Earth, Japan, Kyoto, The Academy Of Oull, 10:05 A.M - January 23rd, 2082 A.D
The Academy of Oull. A prestigious institution where the most talented and gifted individuals congregate.
In the historic city of Kyoto, the exceptional Songseeker Course was first established.
This highly sought-after course is focused on training individuals in the unique art of Oull weaving — the intricate manipulation and application of Oull for both combat and research. Comparable to becoming an astronaut, winning a Nobel Prize, or even curing a disease, graduating in the Songseeker Course and attending the Academy is a dream shared by all young aspirants.
Set within the serene beauty of Kyoto, the Academy stands as a harmonious blend of past and present. It is encircled by an array of traditional machiya townhouses and modern establishments, their delicate paper lanterns illuminating the city with a soft, welcoming glow. The campus itself showcases a distinct balance between innovation and tradition, with its cutting-edge facilities gracefully integrated with classical Japanese architecture and tranquil Zen gardens.
I was among the select few who managed to pass this year's daunting entrance exam, albeit by the skin of my teeth. My score landed me in the final slot of the accepted candidates.
Despite the initial sting of disappointment, I was counselled not to feel down. After all, I now belonged to an impressively small percentage of individuals within the world who had successfully cleared the rigorous screening. Moreover, this year's test had been the most strenuous in the last decade, boasting an exceptionally competitive pool of participants. That alone was an achievement worthy of pride.
That morning, I had woken up early, an unfamiliar mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within me. The autumn air was crisp and cool against my skin as I got ready for my first day at the academy, my reflection staring back at me from the small mirror on my desk.
I smoothed down my straight, long black hair and examined it, putting on some makeup both on my skin and around my silver-toned eyes. Dressed in my simple yet formal uniform, I had left my dormitory, the anticipation settling in my chest making each step towards the campus feel heavy yet exhilarating.
Even as I was still processing the fact that I got admitted into this place, barely walking past the huge gates of the campus, I spotted someone approaching me.
"Hello there!" came a cheerful voice, prompting me to turn towards the person.
"I'm Suzuki Masumi, your senior representative here at the academy! You seemed a bit lost, so I figured I'd extend a warm welcome. Get ready for the best four years of your life!"
Masumi sported long, ginger hair that flowed effortlessly down her back. Her complexion was pale and speckled with freckles, a charming smattering across her nose and cheeks. Bright green eyes sparkled with vivacity, and a warm smile seemed to permanently grace her full, red lips.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Suzuki. I'm Kuroki Kiriko, I suppose that makes me your junior. I'm looking forward to being under your guidance," I responded, offering a shy smile.
I was doing my best to mask my anxiety, but concealing my emotions was never my strong suit. I had a feeling she saw straight through me.
"I know this can all seem a bit daunting," she said, her voice brimming with sincerity. "But believe me when I say this: you won't regret a single second spent here."
"What course did you enrol in?" Masumi asked, her voice echoing with enthusiasm.
"I was accepted into the Songseeker course," I replied, unable to suppress my excitement.
Masumi's eyes widened in surprise at my words, and she began to jump up and down, her own excitement mirroring mine.
"No way! That's so cool, Kuroki-Chan! The Songseeker course is the most competitive here, and only the crème de la crème get accepted! I'm absolutely thrilled for you!"
Masumi's fervour was infectious. Before I knew it, I had clasped her hands in my excitement.
"Thank you, Ms. Suzuki! I still can't quite believe it myself! I'm absolutely buzzing with anticipation!" I confessed.
Masumi grinned from ear to ear. "You're going to be a total badass here, Kuroki-Chan! I can't wait to see you in action!"
We proceeded to spend a fair amount of time exchanging our enthusiasm about my upcoming course and the wealth of knowledge I was poised to discover. Her positive energy was incredible; it's always refreshing to encounter such spirited individuals.
"The faculty for your course is top-tier, and the resources available to the students are unparalleled! Oh, have you seen the Sakura tree in the campus garden yet? You'll feel like you've stumbled upon a slice of paradise!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with passion.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement, "Is that so? I'll make sure it's the first place I visit, now that you've recommended it."
"Excellent! Let's get started then, allow me to show you around!" she said, her voice filled with eager anticipation.
