Catching the Wind PV | I. Thornfield Finished

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Ira's eyes sparkled with joy at Koko's words. She hoped she gets a chance to show off her moves to her senior. Or better yet, share a dance if Koko enjoyed dancing too.

Ira couldn't afford to look down once more but her ears were keenly tuned to Koko's voice as she shouted instructions while swaying side to side on the broom. Ira quickly straightened up and scooted back though not without a few jolting jerks along the way while her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as she did so.

Once she realised she has regained her balance on the broom, a quivering smile appeared on her lips. Immediately, Ira slightly leaned forward on the broom, eager to land as quickly as possible. However, the thought vanished as quickly as it occurred— It wasn't everyday someone trusts her with an Oakshaft 79, and Ira ought to make the most of the opportunity, shouldn't she? Besides, she got the hang of the broom... Well, at least a little bit.

Ira straightened her shoulders and weaved through the air, swaying... Intentionally this time, with a broad smile etched on her face. Every now and then, her gaze landed on Koko for reassurance while being careful not to repeat her earlier mistake. Her heart raced as if it would leap out of her chest as some part of her anticipated the fall already, but, she felt a surprising sense of confidence. All thanks to her senior.

Ira made a few swirls in the air, squealing, "Woo woo..." As she loses herself to the wind. Never had she felt this way, Never had she enjoyed herself so much on the broom before. Ira leaned towards the broom just enough so as to land after the fun. With a grin as wide as it could get, she climbed down and sprinted towards Koko.

Without thinking twice, her arms stretched out as she threw herself into Koko for a hug, "Thanks!" She exclaimed. A few minutes ago, she didn't expect Koko to be as sweet or kind as she was. In fact, Ira hadn't even known who the other girl was— still she doesn't know so much about her which she could rectify later. But whether Koko realised or not, she had made a lasting impression on Ira's life. Both through her words and actions.

Ira pulled away from Koko and scratched her head, overthinking whether she should’ve been more careful before acting on impulse. What if Koko wasn’t a fan of hugs?

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It was amazing! Ira's hand still tingled from her firm grip on the broom throughout when she was aloft, and her breath a little ragged as she stepped down from the broom. Ira flashed a broad smile at Koko while she flung herself at Koko for a hug. While Ira enjoys hugs, it had never been someone besides her family or people who were akin to family. But at this moment, words failed to escape her lips, and the next best thing that sprang to her instinct to express her feeling was to hug. The moment Koko hugged her back, her smile reached its maximum width.

Then when Ira pulled back, "All thanks to you," she responded. Without Koko, she had no idea how long it would have taken her to get the hang of the broom. She would have had no idea how long it would have taken for her to score at least an A in the subject. She could've and should've asked the professor for help, but she acted as if all was good with her, as she didn't want everyone's attention on her when she spells out that she's very poor with broom. That would be humiliating to have everyone stare at her for her ineptitude.

As Koko smiled at her with pride, Ira felt her cheeks warm, and her fingers once again started playing with her sleeve hem. She would do something else that would make Koko more proud before the year end—hopefully. But that doesn't mean she would immediately sign up for a sport. Definitely she was not as confident and as effortless to take that part, but improvement? That's one thing she could try to achieve by putting in her best effort. 

Ira fumbled for words before the words actually escaped her mouth, "I wish I could say thank you in a better way, but I’m not sure how! Thank you, Koko! I did everything," she swept her hand upwards towards the sky, "—because of you, and I’d be proud to tell everyone that. If I get involved in any sports—" Ira chuckled before resuming, "—that is, if I ever do, it would be all because of you and this memorable day."

The wind whooshed past them, and Ira glanced up to see how the sky grew darker before she pushed her hair behind her eyes. Her smile quivered with a mix of emotions and the cold, "I don’t want to take up any more of your practice time, Koko. Bye—see you later," she waved before making her way out the grounds. When she reached the point where she could barely see Koko, she halted and looked back one last time; her eyes shone with admiration. Has she admired anyone before? Yes. But trust the source; the list is not at all long.

Ira left the thread

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