It was just another mundane day, whether I was at school or at home. Everything and everyone seemed dreary, trapped in an unchanging routine. Every morning, I would wake up, trudge off to school, return home to tackle my homework, and the cycle would repeat itself.
My name is Sakura Chiba, a student at Nadu High School. Renowned as the top private high school in Japan, it held an esteemed position among educational institutions.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and I am about to turn eighteen. Yet, like every year, I anticipated that this birthday would mirror those of past years. Aunt Yui faithfully prepared a bowl of her delectable ramen for me every birthday morning, an act that brought a glimmer of happiness to my heart. It was reassuring to know that at least someone remembered my special day.
My father was a business tycoon, perpetually engulfed in meetings, conferences, and business trips. He rarely set foot in our home, his absence an all-too-familiar presence in my life.
Meanwhile, my mother busied herself exploring new destinations and engaging with unfamiliar faces, her adventurous spirit fueling her constant wanderlust.
As for my little brother, though not so little anymore, he was three years younger than me and engrossed in the world of video games. I didn't harbor high expectations when it came to his involvement in birthday celebrations.
But this time, I had made up my mind. I was determined to celebrate my birthday.
[At School]
The muffled chatter of students filled the air as I approached my classroom. Stepping through the door, a sudden silence fell upon the room. "It's Sakura, you dumbo!" exclaimed Yua Kobayashi, her voice breaking through the quietude. I made my way toward the back, taking my seat at the very last row. At Nadu High School, students were assigned seats based on their academic performance. Regrettably, I had ranked last in my last set of mid-term exams.
Observing the scene around me, I noticed a group of boys engaged in an animated game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, while another cluster fervently discussed the latest anime series. A few girls were immersed in a lively conversation about makeup trends.
Indifferent to the surrounding conversations, all I yearned for was a moment of tranquility, an escape into the realm of slumber. However, fate had other plans in store for me. "Did you know there's an ancient tree, more than 300 years old, hidden behind the school in the mountains? Legend has it that any wish made before that tree comes true."
Intrigued by the rumors, I made up my mind to visit the tree after school. Before leaving, I stopped by a nearby bakery to pick up a cake, determined to mark my birthday with a touch of sweetness. Summoning all the strength I could muster, I embarked on the arduous journey up the mountain.
An hour had passed since I began my ascent, and as I gazed upward, the stars twinkled mischievously in the night sky. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, with thunder rumbling ominously and lightning illuminating the darkness. Yet, undeterred by the tempest, I persisted in my quest to reach the legendary tree on my birthday. Finally, in the distance, I spotted a majestic tree with delicate bells hanging from its branches. "This must be the fabled wishing tree the girls in my class spoke of," I whispered to myself. As I neared the tree, a cacophony of animal sounds startled me, instilling a tremor of fear. And then, as if by some divine intervention, a beam of light descended upon the tree.
The world around me blurred, and darkness enveloped my senses. Overwhelmed, I succumbed to unconsciousness.