Chapter Text
In the Fukushima mountains, autumn had fully arrived, which showed a beautiful picture of green and red trees. The forest was alive with the gentle rustle of leaves, birds chirping in the cool breeze and the warm golden light of the sun filtering through the trees. It was the kind of peaceful scene that could put any soul at ease.
But that peace was abruptly shattered.
"Ahhhh!" A loud scream tore through the tranquillity, startling the birds from some branches.
Standing by the riverbank was a young woman with striking black-purple hair and intense brown eyes. Her face twisted with frustration as she looked at the collapsed remains of a wooden bridge.
“This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation at a mountain inn with hot springs,” she muttered, her voice dripping with exasperation. “And now this?!”
She stood there, arms crossed, staring at the broken bridge, as if willing it to fix itself. The rushing water beneath it didn’t seem to care about her predicament. "Maybe hiking out here wasn't the best idea after all. Should have gone with the bus," she groaned. "Now what?"
As she pondered her next move, a faint sound broke through her thoughts. It was a soft, melodic humming, growing louder with each passing second. Curious, she turned around, eyes narrowing in confusion as a young girl, with long blonde hair flowing down to her waist and vibrant, glowing sky-blue eyes, approached her from the shadows of the trees.
“A foreigner?”
The girl skipped up to her, still humming a cheerful tune, a stark contrast to the woman's frustration. “What’s a child doing all alone, here in the mountains?”, the woman thought, eyeing the girl suspiciously. But before she could voice her confusion, the girl stopped right in front of her and waved.
"Hello!" she said, her voice sweet and innocent.
The woman blinked in surprise. “How cute... Maybe she knows the way to the hot springs,” she thought, her irritation momentarily forgotten. She cleared her throat, forcing a polite smile. "Excuse me, could you tell me—"
But the girl interrupted, bombarding her with rapid-fire questions. "Who are you? Are you from here? Hiking, huh? What’s in that big bag? Oh, is that—"
Thud!
The girl yelped in surprise as a fist came down on her head, courtesy of the now-fuming woman. The blonde had been darting around her, circling like an overly enthusiastic puppy. But the woman had reached her limit.
Rubbing her sore head, the girl finally stopped. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Could you help me out instead of running circles around me?" the woman snapped. "I'm trying to get to the hot springs. They're on the other side of this river, but the bridge is out."
The girl straightened up; all traces of her playful antics gone. "Oh, the bridge? Yeah, it got knocked down by a typhoon. We haven’t had time to fix it yet."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re a local then?"
“Yup!” The girl beamed, clasping her hands behind her back. “I’m Guinevere, but you can call me Gwen. Want me to show you the way to the hot springs?”
✿ ✿ ✿
They walked deeper into the forest, the crunch of leaves beneath their feet the only sound. The golden leaves swirled in the wind as they fell from the trees, painting a picturesque autumn scene.
Kiria, the young woman, glanced at Guinevere, who was walking a few paces ahead. "This girl seems too carefree for someone out here in the middle of nowhere," she thought, her curiosity piqued by the odd girl.
Guinevere suddenly spun around to walk backward, her long blonde hair bouncing with each step. “By the way, what’s your name?” she asked, tilting her head as she studied Kiria.
Kiria frowned. “Why should I tell you?”
Guinevere giggled. “Are you embarrassed by your name? Is it weird or something?”
Kiria’s face reddened in annoyance. “No, it’s not weird!” she snapped. “It’s Kiria! Kiria Nishino.”
Guinevere’s smile widened. “Nice to meet you, Kiria!”
Before Kiria could respond, they reached a waterfall. A thin log lay across the cascading water, serving as a makeshift bridge.
Kiria stared at it, her stomach dropping. "She can’t be serious… Crossing that log will be my death sentence!"
Guinevere pointed at the log. "We just need to cross here. After that, we’ll be almost at the inn."
Kiria’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Cross this?! That’s not a bridge! That’s a death trap!"
Guinevere blinked, then nonchalantly pointed downriver. "There’s a proper bridge about eight kilometer away, but it’ll be dark by the time we get there."
Kiria groaned. "I’d rather walk eight kilometres than fall to my death while crossing that thing!" She turned and stomped away.
She didn’t get far.
