The hoodie was a patchwork thing.

Rael stitched the shoulders. Mirae reinforced the elbows with scraps from old work gloves. Corin dyed it forest green with stolen herbs. Lira embroidered tiny, crooked stars along the hem. And Caeli sewed a little tail on the back—soft and ridged like a dinosaur’s.

“Because you’re brave,” she’d said. “Like a little monster. But cute.”

Akari wore it every day after that. Refused to take it off, even when it got too warm. It smelled like the attic where they made it. Like mint, dust, and woodsmoke.

When the matrons tried to confiscate it, Mirae threatened to shatter their broom handles. Corin hid it in the chapel rafters for two days. Lira distracted the staff with weeping fits.

It was never taken again.