"Ugh, what is it?" I groaned groggily, my sleep-crinkled eyes trying to focus.
"Today is the day," said Sheik, a twinkle of excitement in her usually fiery eyes. She rubbed my back, coaxing me awake. "Get dressed."
I looked over at my alarm clock. "…You seriously woke me up at 6 in the morning?" Normally I'm an early bird but yesterday's tournament really left me tired…
"Please, come before it's too late," she insisted calmly, so I complied, albeit begrudgingly.
Both of us wearing our jackets, we stepped out into the chilly morning air. It was nearly dawn. As I gave a mighty yawn she led the way to the garden, holding my hand in hers. She seemed pretty eager about something…if only I had that same gusto, too, giving another yawn. The pansies were growing nicely, and so were the camellias, but what truly caught my attention was a flowerbed with specimens I had never seen before.
"Silent princesses," Sheik smiled warmly.
We waited for some time, and soon enough it began to gently snow. When the snowflakes touched their petals, the silent princesses, one after another, bloomed beautifully, and when the light of dawn hit them just right, how they glittered and shone.
To think I would have missed this… Just looking at them made me feel strangely happy.
"This phenomenon only happens during the first snow of winter," she explained. "It is said to grant immense happiness," and she squeezed my hand. "Wouldn't you agree?"
I smiled at her, squeezing right back.