The midday bell rings through the halls of Hoshikawa High School, its cheerful chime echoing through the corridors like a burst of freedom.
Within seconds, the quiet classroom explodes into movement.
Chairs scrape against the floor. Bags zip open. Students stretch their arms after the long morning lectures. Conversations spark everywhere at once, blending into a lively wave of chatter and laughter.
Some students rush out toward the courtyard, eager to enjoy the autumn sunlight. Others gather in groups, trading snacks and gossip.
But near the window, one student remains seated.
Fumiko.
She rests her elbows lightly on her desk, holding a small paperback novel in both hands. The soft sunlight pouring through the classroom window falls across the pages, illuminating the printed words.
Her eyes follow the lines carefully.
Or at least… they appear to.
In truth, she barely registers what she's reading.
Her mind drifts somewhere far away.
Child of dawn…
The words from her dream echo faintly in the back of her mind.
The Abyss is stirring.
A small crease forms between her eyebrows.
She turns the page slowly, though she doesn't remember finishing the previous one.
"Was it really just a dream?"
The question returns again, stubborn and persistent.
She exhales softly through her nose.
All morning she has tried to focus on school, on lectures, on homework.
But the dream refuses to leave her alone.
The glowing figure.
The endless sea of light.
The strange warmth that spread through her chest when it spoke.
Everything felt too vivid.
Too real.
Almost like… a memory rather than a dream.
Fumiko shifts slightly in her seat and glances down at her wrist.
The spiral-shaped mark rests quietly against her skin.
It looks harmless.
Just a faint birthmark.
Yet for some reason, every time she thinks about the dream, the mark seems to tingle slightly.
As if reacting.
She quickly lowers her sleeve again.
"Ugh…"
She mutters under her breath.
"Why am I overthinking this so much…"
A sudden voice breaks through her thoughts.
"Fumiko!"
She looks up.
Ami appears between the desks like a burst of sunlight.
Her best friend is holding two small juice boxes, waving them triumphantly like a prize she just won.
A wide grin spreads across her face.
"Here!"
Ami says cheerfully, sliding into the seat across from her.
"You look like you desperately need sugar."
She pushes one of the juice boxes toward Fumiko.
Fumiko blinks in surprise before a small smile forms on her lips.
"Thanks."
She takes the drink and pokes the straw through the top.
"Perfect timing."
Ami immediately stabs the straw into her own drink and takes an exaggerated slurp.
"So…"
She leans forward curiously.
"What are you reading today?"
Her eyes drop toward the book.
"That looks intense."
Fumiko glances down at the cover.
It shows a warrior standing on a cliff beneath a stormy sky.
"Nothing special,"
she says lightly.
"Just another fantasy novel."
She shrugs slightly.
"You know how I am with these."
Ami's eyes sparkle dramatically.
"Wow, look at you."
She places a hand over her heart in mock admiration.
"Reading books and expanding your knowledge while I'm over here doing absolutely nothing productive."
She leans her chin on the desk and sighs loudly.
"I'm such a failure."
Fumiko laughs softly.
"You're not a failure."
She raises an eyebrow.
"You're just lazy."
Ami gasps in fake offense.
"Rude!"
She points accusingly.
"I prefer the term selectively motivated."
Fumiko chuckles and closes the book, sliding it gently into her school bag.
"Sure you are."
Ami grins mischievously.
"But seriously…"
She studies Fumiko more carefully now.
"You seem kinda distracted today."
Fumiko pauses for a moment.
Just a second.
But Ami notices.
She always does.
Fumiko quickly forces a relaxed smile.
"I'm fine."
"Hmm."
Ami narrows her eyes suspiciously.
"You've been zoning out a lot lately."
She leans forward.
"Something bothering you?"
For a brief moment, Fumiko considers telling her.
About the dreams.
About the glowing figure.
About the word Abyss that keeps haunting her thoughts.
But how would that sound?
*Hey Ami, I keep dreaming about mysterious beings telling me I'm some kind of chosen person.*
Yeah.
Totally normal conversation.
She shakes her head slightly.
"Just tired,"
she says instead.
"Stayed up too late reading."
Ami stares at her for a second longer.
Then she sighs dramatically.
"Books are dangerous."
She points accusingly again.
"See? This is why I avoid them."
Fumiko rolls her eyes.
"You're unbelievable."
But Ami suddenly brightens again.
"Oh!"
She leans forward excitedly.
"Speaking of fun things!"
Fumiko blinks.
"What?"
Ami claps her hands together.
"Remember our plan?"
Fumiko tilts her head slightly.
"Our plan?"
"The mall!"
Ami nearly jumps out of her chair.