Guinevere shrugged, uninterested, slipping off her shoes. "Suit yourself, but just so you know, bears often show up at night to hunt.”
Kiria froze. "B-bears?!"
"That’s why you should cross the log. Of course, if you don’t mind meeting a bear, then be my guest. But I don’t think you’ll survive that. Did you live a good life? Do you have any regrets?"
Without waiting for a response, Guinevere leapt onto the fallen log with the grace of a dancer. She moved effortlessly, balancing on her tiptoes as she skipped across the river, her shoes and socks in hand.
"Wait! You’re going to fall!" Kiria yelled, her voice thick with panic.
But Guinevere was already on the other side
Each step, she took was light and sure, as if the rushing water below didn't exist. The woman stood frozen in surprise, watching the girl's nimble movements, a mix of awe and disbelief crossing her face.
"Is she serious?" the woman muttered to herself, eyes widening as Guinevere reached the other side without so much as a wobble.
Guinevere turned to Kiria, who stood at the other side of the river. "See? It’s easy once you get the knack of it."
Kiria stood frozen, mouth agape. "She crossed on her toes?!" she thought. "What kind of kid is this?"
✿ ✿ ✿
Minutes later, Kiria clung to the log for dear life, her knuckles white. “How… how did I get roped into this?!” she wailed, inching across the log while Guinevere stood on the other side, hands on her hips.
“Hurry up, Miss Kiria!” Guinevere called out. “We still have to get to the inn before it gets dark!”
Kiria glared at the girl, her face flushed with frustration. "Shut up! I’m trying!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the river. As she screamed, her foot slipped, and she nearly lost her balance. With a yelp, she clung desperately to the log, her knuckles white as she started to wail in panic.
Guinevere’s carefree laughter rang out, blending with Kiria’s distressed cries. Together, their voices were loud enough to be heard over the roaring waterfall nearby. The scene was almost comical—one girl gracefully skipping across the river, the other clinging for dear life.
✿ ✿ ✿
By the time they reached the base of the hill leading to the inn, Kiria’s patience was hanging by a thread.
“Now, we just need to keep going all the way up this hill, and we’ll arrive at the inn,” Guinevere said cheerfully.
Kiria eyed the steep, narrow path ahead, her breath coming in frustrated huffs. "This animal trail? You’ve got to be joking!"
Guinevere sighed, undeterred. "Miss Kiria, you’re so picky. There’s no other way."
Kiria scowled, her exhaustion getting the better of her. "I’m tired, hungry, and at my limit! You’re lucky I haven’t—"
Guinevere interrupted with a grin. “Want me to carry your bag?”
Kiria blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
Before she could protest, Guinevere effortlessly hoisted Kiria’s heavy bag onto her shoulders and dashed up the hill with the same boundless energy she'd had all day.
"Wait! Be careful with that!" Kiria shouted, scrambling to keep up. But no matter how hard she ran; she couldn’t close the gap. “How can a kid be this strong?! This is inhuman!”
✿ ✿ ✿
Finally, Kiria and Guinevere arrived at the inn. As soon as they were in front of it, Kiria collapsed onto the floor, her arms and legs splayed out in exhaustion like a starfish. She gasped for air, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"That... was torture!" she wheezed, barely able to lift her head. "How can a girl be that strong and fast? It shouldn't even be possible."
Guinevere, on the other hand, was standing tall, barely winded, her sky-blue eyes vibrating. "We made it!" she said cheerfully, brushing some dirt from her shorts as if the whole ordeal had been nothing more than a casual stroll. "That wasn’t so bad, right?"
Kiria groaned, pushing herself up just enough to glare at Guinevere. "Speak for yourself. How... do you do it?" she asked between laboured breaths. "We just ran up a mountain... and you’re not even out of breath!"
Guinevere laughed lightly; a sound so carefree it made Kiria even more exasperated. "Oh, that? That was nothing! I exercise way more than that every day. I always make sure to stay in top condition."
"Top condition?" Kiria sat up slowly, rubbing her sore legs. "For what, exactly?"
Guinevere's face lit up with a smile that was both innocent and determined. "Well, my grandpa always says you should try to be the best at everything you do, no matter what. I’m not sure yet what I want to be the best at, but when I figure it out, I don’t want my body to hold me back. So, I train every day to be ready."
