Prologue: “Just Another Day… Until the Tornado Hit”

It was just like any other day at my workplace. The warm sun kissed my skin, and a cool breeze accompanied it. I hoped it wouldn’t rain later. The sound of children laughing and running filled the air—it was recess time. Yeah… it’s my job to take care of these kids and teach them. Hearing their joy makes it worth it.

“Hey, Miss Rin, can you come play with us? We need one more person to complete our roleplay!” one of the kids with pigtails and a cheerful smile called out to me.

“Uhm, sure, Kokoro. What game are you playing?” I asked, brushing hair from my face that had been blown loose by the wind.

“We need one more person to be the ugly ogre. I think you’d be perfect, Miss!” she beamed, completely unaware that her innocent comment pierced the heart of my mid-twenties self.

Ugly ogre?! Seriously?! I wash my face every morning and even learned makeup tips from my friends—and I’m still considered ugly? Ugh. I really just want to crawl into bed and sulk.

“So, Miss… will you play with us?” Kokoro asked again, her eyes wide with innocence. It was hard to say no without feeling like a villain.

“Sure, Kokoro. I’d be really happy to be the ugly ogre. But be careful—because the ogre is already here!” I stomped forward and growled at her.

“Ahh! Guys, run! The ugly ogre is here! Run for your lives! Hehehe!” she shrieked, laughing as she darted away.

The kids scattered—some under the slide, some behind trees, and one even tried to hide inside the sandbox. Yep, to them, I was really the ugly ogre. Honestly, I don’t get paid enough for this… but their smiles make it all worth it.

As we played, one of the kids tripped and fell.

“Oh no! Are you okay, Hitomi-san?” Kokoro rushed over, concerned.

“Uhh… yeah. I just scraped my knee. I think it’s bleeding a little,” Hitomi said, wincing.

Kokoro turned to me, serious. “Hey, ugly ogre! My friend is hurt! Please help her! I promise we’ll stop calling you an ogre—and we’ll even be your friends!”

I kept up my character. “Hehe... Of course, silly human child. I’ll help your friend—but you better keep your promise!” I said, patting her head.

“Okay! I’ll be a good girl! Hurry!” Kokoro led me to Hitomi.

I checked the wound carefully. “Okay, Hitomi. I’m going to carry you to the infirmary, alright?” I said gently to ease her nerves.

After treating her knee and bringing her back, the kids ran over to welcome us back.

“Hitomi, are you okay? Did the ugly ogre help you?” Kokoro asked.

“Yeah! The ogre was actually really nice… and even made me smile!” Hitomi said happily.

“Then the ogre is no longer our enemy!” Kokoro laughed, joined by the others.

“But even if you’re not an ogre anymore… you’re still kinda ugly. Hehe.”

That one hit me like a meteor. I felt my heart break into a thousand pieces. Ugh, I miss being the kid who could call adults old and ugly without consequences. Is this what people call karma?

The bell rang, signaling the end of recess. The kids returned to class, and I returned to mine.

“So, if I add one apple to a basket that already has one, how many apples do I have?” I asked, standing in front of the chalkboard.

“Two! There are two apples!” the class answered in unison.

“Very good! Now… what if a sneaky weasel steals one apple? How many are left?”

“One, Miss! There’ll be one apple left!”

“I think there’ll be none,” Kokoro said, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

“Why do you think that, Kokoro?”

“I think the weasel is greedy and will take both apples and eat them!” she grinned.

“Very good! That’s also a correct answer—under another scenario,” I replied warmly.

The class laughed. Then, the bell rang again—time for the kids to go home. For me? More paperwork. Ugh. I finally understand how my teachers felt.

I gathered my materials and was about to head to the staff room when I noticed how dark the clouds were getting. Please don’t rain… I didn’t bring my umbrella.

Before I could reach my office, Hitomi’s mother appeared, carrying her daughter—and she didn’t look happy.

“Miss Rin, how did my precious Hitomi get hurt?! Was it the other kids? I knew I shouldn’t have let her attend a cheap kindergarten. My husband was wrong!”

“No, ma’am. She fell while we were playing pretend. I’ve already treated her wound,” I replied calmly, offering a weary smile.