"We said we'd go shopping this week!"
Fumiko's eyes widen slightly.
"Oh."
Right.
She had almost forgotten.
"Tokyo Mall,"
Ami continues enthusiastically.
"They just launched a new fashion collection!"
Her eyes sparkle.
"And there's a student discount!"
Fumiko smirks slightly.
"Ah, now it makes sense."
"What does that mean?"
"You only remembered because of the discount."
Ami slams a hand on the desk.
"Of course I did!"
She grins shamelessly.
"Discounts are sacred."
Fumiko laughs softly.
"Fine."
She leans back slightly in her chair.
"Let's go after school."
Ami gasps dramatically.
"You mean it?!"
"Yes."
Fumiko smiles faintly.
"Three o'clock."
She raises a finger.
"But we're not spending five hours in the same store."
Ami salutes.
"No promises."
Before Fumiko can reply–
Another voice appears behind them.
"Planning something interesting?"
Both girls turn toward the classroom door.
Rin stands there casually, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed.
Her expression carries its usual calm confidence.
Behind her stands Yuki, practically bouncing with curiosity.
"Hey guys!"
Yuki waves energetically.
Ami grins.
"Perfect timing!"
She points dramatically.
"Shopping trip!"
Yuki's eyes instantly light up.
"SHOPPING?!"
She rushes over and grabs the desk.
"WHEREEE!?"
"Tokyo Mall!!!,"
Ami declares proudly.
Yuki gasps like someone just announced free cake.
"YESSSSSS."
She throws her arms into the air.
"I'm COMINGG."
Rin smirks slightly.
"Did anyone invite you?"
Yuki freezes.
"…No."
She looks at Fumiko with pleading puppy eyes.
"Please?"
Fumiko laughs softly.
"Of course you can come."
Yuki immediately hugs her.
"YOU'RE THE BESTT!!"
"Careful,"
Fumiko laughs.
"You're crushing me."
Yuki releases her quickly.
"Sorry!"
Rin walks over and drops into a nearby chair.
"I suppose I'll come too."
Ami grins.
"The squad is assembling."
"Don't call it that,"
Rin mutters.
Yuki claps her hands excitedly.
"Ooo we should get bubble tea!"
"Mandatory,"
Ami agrees instantly.
"Then clothes shopping."
"Then maybe ramen,"
Yuki adds.
Rin sighs.
"This is turning into a full expedition."
Fumiko watches them talk, a soft smile forming on her face.
Their energy fills the classroom with warmth.
For a moment…
Everything feels normal again.
No mysterious dreams.
No strange prophecies.
Just friends planning an afternoon out.
Her gaze drifts toward the classroom window.
Outside, sunlight spills across the courtyard.
Students laugh beneath the autumn trees.
Golden leaves drift lazily through the air.
The scene feels peaceful.
Safe.
"Maybe that's why the dream called me "child of light."
The thought appears quietly in her mind.
Because moments like this exist.
Moments worth protecting.
Her chest tightens slightly.
Fear.
Determination.
Both emotions mixing together.
She doesn't fully understand what the dreams mean yet.
But if something really is coming…
If the Abyss truly exists…
Then she wants to protect this world.
This laughter.
These simple moments.
"Earth to Fumiko!"
Ami suddenly waves a hand in front of her face.
"You're doing the staring thing again."
Fumiko blinks.
"Huh?"
"You were totally spacing out."
Yuki tilts her head curiously.
"What were you thinking about?"
Fumiko hesitates.
Then she smiles softly.
"Just… how nice today feels."
Yuki gasps dramatically.
"Wow."
"That sounded poetic,"
Rin adds.
"Careful,"
Ami smirks.
"You're making the rest of us look boring."
Fumiko laughs.
"I'll try to keep my thoughts less dramatic."
"Good luck with that,"
Ami says.
Right then
The bell rings.
Students begin returning to their seats as the next class approaches.
Chairs scrape again.
The lively noise slowly fades.
Ami tosses her empty juice box into the trash bin.
"Three o'clock."
She points at Fumiko.
"Don't forget."
"I won't."
"Good."
She grins.
"No backing out."
As the teacher enters the room, the class settles down.
Fumiko opens her notebook.
Her pen touches the page.
She tries to focus on the lesson.
But deep inside her thoughts…
The voice from her dream whispers again.
I will always be watching over you… my child.
Her grip tightens slightly around the pen.
A quiet determination grows in her chest.
"Whatever this means…"
"I'll figure it out."
"But for today…"
She lowers her pen and begins writing the notes on the board.
"Today I choose normal."
And somewhere beyond her understanding…
Fate quietly continues moving forward.