Kiria stared at her, her expression full of disbelief and admiration. “What a strange girl...”, she thought. “But... maybe she's onto something.”
As Guinevere spoke, she casually let go of Kiria's large bag, which had been slung over her shoulder. The bag began to fall, and Guinevere quickly grabbed it before it hit the floor, her curiosity piqued.
"By the way," she asked, tilting her head, "what’s in this bag? It made some noises while I was running.”
Kiria’s eyes widened. "My golf clubs! Be careful! I hope you didn’t break any of them."
"Golf?" Guinevere echoed, stopping in her tracks. She stood still for a moment, as if processing the information, then—with zero hesitation—unzipped the bag.
"Hey! Don’t just open it without permission!" Kiria shouted, now fully alert and scrambling to her feet.
But Guinevere had already pulled out a driver, holding it up to inspect it. "This one looks new," she murmured, her eyes studying the club with fascination. She turned to Kiria; her sky-blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I once saw a golf game on tv. Can you really hit far with this? It’s so thin... Is it like hitting a home run in baseball?"
Kiria’s face turned red with fury. Her fists clenched, and without thinking, she lunged at Guinevere, grabbing the girl by the shoulders and shaking her. "Say that again!" she yelled, her voice rising with frustration. "You don’t know anything about golf! Even elementary school kids can hit the ball far! How dare you—"
But Kiria stopped when she saw the sudden shimmer of tears in Guinevere’s wide eyes. Her grip loosened, and she let go of the girl, guilt immediately washing over her. "I... I didn’t mean to—" she stammered; her voice now much softer. She looked away, ashamed of her outburst.
Guinevere sniffled slightly, then wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You know," she began quietly, "my grandpa always says people don’t like hysterical people. He used to say it could make it really hard to make friends or find a boyfriend. I never really believed him before, but you kind of proved him right just now." She tilted her head, her voice full of genuine concern. "It’s really sad, being all alone.”
Kiria blinked, taken aback.
"Huh?" she muttered, feeling the sting of those words hit deeper than she expected.
Guinevere patted Kiria’s leg in a reassuring way, the way someone might comfort a child. "Don’t give up. You can still make friends and have relationships, you know. Even with your temper." She smiled warmly. "I’m sure we can find someone who likes you, despite all that. If you want, I can introduce you to someone. And I will be your first friend."
Kiria’s teeth ground together as her irritation returned, but this time it was tinged with embarrassment. She was on the verge of snapping again when a voice called out from a distance, breaking the tense silence.
"Hey, Gwen! We’ve been looking for you! What are you doing over there?" A boy’s voice echoed through the air. He seemed to be around the same age as Guinevere, with shaggy hair and a baseball bat in hand. Three other boys stood behind him, one tossing a baseball into the air and catching it repeatedly.
"Sorry, guys! I’m coming!" Guinevere called back, waving energetically at them. She turned to Kiria with a quick smile. "Bye, Miss Kiria! I’ll see you around!" And with that, she dashed off, her blonde hair flying behind her as she joined the boys.
Kiria stood there, frozen in place, still reeling from the conversation. Her hands balled into fists, and a dark, ominous aura seemed to surround her. She stood alone in front of the inn, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge and pride.
"I was born in the Year of the Snake," she muttered to herself, her voice low and menacing. "Angering me only makes me more persistent." Her fist clenched even tighter as she watched Guinevere disappear into the distance, her eyes gleaming with renewed determination. “This isn't over, kid... not by a long shot.”
✿ ✿ ✿
Clang!
"I got it!"
"Alright!"
On a track field, the sunbathed the field in a warm glow as Guinevere and four boys were deep into a heated game of baseball. They were all grinning, eager to see who could hit the ball the farthest. The competition buzzed with youthful energy, their shouts echoing across the field.
"Wow! That was exactly 100 meters!" one of the boys exclaimed, measuring the distance with excitement in his voice.
"Awesome, Guccho!" another boy cheered, clapping his hands, applauding the boy who had just set a record.
Guccho puffed out his chest with pride, his grin as wide as the horizon. "I'm the longest hitter in Yamamori Elementary!" he boasted. Turning toward Guinevere, his eyes gleaming with challenge, he asked, "Gwen, think you can beat my record?"
