Sakura-ko Yoshiyuki was a logical child. She trusted what she could see and what she had experienced. Things like fate and soulmates were moronic. How could people blindly follow a reality so unsure? Sakura-ko refused to indulge in make-believe situ...
ceilings by lizzy is the inspiration for this book
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"So here's the thing," says Fate, "if you've never heard of me, hear me now. I am your reason and your destination. The light that guides you to shore, to rest—to home. Yield to me, so I shall spare you heartache and grief."
"Foolish," says the girl. "One cannot be born into this world with their destiny. To have it written upon their forehead is like a curse." Defiance settles in her eyes, stark and clear, like naive flames roaring amidst a yearning forest. "We are not made predetermined."
"You are made so by nature." Fate smiles, the expression as beautiful as the sunrise. Her glow washes over the girl, a gentle hue of amber and gold. "I have ordained your path."
"I wish no such path."
"You will meet four who will save you." Fate leans closer. "Your heart beats for them and them alone. You will find them, love them, and in turn, they will be yours." She strokes the girl's cheek, soft to the faintest touch. "They will make you whole, my dear."
The girl shakes her head slowly. She steps backwards. "My heart beats for myself."
Her words cut Fate deep, and her smile vanishes. "You cannot deny your fated union." She sighs and straightens, brushing the hair out of her face as she turns away. "Destiny is the most sacred bond of all. It transcends all forms of life and death. All living things are bound together in one way or another." A pause, and then she continues, "Perhaps I must show you what is to come."
The celestial glow around Fate brightens. The breeze picks up, ruffling the girl's hair. Young eyes widen as drops of rain pour from an unfamiliar sky. It patters down onto her skin like small stones, cold but welcoming. The girl gasps. Her head shoots up, searching for Fate. She stands above, in the distance.
There is a look in her eyes, like she knows something the girl does not. Fate raises her hand. A moment later, raindrops become torrents that pummel the girl into submission. They drown her, take every breath away from her. The girl cries out, struggling to free herself from the onslaught.
She feels like she is suffocating, drowning in the rainwater.
"Stop! It hurts!"
But Fate has vanished.
The girl takes shelter on a bench, collapsing onto the drenched wood. She draws her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs and burying her face between them. The cold rain makes her shiver violently but she doesn't move from her spot. The rain beats mercilessly against her head, pelting down harder and faster, making it difficult to see anything but water. Her hair is plastered against her forehead, but the girl makes no move to push the strands away. She tries desperately to hold back tears, believing that there is nothing that can be done as of now.
Her shoulders lifts and falls like a shaky river. She hides by withdrawing in on herself. It's all she can do to keep herself together as tears stream down her cheeks recklessly.
The wind whistles, but the girl mistakes it for the pounding in her chest.
"Hey—" A muffled voice reaches her ears.
"Are you- al—" Two voices.
"You don- look- go—" Three.
"I've- se- her- befo—" Four.
And when she raises her head, vision blinded by tears and rain, she sees four people in front of her. One, dark spiky hair and green eyes. Two, messy black and hazel eyes. Three, brown hair and matching eyes. Four, white-grey hair and golden eyes. They're all staring at her, but the girl can't make out their faces.
Someone kneels beside her, and they speak. She can feel their hot breath against her skin, but no words reach her ears. A hand rests on her soaking head. The touch is warm. It permeates into her body and spreads outward, calming her trembling nerves. Her tears fade. Her breathing slows. The rain stops. The wind falls silent, leaving only the sound of birds chirping in the distant trees.
The girl swallows thickly. She knows the truth. In her mind, this is nothing but an illusion. Fate is playing tricks on her.
"You're not real," she mumbles as she retracts from the warmth. "None of this is real."
