Chapter Text
'It's going to rain again,' Win Variation thought.
Through the foggy windowpane, the already faint colors outside rapidly dimmed. Masses of dark clouds sealed the sky tightly, devouring the meager sunlight. A great black net shrouded the entire world, with dull thunder rumbling from above, pounding against her restless heart.
It had been some time since she transferred to Egret Town, yet Shion still couldn't fully adapt to the constant, dreary rain. Like a sorrowful woman, the gloomy sky was her veil.
Beneath that veil, teardrops fell incessantly.
A towering mountain range lay silently to the east, bordering the town. Dark and massive, like a devil's gaping maw, it blocked the sunlight and ceaselessly delivered chilly winds. Thus, even in summer, a noticeable coolness hung in the air.
A hoodie, casual shorts, and knee-high socks were Shion's typical summer outfit.
'Stuck indoors again. I wanted to go buy some apple juice,' she grumbled, fiddling with her hair. 'Always so gray and gloomy, so annoying. Even if I'm not a flower, I still need sunlight...'
In the classroom, other students were also looking out the window and chatting. The chatter only gradually subsided when the teacher entered.
Shion straightened up, ready for class, but noticed someone standing beside the teacher.
"This is a new transfer student to our class, Orfevre. Welcome~"
When she saw that face, her breath caught.
Under the glaring fluorescent lights, Orfevre's skin shone with a crystalline whiteness. Not the blank whiteness of snow, but a translucent, lustrous white. It was like...
A concept surfaced in Shion's mind.
Colored glaze.
Like exquisite colored glaze artwork, it had a translucent quality. Chestnut hair, violet eyes, she just stood there quietly.
The light showcased her peculiar charm, also outlining the elegant lines of her face, clear as the moon. It reminded Shion of Michelangelo's stone sculptures, the birth of Venus.
A beauty, elegant and noble, that shouldn't exist in this mortal world.
Could there truly be a maiden who seemed to have stepped out of an oil painting?
Orfevre stood expressionless, bathed in the classmates' applause and curious gazes. Shion watched, enthralled. Only when Orfevre, guided by the teacher, began to move did Shion notice her attire: a beige gothic-style blouse with lace patterns embroidered at the cuffs, a red bow gathered at the chest like a rose nourished by blood.
A black asymmetrical skirt swayed, and her tail looked so smooth it made Shion want to stroke it.
After Orfevre took her seat, the teacher began the day's lesson. But Shion couldn't concentrate on the blackboard's contents, constantly turning her head to look in Orfevre's direction. Even when she later forced herself to focus, that face would float before her eyes, as if branded onto her cornea.
Finally, class ended, and Orfevre's seat was immediately surrounded. Shion rested her chin on her hand, hesitating whether to go up and greet her, maybe ask for her contact info. Her only friend in class, Fujimoto, squeezed out of the crowd and sat opposite her.
"She's a weirdo!" Fujimoto whispered, yet her dissatisfaction was palpable.
"Huh? Why?" Shion handed her a can of apple juice.
"We asked her lots of questions, but she acted like she couldn't hear us. She just glanced at us and didn't say anything."
"Maybe you scared her? Be nicer to the new student."
"We were being nice!" Fujimoto took a gulp of apple juice and continued complaining. "Thinking that since she wouldn't talk, we'd just ask for her contact info. But when we took out our phones, she still didn't react, just stared intently at my phone. If she wanted to refuse, she should just say so."
She laughed self-deprecatingly.
Indeed, other classmates gradually dispersed from around Orfevre, most wearing expressions of feeling awkwardly brushed off. However, Shion's attention was drawn elsewhere. She kept staring at the blackboard, Shion thought. It's completely empty, what could be so interesting?
Shion looked left and right but couldn't figure it out. Yet that gaze was so focused, subtly making Shion feel Orfevre's vision had pierced through the blackboard, through the wall, into a world others never saw.
"See? She's weird, right?"
"Yeah," Shion murmured. "She really is... a very special person."
By dismissal time, although the sky still wore a gloomy face, the pattering rain finally stopped. Shion stretched, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and headed out. Fujimoto came over.
"Shion, want to walk home together?"
"Um, I plan to go exercise," Shion replied with an apologetic smile.
Fujimoto's expression looked a bit strange, but she said:
"Going for a run again? See you tomorrow, then."
" See you tomorrow."
Changing into her tracksuit and sneakers, running freely on the track was often her most enjoyable time. The fresh post-rain air, now hers alone, helped expel the pent-up pressure in her chest. Her soul could break free from the stifling confines and wander in a broader world.