Guinevere smirked, the challenge lighting a playful spark in her. "Let’s see," she replied coolly, stepping up to the plate, her hands gripping the baseball bat with confidence. The pitcher, standing across from her, narrowed his focus, ready to throw.
“The longest hitter, huh?”, Guinevere thought to herself, feeling the weight of the bat in her hands. “At least he has a dream. Should I also aim to be the longest hitter in baseball, too?”
For a brief moment, a flash of memory stirred in her—an old golf club, forgotten in a dusty storage shed, its handle worn from use. She quickly shook her head and refocused on the game at hand.
"Alright, here it comes!" the pitcher shouted as he wound up.
The ball sailed toward her, and with a swift, practiced motion, Guinevere swung.
Clang!
The sound echoed through the field as the ball shot into the sky, soaring far beyond what anyone had expected. It rocketed toward a distant tree, where it finally crashed with a soft thud.
"Whoa!"
"Incredible! That was a home run!"
"How did you do that?! It’s at least 120 meters to the lone cedar tree!"
Guinevere rested the bat on her shoulder, her expression calm despite the excitement around her. "Looks like I beat your record," she said casually, flashing them a friendly smile. "That wasn’t too difficult."
Just then, an unfamiliar voice cut through the cheering, its tone laced with mockery. "Getting all excited over a hit like that? You’re still a kid, after all, Guinevere."
Expectedly, Guinevere turned to see Kiria standing at the edge of the field, arms crossed and a smug smirk playing on her lips. Her presence brought the game to a halt. All eyes turned towards her, the playful atmosphere of the baseball game shifting into one of tense curiosity.
Guinevere had noticed Kiria’s arrival some time ago but had chosen to focus on her game, trusting that Kiria would wait patiently. Now, with the game paused and the attention firmly on her, Guinevere couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
Kiria's confident stance and the way she surveyed the scene with a knowing smile made it clear that she was ready to make a statement. Guinevere’s heart skipped a beat from excitement as she wondered what Kiria had planned next. The brief respite in the game only heightened the tension, as the boys exchanged puzzled glances and whispered among themselves.
“Looks like Kiria’s about to make her move,” Guinevere thought, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to face whatever challenge or comment Kiria had in store.
Guinevere tilted her head, shifting her expression to curious. So, that no one suspected what she really thought and felt. "What do you mean?"
"You really think those hits were impressive?" Kiria scoffed. She then pointed sharply at Guccho, who flinched slightly. "And you! You call yourself the longest hitter, but you’re getting all worked up over just 100 meters?"
"Of course!" Guccho shot back, his voice filled with defiance. "We’ve tried all kinds of sports—dodgeball, football, you name it. But we found that baseball home runs fly the farthest. Pro players can hit home run balls up to 150 meters! So, the best baseball hitter has to be the best hitter in the world!"
The other boys nodded in agreement; their eyes wide as they affirmed their friend’s logic. Yet, Guinevere remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Kiria.
Kiria’s eyes, sharp and perceptive, flickered toward Guinevere. She noticed the girl’s calm, almost detached demeanour amidst the group’s excited chatter.
Kiria raised an eyebrow, sensing that the girl was not easily swayed by the group’s enthusiasm. With a slight smirk, she turned her attention back to the boys, her mind already plotting how to give them a lecture.
"The longest hitter in the world, huh?" Kiria mused aloud, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Why don’t I show you the power of a golfer?"
The field fell quiet. The boys exchanged confused looks; their attention glued to Kiria. Guinevere, sensing what was about to happen, subtly hid a smile behind her hand.
One of the boys leaned in to whisper to his friend. "Isn’t golf that boring sport for old people?"
"Yeah," the other boy replied. "It’s kind of like gateball, right?"
The third boy chimed in, glancing at Kiria sceptically. "She looks young, though. Why is she playing that?"
"Maybe she’s older than she looks," the fourth boy added with a smirk. "Should we call her 'auntie' instead of 'miss'?"
Their hushed chatter echoed softly, but it was enough to fuel Kiria’s growing irritation. Guinevere, standing a few feet away, noticed the faint twitch in Kiria’s eyebrow and instinctively took a cautious step back. She knew what was coming next.
