Prologue
On October 1, 1928, two baby girls were born.
Chikane:
Otomemiya Chikane glanced around at her surroundings with probing eyes. The sun shone in the perfectly blue sky with a few billowy clouds drifting by. It was unusually cool for an August day. The sun-drenched grounds looked like a picture for a postcard. "Kawatana Academy", it would say in curly letters that matched the school's sign. All over the meticulously groomed grass, students sat in clumps, eating, studying and talking. Chikane noticed some of her acquaintances around the schoolyard but she felt little inclination to approach them. She felt like seeking solitude today.
The oak tree presided over the school like a patriarch over his children. Its leaves rustled together gently, casting a pool of shade. The tree was a calm island of tranquility that no weather could touch. It stood apart from the other trees on the school's property, tall and proud. Chikane settled herself at the base of her tree and watched the schoolyard from the perfect vantage point. As she listened to the quiet sounds of the plants, she heard the sound of a voice humming. Chikane turned but saw nothing except for a pencil. She picked it up and glanced into the boughs above her. A pair of feet kicked gently, almost blending in with the movement of the tree.
Chikane grasped the nearest branch and pulled up onto it. A few swings later, she found herself sitting behind a blond girl, the source of the humming. She was looking up at the sky through the green leaves. I don't want to stop her, that's a very pretty song, Chikane thought. The other girl seemed to sense that someone was watching her though. She broke off the song and turned around, jumping when she realized that Chikane was there.
"I'm sorry," said Chikane, "I didn't mean to interrupt you but you dropped your pencil."
"Oh that's alright. You just startled me, that's all," she laughed nervously, her violet eyes wide. Wow, violet eyes. That's so pretty.
"I haven't met you before, are you new here?" Chikane asked as she handed over the pencil.
"Yes, I just moved from Nagasaki actually. There was a bomb threat, so my parents sent me out to a smaller village," she said.
"Oh, I see. Well, I'm Otomemiya Chikane. I hope you like it here."
"Thank you," she said shyly, "My name is Konoegawa Himeko. It's nice to meet you Otomemiya-san…" The bell rang, interrupting Himeko. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Thank you for picking up my pencil."
"Goodbye, Konoegawa-san!" Chikane called as Himeko rushed away. She's so pretty and polite, Chikane thought as she went to her classes. During history she asked Kizuna, her roommate, about Himeko.
"Hey, Kizuna-chan, do you know anything about a girl named Konoegawa Himeko?"
"Oh, Kono-sama? She's a new student from Nagasaki. I heard that she's really rich, and that she doesn't talk to anybody because apparently they aren't good enough for her."
"Really?" asked Chikane, disappointed, "I met her today and she seemed very polite." I thought she had actually genuinely liked me.
"It's not that she's not polite, she just isn't making any friends. What was she like?"
"She was very pretty, and she was quiet I guess."
"Hm. Well I can see why she doesn't really want to associate with a lot of people. If she goes back home she probably doesn't want to leave more friends behind. We just don't understand because we've lived in the same place our whole lives," said Kizuna thoughtfully. Chikane nodded absentmindedly and turned back to the teacher. I wouldn't really want to have to leave new friends behind if I were her. I just wish I could be friends with her, Chikane thought sadly. What a weird thing to think.
Himeko:
The day after Himeko met Chikane she sat at the base of the tree, hoping that Chikane would wander by once again. Of all the people I've met this week, she's the only one who I really felt a connection with. I want to talk to her again. She seemed so nice, Himeko thought with a small smile. As if on cue, the raven-haired girl danced elegantly through Himeko's field of vision. Himeko rose and started to walk after her. Chikane was walking quickly and Himeko had to break into a trot.
"Otomemiya-san!" she called. Chikane turned, her blue eyes wide. I didn't even realize she had such lovely, blue eyes.
"Good morning, Kono-sama," Chikane said politely.
"Oh no, you've picked that up too? I don't like being called that. I haven't done anything to deserve being praised so much."
"Did you need something Kono-sama?" Chikane asked, ignoring Himeko's complaint.
"I just wanted to talk with you again. You seemed very nice yesterday. Would you like to have lunch with me?"
"Yes, thank you," Chikane said, dipping her head gracefully.
As the sun shone down upon them, the two girls ate lunch. Himeko finally got Chikane to stop calling her 'Kono-sama' and at least call her Kono-san. I haven't felt this happy since… I don't know when. Himeko thought as she took a sip of water. As the lunch hour drew to a close, the two packed up their lunches.
"Um, Miya-san?"
"What is it Kono-san?"
"If you don't really want to be friends with me, then you don't have to," Himeko said, overtaken by embarrassment over her unseemly actions earlier.
"No, I do want to be friends, I do very much. I was thinking about it yesterday though and I thought that if I were you I wouldn't want to make friends who I'd then have to leave behind after moving back. And a friend of mine told me that you hadn't been very social, so I thought you didn't want friends." She does want to be my friend! Himeko thought joyfully.
"Oh, it isn't that," Himeko said, a blush tingeing her cheeks, "It's just that I'm actually quite shy. Because of that, I usually don't approach people and they usually don't approach me. But I'm very glad that you did. And I was wondering if you'd like to have lunch with me again tomorrow."
"Are you sure? I'm sure there are many people who want to eat lunch with you."
"That's alright," Himeko said airily, although she had received 7 lunch invitations.
"See you tomorrow then, Kono-san. Goodbye."
Himeko watched the taller girl go with a shy smile on her face. She's so graceful and kind. It's amazing that everyone in the school isn't praising her. I can't believe she'd actually be inclined to be friends with me.
A/N: I know that this is a pretty common story choice, but here is my take on the Miko's Prequel. This is going to be EXTREMELY historically inaccurate. I couldn't make the dates work with the time frame I wanted. Thanks for reading! I'm going to be updating with the official Chapter One next Sunday. I'd appreciate reviews, they really make my day!
