickly composing herself as she realized her mistake. Maria's expression softened, and she gestured for Sayuri to come closer to her. "Well, we can't let you leave in this outfit," she said, placing a hand on Sayuri's expensive dress. "You'll stand out too much like that. They'll definitely notice that these are royalty's clothes."
"That's why..." Maria stood up, revealing an ordinary outfit for Sayuri to wear. "We're going to get you changed into some decent commoner's clothes, okay?" she explained, gently guiding Sayuri toward the new attire.
As their adventure through the City of Paradise began, Sayuri's eyes grew wide with wonder at the sights and sounds surrounding her. They strolled through vibrant streets, lined with colorful stalls selling an array of mouth-watering food. Sayuri eagerly tried new snacks, savoring the flavors she had never tasted before.
The bustling crossroad they arrived at was a mesmerizing scene. Musicians of all ages filled the air with their magical performances, playing their instruments and singing songs that made Sayuri's heart soar with joy. She danced along to the lively music, her golden hair twirling around her as she laughed with glee.
As they walked further, Maria led Sayuri to an ordinary-looking school. But inside, Sayuri found something extraordinary: a warmth and simplicity that she had never experienced before. The students, dressed in their humble uniforms, greeted them with friendly smiles and open hearts. Sayuri was amazed by the genuine kindness they showed her, even though she was a stranger to them.
Through it all, Sayuri's eyes were opened to the beauty of the world beyond her palace walls. She saw that happiness could be found in the simplest of things, like sharing food and music with friends, and the warmth of strangers' kindness. It was a day she would never forget.
Sayuri took in the sights around her, marveling at the bustling streets of the City as she walked alongside Maria. For all of her eight years, she had felt trapped by the rigid laws and expectations of the royal family, never getting the chance to experience the real charm of Paradise.
But today was different. Today, she was free to explore, run, and laugh without any restrictions. And she couldn't help but feel grateful to Maria for being her guide. "Thank you for bringing me here, Maria!" she beamed, running ahead of her tutor to take in more of the sights around her.
"Now, Sayuri," Maria called after her, her tone lightly raised, "don't run too far, okay? Unless you don't want to have Yakisoba!"
"I won't. Don't..." A boy, around her age, suddenly bumped into her, causing her to stop talking and focus her attention on him. As she looked at him, her excitement only grew, noticing the spark of curiosity in his eyes.
But it was the group of children playing together nearby that truly captivated her. "All of them are my age!" she thought to herself, overcome with joy and relief. Finally, she had found a place where she might belong, where she could be with others her own age and make new friends.
Turning to Maria, Sayuri looked at her silently, seeking her approval to join in. With a gentle smile, Maria nodded, giving her a small push toward the children.
Without a moment's hesitation, Sayuri darted toward the group, her hair bouncing behind her as she ran. As she approached them, she could hear their laughter and chatter, and she knew in her heart that she had just got quite a rare opportunity.
"Hi, I'm Sayuri!" she exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "Sayuri Violra."
The other children looked up at her curiously, their expressions shifting from surprise to shock. Sayuri could feel their eyes on her, assessing her with scrutiny. Yet, she remained undeterred, stepping closer to them with a friendly wave.
"I'm Yuji," said the boy she had bumped into earlier, holding a slightly dirty ball. Sayuri noticed that he was looking at her with a mixture of confusion and suspicion. "You said Sayuri Violra?"
"Yes," she confirmed, still smiling brightly, stepping closer to the group as they started to walk away from her. "I'm Sayuri Violra, nice to meet you!"
As she tried to close the distance between herself and the other children, Sayuri couldn't help but notice that they were subtly avoiding her, even avoiding her gaze. It felt as though they were intentionally leaving her out of their group, and it stung her heart. She didn't understand why they were acting this way towards her.
Feeling isolated, Sayuri stopped walking, finding herself alone with only Maria behind her. She looked at her friend with a sad expression, her eyes welling up with tears. It was as if her hope of finding new friends had been crushed in an instant.
As Yuji whispered to one of his friends, Sayuri and Maria overheard their conversation. "She said she's royalty!" he hissed his expression one of disgust. "I don't want to play with her!"
His friend nodded in agreement, and another boy chimed in, glaring at Sayuri with open disdain. "Yeah, me too. They keep thinking that they're better than us."