Without warning, Kiria’s temper flared. "Hey! Don’t you dare call me 'auntie!'" she yelled; her voice thunderous. With a swift movement, she bonked each of the boys on the head, sending them scrambling and running off in different directions, crying out for their parents in exaggerated pain.
✿ ✿ ✿
After Kiria’s outburst, the once-lively track field fell quiet, leaving just her and Guinevere standing under the afternoon sun.
Guinevere glanced around at the deserted field, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "Good thing I didn’t get hit. That looked painful," she muttered to herself, her gaze lingering on Kiria, who was still visibly fuming. Despite the tension, Guinevere’s smile remained, a subtle sign of her unshaken amusement.
“Well, at least something amusing happened,” she thought, her eyes flicking back to Kiria. “It never gets boring with her.”
"You know, Miss Kiria," Guinevere said with a mix of innocence and playfulness, "my grandpa always says losing your temper is bad for your health. Are you still healthy?"
Kiria’s anger flared up briefly, but the comment pulled her out of her brooding thoughts. "Shut up!" she snapped; her frustration momentarily redirected.
With a sharp, determined movement, Kiria reached into her bag and pulled out her driver. "Watch this," she said, her voice full of confidence.
Guinevere’s smile faded into a frown as her curiosity was piqued. She watched intently as Kiria prepared for her shot.
Kiria teed up a golf ball on the field, its small white form balanced on the tee.
"So, that’s the ball? It looks like it’s floating above the ground," Guinevere remarked, leaning slightly forward with her hands clasped behind her back.
"That’s normal. You must tee it up before hitting it. Now back off. You’re too close—it’s dangerous," Kiria warned.
Guinevere took a quick step back, giving Kiria plenty of space as she got into position. Kiria set her feet, knees bent slightly, the head of the driver resting just behind the ball. She tightened her grip on the club, her gaze zeroed in on the ball with laser-like focus. A confident, almost smug smile crept across her face.
“She’s smiling... Is golf really that fun?” Guinevere wondered, her mind drifting for a moment.
A distant memory resurfaced, clearer this time.
In her mind’s eye, she saw it: an old golf club lying on a table beside a torn photo. The image showed three people, but two faces had been ripped away. Only one figure remained— a beautiful woman with long black hair and piercing brown-red eyes, wearing a lovely blue dress. She stood between two blond figures, their arms around each other in a loving embrace. The man on the left was holding a driver—the same one that was lying beside the photo.
Her fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms, as she tried to push the memory away and focus on the present.
Kiria exhaled slowly, aligning her shot with precision. With one smooth, powerful motion, she raised the club, her elbows parallel to her nose, and then swung down with force.
Thwack!
The ball rocketed through the air, soaring far beyond the lone cedar tree that had marked the boys’ earlier record. It disappeared into the edge of the forest, leaving Guinevere speechless.
"Wow... Incredible," Guinevere murmured, her eyes wide with awe. "That must’ve been at least 200 meters!"
Kiria slung the club over her shoulder, a smug grin spreading across her face. "Yeah, that was probably around 200 meters. But that’s nothing compared to my best."
"Nothing?" Guinevere gasped, her admiration growing. "How far can you hit it?"
"I’m a professional golfer, actually," Kiria said with pride. "I’m 10th on the prize-money list. I’m known for my long drives among female pros. When I’m in top form, I can hit over 260 meters."
"260 meters?! That’s amazing!"
Kiria gave a nod of acknowledgment. "Of course, world-class male players can go even farther. Some can hit over 300 meters."
"300 meters... Golf really is amazing," Guinevere said, almost to herself, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe I should try it..."
"The boys were wrong earlier," Kiria added with a smirk. "Golf is actually the sport where you can hit a ball the farthest."
“Golf”, Guinevere thought. ”I never really wanted to try it, but... it seems so much fun. Maybe it’ll help me understand why that golf club was so important.”
"Miss Kiria, can I try hitting the ball?"
Guinevere's request lingered in the air, her voice unexpectedly quiet yet filled with purpose as she turned away from Kiria, lost in thought.
