After school ended, Aisha and Miya walked side by side down the stone path outside the academy gates. The sun was soft, casting golden hues across the campus as students filtered out in groups.
Miya glanced sideways at her.
"Aisha, what are you doing later? Are you free?"
Aisha blinked. "Yes… I don't have any plans."
Miya beamed. "Then that's perfect! Give me your phone number I'll call you later."
"Phone number?" Aisha tilted her head slightly. "I… don't have one."
Miya stopped in her tracks. "Wait, what?! You're from a noble family and you don't have a phone?"
"It's not that I don't have one," Aisha said calmly. "I just never use it. I don't make friends, so… I never needed it."
Miya stared at her, then smiled softly.
"Well, from today on, you have a friend. Me."
Before Aisha could respond, Miya rummaged through her bag, pulled out a small notepad, scribbled something, and tore off the page.
Here, Miya said, handing it to her. This is my number. When you reach home, call me, okay?
Aisha looked at the paper in her hand, feeling something unfamiliar warm, and a little strange.
…Okay. I'll call.
Just as Aisha tucked the paper into her pocket, the quiet hum of an engine drew their attention. A sleek black car pulled up to the curb—its surface gleaming like obsidian under the late afternoon sun.
The emblem on the front marked it as a guild-assigned escort. From the front seat, a uniformed man stepped out, walked briskly to the back, and opened the door with a respectful bow.
Miya's eyes widened slightly. "Whoa… is that your ride?"
Aisha nodded casually. "Yeah, they send it every day."
She turned to Miya with a faint smile. "Come on. I'll drop you off at your home."
Miya shook her head quickly. "Thanks, but I can't. My father's coming to pick me up today."
Aisha paused, then gave a small nod. "Alright. See you tomorrow then."
"Yeah," Miya smiled. "And don't forget to call me, okay?"
Aisha stepped into the car, settling onto the soft leather seat. The guild escort gently closed the door behind her and returned to the driver's seat. As the engine purred to life, Aisha turned to the window and raised her hand, waving softly.
Outside, Miya stood by the school gate, waving back with a bright grin.
"Don't forget!" she called out one last time. "I'm serious call me!"
The car slowly pulled away, leaving the academy behind as Aisha watched her new friend shrink into the distance, a strange warmth lingering in her chest.
A few minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a grand estate—the towering gates sliding open silently as the vehicle passed through. The moment Aisha stepped out and entered the house, two familiar figures were already waiting near the entrance.
"Miss Aisha," Yuna, the gentle maid, rushed forward with a soft smile, "please, let me take your bag. I'll place it in your room."
Beside her stood Sakura, the younger maid with bright, curious eyes. "Welcome back, Miss Aisha! Today was your first day at school, right? How was it? Did you like it?"
Aisha beamed, her face lighting up with joy. "I loved it! Really, I didn't think I would, but it was amazing. I even made a new friend today. And you know what? Everyone was watching me! Some of the students even wanted to talk to me and be my friend."
As she spoke, laughter in her voice, another figure entered the hallway—tall, elegant, and radiating quiet strength.
"Aisha," her older sister said warmly, crossing her arms with a playful smile. "Just looking at your face, I can tell—you really liked school, didn't you?"
Aisha turned toward her and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, big sister! I really did. Today we learned about the basics of magic, and the teacher said starting tomorrow, we'll actually begin learning to use magic!"
Her sister's eyes softened. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad my little sister is finally having fun outside the house."
She gently brushed a hand through Aisha's hair and added, "Now go on, change out of your uniform. We'll have dinner together once you're ready, alright?"
"Okay!" Aisha chirped happily and headed up the stairs, with Yuna and Sakura following behind to assist her.
Her older sister remained at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, watching Aisha go.
"She looks so happy," she whispered to herself, a rare smile gracing her lips. "I've never seen her like this before…"
Aisha stepped into her room, the large door quietly opening as Yuna pushed it gently for her. The space was as elegant as always—soft lights, clean marble floors, and shelves filled with books and delicate ornaments.
But Aisha wasn't paying attention to any of that.
She furrowed her brows and slipped a folded piece of paper from the pocket of her uniform.