A girl spoke up as well, pushing the group of kids to move away from Sayuri. "And she doesn't even look that cute," she sneered. "Royalties are supposed to be wearing expensive clothes, so she might be a liar!"
Sayuri's heart sank as she listened to their cruel words. She didn't understand why they were treating her like an outsider. She had hoped to find friendship and acceptance, but instead, she was being judged and rejected.
Before she could do anything, Maria stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "Hey, we can still hear you, you know!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the air. The other children flinched, taken aback by her intensity. As she spoke, the group began to scatter, running away from her and Sayuri.
Maria clicked her tongue in disbelief at the way the other children had treated Sayuri. She couldn't understand why they were so cruel to someone who had only wanted to make friends. Kneeling down beside Sayuri, she gave her a reassuring squeeze on her small hand. "Don't worry, Sayuri," she said softly, "Maybe they're just confused because you told them your family name. Come on, let's have some Yakisoba!"
But Sayuri's heart felt heavy as she thought about the other children's rejection. She slipped from Maria's grip and began to walk toward her friend's house with her head held low. She didn't want to think about food or anything else - all she wanted was to be accepted by the other kids.
When Sayuri arrived at another street, she spotted a second group of children nearby. Her bright smile returned as she bounded over to them, eager to make new friends. But as she approached, the children's expressions grew wary, and they took a step back as if she were contagious.
"Get away from us, stupid royalty!"
"Yeah, instead of wasting time, why don't you find some solutions to our daily meals and needed water, ha?"
Sayuri's heart sank once again, and her smile faltered. She couldn't understand why no one wanted to be friends with her. "Is it because I'm royalty?" She thought to herself as she stood motionless, "Is it because of the way I look? But... But why? I don't even know them, yet they still hate me! Is it because I'm Violra?"
Feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes, Sayuri turned to Maria with a look of despair. "Why don't they like me?" she asked, her voice quivering as she tightly hugged Maria's thigh, "I don't even know them, why are they so mean to me? Maria? I just want to make friends!"
Maria held Sayuri tightly, feeling the girl's small body trembling against her. She knew that the little girl was just beginning to grasp the harsh realities of the world, and it pained her to see that innocence slipping away.
"Why... Why?" Sayuri whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Why can't we all just be friends?"
"Sayuri..." Maria sighed heavily, wishing that the answer to that question was an easy one. "It's not your fault, Sayuri," she replied, "It's our world's fault. Some royalties think that they are superior, that they are better than others because they're lightly richer. And in exchange, others believe that all royalties don't even look at them, and consider them mere tools."
"Sometimes people are scared of what's different," Continued Maria softly, "And they push it away instead of trying to understand it. Sometimes people are jealous of what others have, and they lash out instead of working hard to achieve it themselves. And sometimes people just don't want to see things from another perspective, because it's easier to stay in their own bubble."
Sayuri sniffled, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. "But what can I do, Maria? How can I make them see that I'm not like those other royalties?"
Maria smiled softly, running a hand through Sayuri's hair. "You can't change everyone's minds, Sayuri," she said. "But you can show them who you truly are. You can show them that you're kind and brave and that you value everyone's friendship regardless of their status. And maybe, just maybe, they'll start to see that there's more to you than just your family name."
"Come on!" Added Maria as she stood up, "Let's get you some Yakisoba! I'll even treat you for Dango if you put your smile back, okay?"
Maria scooped Sayuri into her arms, spinning her around in a joyful twirl. "Let's forget about those mean children, Sayuri," she said with a bright smile, "and focus on the things that make us happy!"
Sayuri giggled as Maria tickled her sides, her worries slowly fading away. Maria knew just how to cheer her up, with her warm smooches and hugs, and by treating her to the most delicious meals.
As they almost reached the house, both of them were startled by a shocking sight. A small boy, even younger than Sayuri, was being mercilessly beaten up by a group of older kids. They kicked and hit him with thick sticks, leaving his whole body covered in blood and bruises.
Without hesitation, Maria stepped forward and held one of the boys up as she glared at the others. "What do you think you're doing, huh?" she demanded.
The bullies backed off and ran away, leaving the boy lying motionless on the ground. Sayuri's heart pounded in her chest as she ran over to the injured boy and sat next to him, carefully scanning his body.
"Are... Are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern as she reached out her hand to almost touch him.
