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.
"SERA!"
"GAAHH!" The phone flew from her hand while her entire body jumped. "Ah-ah-shit!" The case bounced off her flailing fingers as she tried to catch it. Only knocking it further from her grasp. A stray hand swept in front of hers and scooped the phone out of the air before it could hit the ground.
"Here." Suo offered the black and blue case back to her.
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver." Looking towards the screen, she quickly read over her message before hitting send and shoving the device into her pocket. "Jeeze, guys! You can't scare a girl like that!" Her hands pressed to her chest. "Thought I was gonna have a heart attack."
Anzai moved forward, "sorry. Sorry! We're all just excited."
Takanashi stepped beside him, a finger pointing to his cheek. "You were in the fight, too, right? How was it? Does your face hurt?"
A smile found her features. "This bug bite? Nah." Her fist moved forward to slug his shoulder. "You should see that big bastard!" Her expression turned sinister, fingertips tapping together. "His jaw should be in at least four pieces by now." Hands on her hips, her head threw back. "MWAHAHAHAHA!"
"Igarashi-chan!"
"What!" She hopped once to the side, arms held out to face a tall orange-haired boy.
"I have a very important question for you." His arms moved up then down, his muscles flexing. "What is your virtue?!"
"There he goes."
"Now he's done it to everyone in class." The others sighed.
Her virtue? Like which she thought she embodied the most? Why would he want to know something like that? Well, not that it really mattered. So, she moved pass him and hopped onto a nearby chair. Twirling on her toes and holding her hands out in front of her with her palms up. If she wanted to pick one it would be. "Chastity." A silence enveloped the class for a few moments. Then everyone burst into a fit of laughter. Her gaze swept the students and she flopped down. "What? Did I get it wrong? That's one of 'em, ain't it?"
Suo moved beside her, "not those virtues, Sera-chan."
Nirei stood in front of her, "he's asking about your life's principle! Like always putting pants on with the left leg first or how you eat your food!"
"Huh? Oh." A smile blossomed on her features. "PAhahahahaha! I was way off!"
"So?" He slapped a hand on her shoulder, "what's your virtue?"
"Hm..." Her finger tapped on her chin, gaze lifting towards the ceiling. "What would I consider a virtue? I never really thought about it. Well... I always finish everything on my plate, down to the last crumb." She turned back toward him, "is that one?"
"Yeah!" A bright grin, he nodded, "and a good one, too! I knew we were gonna get along!" His hand jet out. "Tsugeura Taiga!"
"Igarashi Seraphina, but you can call me Sera." Her hand finding his, her arm was moved nearly enough to yank it from its socket. Tightening her grip on his hand, she hopped up and around his back. Legs hooking on his waist while she handled his hair. "Woah, it's not often you can hair this shade. Is it, real?"
"Sure is."
"Cool! Hey, hey, Taz-chan! Check it out!" With a grin, she looked to Sakura and pointed at Tsugeura. "I found ya a friend!"