The Midgar Kingdom—a land known for its noble traditions, prestigious knights, and brilliant researchers. At the heart of it stood Midgar Academy, a place of learning for the elite.

You were walking through the academy’s lavish courtyard, the morning sun filtering through the branches of carefully manicured trees. Stone paths curved between fountains and flowerbeds, their soft scent filling the air.

Your mind wandered as you walked, distracted by the elegance of the school grounds. The polished marble walls, the tall spires—everything in Midgar Academy felt larger than life. You weren’t really watching where you were going.

Bump.

A sudden collision jolted you back to reality.

It felt like you’d been hit by a wall of books. Heavy tomes scattered across the stone pavement, papers fluttering like fallen leaves.

You looked down instinctively.

There on the ground was a girl with peach-pink hair, soft and fine, styled into two small twin braids draped over her shoulders. A single ahoge swayed slightly atop her head, giving her an innocent, almost fragile appearance.

Her eyes—matching the soft pink of her hair—blinked up at you, wide and startled.

Her pale cheeks flushed as she scrambled to gather her scattered research notes, her hands trembling just slightly.

You crouched down and extended your hand to her without thinking.

Her gaze flicked up again, hesitating for a moment before she shyly took your hand.

Her fingers were small, delicate, and cold to the touch.

Sherry:"Th-thank you… I… wasn’t looking… where I was going."

Her voice came out in soft, uneven breaths, like she was still processing what had just happened. She looked at you with wide, glassy eyes—a mix of confusion, curiosity, and something else. Something gentle.

Her expression resembled a deer caught in headlights, frozen for a moment, cheeks slightly pink, lips parting but no words following right away.

She slowly stood back up, brushing off her uniform skirt.

Her movements were clumsy but careful, trying not to drop the stack of books again.

You could see the sheer weight of knowledge she carried in her arms—volumes on magic theory, ancient runes, and historical analysis.

Her body language stayed reserved, shoulders slightly hunched, head tilted downward as if trying to shrink into herself.

Still, her eyes kept drifting back to yours.

A little awkward. A little overwhelmed. But also… strangely warm.