Hot.

Blinding.

Endless.

The world was upside down.

The metallic scent of blood filled the air — thick and heavy.

Heat licked at her skin, not from sunlight, but from the orange flames dancing through the shattered window.

She was fourteen.

Trapped.

Her hands shook as she fumbled with the seatbelt.

"D–Dad...?”

Her father was slumped against the steering wheel, a dark red stain spreading across his shirt.

She screamed, voice raw with panic.

"Dad! Wake up! Please!”

For a long, terrible moment, he didn’t move.

Then — his eyes opened, heavy and clouded with pain.

 “Run... my princess...”

His voice cracked.

 “Run... and never... return to this place...”

Flames roared.

The car groaned.

And the world burned away.

PRESENT DAY

A single tear slid down Mekisa’s cheek.

She woke with a sharp inhale, heart pounding — just like every time before.

The soft light of morning painted her small room in gold and gray.

She exhaled slowly, pressing her hand to her chest.

"Good morning, Dad,” she whispered.

Her lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile.

“I’m twenty-four now.

Your little princess... she became strong.”

She rose from bed, moving with quiet purpose.

"So strong... I’m going to break our promise.”

“I’m going back.”

“I’ll find that lady — and I’ll make her pay.”

Just then—

DING!

The old brass bell on her wall rang loudly, shattering the moment.

She sighed. “Right. Time to work.”

She dressed quickly — loose jeans, a pale blouse, and a messy ponytail.

When she opened her door, chaos and warmth greeted her.

This was Sunshine Orphanage, her home for the last eight years.

"Rise and shine, everyone!” she called down the hall.

“The sun’s up — so should you be! It’s Sunday, but that doesn’t mean you can slack off. River cleaning duty, remember?”

A series of groans echoed from the bedrooms.

“Mekisa-nee, it’s sooo early,” came Yua’s sleepy voice.

“Early bird gets the worm, Yua! And the early child gets lunch before everyone else!”

She opened the boys’ room next... and stopped.

A mountain of blankets and snoring limbs greeted her.

Her eyebrow twitched.

“Oh, not again.”

She inhaled deeply, ready to unleash her Lioness Roar—

But the world tilted.

Her vision blurred, knees wobbling.

“Whoa there.”

A hand caught her elbow.

 “Roaring before breakfast? That’s not very majestic.”

That voice—

She didn’t need to look.

“Yukiro,” she muttered.

He stepped past her with his usual effortless charm — hair damp, sleeves rolled, grin infuriating.

“Alright, troops!” he announced.

“The Lioness has spoken! Operation Sparkling River begins in five minutes! Assemble in the kitchen for toast and jam!”

Instantly, the room erupted.

The kids jumped out of bed like soldiers on command.

Mekisa blinked. “How—?! I have to threaten them to move!”

Yukiro winked.

"It’s called charisma. You should try it sometime.”

She glared. “I am not a lioness.”

"Mm. Sure you aren’t.”

“I’d rather be that than a— a—”

Her brain failed her mid-insult.

“—than a forgetful Frog King who only knows how to do... tur... tur...”

Yukiro tilted his head, smirking.

"Touring? Ah, you mean my travel blogging job? The one that funds this orphanage?”

Mekisa’s cheeks flushed crimson.

“You—! You smug, stupid—!”

"You’re adorable when you’re angry,” he said with a laugh.

“I am not adorable!”

“Okay, scary then.”

“YUKIRO!”

Their familiar bickering followed them down the hall — a daily routine everyone at the orphanage had learned to tune out.

Sora, the youngest girl, tugged on Mekisa’s shirt with a bored expression.

"Mekisa-nee, Yukiro-nii... are you done? We’re all ready to go.”

Sure enough, ten children stood lined up by the door, fully dressed and armed with cleaning tools.

Mekisa sighed, defeated.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Yukiro grinned.

"Told you. Professionals.”

“Fine. Let’s just go.”

NEON CITY — A PENTHOUSE

The office was made of glass and silence.

Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the city like a frozen ocean.

Behind a massive steel desk sat Lady Shizuka — elegant, sharp, untouchable.

A man in a black suit stepped forward, head bowed.

 “The report you requested, Madam Shizuka.”

He placed a folder on her desk and left quietly.

Shizuka opened it.

Inside: a photograph.

A young woman, walking with a group of children near a riverside.

Strong eyes.

Soft smile.

Caption: Mekisa — Head of Sunshine Orphanage, Hill Station.

Shizuka’s crimson lips curved upward.

Her reflection in the glass smiled back — beautiful and cruel.

"After ten years,” she whispered.

“I’ve found you, daughter.”

End of Chapter 1