Before I had a chance to even contemplate refusing, she swiftly grasped my hands and drew me forward, signalling that I should trail behind her.
After about an hour of strolling through the campus, stopping by some points of interest before arriving at the garden, a sweet, floral aroma began to permeate the air. It wasn't long before we came upon a grand golden gate, an entryway into a field that stretched beyond my field of vision.
It was a vibrant spectrum of colors, each shade of the rainbow embodied within the resplendent petals and lush foliage.
As we ventured deeper into the heart of the garden, my eyes were drawn towards an awe-inspiring sight: a towering Sakura tree, its branches almost covering our field of view. Delicate pink blossoms blanketed its branches, swaying gently in the breeze and bathing the immediate surroundings in a soft, warm glow.
Beneath the magnificent tree, a sea of soft pink petals carpeted the ground, creating the image of a plush, pink blanket woven from nature's own threads.
"Isn't this place marvellous?" she voiced, her gaze drawn upwards to the imposing Sakura tree.
I gave a nod of agreement, still absorbing the mesmerizing sights and tranquil sounds around us. "It's beautiful," I expressed. "How often do you visit?"
"way too often," she replied. "Whenever I find myself stressed or overwhelmed, this is my sanctuary. There's no amount of money that can equate to the way I feel when I'm here, amidst the splendour of nature."
A profound sense of calm washed over me, as if the serene spirit of the place was reaching out to soothe my inner turmoil.
"I can see why," I murmured. "It feels like a little corner of paradise."
Masumi gave a soft chuckle. "That's precisely what I used to call it," she revealed. "This garden seems to have an aura that makes all your troubles fade away. It's just you, the flowers, and the Sakura tree."
"Thank you for bringing me here, Ms. Suzuki, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
"Oh, it's my pleasure. And please, feel free to call me Masumi," she proposed, a gentle, warm smile lighting up her features.
"Alright then, Masumi. You can call me Kiriko, too."
Masumi watched me quietly, an attentive look in her eyes. We sat in companionable silence for a moment, letting the peace of the garden settle around us. As she studied my face, she noted my faraway gaze and the slight furrow between my brows. She seemed to sense that there was more going on beneath the surface.
With a soft, thoughtful voice, she finally broke the silence, "Kiriko, you have a certain look, as if something is bothering you. Would you like to talk about it?"
Taken aback by her perceptiveness, I hesitated for a moment. I'd been doing my best to keep at the very least a normal facade, to avoid worrying anyone. But here, in the tranquillity of the place, with the kind and understanding nature of Masumi, it seemed easier to open up.
"It's about my parents," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "They've always held me to such high standards, to strive for excellence in everything I do. They're immensely proud of my acceptance into the academy, but with that pride comes an immense weight of expectation."
Masumi offered a sympathetic nod. "That's a heavy load to carry," she admitted. "But you strike me as an intelligent and capable individual, Kiriko. I have faith in your ability to rise to the challenge."
"Thank you, Masumi," I found myself responding, a weary sigh escaping my lips. "But there are times when their expectations just seem... overwhelming. They've always provided everything I could ever want or need, but sometimes it feels as though they show their love through these expectations and material comforts, rather than just accepting me for who I am."
Masumi reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I can relate," she disclosed with a chuckle, "my parents aren't exactly models of perfection themselves."
"It's difficult to deal with such contradictory feelings. But you're not alone, Kiriko. You can rely on me, and there are many others who care about you and support you. Not to mention, you're bound to make numerous great friends here."
I offered her a grateful smile. "Thanks," I responded. "This garden really is a place of magic."
"It truly is, isn't it?" she echoed, her smile mirroring my own.
A quick glance at her wristwatch, and she was back to the matter at hand. "We should get going, classes are about to start. I can take you to your first class if you want."
Eagerly, I nodded. "Absolutely, I wouldn't want to be late on my first day."
Masumi gave an amused chuckle. "Don't worry, I won't let that happen. What's your first class?"
I browsed through my phone to check my schedule.
After a quick check of my schedule on my phone, I replied, "Intro to Oull."
"Ah, that's an amazing class to begin the week with. Let's head out," she suggested, leading the way towards the classroom.
It all felt like a dream.
Some silly dream.