The Spirit's Promise

The Meeting Beneath the Sunset

Lynein Town basks under the gentle warmth of an early evening sun, its streets lines with quiet trees swaying lazily in the breeze. School had ended, and laughter filled the air as students poured out into the streets like flocks of birds returning to freedom.

Inside Class 3-B of Lynein High, the usual trio sit by the window, their desks slightly scatters, their laughter echoing like a scene out of a light-hearted drama.

“Are you seeing any girl lately?” Kai asked with a teasing grin, leaning toward his best friend. “With that face of yours, I’m sure you’ve got a line of girls just waiting to date you.”

Before Ryo could reply, a resounding thud lands on Kai’s head. Noelle standd behind him, hand mid-air, face slightly puffs with annoyance.

“He’s not like you, Kai. Not everything’s about girls.”

Kai rubs his head, unfazed. “Well, it’s basic for guys to talk about girls. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m a pretty girl, thank you very much.” Noelle crossed her arms and tilts her head playfully, batting her eyelashes.

Kai scans the room with exaggerated confusion. “Pretty girl? Where? Where?”

Noelle furrows her brows at him, lips pursed in fake anger, while Ryo watches the two with a small, amused smile.

“I just haven’t found someone who can touch my soul yet,” Ryo said softly, eyes drifting to the window where the sun kissed the horizon.

Kai raises a brow. “Touch your soul, huh? Sounds like fantasy stuff. You’re too picky, man. No wonder no one interests you.”

The bell rang, marking the end of another ordinary school day. But what awaited Ryo beyond that bell was anything but ordinary.

As Ryo made his way home, his feet follows the familiar path over the old stone bridge. The river below shimmers with orange and gold, a canvas painted by the fading sun. He slows his steps, soaking in the tranquility, until something caught his eye.

At the edge of the cliff near the river stood a girl. Alone. Still. Framed perfectly by the amber light, her long black hair dances with the wind like whispers of a dream. She looked like a painting that had come alive.

His breath caught.

But as he looks closer, his heart raced—she was standing too close to the edge.

“Oyeee, wait!!” he shouts, rushing toward her.

Startled, the girl turned slowly. Her eyes, hazel with a gentle glow, meet his. And for a second, the world stilled. She stares at him, spacing out, caught in the sudden intensity of his approach—until his hand reached hers.

“Are you listening to me?” Ryo asks, out of breath. “It was dangerous, what if you’d fallen? Your parents would’ve been worried…”

The girl’s face turns a brilliant shade of red, like a tomato ripened under the sun. She gently pulls her hand back, voice soft, almost trembling.

“Th-Thank you… I’m okay.”

Ryo studies her face—a delicate, doll-like beauty—and nodded. “Be more careful. People will worry if something happens to you.”

They walk down from the cliff in silence. As Ryo turned to leave, he waved. “Take care. Goodbye.”

But her voice stops him.

“Wait… tell me your name at least.”

He pause, looking over his shoulder with a calm smile. “Kazama Ryo. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Tsukiko Hoshino. Nice to meet you too.” She smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I see you’re a student. What are you doing here?”

“I was heading home. I saw you standing there and got worried.”

Hoshino’s expression softens as she looked at the river. “I was just getting some fresh air… It’s not like I was trying to… y’know… do anything bad.”

Ryo’s eyes widens a bit. “Ah—sorry! I thought… I mean, I scolded you because I was worried. I’m really sorry.”