It had been some time since she transferred to Egret Town, and Shion still couldn't shake off her loneliness.
Faced with the already established social networks among her classmates, she had tried to integrate. But even after making friends, she always felt she couldn't fully connect heart-to-heart.
They were like people inside a glass bottle, and Shion was kept outside.
Home was also empty, devoid of vitality. Her parents worked far away, returning only occasionally. She kept some small flowers for company, but due to the lack of sunlight, they too were listless.
Shion often felt lonely.
But when running, with only the sound of wind in her ears, it cleared away distracting thoughts. Her heart pumped warm blood throughout her body, and she'd unconsciously break into a light sweat.
Wrapped in her long-sleeved jacket, she became a small steamer, warm and toasty. Her mind was also stirred into a pleasant haze by this warmth.
Fatigue washed over her. She slowed her pace, wiping her sweat with a towel as she headed to the locker room. Before going inside, she glanced back casually. 'Huh?'
Far away, on the other side of the field, a few tiny points of light flickered, like stars scattered on the ground. In the dim light, they appeared dazzling and mysterious.
'Is that a person?'
The distance blurred the face, yet a special feeling—indescribable yet crystal clear—made Shion almost certain it was Orfevre.
'What is she doing? Has she been there all along? Did she see me running earlier? I was so engrossed, I didn't notice at all...'
A flurry of thoughts kept popping up, making Shion's curiosity burn like a rising flame.
Somehow, she felt a natural affinity for Orfevre. It was as if they were meant to know each other, despite never having met.
But now they were so far apart physically, and the distance between their hearts was likely even greater.
Shion dismissed it as wishful thinking on her part. Casting one last glance at those distant points of light, she turned and entered the locker room.
The rain fell like a curse, stopping and starting, starting and stopping. Lightning flashed. Outside the window, everything scurried in panic.
Today, Orfevre was absent from school.
The sky had cleared up for once. The sun was no longer stingy with its light, painting the world a bright yellow. Everything perked up, eagerly absorbing the warmth. Yet, it was precisely on such heart-soothing days that Orfevre's seat was often empty. To Shion, refusing such a lovely day was hard to comprehend.
"Completely unpredictable," she muttered to herself.
It had been a week since Orfevre transferred, yet she remained solitary, never speaking more than necessary. No matter what anyone said to her, it was like an inconsequential breeze brushing against a marble statue—touching nothing, feeling nothing.
Orfevre's arrival hadn't brought any fresh changes, so the classmates quickly lost interest in her. The initial commotion was like ripples from a stone thrown into water. Now the surface was calm again.
Wasn't she the same?Shion thought. She had only received a bit of attention when she first transferred, and hadn't made any close friends since.
'Does Orfevre feel lonely too?'
In terms of social relationships, their situations were so similar.
Probably only she remained persistently attentive to Orfevre. However, Orfevre's aloof demeanor made her hesitant, so her presence remained hidden in silence.
The bell for the first afternoon class rang. The teacher entered but carried no books. Instead, she brought in a bunch of large baskets.
Seeing the students' puzzled looks, the teacher announced loudly:
"The weather is nice today, so the grade has decided to organize a mushroom-picking trip in the mountains. This counts towards your credits. Form groups of three, decide amongst yourselves. Bring the mushrooms back before dismissal, then you're free to go."
After explaining safety precautions, as soon as the teacher left, the classroom erupted into activity. Students moved about, talking, forming teams.
Shion was dazed, not quite grasping the situation. It was her first time participating. She had no experience.
But one thing was clear: she had to join this activity for the credits.
So, gathering her courage, she approached Fujimoto.
"Fujimoto, does your group need one more?"
Fujimoto was talking to a girl wearing various accessories. Seeing Shion, she smiled and said:
"Perfect timing, we're exactly one short."
She then turned to the other girl:
"Yamazaki, is that okay?"
Yamazaki looked up at Shion:
"No problem. You're called... Win..."
Shion lowered her eyes and said softly:
"Win Variation."
"Oops, sorry, my memory's terrible. Nice to work with you, Variation."
Teams from each class set off separately, eventually merging on the road into a mighty stream flowing towards the mountains.
The path to the mountains was largely similar to the road back to town, both winding through a rugged mountain highway. On rainy days, with slippery roads and poor visibility, drivers on this route had to be extra careful. Accidents still happened occasionally.
On the way, Fujimoto and Yamazaki chatted and laughed merrily. Their laughter sounded slightly piercing to Shion's ears.
'It's fine, I guess...'