Kiria raised an eyebrow, her surprise evident. "I’m not sure... You didn’t even defend golf earlier when the others were making fun of it."
Guinevere turned back around. "Please. I want to try it.”
Guinevere’s intense gaze deepened, her sky-blue eyes turning almost crystalline, as if they could see right through Kiria. The field around them grew darker as a cloud passed over the sun, casting long shadows of them. The world stopped for a moment. Even the faint breeze came to a halt.
Kiria, unnerved by the sharpness in Guinevere’s stare, felt her throat tighten.
”Creepy…”, she thought, feeling goosebumps rise on her arms. ”She’s... scary.”
Despite the tense atmosphere that had settled between them, Kiria nodded, her voice steady but hesitant. "Alright," she said, trying to shake off the eerie sensation that had crept up her spine. "You can try."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the tension in the air loosened, but a quiet curiosity lingered as Guinevere’s focus shifted back to the golf club.
✿ ✿ ✿
"Okay, let's do this," Guinevere said, her voice brimming with determination.
Standing just to the left of the golf ball, she took her stance. She had already carefully placed the ball on the tee, and now it was time to make her swing. With an almost theatrical motion, Guinevere lifted her leg as if she were about to pitch in a baseball game. Her focus was set entirely on the cedar tree ahead, her grip tightening on the driver.
"It's a baseball batting stance," Kiria observed, an amused smile tugging at her lips. She watched closely, curious to see what would happen next.
Guinevere, undeterred, honed in on the cedar tree in the distance. Her hands clenched around the club, and with all her strength she could muster, she swung the club—missing the ball completely.
The whiff of air as the club passed over the ball was almost louder than the impact should have been. For a moment, there was silence, followed by Kiria’s uncontrollable laughter.
Guinevere stood frozen, staring down at the still-untouched golf ball. A look of disbelief crept across her face.
"Hmph!" she grumbled, a deep pout forming on her lips. She glared down at the club in her hands as if it had betrayed her. Determined to try again, Guinevere reset her stance, squaring her shoulders. But once again, the result was the same: another miss.
Kiria, still chuckling, leaned back and folded her arms. "You know, you’re supposed to hit the ball, not just swing at the air."
Guinevere’s frustration was clear. Her brows furrowed, and with a hint of desperation, she tried several more times. Every attempt ended the same way, leaving the ball sitting innocently on the tee.
"Why can’t I hit the ball? It’s not even moving!" Guinevere muttered under her breath. She was now lying on the ground, her head resting in her hands as she stared at the golf ball like it was a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Her pouting expression remained, making her look even more exasperated.
Kiria walked over and crouched down beside her. "Here’s my first piece of advice," she began, catching Guinevere’s attention.
"Huh?" Guinevere lifted her head, blinking up at Kiria in confusion.
"Keep your eyes on the ball. Don’t look away until your club makes contact. If you take your eyes off it, you’ll miss every time. And my second piece of advice: keep your knees at a steady height. Your swing won’t be consistent if you keep bouncing up and down."
"Oh..." Guinevere slowly sat up, her mind processing the information.
She stood, determined to try again, her sky-blue eyes now fixed intently on the golf ball. She adjusted her stance, this time keeping both feet firmly on the ground.
"Keep my eyes on the ball," she whispered to herself, her gaze laser-focused on the small white sphere.
Guinevere made sure not to lift her feet, remembering Kiria’s second piece of advice. She bent her knees just slightly, making her stance feel more stable.
"This stance feels pretty good," she thought a hint of confidence creeping back into her being.
Kiria, though impressed by Guinevere’s determination, couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. "It’s easier said than done, especially for a beginner," she thought to herself, unsure if Guinevere could pull it off.
Guinevere drew her arms back, preparing for the swing. The world around her seemed to fade into a blur. The soft rustle of the wind through the trees, the distant chirping of birds—all of it disappeared. The only thing she could see with clarity was the golf ball. It was as if nothing else existed.
Guinevere took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the handle of the driver. As she swung, time seemed to slow down. Just before the club connected with the ball, something strange happened—she saw it.
A light.
It wasn’t the golden afternoon sun reflecting off the club. This light was different— the middle of the face and the ball were light up, showing her, where she needed to hit. Like a guide.
And so, she hit it.
