To Protect A Smile (Windbreaker)

Virtue

Quietly... Quieeeet... Crouched along the brick wall, she crept closer to the fluttering wings. Black, pink, and white in color with a dual-colored body. Floating about a rose bush of the local florist, buds of pink, yellow, white, and red coming to bloom. The butterfly lowered itself to the dew dusted petals. Snap. Snap. Snap. As it landed, she crept behind it and hovered just out of the light. Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap.

Taking a step back, she flicked through the photos. The dark wings against the light color of the petals and the sun that glimmered in the morning dew drops. Color and warmth rose to her cheeks. Pretty.

"Sera-chan! Seeeeeraaaa-chaaaaan!" A voice that steadily grew louder lifted her attention from her camera. They raced towards her impressively fast in heels, hands fanning in front of their chest. Red lips stretched in a smile. "Sera-chan!"

"Tsu-chan!" Leaving the butterfly to its business, she raced towards them and leapt into their ready arms. "Mornin'!"

"Morning!" Spinning around a few times, she was placed back on her feet. "It's been too long! I meant to come see you on your first day, but it seemed like you were too busy."

They found pace with each other while she tucked her camera in her bag. "Never! I'll push Hiragi and Ume outta the way, so never worry about comin' to chat."

"I went to the taiyaki store yesterday and I saw an all too familiar character on the wall." Painted nails rose to shelter a teasing smile. "Was that you?"

"Sure was!" Hers found her hips, "wasn't it cute? Hiragi was all up in arms, 'bout it, though."

"I imagine. You're gonna give poor Hiragi grey hair."

"Psh. Not my fault he has a stick up his ass. He's gotta learn to just..." Moving a few steps ahead, she spun around. "Go with the flow sometimes! He's always stressin' about somethin'. That's why his stomach bothers him as much as it does, y'know! Too much stress is bad on the body." She snickered, "not that the other boys are going to be helping much in that department, either." A hand flapped at Tsubakino. "Have you heard about Sakura? Kota told me about 'im a few days ago, but he's even cuter in person! Yesterday, when we were on our way to Shishitoren-Oh, speaking of Shishitoren! You know Kame, right?"

The entire walk to school, Seraphina told Tsubakino all about the new outsider and the incident with Shishitoren. While they recited what news they had in the four days they haven't seen each other. Then settling on discussing the latest issues of their favorite magazines. While Tsubakino always leaned towards for Vogue-type magazine for fashion and makeup, Seraphina leaned more towards the Diver magazine purely for a fascination of underwater photography-something she hasn't experimented much with yet. Though, the closeup shots executed to get the shots for make up were always impressive.

As they reached her floor of the school, she gave Tsubakino a wave and made way for her class. There was no hiding from the stares of the other first years that seemed to pick her apart from the bone. A ping sounded from her pocket and she plucked her phone from her skirt.

Yeah, I'm totally free this Saturday!

I've been dying to see that movie too

Make sure to tell me when and I'll be there!

Can't wait!

A soft tune hummed along her lips as she typed a quick reply. Kotoha's next free day was coming up. After school, they were all going to the big theater two towns away. A girl's day was long overdue. Nearing the door, she nudged the corner open with her shoe then kicked it along its frame.