Shion hadn't expected them to pay her much attention anyway. With drooping ears, she followed behind, head down, looking at her phone, only forcing a smile and chiming in when directly addressed.
At the entrance, after the teacher reminded everyone to mark their paths clearly, the group scattered instantly, like a large school of fish diving into the sea, heading in different directions.
Footsteps crunched on fallen leaves, making soft sounds. A sense of freshness washed over her. From then on, insects and birds also began to chirp. The symphony of nature flowed into Shion's heart, allowing her to temporarily ignore the voices around her and feel a harmonious peace.
Pushing aside branches blocking the way, an open clearing suddenly appeared. Shion instinctively stepped into it, feeling the warmth of sunlight on her body—a truly pleasant warmth, ample but not overly hot. Layers of leaves cast cool shadows, filtering the sunlight into dappled spots.
Feeling refreshed, Shion wholeheartedly immersed herself in mushroom picking. The mushrooms grew quite abundantly, with large clusters standing tall beside the roots of every tree.
Avoiding the brightly colored varieties, she reached for a pale brown mushroom. First, she tapped the thick cap. Her fingertips felt a slight bounce and dampness, producing a soft, drum-like thump.
Pinching the stem, she gently shook it, then pulled upwards. A complete, plump mushroom lay in her palm.
The process was quite leisurely, and Shion unwittingly lost herself in it. Only when the red glow of sunset tinted the mushrooms' faces did she realize time's passage.
It was time to leave, but she felt somewhat reluctant.
They gathered their harvest into baskets, then lifted them together, silently following their markings downhill. At the mountain's base, Yamazaki suddenly exclaimed:
"Oh no! My bracelet fell back up there!"
"Huh, that's not good. If it rains tomorrow, who knows where it'll wash away," Fujimoto said.
"Yeah. I really loved that color, what should I do?"
The two went on like this, but neither showed any sign of going back to retrieve it. Finally, they both looked at Shion.
"Shion, could you help me find it, please~"
Shion looked at the bracelets coiled around Yamazaki's forearm like tires, feeling quite exasperated. She really wanted to stay silent and brush it off, but under their combined gaze, she said:
"Alright."
'How awful!' On her way back up, Shion fumed, shaking her tail. 'My good mood is completely ruined!'
After mentally blaming Fujimoto and Yamazaki for a while, her anger subsided slightly, replaced by sadness born of loneliness.
'Why can't anyone truly be my friend?'
Uncontrollable tears blurred her vision. She had to stop frequently to wipe them away to see the path markings and search for the bracelet.
It wasn't hard to find. The white bracelet was caught on a bush. Shion pocketed it, sighed with relief, then heard an ominous sound. Thunder.
Looking up, dark clouds spread like ink on paper, quickly conquering the entire sky. The surrounding light seemed sucked away by the clouds, plunging the forest into darkness.
'Oh no!'
Shion hurriedly searched for the markings, rushing downhill anxiously. She didn't want to be trapped on the mountain in a rainy night, but the surroundings grew increasingly dim. A light drizzle had begun, making the markings even fainter.
After taking an uncertain step, Shion's heart sank. Looking around, the forest scenes looked almost identical, trees standing shoulder-to-shoulder forming dark walls. Apart from herself, there was no trace of anyone else.
Now she only felt her damp hair, muddy legs, and her own presence in some unknown corner of the forest.
She really wanted to break down and cry right there.
'But it's not time for that yet. Night is coming. At least I need to find a place to rest...'
Forcing herself to stay strong, she tried to discern directions, attempting to find a spot with a clearer view.
Following a faint, elusive glimmer, she walked for who knows how long. The rain grew heavier; each step felt like a gamble.
After squeezing through some vines, Shion felt the ground beneath her feet change. Crouching to look, she realized this seemed like a path trodden by people or animals.
Looking downhill, her view was blocked by dense trees.
Without much hope, Shion looked uphill and surprisingly saw some pale outlines that seemed to be a building, reigniting a sliver of hope.
'Whatever, let's go take a look.'
Rain had soaked her clothes. Coldness coursed over her skin, making her shiver uncontrollably. Hugging herself, she jogged along the path.
At the path's end stood a grand castle built of granite, tall and magnificent. Deep reddish moss stains on the walls hinted at its history.
Shion cautiously approached the wooden door and knocked gently.
No response. She knocked again, only hearing the dull thud echoing. Shion couldn't bear it anymore. Murmuring "excuse me," she tried pushing the door. Unexpectedly, the wooden door groaned and swung inward. She quickly slipped inside, finding herself in the castle's grand hall. A soft carpet covered the floor, and bronze angel statues were neatly embedded in the walls, each holding a blazing brazier.