As Sayuri collided with the boy, he quickly pulled away, avoiding her touch. Their eyes locked, and she couldn't help but notice the emptiness in his expression. His eyes, darker than the night sky, were sunken, with heavy bags under them.
"Are you okay?" she asked, extending a hand to help him up.
"You..." the boy's voice was quiet and measured. "What's your name?"
Sayuri hesitated for a moment, confused by the abrupt question. "My name?" she repeated, a smile spreading across her face. "What good would knowing my name do?"
The boy considered her response for a moment before turning to leave. "That's true," he said over his shoulder. "If you want to stay safe, then don't get closer to me, got it?"
Sayuri's confusion turned to concern as she watched him walk away, his steps slow and measured. "Wait," she called out, her heart heavy with worry. "What do you mean?"
He stopped his back still to her and spoke in a low voice. "You're one of the few people that I don't want to bring misfortune to their lives."
Sayuri watched the boy leave, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to him than just a simple warning. As she watched him disappear into the distance, she couldn't help but wonder about his story, about what had led him to this place and this moment.
Maria put a hand on Sayuri's shoulder, "Are you okay?" She asked, "That boy, he seemed troubled."
"I know," replied Sayuri, her voice barely above a whisper, "I just wish I could help him, somehow."
Maria smiled softly, "You have a good heart, Sayuri," she said, "But sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply respect someone's wishes and give them space."
"I guess," said Sayuri, still feeling uneasy, "But I can't shake the feeling that he needs someone to talk to, someone to help him."
Maria gave her a small squeeze, "Maybe one day you'll cross paths again," she said, "And when that time comes, you'll be ready to offer him the kindness and compassion he needs."
After a long and tiring day, Sayuri and Maria finally arrived back at Maria's place. As Maria helped the young girl change into her clothes, a somber expression fell over her face. "Sayuri," Maria began, her tone serious. "I'm sorry I lied to you."
Sayuri's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"About that boy," Maria continued, her gaze fixed on the ground. "I actually know him."
"You do?" Sayuri's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes," Maria confirmed, her voice soft. "Well, they call him the cursed boy."
Sayuri's heart sank as she listened, her mind racing with questions and concerns. "What do you mean by a cursed boy?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maria took a deep breath before continuing. "Ever since he was brought into this world, I was told that he kept bringing misfortune to those around him. He was the cause of his mother's death, and I was told that he has the ability to suck the essence of life from anything, which means he can kill people."
Sayuri gasped in horror, her mind reeling at the thought of such terrifying power. But despite the fear that gripped her heart, she could see the sadness in Maria's eyes.
"However," Maria said, her voice gentle. "Despite that great power, I'm positive that he means no harm. He's just a boy who's been dealt a difficult hand in life, and I believe that he deserves to be loved and accepted just like anyone else."
Sayuri's mind was racing as she laced up her shoes, the reality of the cursed boy's situation sinking in. "Then it means that he can't control his powers, right?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern. "Then are people hurting him because they think that he's doing it on purpose?"
Maria nodded solemnly. "That might be right," she replied, her own frustration and sadness palpable. But before she could say anything else, Sayuri let out a loud scream of frustration. "What's wrong with these people?" she yelled, her voice echoing through the big room.
Maria was taken aback by Sayuri's outburst, but deep down, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and hope for the young girl. She knew that Sayuri wasn't one to judge someone based on their abilities or appearance, and the fact that she was so quick to stand up for the cursed boy only confirmed that.
"So what if he has some freaky power?" Sayuri continued, her eyes blazing with determination as she looked directly into Maria's. "Instead of running away from him and trying to hurt him, why not try to find a way to help him instead?"
Maria smiled softly, her heart swelling with pride for the young girl in front of her. "You're right, Sayuri," she said, her voice full of warmth and understanding. "We shouldn't judge someone based on something they can't control. And who knows? Maybe if we get to know him better, we can find a way to help him."
"Sayuri, before you leave, may I share a story with you?" Maria asked, sitting on the floor and inviting Sayuri to sit in her embrace.
"It's not bedtime yet, is it?" Sayuri replied, resting her body against Maria's chest.
"No, it's not a bedtime story," Maria revealed, gently patting Sayuri's head. "You want to help 'that' boy, don't you? Let me tell you an ancient legend that could help you spread kindness in this world, all right?"