Chapter 8 : Shadows of the forest, light in her heart

Sakura stood frozen, her mind trying to catch up with everything around her. Laughter, warmth, kindness—it all clashed with what she'd expected. Her fingers fidgeted at her side as she looked up at Emi.

"...Who exactly are you all?" she asked quietly. "And... what are you doing here?"

Kai’s voice came sharp and cold from the side. “Shouldn’t we be the ones asking that?”

Sakura flinched slightly at the sudden bite in his tone.

“Kai!” Emi shot him a scolding glare. “That’s enough.” She turned back to Sakura, her voice softening. “Sorry about him. He can be... a bit much.”

Sakura shook her head gently, not wanting to cause trouble.

“Let’s introduce ourselves properly,” Emi said, stepping forward. “I’m Emi, I’m fourteen, and... I guess you could say I look after this bunch.”

One by one, the others followed.

“I’m Ren. Thirteen.”

“I’m Hana! I’m eleven!”

“Ryo! Nine!”

“...Haru,” came the quiet voice. “Eight.”

All eyes turned to Kai.

He stood still for a moment, then sighed through his nose. “...Kai. I’m ten.”

“That’s better,” Emi said, half teasing, half strict. She turned to Sakura with a soft smile. “Don’t mind him. Now you?”

“I’m Sakura,” she said slowly. “Ten.”

Emi’s eyes lit up. “Same age! You two can be friends.”

Kai rolled his eyes. “No way.”

Sakura gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.

“So,” Emi said gently, “were you... lost?”

Sakura shook her head. “No. I was just walking around and I found this house. It felt peaceful... so I came in.”

For a moment, no one spoke. The others exchanged glances.

Sakura looked around nervously. “Did I... say something wrong?”

Ren chuckled. “No, it’s just... most people say this place is haunted.”

“But to you, it felt peaceful,” Emi said with a warm smile. “That’s kind of beautiful.”

Sakura blinked in surprise. Emi gestured for her to sit, and she did. Watching the others start playing again with Kai, Sakura leaned in slightly.

“Emi... are they your siblings?”

Emi smiled. “No. Not by blood. But we live together like a family.” She paused, then added gently, “Every kid here was either abandoned... or lost their parents. It’s been two years since we started living together.”

Sakura’s gaze softened. “That’s... really nice.”

Emi looked surprised for a moment. “Why do you say that?”

Sakura tilted her head. “I don’t know. Just felt like you wanted me to know.”

Emi smiled, eyes kind. “Maybe I did. You seem like a warm-hearted person.”

A small smile crept across Sakura’s lips.

Just then, Haru tugged at Emi’s sleeve. “It’s time to practice!”

Emi clapped her hands. “Right! Sakura, you should join us.”

Sakura hesitated. “Um... I don’t know if—”

“Come on,” Emi said, gently pulling her up.

They stepped outside to a small clearing. One by one, the others started showing their magic. Fire, wind, light, shadows—each of them had their own unique way of using it. Haru and Ryo were still learning, but even they beamed with excitement.

Sakura stood still. Watching. Not moving.

Emi noticed. “Sakura? What’s wrong?”

“I...” Sakura’s voice dropped. Her head lowered. “I can’t do it.”

Everything stopped. The others turned to her.

She hugged her arms. “I can’t control my magic. Not yet.”

Her eyes shut tight, bracing herself for laughter, mockery—anything.

But instead—

“That’s not a problem,” Emi said calmly.

Sakura’s eyes opened in shock.

Emi stepped closer. “Magic isn’t easy. It’s not something you just wake up and know. You have to try. And try again.”

“We’ll help you,” Ren added.

“You’re still cool,” Hana chirped.

“Yeah!” Ryo beamed.

“...It’s not like we’re perfect either,” Haru said softly.

Kai crossed his arms, looking off to the side. “Just don’t burn the house down.”

A single tear slipped down Sakura’s cheek.

“Thank you...” she whispered. “Back home... everyone would just scold me. They’d say I was useless... except my big brother.”

She didn’t say his name.

They didn’t ask.

Instead, Emi gave her a gentle nod. “You’re not alone here.”

The others smiled.

And in that moment, Sakura realized—for the first time in a long while—maybe she wasn’t.

With a big, joyful smile, Sakura wiped her eyes and stepped forward. “Okay. Let’s try.”

Everyone lit up with excitement as she joined them in the clearing. The magic-filled practice began again, laughter echoing with every small success and harmless failure. Fire twisted, wind danced, sparkles of light burst gently into the air. Even though Sakura still couldn't control her magic well, she kept trying—and with every little effort, the others cheered her on.

Time flew by unnoticed.

Cut to: The Capital

Inside the grand training hall of the Fujimoto castle, Shin wiped the sweat from his brow, finishing the final move of his sword practice. The clang of steel and the shimmer of magic faded into stillness.

He exhaled. “It’s already been a while... Sakura still hasn’t come out of her room?”

Concerned, he put away his blade and started walking down the marble hallway toward her chamber. Reaching her door, he knocked gently.

“Sakura? You in there?”

Silence.

A frown crept onto his face. Slowly, he opened the door and stepped in. The room was quiet. Empty.

Cut back: The Forest

Sakura stood still, panting slightly from the hours of practice. The others were all sprawled out on the ground, resting and laughing.

“Whoa,” she said, blinking at the sky. “It’s already dark?”

She turned to Emi. “I think... I should head back home now.”

Emi’s smile faded a little. “Already?”

Haru, who had been sitting quietly next to Ryo, looked up with worry. “You’re leaving...?”

“I really liked having you here,” Hana added softly.

Sakura smiled, touched by their kindness. “I had fun too.”

“We should do this again,” Ren said.

Haru stood up, eyes wide. “Will you come again tomorrow?”

Before she could answer, Kai scoffed from the side, arms crossed. “Tch. She won’t.”

Haru’s smile faltered.

“Kai!” Emi scolded, throwing a small stick at his head.

Kai dodged it with ease and looked away.

Emi turned back to Sakura. “You can come again, okay? You’re always welcome here.”

“Yeah!” Haru beamed. “Come again!”

Sakura grinned. “I will. I promise.”

She waved goodbye to everyone, then turned and made her way into the shadows of the forest.

Nightfall — The Capital

The city’s streets were silent, torches dimly glowing and knights patrolling in armor. But Sakura moved with careful grace, slipping through alleyways and rooftops, avoiding every guard like a shadow.

Finally, she reached the massive walls of the Fujimoto Castle and sneaked in through the secret passage she knew all too well. Her heart was racing as she tiptoed down the halls, then slipped back into her room.

She leaned against the door, sighing in relief. “Safe...”

But then—

“Where were you?”

She froze.

Her eyes darted to the middle of the room—Shin stood there in the dark, arms folded, staring at her.