Dung!
The sound of impact echoed sharply across the field.
"This feeling!" Guinevere gasped, her eyes widening.
The ball shot into the sky, soaring higher and higher until it passed the cedar tree with ease. Guinevere, startled by the unexpected power of her own swing, couldn’t follow through with it. She lost her balance and tumbled to the ground. She blinked, lying there in shock, unable to fully comprehend what had just happened.
Kiria stood rooted in place, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What... what was that?" Guinevere whispered, staring at her left hand as it trembled. "That light... it shone so brightly."
Kiria, still trying to wrap her mind around what she had just witnessed, muttered under her breath, "That sound… that wasn’t a normal impact. That wasn’t a sound a beginner should be able to make."
"The ball went farther than yours!" Guinevere exclaimed, her excitement growing with each word. She scrambled to her feet, nearly bouncing with enthusiasm. "It went whoosh! And just kept going! Amazing! Can I hit it again? Please, please, please?" She tugged on Kiria’s sleeve like an eager child asking for permission to play more.
While Guinevere bubbled over with joy, Kiria was deep in thought. “Her form was perfect. Her body was completely stable. But where did that come from? She said she’s never played golf before…"
Kiria’s thoughts drifted back to a memory—Guinevere skipping across a thin log effortlessly, her toes barely touching the surface as she moved with a dancer’s grace. "It’s her lower body," Kiria realized. "That’s where her strength and stability come from."
But there was still something else. "How did she instinctively know the proper swing?" Kiria wondered.
Suddenly, Guinevere’s voice broke through her thoughts. "Golf is really the same."
Kiria blinked. "The same? What do you mean?" She turned to the smaller girl and snatched the hand that was tugging her sleeve. "Explain."
Guinevere let out a surprised squeak at the sudden contact.
✿ ✿ ✿
Phaw!
The sound of chopping echoed through the forest, startling a group of birds from their perch in the trees. They took flight, scattering into the sky.
Kiria stood astonished, watching Guinevere swing an axe at a tree with smooth, practiced movements.
"Is this the secret behind her perfect form?", Kiria thought, unable to tear her eyes away from the young girl’s fluid motions.
With each swing, Guinevere twisted her upper body, extending her arms as she gripped the axe. Her eyes were locked on the point where the blade would strike, ensuring that her head stayed down, and her shoulders remained square.
Phaw!
Another clean hit, and the tree finally fell.
"Did you teach yourself how to chop trees?" Kiria asked, still amazed by the precision and strength Guinevere displayed.
"Yeah. We need a lot of wood for baths and cooking, so I chop trees every day," Guinevere explained, shrugging as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I just figured out the best way to do it, and now it feels natural."
"Every day?" Kiria repeated, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Miss Kiria?" Guinevere’s voice snapped her out of her disbelief.
"Hmm?"
"Can I play again? Please?" Guinevere clasped her hands together, bowing her head slightly in a pleading gesture.
Kiria couldn’t help but smile at the sight. The young girl’s enthusiasm was infectious. "Alright," Kiria said with a soft sigh. "Let’s do it."
Guinevere’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, her eyes sparkling like stars. Her joy was so pure, so contagious, that Kiria couldn’t help but chuckle.
✿ ✿ ✿
"Come on! We’re almost there!" Guinevere called out from ahead, her voice filled with excitement.
"Wait... a minute!" Kiria panted, stopping to catch her breath. She looked up, seeing Guinevere standing at the top of a narrow path, her figure outlined by the last rays of sunlight.
After taking a deep breath, Kiria continued to climb, reaching the top where Guinevere waited. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked out at the view before her.
The sun was setting, casting a golden halo over two mountains. The closer one stood tall and strong, while the larger mountain loomed behind it, majestic and imposing. The warm light bathed everything in a soft glow, making the rocky terrain seem almost magical.
"What is this place?" Kiria asked, her voice filled with awe. "These mountains… they’re incredible."
Guinevere smiled proudly. "This is my secret training spot. The smaller mountain is Mount Chubby, and the taller one behind it is Mount Beanpole. I’ve hit so many balls at Mount Chubby, but I’ve never reached Mount Beanpole," she said, pointing to the dents visible on Mount Chubby’s side.
