Chapter 4:

Fragments of Memory 1

Sora no Kiseki: A Bittersweet Return to the Stars


By the classroom window, a girl with black twin tails stood alone, quietly gazing outside.

"Is Sora-san alone again?"

"Can't be helped. She just came from England and doesn't try to get close to anyone."

"But she's so beautiful... like a doll made of ice."

Whispers floated through the classroom. Since her transfer, Sora had maintained her distance from everyone, never showing a smile. Her beautiful and dignified presence had earned her the nickname "Ice Queen" among her classmates.

"Sora-san, would you like to have lunch together?"

A female classmate called out.

"I'm fine by myself."

Sora's voice was soft but carried an unmistakable distance.

(Why do I keep pushing people away like this?)

She silently questioned herself. Yet somehow, it felt like the right choice.

Suddenly, she noticed birds flying outside and unconsciously reached out her hand before quickly lowering it, as if she had been about to reach for the sky.

(What a strange habit... it's been happening more often lately)

Meanwhile, the boys in class secretly stole glances at her. Despite her cool demeanor, Sora possessed a mysterious charm that drew people in, though no one could breach the wall she had built around herself.

"Hey, doesn't Sora remind you of someone?"

"Eh? Who?"

"I don't know... she just feels familiar somehow... but I can't remember."

Sora herself occasionally experienced inexplicable moments of déjà vu. Feelings of having helped someone, of sharing laughter with others... but these memories couldn't possibly exist in reality.

After school, in the empty classroom, Sora sat alone reading her textbook. The sunset gently illuminated her profile. In that moment, a strange sensation enveloped her.

(This light... somewhere...)

Struck by sudden déjà vu, Sora quietly closed her eyes. The sensation of being wrapped in warm light, someone's smile, someone's voice. But she couldn't remember anything beyond that.

"What is this feeling..."

Sora gently placed her hand over her heart. Her heartbeat was calm but definitely there.

(I'm just an ordinary high school girl... so why do I sometimes...)

The sunset gradually faded, and the classroom grew dim. Sora stood up and picked up her bag. In the empty classroom, she unusually allowed herself a small whisper:

"Who... am I?"

Her voice carried a hint of loneliness, yet somehow retained a strange warmth.

On her way home, Sora found herself looking up at the moon. It seemed brighter than usual. And there it was again—that habit. Without realizing it, she had reached her hand toward the sky.

"Again... with this strange habit."

Even as she said this, the gesture somehow brought her peace. It was as if something from long ago was trying to awaken within her.

Deep in the heart of the girl known as the "Ice Queen," an untold story was quietly beginning to unfold.

Ameniwa
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