"My name is Hibana Chouko, and I live in Vein, the capital of Avaloria, a country known for its prosperity and urban life. I reside in this bustling city with my parents, who are biologists. Due to their work abroad, they spend most of their time traveling. This situation has led me to become self-reliant from an early age, and, to be honest, I have no problem with it. Independence gives me the opportunity to dedicate time to my studies and the activities I truly enjoy.
Every morning, I start my day with a delightful slice of toast topped with honey, along with some fresh fruits or a nutritious bowl of cereal, before heading to the Winter Blossom Institute. At 16 years old, I attend this prestigious educational institution and take pride in maintaining an average grade ranging from 8 to 9.
Despite the distance separating me from my parents, I have learned to value independence and the opportunity to grow autonomously. My life in Vein is exciting and full of possibilities, and I am determined to make the most of every experience that comes my way. In the future, I aspire to become a biologist like my parents, particularly focusing on butterflies.
In my school, I'm just an average student. My grades are slightly above the average, but nothing exceptional. I must admit that I often find the current education system dissatisfying; it doesn't always reflect a student's true knowledge. But I'm not here to complain about such trivialities. Let's get back to the story. Everything started on that summer afternoon.
I was in my favorite place, the peaceful Vein Library. The shelves filled with books created a silent and serene sanctuary amidst the bustling city. I regularly visit the library, and that afternoon was no exception. While flipping through a book about butterflies, the kind librarian, Mrs. Jensen, approached me with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, Hibana! I see you're exploring the world of butterflies once again."
I raised my eyes from the book to meet Mrs. Jensen's friendly gaze.
"Yes, that's right! I can't help it; butterflies fascinate me. Their colors and patterns are simply amazing. Each one is unique, don't you think?"
The librarian nodded with an understanding expression, sharing my enthusiasm for these beautiful insects.
"You're absolutely right, Hibana. Butterflies are truly incredible creatures. They remind me of the beauty and fragility of nature. Have you ever seen one up close?"
I nodded, especially excited and with a spark in my eyes.
"Yes! I've been lucky to observe some in my own garden. In fact, not long ago, I saw a truly charming light blue butterfly. I love watching them flutter and land on flowers. It's as if they're painting the air with their wings. Did you know that butterflies are a symbol of transformation and rebirth in many cultures?"
Mrs. Jensen seemed intrigued by my words, and I could see curiosity in her face.
"Wow, I didn't know that! It makes them even more special. You should consider joining our upcoming butterfly event at the library. Perhaps you can share your knowledge and enthusiasm with other nature lovers."
I wasn't aware of any event, but I nodded eagerly.
"I'd love to! Thank you, Mrs. Jensen. Butterflies are a treasure of nature, and it would be wonderful to share their beauty and symbolism with others."
The librarian moved on to attend to other visitors, leaving me immersed in my own world of butterflies. I was eager for the next opportunity to share my passion with the community and make more people fall in love with these delicate winged beings. Or, at least, that would have been the ideal scenario.
Suddenly, a strange sensation overcame me. The room seemed to spin around me, an experience that, unfortunately, was familiar due to my chronic anemia. However, this time, the unpleasant sensation was more intense than usual.
As I watched Mrs. Jensen walk away, the murmurs of the other visitors seemed to fade into the distance. My stomach churned uncomfortably, and my eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. Each breath became an effort, resonating in my ears with unusual intensity. Then, suddenly, silence came. A complete silence that filled the room, drowning even the faintest sound. The inexplicable feeling of fading overtook me entirely, leaving me in a world of darkness and stillness. I could no longer hear anything beyond the beats of my own heart, which echoed in my ears like a solitary echo in the night.
After a brief lapse, I felt an eerie calmness settling in my heart. The previous sepulchral silence gradually gave way to a relentless noise. It was an uncomfortable and annoying sound, similar to a baby's crying. However, my eyes remained closed, unable to grasp the reality unfolding around me.
The crying... I felt like it was my voice producing that crying, but why? It was a devouring question that consumed me from within
. My mind created various scenarios, exploring every possibility, but I couldn't find a concrete answer. It seemed that all I could do was resign myself and wait.
"What's happening?" It was a question that, in this situation, any of us would have asked, and I was no exception. I desperately longed to open my eyes and unveil the mystery shrouding this perplexing episode, but my eyelids seemed sealed with an immense weight that prevented them from opening.
Suddenly, a voice was present in the environment. It spoke in a language unknown to me, and that was saying a lot since my knowledge of languages ranged from English and Spanish to German and Japanese. However, this language was entirely unfamiliar to my ears, as if it were from a different corner of this world.
The voice belonged to a woman and conveyed a sense of serenity and friendship. Although I tried to locate its source, my awareness gradually faded, as if those words were submerging me into a deep slumber."