In The Shadows of Love -//- AyaLumi

In the tender bloom of childhood, Lumine, a precocious seven-year-old, harbored an earnest desire to engage in the playful symphony of companionship, yearning for the establishment of a friendship that transcended the ephemeral nature of casual encounters. However, her youthful sojourns amidst fellow revelers at social gatherings merely yielded fleeting alliances, leaving her heart bereft of lasting connection.

Destiny's intricate threads wove a compelling narrative as Lumine found herself transplanted to the enchanting realm of Narukami Island. It was amidst the verdant tapestry of this idyllic locale that she encountered Kamisato Ayaka, a serendipitous neighbor whose presence would transform the transient bonds of yore into an enduring companionship. The fates conspired to forge an unbreakable connection, elevating their relationship beyond the fleeting nature of childhood camaraderie.

Yet, as Lumine's journey through the halcyon days of innocence unfurled, the inquisitive gaze of maternal inquiry cast a luminous spotlight upon her nascent heart. The query, "Do you have a crush on anyone, my dear Lumine?" echoed through the corridors of her contemplative soul, awakening a dormant curiosity. Initially met with shock, Lumine's response evolved into a taciturn denial, a refrain that resounded until the question became an insistent refrain, echoing through the corridors of time.

As the inquiry persisted, Lumine found herself enveloped in the soft tendrils of introspection. In the quietude of her thoughts, she began to entertain the notion of romance, a tapestry woven from the threads of affection and connection. It was in the shadowy recesses of her contemplation that Lumine, with a fluttering heart, pondered the possibility of a romantic entanglement with Ayaka, casting a luminous glow upon the uncharted territories of young love.