The firelight reflected off the lavish interior decorations, making everything glitter brilliantly.
Against a wall, a huge fireplace was stacked with firewood, flames licking outwards. Shion hurried over. The moment she felt that heat, her physical exhaustion was coaxed out.She collapsed onto the carpet, her mind blank. The flames silently dried her clothes and warmed her body.
As her strength gradually returned, she got up and began seriously pondering this castle's existence. A strange, ancient castle appearing on a rainy night was often the setting for horror movies...
Shion shook her head, banishing frightening thoughts. Clearly, someone still lived here, yet it was so remote, far from any human traces.
Even ignoring the location, replenishing daily supplies would be quite troublesome.
Still, someone living in such a castle must be quite extraordinary.
Thinking this, Shion felt uneasy. Although she was only seeking shelter from the rain, she had intruded into someone's home uninvited, which might displease the owner.
It wasn't too late at night. The castle owner might still be awake. Shion decided to explore the castle, partly to visit the owner, partly because she was intensely curious about this peculiar place.
Walking along the corridor deeper into the castle, golden reliefs quietly appeared. The walls on both sides were covered with images of beautiful figures. Firelight cast soft halos and mysterious shadows on their faces, gazing at the visitor.
Shion held her breath, silently meeting the reliefs' gaze. Though she didn't fully understand the deeper meanings behind the images, she felt a direct sense of awe, as if reading an ancient tale.
The rooms on the first floor were filled with strange and wondrous objects, many of which Shion had only seen in history books. Only then did she remember she had her phone. She took many photos before ascending the spiral staircase to the second floor.
The second floor had more scattered rooms. Shion intended to wander aimlessly, but her legs seemed captured by a certain pull, leading her straight to the room at the corridor's end.
The world had never been so quiet. Only the sound of footsteps, rain, and her own increasingly rapid heartbeat.
Before her mind could clear, she already stood before the door.
She placed her hand lightly on the door, her heart giving a soft click, feeling like she was making a momentous decision. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the unknown beyond the door, as if entering a hazy dream.
A massive crystal chandelier diffused a warm yellow light, gentle and not too harsh.
Beneath it, silk drapes hung like celestial curtains, veiling an elegant bed. A wooden cabinet stood by the bedside, a bronze mirror against the wall.
The sleeping maiden was enveloped in a faint glow, like a gorgeous pearl resting within a shell.
Shion stood by the bed—she couldn't remember how she got there—as if enchanted, gazing at the graceful body of the girl on the bed.
And that face, already known yet utterly unfamiliar.
Orfevre.
Her face was now close, sleeping deeply. Perhaps no one else in the world could witness this extremely private scene.
Shion almost knelt by her side.
Extreme fervor drove Shion to extend a trembling hand, wanting to touch that perfect body.
Yet, merely touching the thin gauze covering Orfevre, a chill crawled up her fingertips, calling back her rationality.
"What... am I doing?"
Shion widened her eyes in fear, looking at her trembling hands, panting heavily.
"No... No..." Her voice choked with sobs. "I can't do this..."
She retreated repeatedly, turned to leave, and in her haste, bumped into a pyramid-shaped object on the nightstand. She immediately crouched to steady the triangular prism, thankfully not making a sound.
But her index finger was scratched by the sharp edge of the pyramid, and the metallic, bloody scent of blood instantly filled the air.
Shion raised her finger, staring in shock at the oozing bead of blood.
The next second, a cold sensation came from her shoulder. Before she could scream, something pierced her neck—a sharp sting, followed by a sense of something foreign being inserted.
Her tail fur bristled high from fright, then quickly went limp.
So hot.Her blood was activated, pounding throughout her body as if on fire.
So uncomfortable.Warmth only lingered briefly, ultimately escaping from that tiny puncture on her neck.
Her strength was also being drained bit by bit. She could only clamp her legs together, barely preventing herself from collapsing.
Through the bronze mirror, she saw her own flushed face and bewildered eyes. Warmth itself was something she liked, but now it was given too much, too full, exceeding her threshold.
She saw Orfevre holding her shoulders, chestnut hair buried against her neck.
She didn't understand, or rather, she had lost the ability and strength to understand. Consciousness gradually blurred, flying upwards, into the song of nightingales.
She wanted to scream, to beg for mercy, but the words that reached her lips were only feeble whimpers, like a kitten held by the scruff.
All she could do now was endure.