Chapter 4 — A Gift of Memories
Flochien gripped his racket tightly.
"Ah! I won't lose—!"
Himari smirked and returned the shot.
Whack.
Flochien missed again.
"Ugh… you always win," he pouted.
Himari laughed and gently poked his cheek.
"Ehh? Flochien, being a cat now? Hehe."
They walked over to the benches, sitting down to watch the others practice.
"Hey… Himari," Flochien said quietly, his gaze falling on the familiar blue rose hairpin in her hair.
"You always wear that," he remarked.
Himari turned toward him, cheeks faintly flushed.
"How could I ever leave it behind?" she whispered, touching the pin delicately.
Flochien smiled softly.
"I still remember that day…"
Flashback
A quiet morning.
Young Himari rubbed her eyes and sat up on her bed, looking out the window.
"Hmmm… it's morning," she murmured.
Suddenly, her face lit up with excitement.
"Yes! Today is my birthday! Flochien said he'd give me a gift!"
She rushed to the bathroom.
Down in the hall, her mother, Akane, was preparing breakfast.
"Himari! Come quickly!"
Akane suddenly felt a presence behind her, a breath near her neck. She yelped, stumbling back.
"Ahh… what—?!"
She rubbed her neck, unsettled.
Meanwhile, Himari rushed downstairs in her new blue dress.
"Mom! Look!" she exclaimed.
Akane's eyes softened as she adjusted her daughter's hair.
"My Himari… always an angel to me."
They giggled and enjoyed breakfast together.
On the wall hung a photo frame—four people standing in a circle, smiling.
The bell rang.
Himari dashed to the door.
"Flochien!!"
He stood there, cheeks flushed, holding a small box.
"Himari… happy birthday," he said softly.
"Thank you! But… it's early. Why did you come so early? You usually wake up late," she teased.
"I wanted to be the first," he admitted.
Akane appeared behind her daughter with a playful smile.
"My, my… but I already wished her, Flochien," she said.
Flochien blushed.
Akane laughed softly, stepping aside.
"Come in. Talk inside."
Himari led him to her room.
"Flochein! My gift!" she exclaimed.
He handed her the box—but it slipped, falling to the floor.
Crack.
"Oh no…"
Himari saw his upset face.
"I… I broke it before even giving it to you. Sorry, Himari…"
She picked up the box and opened it.
Inside: a red rose hairpin, now broken.
"Don't worry! You can give me another next time!" she said cheerfully.
Flochien looked at her, upset. "I didn't even give you a proper gift…"
Himari thought for a moment, smiling gently.
"Give me anything! I'll take it. Don't worry."
Flochien's eyes softened. He picked up the broken pieces and a hairpin from his pocket—his sister's hairpin—and carefully combined them.
He attached them together, creating a perfect blue rose hairpin.
"Happy birthday, Himari," he said, placing it in her hair.
Her eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Flochien! This… this is the best gift!"
Back to the Present
Flochien smiled to himself.
"You're the best girl I could ever find…"
He almost whispered it, but stopped.
Himari looked at him.
"Did you say something?"
Flochien's face turned bright red. He waved his hands frantically.
"No! Nothing!"
Quinshiki passed by, observing quietly.
His gaze landed on the black mark on Himari's knuckles. The moment he focused on it, it vanished.
"She's still unaware," he thought.
Flochien and Himari were too caught up in their conversation to notice him.
Quinshiki continued walking, his charming smile back in place, but his mind stayed alert.
Hmm… even if I'm suspicious, I can't confirm anything to her. I need proper information first…