Sakura tilted her head. "Miss Aisha, what are you looking for? Tell me, I'll find it for you."
"I'm looking for... my phone," Aisha said, scanning the room.
"Your phone?" Sakura's face lit up. "Oh! I know where it is!"
Without waiting, Sakura dashed to the corner of the room, to a small cabinet near the television. She opened it and pulled out a sleek black phone, then hurried back. "Here it is, Miss Aisha."
Aisha took the phone and flopped down onto the bed, but before she could press anything, Yuna gently scolded her.
"Miss Aisha, please change your clothes first. If Madam finds out you're still in your school uniform while lying on the bed, we'll both be in trouble."
Aisha sighed and sat up slightly, still holding the phone. Sakura moved closer, watching her fumble with the buttons.
"You've never used a phone before," Sakura said gently. "But today, you're suddenly interested. Did something happen?"
Aisha nodded. "Today… my new friend gave me her number. She told me to call her."
"Ohh!" Sakura clapped her hands. "That's so nice! I'll show you how to use it then."
Aisha handed over the phone, and Sakura quickly turned it on. "This is a touchscreen phone. See this side button? You press it to wake the screen. Then you swipe up like this to unlock it."
She continued, tapping the call icon. "Now, type in the number… then press the green button here to call. When you're done, press the red one to end the call."
"I think I got it," Aisha said, taking the phone back.
She typed in the number and called.
Ring… ring…
No answer.
She looked disappointed.
"Try again, Miss Aisha," Sakura encouraged with a smile.
This time, the call connected.
"Hello?" Miya's voice came through, slightly rushed. "I'm so sorry, Aisha! I can't talk right now—my father's calling me. But don't worry, I saved your number. I'll call you later, okay? Really, I'm sorry!"
"It's okay, Miya," Aisha replied softly.
"Bye for now!" Miya said quickly before the line disconnected.
Aisha stared at the screen for a second, then smiled faintly. Her very first phone call… her very first friend.
Sakura watched Aisha's expression closely. "Are you okay, Miss Aisha?"
Aisha nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "I'm okay. I'm happy. Starting tomorrow… I'll finally learn magic."
"That's wonderful," Yuna said as she walked toward the closet. "But for now, you really need to change out of your school uniform."
Aisha stood and let the maids help her into something more comfortable—a soft, elegant lavender dress.
As she adjusted the sleeves, Sakura turned to her again. "Miss Aisha… are you planning to make more friends?"
"Yes," Aisha said quietly, her eyes soft with hope. "I want to."
A few hours later.
The grand dining hall was quiet except for the gentle clinking of cutlery. Aisha sat beside her elder sister at the long table, plates of warm food set neatly in front of them.
As Aisha tasted the soup, she looked up. "Big Sister… when will Mother and Father come home?"
Her sister smiled. "They'll be back later tonight. They're in a meeting."
"What about our middle sister?"
"She'll return tomorrow. She went on a college trip, remember?"
Aisha nodded slowly.
Her sister leaned forward with a curious smile. "So… I heard you made a new friend today. What's her name?"
"Miya," Aisha said quickly.
"And her surname?"
Aisha blinked. "Um… I don't know. I only remember her first name."
Her sister chuckled softly and reached over to ruffle Aisha's hair. "That's alright. Remembering even one name is a good start."
Then her sister's voice softened, a gentle seriousness settling into her expression.
"But Aisha… do you remember what I told you? Don't talk to strangers outside. And never take anything from anyone you don't know—no matter how kind they seem. Alright?"
Aisha nodded with a quiet, obedient smile. "Okay, Big Sister. I promise."
"Good girl." Her sister's features relaxed, her smile returning. "Now finish your food. You've got magic classes tomorrow."
With the warning gently tucked into her heart, Aisha nodded once more and picked up her spoon.
The dining room was quiet, filled only with the soft clinking of silverware and the warm glow of the chandelier above. Her big sister sat across from her, watching with a faint smile as Aisha eagerly ate.
The food tasted better than usual—maybe because today had been special.
A new school.
A new friend.
And tomorrow... magic.
For the first time in a long while, Aisha felt something bloom in her chest.