The sun was shining brightly over the school garden as Hanaria diligently tended the flowers. The school's flower beds were a vibrant mosaic of colorful blooms, and this serene corner of the school grounds always brought her heart at peace. Despite her reputation for being tomboyish and tough, the garden was her sanctuary—a place where she could fully express herself and find comfort.
"Oh, how I wish I could be more like these flowers," she mused aloud, her voice filled with longing. "Elegant, delicate, and feminine, just like every other girl."
As she carefully trimmed the Zinnia flowers, a group of classmates wandered by, chatting animatedly among themselves. They stopped and watched Hanaria, their conversation drifting towards her.
"She always looks so tough, even when she's around flowers," one of them said, her tone a mix of admiration and curiosity. "She's even in the Boys' Taekwondo Club!"
"Yeah, she's really strong," another added with a hint of surprise. "I heard she's actually straight."
"Seriously? She looks like the type who would be into girls," a third classmate chuckled. "She's more masculine than the boys in the ballet club!"
Hanaria pretended not to hear them, but the comments stung. Although she embraced her strength and her masculine side, she sometimes wished for people to see her as more than just a tomboy. The longing for a more feminine image felt like a constant, quiet ache.
Just then, Sheila walked by, her graceful movements and feminine aura. Despite their close friendship, Hanaria often found herself envious of Sheila's effortless femininity. Sheila had a natural grace that Hanaria admired and wished to emulate.
"Hey, Hanaria! Still playing in the dirt, I see?" Sheila teased lightly, her tone playful. "You know, if you keep this up, no one would believe you're actually straight."
Hanaria rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, yeah. I know I'm not exactly the picture of elegance, Sheila."
Sheila's gaze lingered on Hanaria's short, messy hair. "Why'd you cut your hair again? I told you it makes you look more like a boy."
Hanaria sighed, brushing a stray bit of dirt from her face. "I couldn't help it. It's so hot out here!"
"Well, at least you're finally wearing Mary Janes instead of your usual Converse," Sheila chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "And you're actually wearing your uniform properly. That's progress, I guess."
Hanaria's smile widened at Sheila's lighthearted teasing. "Thanks, Sheila. I'm trying."
Sheila's expression softened as she continued, "By the way, our ballet recitals are coming up, and we're all getting ready for it. There's also a new transfer student—a ballet prodigy from France! His name is Alexis and they say he's incredibly talented. You might learn a thing or two about elegance from him."
Hanaria's curiosity was piqued. "I'll definitely look forward to it. I've never seen a ballet star from France before."
"Great! I'll see you there then," Sheila said, giving Hanaria a friendly wave before heading off.
Later that day, Hanaria made her way to the Taekwondo Club. As usual, she was treated like one of the boys. Her formidable skills earned her respect and camaraderie among her peers. Her closest friend in the club was Raphael, who was always encouraging and supportive. Raphael's bunny-like features and easygoing nature made him popular among the girls, much to Hanaria's mild frustration, as girls often sought her help to get closer to him.
"Hey, Yang!" Raphael called out as Hanaria entered, his voice filled with warmth. "There's our tigress! Were you playing in the dirt again?"
"Ha...ha... Very funny," Hanaria replied, rolling her eyes playfully as she set aside her duffel bag.
Just then, a knock echoed through the dojo as Zoe, the captain of the Girl's Taekwondo Club, entered. Her commanding presence and strong demeanor were enough to intimidate even the boys.
"Hey, Hanaria," Zoe called out, her tone serious yet friendly. "Mind sparring with me today? We're short on members in the girls' club."
Hanaria's eyes lit up with excitement. "Sure thing! I'd love to."
Raphael clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm evident. "Great! This should be interesting to watch. Hanaria, you're going to give Zoe a good workout!"
The sparring match began, and Hanaria's strength and agility were on full display. She moved fluidly and powerfully, her movements a testament to her dedication and skill. Even though Zoe was strong herself, she found Hanaria's prowess both impressive and exhilarating.
As they sparred, Hanaria felt a surge of freedom and joy. The concerns about her appearance and her desire to be seen as more feminine melted away, replaced by the sheer exhilaration of the fight. It was moments like these that reminded her of the confidence she felt when practicing Taekwondo or tending to her garden.
After practice, Hanaria and Raphael stepped out of the dojo to grab a drink from the vending machine. Raphael looked at her with admiration, his dimples twitching with a smile.
"Amazing as always," Raphael complimented. "It's always so nice seeing you so passionate."
"Well, it's not every day you get a great sparring partner," Hanaria teased, nudging him playfully.
"Hey!" Raphael exclaimed, pretending to be offended. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm your usual sparring partner, after all!"
