A faint tear slid down Sylvia’s cheek as she closed her diary. Misty, who had been quietly watching beside her, chose not to disturb; letting the focus shifted onto her.

Later that evening, students from Ballad-tier gathered around me. 

“Sylvia!” 
“Please, win the Sinfonietta—for the sake of Ballad! 

I don’t want to… I truly don’t. 

Because—winning the Sinfonietta would mean shattering the dreams of those who lose… 
I’d wholeheartedly despise that, if wasn’t for my dearest one. 

“Big sis! Wait for me!”

My head turned instinctively at the familiar words. Two students ran across the academy courtyard, laughing.

“Watch your steps, Lulu!”

The sight of the siblings enjoying their carefree life stirred something inside me. Reminding me of moments I’ve always wished to share with my dearest.

.

.

.

"You’ll soon be a big sister, Sylvia~"
"Hooray! I’ll finally have a sister!"

Back then, I couldn’t stop smiling when my mother revealed the news of her new baby.
As the only child of the Heart family, I had long craved for a sibling—the thought of no longer being alone filled my heart with joy.

"Mama! Can I suggest a name for her?"
"Oh my, sure thing, darling~"

My excitement was beyond words.
Day after day—month after month, I waited, for the moment she would finally meet the world.

Until...

"My sincere apologies, Ms. Mary Heart... It appeared your child was born prematurely. She will require delicate care to further sustain her life."

I still remember, the look on my mother face when first hearing the doctor's words.
I still remember, the tears that welled in her eyes every time I asked about my sister’s condition.

She was born premature, her fragile body struggling from the very first breath. Weak muscle, a fragile heart, and the constant need for medication and surgeries has bound her to the confines of a hospital bed.

I had watched her grow beneath sterile white ceilings, her world limited to machines and medication.
She had never once played in the open air, never once had any friends.

"Big sis… when do you think I’ll finally see the outside world...?"

As her sibling, I always stayed by her side; all I ever wished was for her to live a normal life, for her to witness the world.

Until I discovered Aria Luna Academy; a place that grant any wishes within the realm of possibilities.

—

“Hey, Sylvia!”

Cinder’s voice was heard from down the pathwalk, snapping me back to the reality. I realized I’d been standing in the hallway for who knows how long.

She waved her hand in the air, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
“You zoning out again? Everyone’s been waiting.”

“Sorry… I'm coming.”

That's right, my journey is far from over. As long as I have my childhood friends—Cinder, Violette, Misty—by my side. I’d still find the strength to keep fighting.

If it means I can bring happiness to my sister.
If it means she can finally live a normal life.

I would fight endlessly, for Vivy's future.

.

.

.

clap clap clap

How... interesting.
The two sides of a coin—Harmony & Clarity—are fighting for their future.

You might be thinking: the protagonists will always make it to the end because they're the main characters.

However, this is not a happy-go-lucky story.
If one must triumph; the others must fall.