“Well, at least you did that much. Come on, Hitomi. We’re going home.”

“Bye, Miss Rin!” Hitomi waved, still smiling.

After that drama, I returned to the staff room—only to be blocked at the door by Miss Minari.

“Miss Rin… is the report you promised last week done?” she asked, adjusting her glasses with an expression that screamed judgment.

“Oh, uh… Miss Minari, I was just about to bring it to you! If you’d just let me through…”

She stepped aside, probably already crafting the lecture she’d give me later. I checked my desk…

Crap. I hadn’t written the report at all.

I faked a guilty smile. “Uhh… Miss Minari? I think I forgot to bring the report. Can I give it to you tomorrow instead?”

“Hmph. How many times have you ‘forgotten’? You haven’t even started, have you?” She glared. “Alright, then. You’ll finish it today.”

She locked the door behind me.

“Wait! Miss Minari?! You can’t lock me in here!”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

No response.

I sighed. “Guess I’m doing both last week and this week’s reports now…”

At least I turned on the radio while I worked. Halfway through, I heard a storm warning—tornado approaching the city.

Uh-oh. Gotta hurry.

I managed to finish last week’s report, but a gust of wind slammed against the windows. I peeked outside—a tornado was forming.

Panic surged through me.

I banged on the door. “Miss Minari! Open up! There’s a tornado coming!”

No response.

I tried kicking the door open—ouch. That just hurt.

Looking around, I found a small hammer in the supply drawer and used it to smash the doorknob. I kicked again, and the door burst open.

I sprinted outside.

It was chaos. Trees swayed violently. Leaves flew around like frightened birds.

I decided to head home… but when I got to my neighborhood, it had already been evacuated.

This place isn’t safe.

As I looked for a way out, I spotted a dog tied to an electric pole. I couldn’t leave it. Some child would cry for days if this dog died.

“Hey, hey, little doggy… It’s okay. I’ll free you.”

The dog barked furiously as the wind grew stronger. I hoped this wasn’t what I thought it was…

I untied the knot.

The dog bolted into the distance.

And then—WHOOSH—I felt myself being pulled by the wind.

I grabbed the pole with all my might, but…

“Aaaahhh!!”

I was flung into the air.

From up here, I could see the whole town.

So this is how it ends, huh? Me, an underpaid kindergarten teacher… dying in a tornado.

Then I saw it—what looked like a traditional European village… with a windmill?

And… was that a flying fish?

Yup. I’m losing it.

I shut my eyes and wished, please… let me land somewhere safe.

Everything went dark. I felt myself drifting into unconsciousness.

Images of my students filled my mind—especially Kokoro.

“Sorry, kids… your teacher’s not coming back.”

But then… a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the void.

“Hello, kind woman. Do not be afraid. You are not in danger.”

My eyes flew open. A massive, glowing tree stood before me, bathed in blue light.

“What… what are you?” I stammered.

“What is your name, kind woman?” the tree asked with a warm, growly voice.

“U-Uhh… Rin Setsuna…”

“Ah… Risette. What a beautiful name.”

“Uhm, it’s actually Rin Setsuna.”

“Yes, yes. Risette,” the tree chuckled. “Forgive me. I’m an old tree—my hearing isn’t what it used to be.”

“…Where am I?” I asked, still shaking.

“This is a place between worlds—a boundary where different realms coexist peacefully.”

“Can I go back? I don’t think I belong here…”

“I’m afraid… not yet. I’ve used up all my magic,” the tree said with a pained breath.

“Wait, are you okay?” I asked, moving closer.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just… age catching up to me…”

“Is there… any way I can help you?”

“Perhaps. Touch my branch. It will send you somewhere—but I can’t promise you’ll return to your world anytime soon.”

“Well… better than being stuck here in the dark. No offense.”

“Hehe… of course.”

I reached out and touched the branch.

Blue light enveloped me.

“May you be sent somewhere kind… Miss Risette.”

I closed my eyes.

For a moment, there was nothing.

Then—WHOOSH—a force pushed my body.

I heard birds chirping.

Felt the sun on my face.

Saw trees swaying gently in the breeze.

And then… everything faded.