A sea of sunflowers stretched out like molten gold, each bloom tilting its face toward the soft blue bowl of the sky.

Petals floated on the warm air like stray bits of confetti, while bees drifted lazily between the stems as the path curved toward a pale white bridge.

Hinari Himabashi moved with a quiet, willowy grace.

Her cream-beige dress swayed gently around her ankles, its hem trimmed with wide brown zigzag bands that rippled like patterned waves with her steps. Over it, she wore a light blue shirt, neatly tied at the waist, its golden buttons catching the sun and sleeves rolled to her elbows. A brown satchel rested against her hip, its scalloped edge and silver clasp glinting softly, a round yellow chick charm dangling from the strap and bouncing cheerfully with her motion. A yellow scrunchie circled her wrist and her light brown hair was gathered into two low ponytails that fell in long, curling ribbons, glowing in the sunlight.

Her round face held a soft, innocent glow : fair skin touched with a rosy blush, wide sky blue eyes sparkling like clear water, all framed by soft bangs pinned back with two white clips.

Her lips parted in awe as she gazed up at the towering flowers.

“Uhuhu… they’re even taller than me today.” she whispered, a near-laugh softening her shoulders as though the field had wrapped her in a gentle calm.

Suddenly she crouched, the fabric of her dress whispering against the earth. With delicate fingers, she picked up a fallen petal from the path.

Holding it up to the light, she smiled, her lashes lowering thoughtfully.

“For pressing.” she murmured.

“It will look like a little sun in my journal.”

Standing again, she carefully pressed the petal between her palms, the chick charm on her satchel clicking lightly.

She drew closer to the flowers, her twin ponytails brushing her shoulders with each step.

A faint, sweet fragrance wafted around her : the bright scent of citrus and yellow fruits, as if the very air had ripened.

Hinari touched her wrist to her cheek, tucking back a loose strand of hair. A shy smile touched her lips.

“I think I put on too much perfume by accident.” she confessed, her eyes bright with a quiet laugh.

“But… maybe it suits the day.”

A breeze swept through the field, setting the sunflowers swaying in a golden wave.

Hinari’s eyes followed the motion, wide and alight with reflected gold.

“When the wind comes…” she said softly.

“…it feels like the whole field is breathing.”

She closed her eyes briefly, breathing with the rhythm, her hands clasped as if to hold the moment still.

Ahead, the white bridge gleamed but her steps slowed. She tilted her head, her ponytails swaying and she lifted her eyes once more to the flowers.

A gentle smile spread across her face, shy, yet steady, as she extended an open palm.

“If we walk slowly…” she whispered.

“I promise that I won’t fall behind.”

The chick charm tapped lightly against her bag as sunlight broke through the clouds, spilling a brighter gold across the path.

Hinari’s smile lingered, quiet as the field around her, while the day gently folded itself into memory.