Kiria squinted, studying the distance between them and the mountains. "No wonder," she muttered. "It’s about 190 meters to Mount Chubby, and 250 meters to the top of Mount Beanpole."
Guinevere’s eyes widened with admiration. "Wow! How do you know that?"
"Golfers need to be able to estimate distances," Kiria replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Guinevere’s expression shifted, growing serious. "Miss Kiria," she began, her voice soft but filled with determination, "you told me that golf is the sport where you can hit the ball the farthest, right?"
"That’s right," Kiria nodded, curious about where Guinevere was going with this.
"I want to hit the ball farther than anyone else!" Guinevere exclaimed; her eyes gleaming with fierce determination. Her golden hair swirled around her in the breeze, catching the warm glow of the sunset. The light framed her face, making her appear almost ethereal. Her stance was firm, her posture confident, and her expression resolute.
"On the track field, it felt so good to hit the ball," she continued, her voice full of passion. "I want to hit a ball again and again."
The intensity in her words matched the fire in her eyes—unwavering, ready to chase whatever lay ahead.
Kiria couldn’t help but smile, pride swelling in her chest. "Then plant your feet firmly and swing as hard as you can," she said, her voice gentle but filled with encouragement.
She handed Guinevere the driver, and for a moment, they both held onto it, a silent exchange passing between them.
"There’s a fire in her eyes," Kiria thought, watching the young girl closely. "Let’s see if my instincts are right about her."
✿ ✿ ✿
The golf ball sat teed up before the two mountains, small and insignificant compared to the vast landscape around them.
Guinevere stood to the left of it, her focus razor-sharp. Kiria watched from a few paces away, her arms crossed as she studied Guinevere’s stance.
"An axe swing stops when it hits the tree," Kiria thought to herself. "That’s why she couldn’t follow through with her golf swing earlier. But if she follows through this time…”
Kiria’s eyes didn’t leave Guinevere for a second. She could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation building with each passing moment.
"Show me your true strength, Gwen!", Kiria silently urged.
Guinevere drew her arms back, her eyes locked onto the ball.
"Keep my eyes on the ball," she reminded herself.
And then—
Dung!
The ball exploded off the tee, shooting into the sky like a rocket. It soared higher and higher, effortlessly passing Mount Chubby and continuing upward until it finally reached the top of Mount Beanpole, where it snapped a branch of the tree standing there before disappearing into the distance.
For a brief moment, it looked like a shooting star, streaking through the sky.
"The ball… it disappeared," Guinevere whispered, her eyes wide with awe. She stood frozen, unable to look away from where the ball had last been visible. "I understand now. Golf really is…"
Kiria, who stood there speechless, thought to herself: "Wh-what a perfect impact! That ball must’ve flown nearly 300 meters. This girl… she’s the real deal."
Guinevere's voice, soft but filled with determination, broke through the silence. "I’ve decided," she said, turning to face Kiria.
The golden rays of the setting sun danced through her shimmering hair, making it seem as though gold dust swirled around her with every movement. Her sky-blue eyes gleamed brighter than before, like a mirror to the heavens.
It was a stark contrast to how they had looked earlier on the track—then, there had been something eerie about them, something that made you want to look away, but you couldn’t. Now, her eyes were mesmerizing in a completely different way; they sparkled with a clarity and beauty that made it impossible to stop looking. That made you want to turn their attention to you.
Guinevere looked breathtaking.
"Golf is… amazing," she continued, her voice filled with awe and excitement. "That feeling when the club hits the ball… it’s the best thing ever." Her eyes glowed with a newfound purpose, as though something deep inside her had awakened.
She took a step closer to Kiria, her expression serious yet filled with joy. "I’m so glad I met you, Miss Kiria. Thanks to you, I’ve found my goal. I want to play golf. I will become the longest hitter in the world! And one day, I’ll be the number one golfer."
Kiria’s heart swelled with pride. “Yes...” she thought, her eyes shining with admiration for the young girl. “If it’s you, I’m sure you’ll achieve that.”
As if sensing Kiria’s thoughts, Guinevere’s eyes shone even brighter, a fire burning within them. It was a fire that nothing in this world could extinguish—a fire that would drive her to greatness.
Or could it?