Cloud soul

2. Spring is a beginning with new feelings.

"Eek!" You yelp. "Ouch.." your knees are marred by the fall. "Oh!" you look up to see a young male, his dark teal hair falling to the chest of his beautifully structured body which is covered with a silken purple gown. "I'm sorry!!!" apologizing you say, "are you alright?" "mnh, I'm fine.."

He looks down to see your ripped stockings and the scrapes caused by the rough ground. 

"You.." he considers.. "Here," as you are still on the ground, he helps you up. "Ah! Thank you.."

"Why were you sprinting through here?" He questions. "Eheheh.. Well.." you search for an answer that won't embarrass you. "Ah! I saw a rabid tanuki!" you come up with. 

"Rabid tanuki?" he is confused. "Nevermind that!" you conclude. "What is your name, your going to Narukami high aswell, right?"

"Xiao, I am, yes." Xiao responds softly. "What about Narukami middle?? I never noticed you there." 

"Mm, just for a while." 

"You mean you learned from home a part of it?" you question. "Yeah.." xiao says.

His eyes keep darting to your hurt legs. You can still feel the sting from the fall. 

"Put this around your legs." He hands you two yellow cloths that he had as an accessory for his sleeves.

"Ah! Thank you so much!" you swiftly tie them around your legs. He walks slowly ahead, waiting for you to catch up. (How nice of him!) 

Now that you aren't conflicted with fears, you examine your surroundings. (Hmph, this forest isn't so scary afterall. In fact, this is so pretty! The flowers are glowing.. I don't think I have seen such a thing before. I won't be changing my route then!) you finish your thought!

You catch up with xiao, and make it out of Chinju forest. 

"So, xiao, that's a liyue name isn't it?" You ask. "Mhm." However, he seems reluctant to answer in detail.

"There's Ayaka and Ayato!" You notice, changing the topic. "They're pretty popular with people."

Xiao doesn't seem very interested, rather he takes in the view of the ocean from afar.

"Hey Ayaka and Ayato!" you catch up to them. "Hm?" Ayaka turns around, "Miri! It's been so long." Ayaka greets you. "Mhm! It's been since before break!" 

"Indeed! Ayato, during break we went hiking, let's tell her about the sights we saw!" Ayaka informs. "Yes, first we came across an injured finch.." Ayato begins.

Xiao is now a bit behind, not a fan of conversation with those he isn't close with. 

Finally, the school comes into view after what felt like a hike, you stop to catch your breath.

"Huhh, Miri, you alright?" Ayaka questions. "Yeah.. I guess I wasn't active enough during the break.." you answer. "Let's bring her on our hike next year, Ayato!" Ayaka suggests.

"Sounds like a plan." Ayato agrees. 

(Hm, where's xiao?) You look ahead at the entrance to Narukami high. (Huh?!?!) xiao has already made it 10 meters ahead of you, up on the hill Narukami high is built upon. 

You feel a tap on your shoulder just before you were to begin the walk up the stairs with Ayaka.

Directing your gaze to the imposer, you find it is Heizou! You didn't speak to him often before as he was in a different class, but you could tell he is always keeping an eye on everyone around him. 

"Miri, do tell me you stayed veracious throughout winter break.. It looks as though you have a secret that has yet to be told.." Heizou inquires. "Hm?! What big secret would I be withholding as a 15 year old??" You inquire back. "And plus, have I ever even told you my name? I just know yours since you are everywhere." You continue. "Hmph, nevermind then. However if you ever feel you have something to tell me, don't shy!" Heizou finishes walking ahead.

(Ugh, what is he even talking about? Could it be he knows I stole that fortune slip from my sister's drawer? Is he that intuitive?!?!) You wonder. 

The school entrance has decorations dedicated to the welcoming ceremony being held for new students, which you are currently finding the way to. (I always thought that I have a good sense of direction, but I can't tell where this ceremony is! Everyone is walking in different directions..) Just then, you see off in the distance the person you doted on all throughout middle! 

"Yoimiya!!" You shout, trying to get her to notice you behind the hoard of students. "Miri! There you are!!" Yoimiya beckons you over. "Here, I was just showing Ayaka this charm I got during winter break." Yoimiya holds it up. "Cute isn't it?!" 

"It is!! A star and a goldfish, it fits you perfectly!" You compliment. "Yes, but here I have one for you too!" Yoimiya hands you a charm with a tanuki and a flower on it. "Whahh!! Thank you so much!!" You thank Yoimiya. "It's so cute!! I'll cherish it!" You say, attaching it to your bag. 

Ayaka's has a violet ibis and a camellia flower on it. (Perfect..) you think.

"Well then, do you two know where this welcoming ceremony is?" You ask Yoimiya and Ayaka.

"Mhm, just this way!" Yoimiya says. "Hm.. is it just me or is there even more students?" Ayaka asks. "Nope, not just you.." You agree. 

Running over to the welcoming ceremony, you see xiao again. slowing down, It looks as though he is waiting near the door waiting for it to begin, trying to seclude himself from the commotion inside. Yoimiya follows your gaze. "Oh, are you looking at xiao? He's quite the lone type." Yoimiya comments. "Mhm," Ayaka looks aswell. "You were walking with him on the way here, right?" Ayaka notices. "Ah, yeah.. Well... I kind of ran into him, literally." You explain, looking down to where you hurt your knees remembering his generosity. 

Now walking into the room that the welcoming ceremony will be held, you take in just how many students there really are. Just in this room, there is around 150! "Here, let's have a seat at the front!" Yoimiya exclaims. "Sure!" You hurry over to where Ayaka and Yoimiya decided on sitting. Then you hear someone say, 

"Ugh, I was trying to keep this corner to myself."