Blossoms of the Dark

VIII Selene: Recognition

The exam begins and I open my booklet to the first page. I suppress my tumultuous emotions and read the first question. The first question is an English grammar question. Very easy to answer.

After my adoption, the Hanada family and I flew to England where they were expanding their business empire. I was enrolled in an esteemed, private all-girls' school. I had received some of the best education available. My English was flawless at this point. My mathematics, science, and foreign language skills were just as excellent. It was only this summer that the Hanadas came back to Japan and brought me with them. They wanted to invest in a new business scheme. Meanwhile, I was acclimating to being back in my home country.

I finish the exam with ease and 20 minutes before the exam officially ends. I double-check and when I am satisfied I give my booklet to the examiner. He dismisses me.

As I make my way to the obstacle course arena, I think about that boy from the dream.

He was here at the exam site.

First, I infiltrate someone's dream. Then, I encounter said someone just a few hours later. Just my luck.

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I was standing a meter or two away from the other students instinctively absorbing their quirks. I could feel a new wound opening with each quirk I absorbed. I had taken care to wrap my body from my neck to my feet in bandages before arriving to stop potential bleeding. And to hide the bandages I had worn charcoal grey breeches, a navy blue dress shirt, skin-colored dress gloves, and an ebony black lace choker. God, it hurt.

Not long after when I noticed him, I immediately turned around contemplating leaving the place. But I couldn't do that. Not to mention the torture that would await me at the Hanada manor, it would be stupid to not partake in an exam simply because I encountered someone in strange circumstances just shortly before. Still, I hoped that he would not recognize me and kept my face averted from him. I would have liked to avoid a confrontation as much as possible. I couldn't keep my guard down.

When the students and I followed the examiner into the school grounds, I was enamored by the natural beauty of the landscape. I was drawn to one of the pools nearby and felt compelled to play with the koi fish within. I set my cane down and as I created fish food and played, I thought about how lucky the fish were.

You're so carefree. You know that you will be provided clean water, fresh food, and a home all the time. You don't have to pay a price for any of that. At least not the kind that I have to. You're not like me. How fortunate you must be. I pray that you remain as such.

I smiled a wistful smile to myself, and got up with the help of my cane, and left.

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I break from my reverie and hear someone following me.

Someone must have finished his or her or their exam just now, I convince myself.

But this person is walking fast. Very fast. I can hear it in the footsteps.

Is this someone in such a hurry to get to the physical exam site?

I move to the side of the path to grant the person access. The person doesn't move past me. Instead, it, no he, he walks beside me. Right beside me.

He's too close!

I try to keep calm and glance from the corner of my eye at the boy. It's him. The boy from the dream and from the entrance.

Curse my luck! I internally shriek at myself.

He turns his head in my direction observing me. I think he recognizes me.

Feigning nonchalance, I turn my head to him and ask, "May I help you?"

His face remains expressionless, save for a slight widening of his eyes.

Does he recognize me? I begin to worry.

"Have we met before? Your face seems familiar," he replies in a casual tone.

"I can't say I remember," I lie.

"You're probably right. It must be my imagination. I could have sworn I saw you somewhere. Anyways, my name is Todoroki Shouto. What's yours?"

"Hanada Selene. Pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. You said Selene in a British accent. I take it you're from England."

"Yes. I was born here in Japan, but I moved to England just a few years after. I returned to Japan just a few months ago."

"Do you like it here in Japan? Or do you like England more?"

"Both countries are unique. They have different customs, dishes, flora, fauna, and atmospheres. I can't choose between either. I like them both."

"That's nice. I've never been to England so I don't really know what it's like there. But I do love Japan. I have a lot of memories here."

I tilt the corner of my mouth to give him a small smirk. "I have memories here, too. Few, but definitely some."

He's about to ask me something else, but he turns away from me and says "We've reached the obstacle course."

I turn and he's right. We've reached the arena for the second part of the entrance exam.

It's time to begin the physical exam. 

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